The List's Eat & Drink 365 Glasgow

EAT& DRINK 365 glasgow

A year-round guide to restaurants, diners, bars and cafés across the city

Welcome

Eat & Drink 365 Glasgow is a landmark publication: The List’s first separate and dedicated guide to dining out and drinking across the city of Glasgow. As a magazine covering all forms of arts, culture and what’s on in Scotland, we firmly subscribe to the view that food and drink is not just part of our social lives but also a key aspect of our cultural scene. We produced our first Eating & Drinking Guide to Edinburgh and Glasgow back in 1994, and for over three decades we’ve recognised that hospitality is a living, breathing, reflection of ourselves and how we like to live, particularly in our vibrant cities.

Choosing where to eat out or meet for a drink can be both exciting and daunting. Navigating this choice can leave you in the hands of an intimidating mass of user-generated online reviews, highly selective top-end restaurant guides, social media influencers or, if you’re lucky, discerning friends who go out and about a bit. We like to think that’s us: we live here and cover the food and drink scene right through the year for our magazine and website, which means we’ve had plenty of practice in answering questions like ‘where’s good to eat (or drink) around here? I’m after a good spot for a curry, any tips? Where can I go for BYOB?’

Eat & Drink 365 Glasgow aims to be practical, wide-ranging and packed with local knowledge. We’ve picked out nearly 400 places worth knowing about across some 50 TipLists: our own curated lists of suggestions and recommendations across different topics, styles of cuisine and areas of the city. We cover not just the city centre but diverse neighbourhoods too, the well-known and the hidden, newcomers and old reliables, the best and the best of the rest. You’ll also find the same information at list.co.uk, as well as new food and drink coverage in The List magazine every month, and if you like the format there’s also an Eat & Drink 365 guide to Edinburgh available.

In all our coverage, we’re grateful for the support and encouragement of William Grant & Sons, who share our belief that a great way to support Scotland’s hospitality scene is to help folk find it, appreciate it and discover even more. You have 365 days to eat and drink: enjoy every one of them.

Donald Reid & Jay Thundercliffe, Editors

CONTRIBUTORS

Project Editors

Jo Laidlaw & Donald Reid

Glasgow Editor Jay Thundercliffe

Copy Editor & Producer

Paul McLean

Design & Layout

Seonaid Rafferty

TipLists researched & written by

Robbie Armstrong; David Kirkwood; Jay Thundercliffe

Advertising

Jayne Atkinson, Lachlan McMaster Proofreading

Jo Laidlaw

Additional Design & Digital

Leah Bauer, Isabella Dalliston, Kevin Fullerton, Murray Robertson

CEO

Sheri Friers Supporting Partner

Published by List Publishing Ltd

2 Roxburgh Place, Edinburgh www.list.co.uk

email: eat@list.co.uk

Eat & Drink 365 Glasgow ISSN 2755-936X

© 2025 List Publishing Ltd

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of List Publishing Ltd.

This edition published October 2025

Food For Every Mood

ABOUT THE GUIDE

What’s a TipList?

TipLists are our own suggestions of the places worth knowing about in different themes, categories and locations. Each TipList has five to eight recommendations, and some have a few other ideas included at the end in an ‘Also Try . . . ’ section.

How are the TipLists organised?

We’ve split them into three main sections. Enjoy The City has venues handily located close to some of the city’s cultural venues and landmarks, as well as other ways to experience Glasgow through its food and drink. Explore The City has district-by-district coverage of all the main eating and drinking zones around town. Finally, Food For Every Mood offers our top picks across a whole range of individual cuisines and food specialities. We round off with the city’s best pubs, bars and drinking spots plus some great options if you’re heading to the fringes of the city and beyond.

How do I navigate the guide?

The Contents on pages 4 and 5 will help you find your way around. If you want to check the districts we’ve used for the Explore The City section, see the Map on pages 10 and 11. If you’re looking for a particular venue, the Index at the back of the guide will help you find it.

What’s the deal with advertisers?

