The Best Restaurants in Glasgow

Looking for the best places to eat in Glasgow? Scotland‘s largest city, Glasgow’s food scene has come on leaps and bounds in recent years: these days it’s filled with sophisticated brasseries, cool cafés and down-to-earth eateries, featuring both fresh Scottish fare and international flavours. Whether you fancy small plates, a slap-up curry, seafood or vegan dishes, you’ll be spoilt for choice in this vibrant city. Here’s our pick of the best restaurants in Glasgow, from the hip Finnieston neighbourhood to the city centre and up-and-coming Southside.

The Best Restaurants in Glasgow

Fallachan Kitchen

Esteemed Scottish chef Craig Grozier has opened a new restaurant, Fallachan, located within the railway arches within the up-and-coming Eastvale Place. Grozier spent years working in high-end restaurants across Scotland before setting up his own private dining company, Fallachan. His new eatery will be his first permanent restaurant, with a 12-cover chef’s table which will host a variety of dining experiences – from tasting menus to workshops. The menu will be centred around foraged, local produce: one of the signature offerings is the House Charcuterie, made with ingredients like game, Scottish bluefin tuna belly and wild plants. Grozier and his team also make their own Koji with heritage grain bere barley, grown in Orkeney, used in dishes like hogget and bere barley koji broth.

Arch 15, 8 Eastvale Pl, Glasgow G3 8QG, fallachandining.co.uk

The Ubiquitous Chip

Iconic restaurant The Ubiquitous Chip, tucked away just off Byres Road, has been feeding Glasgow since the seventies. Opened in 1971 by Ronnie Clydesdale, The Chip (as it’s fondly known) was a pioneer in championing local Scottish cuisine – the name itself hinting at the city’s culinary preferences. But glorified chippy this is certainly not: The Ubiquitous Chip is one of the prettiest spots in town, with the main room designed to resemble a rainforest, housed in a courtyard beneath a canopy of greenery. The menu is a celebration of contemporary Scottish cuisine, featuring dishes like guinea fowl breast with medjool dates and chicory, loin of lamb with yellow courgette and ratatouille, and a long-standing haggis starter, complete with carrot crisp, champit tatties and neep cream.

Address: 12 Ashton Ln, Hillhead, Glasgow G12 8SJ

BOOK: ubiquitouschip.co.uk

Cail Bruich

Cail Bruich translates as ‘eat well’ in Gaelic, and you certainly will at this gem of a restaurant. Located in Glagsow’s West End, Cail Bruich reopened following a big renovation a couple of years ago, and it now stands as one of the city’s finest dining spots. Food is seasonal, with some vegetables grown in the restaurant’s own garden. Opt for the tasting menu, where you’ll be treated to a selection of top quality meat and fish dishes such as Loch Fyne oysters, goosnargh duck with beetroot and winter chanterelles, and veal sweetbread with pickled carrot.

Address: 725 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8QX

BOOK: cailbruich.co.uk

Bilson Eleven

Bilson Eleven is housed in one of the first homes constructed in the suburb of Dennistoun, located just east of the city centre. Not long ago the building was lovingly restored by chef Nick Rietz (previously at Two Fat Ladies) and his family, who set out to open a small yet ambitious neighbourhood restaurant. The result is something quite unique: old-school silver service within an informal, relaxed setting. Expect high-quality Scottish cooking showcased in tasting menus – visitors can choose between seven or eleven courses, with a vegetarian option available. If you opt for all eleven, book out a big chunk of time: the restaurant recommends at least three and a half hours to get through it.

Address: 10 Annfield Pl, Glasgow G31 2XQ

BOOK: bilsoneleven.co.uk

Ox and Finch

A must-visit on a trip to Glasgow, this fashionable spot offers up a Mediterranean-meets-Scotland small plates menu. Dishes are innovative and packed full of flavour: think cod cheeks with chorizo and tomato, miso-cured monkfish with plum, ginger and radish, and confit duck leg with yellow curry, Thai basil and crispy rice. Vegetarian offerings are equally appealing, with highlights including halloumi with tahini yoghurt and rose harissa, grilled corn with crispy shallots, and buffalo mozzarella with fig, mint and aged balsamic. It’s a really popular spot, so be sure to book well in advance.

Address: 920 Sauchiehall St, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 7TF

BOOK: oxandfinch.com

Stravaigin

At West End eatery Stravaigin, Scottish cuisine is given an international twist: the name itself means ‘to wander’, while the motto is ‘Think Global, Eat Local’. A friendly café-restaurant set across two floors, the menu features the likes of grilled pigeon breast with kohlrabi remoulade, Shetland hake with charred corn, haricot bean salsa and clams, and roasted squash with muhmarra and harissa verde. Popular with students, foodies, and professionals alike, Stravaigin offers relaxed dining amid stylish surroundings. Wander in…

Address: 28 Gibson St, Glasgow G12 8NX

BOOK: stravaigin.co.uk

The Gannet

The area of Finnieston has become increasingly trendy in recent years, in part thanks to the influx of cool foodie spots like The Gannet. Owned by chefs Peter McKenna and Ivan Stein, it’s won a whole host of awards over the years, including being granted with a Michelin guide Bib Gourmand less than a year after opening. Interiors are chic and minimalist, with stone walls, wooden tables and contemporary art lining the walls of the back room. The Gannet celebrates Scottish produce, with dishes like Shetland squid with smoked mussels, braised leek with hazelnut, and deer with black garlic and egg yolk. Descriptions of dishes are short and often include an element of surprise, so put your faith in the chefs – they know their stuff.

Address: 1155 Argyle St, Finnieston, Glasgow G3 8TB

BOOK: thegannetgla.com

Cafe Gandolfi

Opened in 1979 as part of the old cheese market, Cafe Gandolfi has played a big part in the renaissance of the once dilapidated Merchant City. With its wooden furniture and stained glass windows the restaurant has a a rustic, medieval feel, paired with an old school menu. Think Scottish classics such as cullen skink, black pudding, house smoked venison and roast guinea fowl, as well as salads and pasta dishes, with a pizza menu available in the bar upstairs.

Address: 64 Albion St, Glasgow G1 1NY

BOOK: cafegandolfi.com

Mother India

Widely thought to be the best curry house in Glasgow, Mother India offers innovative Indian cuisine with a touch of Scotland. The original restaurant – located on the corner of Sauchiehall Street and Kelvingrove Street – opened in the early 90s’, but several other sister venues have opened since then, including Mother India’s Cafe just down the road, which serves up a tapas-style sharing menu, as well as a branch in Edinburgh. Their main restaurant, however, remains supreme, offering creative, flavoursome dishes such as chicken chops with smoked aubergine, spiced haddock with roasted tomatoes, and ginger and chilli fish pakora. Portions are big, so go hungry.

Address: 28 Westminster Terrace, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G3 7RU

BOOK: motherindia.co.uk

Featured image: Getty Images