Glasgow Restaurants

The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

Restaurant prices are subject to VAT (value added tax) at 17.5%, but this is always included within the prices given. It is customary for patrons to round up the bill and leave a tip (maximum 10%) as well, if the meal and service have been good.

The price categories quoted below are for an average three-course meal for one person. Prices include VAT but not tip nor drinks. Categories are:
$$$$ (over £30)
$$$ (£20 to £30)
$$ (£10 to £19)
$ (up to £10)

Brian Maule at Chardon d'Or
Brian Maule was head chef at Le Gavroche for many years and has now brought his French-influenced fine food to Glasgow. This city centre restaurant has a strong reputation and is very popular with business people enjoying the set price lunch menus ($$). Main courses are focused around classic dishes reinterpreted with flare. The food and service are exquisite.

176 West Regent Street
Tel: (0141) 248 3801.
Website: www.brianmaule.com
Price: $$$-$$$$

étain
This sophisticated fine dining space is Terence Conran's only UK restaurant outside London. It's in the heart of the city's shopping district and decorated in cool shades, with crisp white linen. Dishes have a French influence and may feature sea bream, monkfish or Scottish beef. There is always a vegetarian choice. The set lunches make it an affordable daytime option, while the six course epicurean menu offers a gourmet experience.

2nd floor, Princes Square
Tel: (0141) 225 5630.
Price: $$$$

Gamba
For some of the best seafood, many people make for Gamba in the city centre, where fresh fish is cooked with flair and imagination. The restaurant is down in a basement but décor is cool and light giving a relaxed atmosphere. Fish such as swordfish and sole are often infused with Asian flavours like ginger and chilli, while puddings are rich and satisfying.

225A West George Street
Tel: (0141) 572 0899.
Website: www.gamba.co.uk
Price: $$$$

City Merchant
Situated in the smart Merchant City, where the 'Tobacco Lords' once had their warehouses, this busy restaurant has a relaxed 'pubby' feel with stained glass windows and a wooden bar. The special daytime menu offers good value and is popular with lunching businessmen. The menu includes plenty of steaks and Scottish meats, while seafood is similarly well represented, with choices ranging from fishcakes to mussels.

97-99 Candelriggs, Merchant City
Tel: (0141) 553 1577.
Website: www.citymerchant.co.uk
Price: $$-$$$

Michael Caines @ Abode
The webspeak ‘@' in the name is just about the only failing of the restaurant in the ABode boutique hotel. The sophisticated French menu might include seared scallops with confit of chicken wings followed by caramelised pork belly with langoustines and flambéed pear tatin with clotted ice cream for dessert. The restaurant itself is a vision of pale green sophistication with views over Bath Street. The ‘Amazing Grazing' menu offers great value ($$) and is very popular with business people at lunchtimes.

129 Bath Street
Tel: (0141) 572 6011.
Website: www.abodehotels.co.uk
Price: $$$-$$$$

Stravaigin
The name means 'roaming' and this Glasgow stalwart in the West End takes good Scottish ingredients, then serves them in surprising and imaginative ways, taking inspiration from around the world. Venison, for example, might be served with wild mushrooms and a raspberry gravy. There is an extensive wine list, with many pudding wines on offer, and a cafe-bar upstairs for those who want to eat in more casual surroundings.

28 Gibson Street, Kelvinside
Tel: (0141) 334 2665.
Website: www.stravaigin.com
Price: $$$

Shish Mahal
The 'shish' as it's known is surely Glasgow's most enduring Indian restaurant. Located in the trendy West End of the city, it continues to offer a wide variety of spicy favourites that attracts everyone from families to visiting businessmen. The menu is extensive and includes plenty of tandoori dishes, some specialities and a wide variety of vegetarian options. Décor is unfussy and the restaurant is consistently busy.

60-68 Park Road
Tel: (0141) 339 8256.
Website: www.shishmahal.co.uk
Price: $$

Chow
Chow is a Byres Road institution, a Chinese restaurant with refreshingly modern décor (teak benches and clean lines) and fresh-tasting, lively dishes from a menu that comprises old favourites and a few surprises. Booking is advised as the petite dining area gets full extremely quickly.

98 Byres Road
Tel: (0141) 334 9818. 
Price: $$$

The Living Room
This fashionable bar/restaurant's central location makes it very popular with local business people. There's a sophisticated atmosphere with secluded brown leather booths and soft lights. The menu is varied and includes quick lunch options like club sandwiches, wraps and salads. Main courses vary from pasta dishes to Asian inspired dishes such as crispy duck. There are plenty of vegetarian options.

150 St Vincent Street
Tel: 0870 220 3028.
Website: www.thelivingroom.co.uk
Price: $$

The Arches
There is a cosy, clubby feel to this restaurant which is part of the Arches club/live music venue. The walls are lined with theatrical pictures and the crowd is generally lively. The food is good value, with snacks such as paninis and soups as well as pasta dishes during the day, and filling fajitas, fish and chips and meaty main courses at night. There's also a popular all-day breakfast.

253 Argyle Street
Tel: (0141) 565 1035.
Website: www.thearches.co.uk
Price: $-$$

Heart Buchanan
For fine fresh food, this little deli on trendy Byres Road just can't be beaten. Meals comprise the best local ingredients available, organic meat for instance, and all dishes are freshly cooked in the basement kitchen. Seating is limited and food only available at lunchtime, but it is worth seeking out for home-made soup, imaginative sandwiches and delicious cakes and tarts. A takeaway service is also available.

380 Byres Road
Tel: (0141) 334 7626.
Website: www.heartbuchanan.co.uk
Price: $

Mother India's Cafe
Glasgow's famous for its Indian restaurants, but this tapas-style place, opposite Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, offers a fresh take on Asian cuisine. Diners order a wide selection of small dishes to share ensuring a variety of tastes, textures and heat. The restaurant doesn't accept bookings but it's worth it even if you have to queue.    

1355 Argyle Street
Tel: (0141) 339 9145.
Website: www.motherindiaglasgow.co.uk
Price: $$

Rogano
Established in 1935, Rogano has a stunningly well preserved art deco interior, with intimate booths, crisp white cloths and sparkling silver cutlery. Their speciality is seafood and fish soup. Lemon sole and lobster feature on the menu, together with Scottish classics such as Aberdeen Angus beef. There is a special vegetarian menu, and a popular oyster and champagne bar. Café Rogano downstairs is more affordable.

11 Exchange Place
Tel: (0141) 248 4055.
Website: www.roganoglasgow.com
Price: $$$-$$$$

Fanny Trollopes
Fantastic neighbourhood bistro with a loyal local following. Expect unfussy Franco-Scottish food served in a relaxed, cosy setting by attentive, cheery staff who know their stuff. The seasonal menu changes regularly ensuring the freshest produce, but you can always expect tempting Scottish game, beef and seafood. The ‘bring your own bottle' policy helps keep prices low.

1066 Argyle Street
Tel: (0141) 564 6464.
Website: www.fannytrollopes.co.uk
Price: $$

Two Fat Ladies
Two Fat Ladies continues to offer superb, fresh fish dishes prepared with care and expertise. Scallops, mussels and other shellfish are the mainstays here, but non fish-eaters can enjoy meat and vegetarian options.

118A Blythswood Street
Tel: (0141) 847 0088.
Website: www.twofatladiesrestaurant.com
Price: $$$

Other location:
88 Dumbarton Road
Tel: (0141) 339 1944.
Price: $$$