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We've compiled the best of the best in Stirling and the Central Highlands - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
Dine looking out onto the River Tay in this elegant but relaxed restaurant with tall windows, gray-and-white walls, and wooden tables. Chef Graeme Pallister has earned a reputation for imaginative fare with an emphasis on seasonal and local produce in adventurous combinations. There are no à la carte options, but there's a choice of multicourse menus; opt for the 4 for 38 Set Menu, which is four courses for £38 or the Just Feed Us menu of five courses for £60.
The late chef Andrew Fairlie established his restaurant in the Gleneagles Hotel in 2001, winning two Michelin stars for his elegant and restrained dishes, and setting in motion a food revolution that changed Scottish cooking. Fairlie's training was in classical French kitchens, and though his restaurant menus were firmly embedded in local Scottish produce, like pheasant and lobster, his style remained classic and detailed. Sadly, Fairlie died in 2019, but his commitment to training and supporting young chefs means that his team at the Gleneagles restaurant continues to maintain his legacy. The dégustation menu is £165 per person (wine pairing is an extra £95 or £150), but there are also three-course (£125) and four-course (£155) options available.
Located in Stirling's city center, meals here are based on a tasting menu where diners choose one dish from five groups that roughly correspond to starters, mains, and desserts. Ingredients are locally sourced as well as imaginatively prepared—often over an open flame—such as rabbit with vegan cheese or ox heart with Jerusalem artichokes. These tasting menus are moderately priced and served in a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere.
This lovely hotel has been beautifully transformed into a fine dining haven, with influences from the owners' extensive travels to Japan. The restaurant features an impressive tasting menu (with accompanying wines) with vegetables and herbs from the kitchen garden; the wine list is diverse and joined by a full list of sakes. The hotel's unique Japanese inspiration is seen in the simple and elegant rooms.
