Vera Artisan Bakery in Stirling has been crowned the "best in Scotland" at the Food Awards Scotland 2026, winning the Artisan Bakery of the Year prize for the fourth time.
Award Ceremony Details
The Food Awards Scotland 2026 took place on Monday, August 17, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central. The annual event celebrates the best businesses and individuals across Scotland's culinary industry, bringing together leading figures from the country's food, drink, and hospitality sectors.
Vera Artisan Bakery beat runners-up Dune Bakery in Queensferry and Bandit Bakery in Aberdeen to take the top prize.
Bakery Location and Offerings
Located on King Street in the centre of Stirling, near Stirling Castle, the bakery and coffee shop uses traditional techniques and sources seasonal ingredients to create handmade sourdough bread and sweet treats. Its bread is made using long-fermenting methods, with bakers kneading each loaf by hand and allowing time for slow proofing. Options include 100 per cent white sourdough, porridge sourdough, malted sourdough, and charcoal sourdough.
Among the cakes on offer are Victoria sponge, red velvet cake, chocolate cake, lemon drizzle cake, and Terry's Chocolate Orange cake. The bakery also makes wedding and celebration cakes with features such as edible flowers, gilding, and coloured chocolate.
Statement from the Bakery
In a statement on its official Facebook account on Tuesday, August 18, the bakery wrote: "We honestly can’t quite believe we’re writing this again. Vera Artisan Bakery has been named Best Bakery in Scotland at the Food Awards Scotland for the FOURTH time!"
The statement continued: "This award belongs to so many people. To our incredible customers, thank you for choosing us, recommending us, bringing your friends and families through our doors, and supporting this little independent bakery year after year. Without you, none of this would be possible. To our amazing team today, thank you for the early mornings, the crazy busy days, the hard work, the laughs, the passion and the care you put into Vera every single day. We see it, we appreciate it, and this award is yours too. And to every single person who has been part of the Vera team over the years, whether you’re still with us or your journey took you somewhere else, you helped build a piece of what Vera is today. Every loaf baked, every cake decorated, every coffee made and every customer welcomed has been part of our story."
Menu and Additional Services
Vera Artisan Bakery also offers a full sit-down café menu that includes cooked breakfasts, light bites such as Italian burrata bowls and Turkish eggs, and various baguettes and burgers. Pancakes, French toast, and croissants are available, along with a separate children's menu. The full list of winners at the Food Awards Scotland 2026 can be found on the Oceanic Awards website.
