Eat and Drink
A few of our favourite places to eat, drink and settle in for a while.
Despite its small size and rural setting, Drymen has an impressive choice of places to eat, with plenty more across the wider Loch Lomond area. Whether you’re after a proper pub lunch, somewhere to stop after a walk or something a little more intimate for the evening, you’re very well placed for eating and drinking locally. Here are some of our favourites places we go to regularly.
A Pub Steeped in History
Just a 20 minute walk from Nàdar, The Clachan Inn is widely recognised as Scotland’s oldest licensed pub, having been officially licensed in 1734. With hearty, chef-prepared food, an extensive selection of Scottish whiskies and a cosy traditional pub alongside a larger restaurant, it’s an ideal choice for a relaxed lunch or dinner. On colder days, settle in beside the fire and enjoy a taste of this historic village pub.
Live Music and Local Life
With live music and entertainment most weekends, The Drymen Inn is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. If you’re feeling sociable and fancy a livelier evening, head here to mingle, listen to local bands, watch the sport and enjoy some classic pub food.
A Little Taste of Italy
For a relaxed evening of Italian-inspired food, Lilypops is a small, independently owned restaurant in the heart of Drymen. Run by its owner and chef David, it offers a more intimate alternative to the village pubs and is a lovely option when you fancy something a little different.
A Brunch with a View
For a relaxed brunch with a more contemporary feel, The Kitchen Window in nearby Killearn is well worth a visit. With bright, airy interiors and lovely views across the surrounding countryside, it offers the kind of delicious brunch and café dishes you might expect to find in a much bigger city, yet all in a peaceful village setting.
A Lochside Stop in Balmaha
Set on the shores of Loch Lomond in Balmaha, The Oak Tree Inn is a favourite stopping point for walkers exploring the surrounding trails. Balmaha is an early stop on the West Highland Way and sits at the foot of Conic Hill, making The Oak Tree a natural place to refuel after a hike with hearty pub food, coffee or an ice cream. With loch views and plenty of ducks nearby, it’s an easy place to find yourself lingering a little longer.
Fresh From the Farm
Take the scenic route to The Courtyard Café at Knockraich Farm, around 30 minutes from Nàdar by car or a lovely cycle through the countryside. Set on a family-run dairy farm in Fintry, it’s a wonderfully wholesome place to stop for homemade cakes, ice cream and Katy Rodger’s award-winning artisan dairy, made using milk from the farm’s own herd. Settle in for breakfast or afternoon tea, or simply enjoy a coffee and something sweet in the peaceful surroundings.
