Restaurants in Glasgow
Scottish produce dominates Glasgow's restaurant menus. The Ubiquitous Chip in the West End kickstarted the trend for fresh local food in the 1970s and is still going strong. Brian Maule serves Scottish dishes with a French twist, and Arisaig the freshest seafood - both in the city centre. Elsewhere, globetrot with fajitas at Pancho Villas in Merchant City or spicy tapas at Mother India's Café in the West End. Tipping is expected (10-15%) if service charge is not included.
- Indian
Balbir's
A sprawling, very popular restaurant, Balbir's serves up authentic and well-prepared Indian specialties. The tandoori oven, in particular, is used to good effect, especially on the barbecued salmon and the chicken tikka masala.$$West End - French/Modern Scottish
Bistro at One Devonshire Gardens
Based in Glasgow's finest hotel, this sumptuous restaurant aspires to be number one in the city, too. The menu changes frequently and encompasses everything from Pacific oysters to aged steaks. Champagne brunches here are particularly popular.$$$Hotel du Vin - French/Modern Scottish
Brian Maule at Chardon d’Or
Maule cut his teeth at some of the best restaurants in France and London before returning to his home, Scotland. He's created a restaurant as elegant and refined as the ones at which he trained. Expect to sample the likes of roast Guinea fowl or braised cheek of Scotch beef with wild…$$$City Centre - Russian
Café Cossachok
Café Cossachok mixes a gallery/performance space with food on a hearty Slavic/Russian theme. Come here for borscht soup or blinis, and then stick around for the live music (the owner is a professional violinist). A very fun place to wile away an evening.$$Merchant City - Bistro
Café Gandolfi
This favorite of local foodies serves up urbane and complex dishes at a fair price. Particularly recommended are the Stornoway black pudding and creamy Cullen skink (smoked haddock chowder), though if you just want a light bite, the pizzas here are primo. All the dishes can be paired…$$Merchant City - Cafe
Cafe Source
In the basement of the architecturally outstanding St. Andrew’s in the Square Church, the café serves up hearty unpretentious food, such as plates of Scotch pie, West Coast mussels, or croque monsieur. A good place to head for a quick bite and a look around.$$Basement of St Andrew's Square Church - Seafood
Crabshakk
Take a clue from the name of this place and get an order of the crab cakes. Yes, the menu here has a variety of moderately priced fish dishes (such as smoked mackerel with horseradish or a fish club sandwich served with chips), and more pricey whole crab or lobster. But the crab…$$West End - Chinese
Dragon-i
At the elegant Dragon-i, the cuisine is never boring or bland. Expect an excellent wine list and unusual dishes, such as tiger prawns with asparagus in a garlic chardonnay sauce; or Che Si Gai, fresh mango and mozzarella wrapped in chicken and fried. Right across from the Cambridge…$$City Centre - Italian
Fratelli Sarti
The pizza at this cafe/deli is superb, with a thin, crispy crust and a perfect ratio of sauce to cheese to other toppings. Alternatively, order the ‘alforno’ pasta with sausage if you're looking for a more filling meal. Reservations are always advisable.$$$City Centre - Seafood
Gamba
Is this Glasgow's best fish restaurant? Many think so, and we're not going to argue the point. It makes a point of using sustainable produce and the chefs know how to make seafood sing, whether the preparation is simple (a plate of fresh oysters) or more complex (one of the best fish…$$$City Centre - Cafe
Kember & Jones
Part deli and part cafe, Kember & Jones is set in the heart of the West End’s main street and is a smart stop for freshly made sandwiches, salads, soups and pastries.$West End - Vegan
Mono
This hip and welcoming bar/diner serves internationally inspired vegetarian and vegan-friendly meals in laid-back surroundings. Mono also houses a CD shop, literally next to the bar, which provides the soundtrack for diners. So if you like what you hear, just head to the bar to find…$Merchant City - Indian
Mother India
Long-considered one of the best restaurants in Glasgow (Mother India debuted in 1996), Mother India accomplishes the neat trick of using traditional Scottish ingredients in very authentic Indian recipes. So local haddock will be used in the fish pakora, or Scottish lamb in a curry…$$West End - Sushi/Japanese
Nanakusa
This restaurant covers a wide selection of Japanese cuisin. Sushi and sashimi are featured, of course, alongside teppanyaki, tempura, bento boxes (which give you a selection of small dishes), gyoza dumplings, and big steamy, slurpy noodle bowls. It’s casual yet stylish with…$$City Centre - Cafe
Offshore
Offshore is a laidback café with welcoming sofas and a friendly staff. It's an ideal spot to stop for a cappuccino, herbal tea, or a light meal (usually for less than a fiver).$$Near Kelvingrove Park - Seafood
Rogano
This landmark and celebrity favorite (the oldest continually operating restaurant in the city) has a well-preserved Art Deco interior patterned after the Queen Mary ocean liner. The look is sometimes more impressive than the traditional cuisine. But go for champagne and oysters if…$$$City Centre - International Fusion
Stravaigin Café Bar
The name of this long-popular restaurant means "wandering" in Scots, appropriate as the chef here has a wandering palate. The menu roams across the globe for inspiration, meaning dishes with locally-sourced ingredients but international flair. So one night, you might end up with…$$West End - Indian
The Dhabba
A stylishly decorated restaurant, The Dhabba specializes in North Indian cuisine. You may find it slightly more expensive than the average Glasgow curry house, but the refined ambience and complex flavors warrant the uptick in price.$$Merchant City - Scottish/Seafood
Two Fat Ladies
A casual bistro, its specialties include oven-baked halibut and black-olive-stuffed chicken. In addition to the smart, shiny resto in the city center, there are two other branches in the West End.$$City Center - Modern Scottish
Ubiquitous Chip
No restaurant has been more responsible for a culinary renaissance in Scotland than this place, set inside the walls of a former stable and with a wonderful, almost jungled, outdoor courtyard with tables at its core (the place for romance when the weather is nice). The ever-changing…$$$West End - Cafe
University Café
The ‘Knickerbocker Glory’ is the king of the ice-cream sundae in Scotland, and few places do it better than this wee retro landmark with all its original features from the early 1900's features intact, from the ornate wallpaper to the long counter. Beyond desserts, University Cafe…$$West End - Asian
Wagamama
This chain of casual Asian noodle bars has proved successful in Glasgow. Seating is at long tables and benches, and service is fast and efficient. It's one of the best places in town for a quick bite and is very child-friendly.$City Centre - Indian
Wee Curry Shop
This tiny place offers the best low-cost Indian dishes in the city. The menu is concise but perfectly sufficient, with dishes such as green herb vegetable pakora and chili garlic curried chicken. The flavors are authentic and not toned-down for western taste buds (which we…$City Centre
