Non-peptide somatostatin receptor ligands with conformationally restricted side chains exhibiting high binding affinity toward somatostatin receptors are provided. The compounds exhibit a high selectivity and act as agonists at human subtype 2 somatostatin receptors. The compounds are long acting for advantageous use as medicaments in peripheral diseases where somatostatinergic therapy is indicated. Furthermore, many of the compounds are lipophilic and are particularly useful for treating central nervous system and ophthalmic diseases where penetration of the blood brain and blood retinal barriers is required. It is a further object to describe the preferred stereoisomers of these somatostatin agonists and processes for their preparation. Further objects will become apparent from reading the following description.