THE DARNLEY COFFEE HOUSE, 18 BOW STREET
I know it sounds incredible, but this unassuming Stirling establishment, located on the ground floor of a 16th century townhouse in which, some say, King James VI of Scotland may have been born, has a vast range of literally hundreds of different types of soup, two of which are made and served on the premises every day. The flavours are diverse and delicious, and helped upon their way by thick wholesome bread and butter. Is there a better way to spend one’s spare moments than seated amidst old crumbly stone with a warming bowl of heaven at hand? I very much doubt it. Oh, and The Darnley Coffee House also has superb puddings and some gooey sticky cakes. The puddings are so good that it can be a little too easy to get carried away and emerge from a head-down gastronomic frenzy to find cream liberally coating your face and ears and all those diners in the immediate vicinity. 2009 winner of The Good Soup Guide's Best Soup In Scotland Award.