Without sponsors and advertisers the guide wouldn’t exist. We’re grateful for their support and the Neighbourhood Spotlights advertising feature on pages 50 to 54 has some great spots across different areas of the city. That said, all our TipList selections are independently chosen by our team and no advertiser pays for a TipList pick or dictates how we cover them. This independent editorial approach is long-standing and important: we believe it makes our guides credible, reliable and genuinely useful.

Can I get the TipLists online?

You can find all our TipLists on your phone or screen at list.co.uk. Click on Eat & Drink to search individual venues and get information including maps and links to venues’ own sites and socials.

EVERY WEEKEND DESERVES A FRESH MIX

Introducing Eat & Drink 365 Glasgow

City editor Jay Thundercliffe surveys the city’s unique eating and drinking scene

The hundreds of bars, cafés and restaurants covered in these pages showcase the breadth and depth of eating and drinking in Glasgow. From neighbourhood bistros cooking exciting dishes and high-end dining at Michelin-starred restaurants to pubs brewing craft beers, whisky bars with endless choice and independent coffee roasteries, Glaswegians and visitors to the city have a wealth of choices for going out, eating great food and having a good time.

As evidenced by the almost complete lack of national and international chains in this guide, Glasgow’s hospitality scene is fiercely independent. The city does have chains, but it is characterised more by local restaurant and pub groups run by people who know the city, creating operations that are better attuned to inhabitants’ tastes. Many of the city’s restaurants use Scotland’s excellent natural larder, providing dishes that celebrate ingredients such as top-class beef, venison and seafood. For many years, Glasgow’s lack of Michelin-starred restaurants was compared unfavourably to the sprinkling enjoyed by Edinburgh. After an 18-year absence that changed when Cail Bruich and chef Lorna McNee bagged a star in 2021, followed a year later with Unalome By Graeme Cheevers winning the accolade for the local boy’s first solo venture. Yet the city’s reputation of doing things its own way is also seen in its long-held reputation for great vegan and vegetarian food, with dedicated diners, bakeries and cafés serving up plenty of exciting plant-based, animal-free dishes.

Beyond dining, Glasgow’s nightlife offers a bar or club to suit every taste and inclination, whether you want a locally brewed ale, an expertly mixed cocktail or prefer to settle in with a quiet dram. Many of the pubs and bars serve great food, too. Glasgow is also designated a UNESCO City Of Music, and you can encounter live music covering every genre from rock and jazz to traditional sessions, with plenty of gigs available for free.

365 days to eat, drink and enjoy? You’ll need them all.

Theatre Royal

The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Pavilion Theatre

Queen Street Station

City Halls & Old Fruitmatket

THE SALTMARKET

Central Station

VICTORIA ROAD / GOVANHILL

Queen’s Park

Barras Market

Glasgow Green

Distinctive Venues

ALSTON BAR & BEEF

79 Gordon Street, alstonglasgow.co.uk

This modern steakhouse hunkers under Central Station, where the attractive set-up is all cavernous arches and moody lighting. Carefully selected dry-aged Scottish beef is to the fore, while it’s also very much a bar with a great gin list and classy cocktails.

ART LOVER’S CAFÉ

House For An Art Lover, 10 Dumbreck Road, Bellahouston Park, houseforanartlover.co.uk

This classy café does a fine tiered treat, plus brunches and light lunches. Based inside House For An Art Lover, built in the 1990s to a Charles Rennie Mackintosh design, it’s a fitting setting with smart furnishings, arty walls and a leafy outlook.

CAFÉ GANDOLFI

64 Albion Street, cafegandolfi.com

Old enough to have its own historic trail plaque, Gandolfi serves Scottish classics and modern riffs on our national produce. It was opened in 1979 by photographer Iain Mackenzie, with distinctive furniture by Tim Stead that still impresses today.

THE FLAVOUR BOMB KITCHEN

Glasgow Climbing Centre, 534 Paisley Road West, glasgowclimbingcentre.com

Follow a workout on the climbing wall with top-level food on the mezzanine of this converted church. The small café packs lots of flavour into its brunches, satisfying sandwiches, nachos and burgers. They also host tasting-menu events where the cooking hits the heights.

