Celebrated table

Nick’s at Port of Menteith

Approachable Scottish cooking and relaxed outdoor dining at a beloved Callander estate recognized by The Good Food Guide.

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The story

Nick’s at Port of Menteith in Callander | Scottish Dining Near Lake of Monteith

The Kitchen and Its Founder

Nick’s at Port of Menteith in Callander offers approachable Scottish cooking guided by Nick Nairn. The celebrated television chef has shaped the kitchen into a reliable destination that balances familiar comfort with fresh local produce. A recognition from The Good Food Guide underscores how his straightforward philosophy resonates with visitors who prefer honest plates over complicated menus. The team prepares everything daily, drawing on ingredients sourced from the estate’s own kitchen garden and surrounding farms.

Outdoor Dining and Setting

Wooden decking stretches across the grounds, offering tables surrounded by wicker bucket chairs. Guests often claim the best spots during summer months when the space catches afternoon light and overlooks a quiet leafy field. The layout sits just outside the main waterfront area, placing diners close to the Lake of Monteith without feeling crowded. This rural arrangement lets families and groups settle in comfortably while children explore the nearby lifestyle store or cook school.

Seasonal Plates and Daily Service

The menu leans toward crowd pleasing Scottish fare rather than experimental techniques. Home-cured turbot and trout tacos arrive with jalapeño sour cream, charred avocado, and lime. Visitors frequently return for simple pizzas served on warm afternoons or fresh shellfish pulled directly from the barbecue. The kitchen stays open throughout the day to accommodate both casual lunches and relaxed evening meals.

Recognition

Awards & accolades

2026
The Good Food Guide
Good

Details

At a glance

The Good Food Guide 2026 — Good

History

On the record

2026
The Good Food Guide — Good

Nick Nairn, an avuncular celebrity chef and TV personality (‘veering towards national treasure status,' thought one reporter), is to be found at this rural complex comprising a home and lifestyle store (set up by his wife Julia), a restaurant, kitchen garden and Cook School near the picturesque Lake of Monteith. In a rural setting rather than on the waterfront, the restaurant spills out onto decking peppered with wicker bucket chairs overlooking a leafy field – the best tables in summer. Open all day, we just managed to squeeze into the overflow car park for a late lunch (booking is advised), but the welcome was genuine and while the menu is more crowd-pleasing than inventive (and prices can be punchy), it did deliver on the food front. A home-cured turbot and trout taco, for example, served with jalapeño sour cream, charred avocado, pico de gallo and lime was refreshingly delicious, and we would happily go back for a pizza on a sunny summer’s afternoon, or some shellfish from the BBQ.

Established

Location

Find us

Lochend Estate, Port of Menteith, Stirling, FK8 3JZ
Callander, United Kingdom
01877 389900
Map showing Nick’s at Port of Menteith