Images
|
|
|
|
|
Tours in Glasgow |
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)
$$ (£10 to £20)
$ (up to £10)
Restaurant prices are subject to VAT (value added tax) at 17.5%, but this is always included within the prices given. It is customary for patrons to round up the bill and leave a tip (maximum 10%) as well, if the meal and service have been good.
The price categories quoted below are for an average three-course meal for one person. Prices include VAT but not tip nor drinks. Categories are:
$$$$ (over £30)
$$$ (£20 to £30)
$$ (£10 to £20)
$ (up to £10)
Gastronomic
Brian Maule at Chardon d'Or
Brian Maule was head chef at Le Gavroche for many years and has now brought his French-influenced fine food to Glasgow. This city centre restaurant has a strong reputation and is very popular with business people enjoying the set price lunch menus ($$). 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: $$$-$$$$
Brian Maule was head chef at Le Gavroche for many years and has now brought his French-influenced fine food to Glasgow. This city centre restaurant has a strong reputation and is very popular with business people enjoying the set price lunch menus ($$). 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: $$$-$$$$
étain
This sophisticated fine dining space is Terence Conran's only UK restaurant outside London. It's in the heart of the city's shopping district and decorated in cool shades, with crisp white linen. Dishes have a French influence and may feature sea bream, monkfish or Scottish beef. There is always a vegetarian choice. The set lunches make it an affordable daytime option, while the six course epicurean menu offers a gourmet experience.
2nd floor, Princes Square
Tel: (0141) 225 5630.
Price: $$$$
This sophisticated fine dining space is Terence Conran's only UK restaurant outside London. It's in the heart of the city's shopping district and decorated in cool shades, with crisp white linen. Dishes have a French influence and may feature sea bream, monkfish or Scottish beef. There is always a vegetarian choice. The set lunches make it an affordable daytime option, while the six course epicurean menu offers a gourmet experience.
2nd floor, Princes Square
Tel: (0141) 225 5630.
Price: $$$$
Gamba
For some of the best seafood, many people make for Gamba in the city centre, where fresh fish is cooked with flair and imagination. The restaurant is down in a basement but décor is cool and light giving a relaxed atmosphere. Fish such as swordfish and sole are often infused with Asian flavours like ginger and chilli, while puddings are rich and satisfying.
225A West George Street
Tel: (0141) 572 0899.
Website: www.gamba.co.uk
Price: $$$$
For some of the best seafood, many people make for Gamba in the city centre, where fresh fish is cooked with flair and imagination. The restaurant is down in a basement but décor is cool and light giving a relaxed atmosphere. Fish such as swordfish and sole are often infused with Asian flavours like ginger and chilli, while puddings are rich and satisfying.
225A West George Street
Tel: (0141) 572 0899.
Website: www.gamba.co.uk
Price: $$$$
Business
Stravaigin
The name means 'roaming' and this Glasgow stalwart in the West End takes good Scottish ingredients, then serves them in surprising and imaginative ways, taking inspiration from around the world. Venison, for example, might be served with wild mushrooms and a raspberry gravy. There is an extensive wine list, with many pudding wines on offer, and a cafe-bar upstairs for those who want to eat in more casual surroundings.
28 Gibson Street, Kelvinside
Tel: (0141) 334 2665.
Website: www.stravaigin.com
Price: $$$
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: $$$
Trendy
Chow
Chow is a Byres Road institution, a Chinese restaurant with refreshingly modern décor (teak benches and clean lines) and fresh-tasting, lively dishes from a menu that comprises old favourites and a few surprises. Booking is advised as the petite dining area gets full extremely quickly.
98 Byres Road
Tel: (0141) 334 9818.
Price: $$$
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: $$$
The Living Room
This fashionable bar/restaurant opened in 2004 and its central location makes it very popular with local business people. There's a sophisticated atmosphere with secluded brown leather booths and soft lights. The menu is varied and includes quick lunch options like club sandwiches, wraps and salads. Main courses vary from pasta dishes to Asian inspired dishes such as crispy duck. There are plenty of vegetarian options.
150 St Vincent Street
Tel: 0870 220 3028.
Website: www.thelivingroom.co.uk
Price: $$
This fashionable bar/restaurant opened in 2004 and its 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: $$
Two Fat Ladies
Two Fat Ladies continues to offer superb, fresh fish dishes prepared with care and expertise. Scallops, mussels and other shellfish are the mainstays here, but non fish-eaters can enjoy meat and vegetarian options.
118A Blythswood Street
Tel: (0141) 847 0088.
Price: $$$
Other location:
88 Dumbarton Road
Tel: (0141) 339 1944
Price: $$$
Two Fat Ladies continues to offer superb, fresh fish dishes prepared with care and expertise. Scallops, mussels and other shellfish are the mainstays here, but non fish-eaters can enjoy meat and vegetarian options.
118A Blythswood Street
Tel: (0141) 847 0088.