SÍSÍ ROOFTOP

The Social Hub, 15 Candleriggs, sisirooftop.com

Look down on the city below from the restaurant at this Dutch hotel group’s Glasgow site. It’s a smart space with a Tex-Mex menu and a focus on cocktails and tequila. There’s also an outdoor terrace which can, unsurprisingly, get breezy.

UBIQUITOUS CHIP

12 Ashton Lane, ubiquitouschip.co.uk

A recent £1.2m revamp has maintained the character of the Chip’s unique building. Set on a cobbled back lane, changes to the décor are subtle, retaining Alasdair Gray’s much-loved murals. Glasgow’s most storied restaurant still offers seasonal Scottish dishes in a special setting.

Also try . . . Italian food in a tramstop at Battlefield Rest, Sugo Pasta and Mackintosh At The Willow for more Charles Rennie Mackintosh vibes, or for gloriously OTT decadence and escapism, the Orient Express-themed cocktail bar and rooftop garden at House Of Gods

From top: Alston Bar & Beef, SíSí, Ubiquitous Chip

Food & Drink Experiences

THE CLYDESIDE DISTILLERY

100 Stobcross Road, theclydeside.com

Glasgow’s only dedicated whisky distillery has a pretty gorgeous location right on the banks of the Clyde. They offer a range of tours, starting at under £20 for one that includes the history of the area and finishes with three drams.

CROSSBILL GIN SCHOOL

Unit 1, BAaD, 54 Calton Entry, crossbillgin.com

Many Glaswegians would be surprised to learn there’s a gin distillery hiding in the heart of The Barras. Crossbill run classes on gin tasting, gin blending and even a distilling class for couples on a Saturday when the market’s in full swing. If you’re happy with what you made, you can reorder your recipe for the ultimate in discernment and decadence.

GALLOWAY WILD FOODS

gallowaywildfoods.com

Foraging consultant Mark Williams runs numerous events for novices throughout the year including about a dozen within an hour of the city. There’s way more to it than just fungi. We’re talking birch tapping, maritime

herbs or a ‘drunken botany safari’ which forages for cocktail ingredients along the Maryhill Canal: they book out fast.

TENNENT’S BREWERY

Tennent’s Visitor Centre, 161 Duke Street, tennents.com/uk/experience/tours

With the red T so ubiquitous throughout the city, the Tennent’s brewery tour is both a box to tick for tourists and a right of passage for locals. How you make beer is how you make beer, but to see it on this scale, and with some delicious anecdotes from the tour guides, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable hour-and-a-half.

WEST BREWERY

Templeton Business Centre, 15 Binnie Place, westbeer.com

This brewery’s story is more intimate and recent than Tennent’s, but every bit as worthwhile. Visit their brewpub on Glasgow Green to hear how a German student saw a space in the market for small-batch Glaswegian beer brewed in accordance with the German purity law. Get up-close with the brewing equipment and taste three of their core brews.

Markets & Street Food

Partick Farmers’ Market

Glasgow Markets

MILNGAVIE MARKET

Douglas Street, 1st & 3rd Fri of month, 10am–4pm

Milngavie’s pedestrian precinct hosts twice-monthly markets. Expect bread and bakes, cheese, meat, game, fruit and veg, plus gift and craft vendors.

PARTICK FARMERS’ MARKET

Mansfield Park, 2nd & 4th Sat of month, 10am–2pm

The square at Partick’s market bustles with fresh fruit and veg stalls, coffee roasters, meat reared locally, fishmongers, cakes and bakes, as well as street food for grabbing a bite to eat.

SHAWLANDS FARMERS’ MARKET

5 Langside Avenue, 1st & 3rd Sat of month, 10am–2pm

Outside Langside Hall, find local meat from Cedar Cottage Country Foods, wild produce from Woodmill Game, vegan food from Jaldikatessen, cakes from Three Sisters Bake and more.

Out Of Town Markets

HELENSBURGH MARKET IN THE SQUARE

Colquhoun Square, 2nd & 4th Sat of month, 10am–4pm

The Clydeside town’s attractive square hosts a regular market as well as seasonal festivals. There’s a good spread of vendors for fruit and veg, meat, baked goods and more, plus street food and crafts.

