
Darnley Coffee House
Quick info
About Darnley Coffee House
On Bow St in Stirling, Darnley Coffee House operates as a coffee shop and tea room set in storage vaults beneath a house once owned by Lord Darnley. The menu runs to 34 dishes, centred on soups, toasties, and baked potatoes, with recurring soup flavours such as split pea and sweet potato chilli coconut, and homemade cordials including pineapple ginger and strawberry basil. Specials are chalked up on a roll of butcher paper alongside the regular menu. Customers order at the table and pay at the till, and reservations are recommended, since seating can be limited at busier times. The step-free entrance suits visitors with mobility needs, and high chairs are available for families with young children. Dogs are welcome, and staff bring out a water bowl for them. Takeaway is also available for those eating off site. The coffee house opens daily during the day.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid street parking
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating · Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs available
- DietaryServes vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
34 dishes · mains £3–11- Cup£2.90
- Bowl With Bread£5.90
- Soup, Bread & House Salad£6.90
- Mature Cheddar Cheese£6.50
- Cheddar With Apple Coleslaw Or Pickle£8.00
- Homemade Baked Beans And Cheddar£8.50
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention homemade soups, toasties, baked potatoes with baked beans and homemade cordials.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention homemade soups, toasties, baked potatoes with baked beans and homemade cordials.
Customer Review Summary
Soup draws the most consistent praise at Darnley Coffee House, with reviewers repeatedly singling out varieties like split pea and roasted tomato with basil, sweet potato chilli and coconut, and Ethiopian lentil. Close behind are the toasties, especially the cheese toastie and a chicken and bacon version on brown bread, along with baked potatoes such as tarragon chicken and one topped with homemade baked beans described as the best a reviewer ever had. Several also mention the homemade cordials, in flavors like pineapple ginger and rhubarb orange vanilla, plus a Darjeeling chai and a good tea selection. The setting, in vaults with a history tied to Mary Queen of Scots, comes up often alongside warm, welcoming staff and dogs being made comfortable with water and treats. The recurring caveat is that it gets busy, with one party leaving a phone number and waiting twenty to thirty minutes for a table, though most describe service as quick once seated. One reviewer noted wishing they had left room for a scone and cakes on offer.
Customer Review Summary
Soup draws the most consistent praise at Darnley Coffee House, with reviewers repeatedly singling out varieties like split pea and roasted tomato with basil, sweet potato chilli and coconut, and Ethiopian lentil. Close behind are the toasties, especially the cheese toastie and a chicken and bacon version on brown bread, along with baked potatoes such as tarragon chicken and one topped with homemade baked beans described as the best a reviewer ever had. Several also mention the homemade cordials, in flavors like pineapple ginger and rhubarb orange vanilla, plus a Darjeeling chai and a good tea selection. The setting, in vaults with a history tied to Mary Queen of Scots, comes up often alongside warm, welcoming staff and dogs being made comfortable with water and treats. The recurring caveat is that it gets busy, with one party leaving a phone number and waiting twenty to thirty minutes for a table, though most describe service as quick once seated. One reviewer noted wishing they had left room for a scone and cakes on offer.
Featured reviews
- Meredith Nickson
“Stopped by out of the blue on a Sunday stroll down from the castle to my car - it is absolutely adorable! Quick service and top notch food. I got the Egg&mayo sandwich and it comes with a small salad and crisps. Perfect bite for a quick lunch. Also got a “cordial” with their pineapple ginger syrup- quite tasty. You order at your table then pay at the till.”
- Sue Ratcliffe
“Superb tasty lunch. Can recommend cheddar and apple coleslaw jacket potato! Friend loved the sweet potato and ginger soup. Very friendly staff.”
- J Albert
“We walked past a number of cafes on the way up to Stirling Castle - I'm glad we didn't stop until we found Darnley. They have incredible soups (chicken, potato, basil and pea, chilli, coconut were the two we had). Great toasties too. I just wish I left enough room for a scone and some of the delicious looking cakes.”
- Brandon Coonse
“Great coffee, tea, and delicious sandwiches. Highly recommend after a trip to see Stirling Castle.”
- Mica Gola
“The soups in here, the best i’ve tried!! Toastie was great too, the cardial was super delicious, a great and cozy cafe. Loved it!”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Popular for popular for breakfast
- Popular for popular for lunch
- Popular for good for solo dining
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Paid street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Dogs allowed
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Serves vegan dishes
- Casual
- On-site services available
- Serves coffee
- Quick bite
- Dining options· 6
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Accessibility· 2
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs available
- Popular for· 4
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Good for solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Historic
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Offerings· 3
- Serves healthy options
- Serves small plates
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Highlights· 2
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Crowd· 2
- Good for groups
- Popular with tourists
Location
Coffee shops near Darnley Coffee House
- Coffee Bothy4.65732.8 mi£10–20Outdoor seatingVegan options
fish and chips, coffee and cakes, daily soup specials
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darnley Coffee House | 4.8526 | — | £10–20 | homemade soups, toasties, baked potatoes with baked beans |
| Coffee BothyOutdoor seating · Vegan options | 4.6573 | 2.8 mi | £10–20 | fish and chips, coffee and cakes, daily soup specials |
The 1 nearest coffee shops by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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