Price: $$$
Other location:
88 Dumbarton Road
Tel: (0141) 339 1944
Price: $$$
Budget
The Arches
There is a cosy, clubby feel to this restaurant which is part of the Arches club/live music venue. The walls are lined with theatrical pictures and the crowd is generally lively. The food is good value, with snacks such as paninis and soups as well as pasta dishes during the day, and filling fajitas, fish and chips and meaty main courses at night. There's also a popular all day breakfast.
253 Argyle Street
Tel: (0141) 565 1035.
Website: www.thearches.co.uk
Price: $-$$
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: $-$$
Heart Buchanan
For fine fresh food, this little deli on trendy Byres Road just can't be beaten. Meals comprise the best local ingredients available, organic meat for instance, and all dishes are freshly cooked in the basement kitchen. Seating is limited and food only available at lunchtime, but it is worth seeking out for home-made soup, imaginative sandwiches and delicious cakes and tarts. A takeaway service is also available.
380 Byres Road
Tel: (0141) 334 7626.
Website: www.heartbuchanan.co.uk
Price: $
For fine fresh food, this little deli on trendy Byres Road just can't be beaten. Meals comprise the best local ingredients available, organic meat for instance, and all dishes are freshly cooked in the basement kitchen. Seating is limited and food only available at lunchtime, but it is worth seeking out for home-made soup, imaginative sandwiches and delicious cakes and tarts. A takeaway service is also available.
380 Byres Road
Tel: (0141) 334 7626.
Website: www.heartbuchanan.co.uk
Price: $
Mother India's Cafe
Glasgow's famous for its Indian restaurants, but this tapas-style place, opposite Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, offers a fresh take on Asian cuisine. Diners order a wide selection of small dishes to share ensuring a variety of tastes, textures and heat. The restaurant doesn't accept bookings but its worth it even if you have to queue.
1355 Argyle Street
Tel: (0141) 339 9145.
Price: $$
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 its worth it even if you have to queue.
1355 Argyle Street
Tel: (0141) 339 9145.
Price: $$
Personal Recommendations
Café Gandolfi
Located in the upmarket Merchant City, close to the Italian Centre, this was the first of Glasgow's 'style' bistros and is now a local institution. Wooden furniture designed by Tim Stead gives a rustic feel, while dishes are a successful blend of Scottish and Mediterranean classics. Arbroath smokies, sourdough sandwiches and steak on ciabatta all find a place here, and desserts might include tangy lemon tart.
64 Albion Street, Merchant City
Tel: (0141) 552 6813.
Website: www.cafegandolfi.com
Price: $$
Located in the upmarket Merchant City, close to the Italian Centre, this was the first of Glasgow's 'style' bistros and is now a local institution. Wooden furniture designed by Tim Stead gives a rustic feel, while dishes are a successful blend of Scottish and Mediterranean classics. Arbroath smokies, sourdough sandwiches and steak on ciabatta all find a place here, and desserts might include tangy lemon tart.
64 Albion Street, Merchant City
Tel: (0141) 552 6813.
Website: www.cafegandolfi.com
Price: $$
Fratelli Sarti
Tuscany comes to Glasgow in this established cafe/restaurant that's run by the Italian Sarti brothers. The décor is warm and cluttered with bright check tablecloths and the atmosphere is relaxed. The menu features plenty of pizzas and pasta dishes, as well as some traditional family and regional specials such as hearty Tuscan stews. Desserts include creamy tiramisu and the coffee is excellent.
121 Bath Street
Tel: (0141) 204 0440.
Website: www.sarti.co.uk
Price: $$
Tuscany comes to Glasgow in this established cafe/restaurant that's run by the Italian Sarti brothers. The décor is warm and cluttered with bright check tablecloths and the atmosphere is relaxed. The menu features plenty of pizzas and pasta dishes, as well as some traditional family and regional specials such as hearty Tuscan stews. Desserts include creamy tiramisu and the coffee is excellent.
121 Bath Street
Tel: (0141) 204 0440.
Website: www.sarti.co.uk
Price: $$
Rogano
Established in 1935, Rogano has a stunningly well preserved art deco interior, with intimate booths, crisp white cloths and sparkling silver cutlery. Their speciality is seafood and fish soup. Lemon sole and lobster feature on the menu, together with Scottish classics such as Aberdeen Angus beef. There is a special vegetarian menu, and a popular oyster and champagne bar. Café Rogano downstairs offers a more affordable dining option.
11 Exchange Place
Tel: (0141) 248 4055.
Website: www.roganoglasgow.com
Price: $$$-$$$$
Established in 1935, Rogano has a stunningly well preserved art deco interior, with intimate booths, crisp white cloths and sparkling silver cutlery. Their speciality is seafood and fish soup. Lemon sole and lobster feature on the menu, together with Scottish classics such as Aberdeen Angus beef. There is a special vegetarian menu, and a popular oyster and champagne bar. Café Rogano downstairs offers a more affordable dining option.
11 Exchange Place
Tel: (0141) 248 4055.
Website: www.roganoglasgow.com
Price: $$$-$$$$
View Our Airport Guides for Glasgow:
Glasgow Airport