THE MARKET AT LOCH LOMOND SHORES

Ben Lomond Way, Balloch, 1st & 3rd Sun of month, 10am–4pm

Well-attended lochside market brimming with fruit and veg, local meat and game, spirits, regional breweries and street food, plus craft and gift stalls.

Street Food Collectives

BIG FEED

instagram.com/bigfeedgla

After three years away, 2025 saw the popular street food collective return to Govan. Food trucks offer everything from Lebanese wraps and pizzas to bao buns and bakes, plus live music and kids’ stuff. Check socials for upcoming events.

CLYDESIDE CONTAINERS

61 Broomielaw, instagram.com/ clydesidecontainers

Opening later in 2025, this set-up next to the Clyde will see repurposed shipping containers occupied by several street-food vendors, including Pizza Cult, Sub 126, and a rotating offering of others. A welcome roof covering will provide some protection from the Glasgow elements.

THE DOCKYARD SOCIAL

95–107 Haugh Road, dockyardsocial.com

This Finnieston-based street food set-up offers a weekly collective of mobile kitchens, from pizza and Thai to Tex-Mex and more, plus bars, music and screenings in their big weatherproof warehouse.

Tantrum Doughnuts

Central & Queen Street Stations: Coffee Stops

ABSOLUTE ROASTERS

10 Waterloo Street, instagram.com/absoluteroasters

The last stand of the indies as you enter the financial district. Medium or dark roast options, pleasant, swift service and an in-house bakery too. Takeaway only.

GORDON STREET COFFEE

71 Gordon Street, gordonstcoffee.co.uk

It’s so nice to find a bricks-and-mortar indie actually in a train station. There’s an understandable queue from the recently alighted and about-to-embark, while a mezzanine affords a bit of breathing space.

KAFFATERIA

5–7 Dundas Street, kaffateria.com

Facing directly onto Queen Street Station, this place is open until 7pm and sells beer and wine, gourmet sausage rolls and big ciabatta sandwiches.

PASTÉIS LISBOA

24 Gordon Street, pasteislisboa.co.uk

A second branch of this Byres Road pastelaria took over the premises of the popular Riverhill in autumn 2025, serving up classic and vegan pastel de nata.

TANTRUM DOUGHNUTS

28 Gordon Street, tantrumdoughnuts.com

Some of the best doughnuts in Glasgow. This unit has 12 little bench seats hidden round the back, makes coffee using Papercup beans and is open until 6.30pm when most other indies have long since closed.

Also try . . . beans from artisan roasters at Laboratorio Espresso on West Nile Street (page 63), while right beside Absolute Roasters is a branch of Piece (page 65), the ever-reliable Glasgow artisan sandwich shop. And New York’s Blank Street Coffee has yet to lose its lustre if matcha is your thing

Pavilion Theatre & Around

ARDNAMURCHAN

325 Hope Street, ardnamurchan.biz

Scottish cuisine with balance and big flavours: think Speyside beef stovies or venison stew with meat from Ardnamurchan Estate itself. Market menu until 5.45pm.

KELP

114 Cowcaddens Road, kelp-restaurant.com

Small-plates seafood spot, with the likes of Shetland coley going toe-to-toe with lime and jalapeño. Market menu until 5.45pm.

LITTLE VIETNAM

24 Renfrew Street, littlevietnam.uk

The zings, pops and aromatics of Vietnamese cooking are on excellent form here. Try breaded pork chop with rice noodles, pickled veg and fried egg.

NAMU KOREAN KITCHEN

321 Hope Street, facebook.com/hopestreetglasgow

Banging bibimbap has a properly crunchy crust of rice and the kimchi pancakes here are an umami revelation.

RISHI’S INDIAN AROMA

61 Bath Street, rishis.uk

Local favourite doing South Indian classics. Malabar fish curry and any of the dosas are worth trying, as is the tapas lunch if you’re heading to an afternoon show.

SEOUL KOREAN BBQ

24 Cambridge Street, instagram.com/seoul.korean.bbq

Things happen quickly here, so it’s good if you’re cutting it fine for curtain-up. Dishes bristle with punchy heat, be it pork bibimbap or spicy stir-fried fish cakes.

Also try . . . front-room dining vibes at The Wee Curry Shop, quirky street food at Masala Twist, or both of Maki & Ramen’s sites are nearby (page 71)

SEC & Around

EL JEFE’S

1166–1170 Argyle Street, eljefes.co.uk

Mexican for the young team, doing big, loaded soft tacos including Baja fish or slow-cooked lamb with mint, as well as nachos, dirty fries and burritos. They’ve also got numerous iterations of sweet and spicy Margaritas and nowhere else in town does a Mexican Sunday roast.

FRANK’S PIZZERIA

6 Claremont Street, frankspizza.uk

Walk-ins only at this low-key, NY-style joint where the pizzas are big, thin and pleasingly crispy of crust. It’s a swift inand-out affair if you need it to be: no alcohol licence, a small menu of five ‘fresh, hot pies’ and a couple of sides.

INDIA QUAY

181 Finnieston Street, indiaquay.com

Great location if you’re heading to the SEC complex: it’s literally across the road. The menu has broad appeal, from elegant, dependable versions of old-school favourites like karahis through to modern Glasgow classics like tandoori salmon or garlic chilli chicken.

MEZE MEZE

1032 Argyle Street, mezemezeglasgow.co.uk

Despite the name, it’s not all about small plates at this Turkish and Persian ocakbasi (‘by the fire’). Dishes like kaburga tarak (lamb ribs on the bone) are charred and chewy, fatty yet tender; only a skilful charcoal griller can get it just right.

PICKLED GINGER

512 St Vincent Street, pickledgingerfinnieston.co.uk

Sushi before the gig? There’s two pages’ worth on the menu at this slick operation, as well as all the best-known and most-loved dishes of Japanese cuisine, executed with precision: katsu curry, tempura, gyoza and ramen all do a turn.

RADISSON RED

Finnieston Quay, 25 Tunnel Street, radissonhotels.com

This distinctive Clydeside hotel is plastered in works by local illustrators. Pizzas and bistro dishes dominate in the restaurant, or try a cocktail at the rooftop Red Sky Bar for an impressive eyeful of the Finnieston Crane and Hydro.

Also try . . . Lebowskis for burgers and White Russians (page 36), Silla for Korean rice, noodles and pancakes (page 21), or Strip Joint for decent pizza and the best soundtrack on the Finnieston strip (page 36)

Trains at dawn to Edinburgh no longer required for a Breakfast Naan Roll. Dishoom has slipped into a corner of Glasgow’s old Stock Exchange.

Fry-up devotees: delight in an exclusive Glasgow special, Haggis Pau – richly spiced intercontinental fulfilment on buttered buns. Or tuck into stacks of Cinnamon-Jaggery Pancakes, Parsi Omelettes, fresh fruits and grains with plentiful vegan options, too.

To wash it down: bottomless glasses of steaming chai (made the traditional way or with oat milk) and perhaps a Dhoble – a most discreet morning tipple concealing vodka amidst fresh orange and jaggery…

Stay awhile, there are dishes and drinks to delight – morning, noon and night.

Riverside Museum & Around

THE CLYDESIDE DISTILLERY

100 Stobcross Road, theclydeside.com

The distillery’s café on the Clyde is a lovely spot doing tasting platters of Scottish meats and cheeses, and sandwiches celebrating provenance with players like Ramsay’s ham, Tain cheddar or Arran tomato chutney, all on Bavarian Bakehouse sourdough. You can get drams too.

MURPHY’S PAKORA BAR

1293 Argyle Street, murphyspakorabar.co.uk

Everyone’s having fun at Murphy’s, where tapas-portion curries and canny crowd-pleasers, be it butter chicken or Indian fish and chips, join many other types of fried delight including three-cheese pakora and chorizo pakora.

RICKSHAW & CO

9 Partick Bridge Street, rickshawandco.com

The tangy whiff of tamarind greets you as you enter this technicolor nod to Bollywood, street food and beyond. There’s Indian cola and Mumbai ‘roadside’ small plates alongside the expected staples. If it’s the sort of event at Riverside that might involve a libation or two, carb-load first on vada pav, a Mumbai snack that’s like the best roll and fritter you ever had.

SANO

1146 Argyle Street, sano.pizza

Sano gives Finnieston its Neapolitan pizza fix, from simple marinaras to made-for-Glasgow spicy meatfest, the Vesuvius (Calabrian salami, ’nduja and fresh chilli). Their rucola (parma ham and rocket) is particularly well-rendered, and gluten-free bases are available.

SILLA

1138 Argyle Street, sillakoreanrestaurant.co.uk

One of the longest-standing Finnieston spots is also the place to go if you fancy a bit of a deep-dive into Korean cuisine. They were doing kimchi pancakes and Korean fried chicken here before anywhere else in town. Meats, noodles and rice are masterfully cooked. Walk-ins only.

Also try . . . The Dockyard Social’s all-encompassing, indoor street-food energy every weekend (page 16), Hanami for some of the bougiest Japanese dishes in town (page 71) or El Jefe’s for enjoyable Mexican vibes and Margaritas (page 18)

Corner Shop

Around Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

BREWDOG

1397 Argyle Street, brewdog.com

The Scottish brewer’s first Glasgow bar is smackbang in front of the gallery. Expect a mix of geeky brewism, boisterous branding and good strong drinks, ranging from IPAs and pales to stouts, sours and lagers. Americana food comes via wings, subs and burgers.

CIVERINOS

13 Radnor Street, civerinos.com

Edinburgh’s renowned pizza specialist’s proximity to Kelvingrove’s outdoor skatepark suits their embrace of US skater-punk culture. Slices come on paper plates, sides in plastic baskets. New York-style dominates, with delves into Detroit deep dish and thin, charred New Haven-style pizza. Sides are fun, including a giant mozzarella stick.

CORNER SHOP

45 Old Dumbarton Road, cornershopglasgow.co.uk

This wine bar and tapas diner has a prime corner spot a block back from the gallery. Inside, pops of red and green are set against natural wood. An accessible wine list includes nearly 40 bottles (plenty by the glass) alongside Catalan-inspired dishes such as tortilla, albondigas and croquetas.

ELENA’S SPANISH BAR & RESTAURANT

90 Old Dumbarton Road, elenastapas.com

This tapas bar-diner is warm and welcoming, even to dogs. Food is elevated by care, excellent produce and passion, with Spanish favourites joined by regional specialities. Bigger dishes include paellas, whole fish and steaks or an entire slow-roasted lamb shoulder.

GLORIOSA

1321 Argyle Street, gloriosaglasgow.com

Airy, Scandi-esque corner restaurant with the freshest of ingredients, the best olive oils and the vibrancy of exceptional cooking. Rosie Healey’s eatery on Finnieston’s fringe is still Glasgow’s benchmark for small plate, Mediterranean-style sharing.

MOTHER INDIA’S CAFÉ

1355 Argyle Street, motherindia.co.uk

The Mother India group has four venues in town, with the Café occupying arguably the best spot, just across the road from the gallery. Feast on Indian tapas, featuring spiced haddock, butter chicken and roadside lamb. No bookings so expect a wait.

Also try . . . hole-y treats at the original Tantrum Doughnuts shop, aged Scottish steaks at The Butchershop (page 38) or imaginative small plates at the hugely popular Ox And Finch (page 38)

“It’s places like this where the most exciting food in the country is being plated up... I love Five March”

Chitra Ramaswamy, The Times

Around Glasgow Botanic Gardens

BREAD MEATS BREAD

701 Great Western Road, breadmeatsbread.com

A decade ago when Glasgow went burger crazy, BMB got on board, expanded and kept on riding, with their success rooted in top-notch ingredients. Whether its burgers, dogs, subs or toasties, if bread’s involved, then BMB will be doing something special with it.

CRABSHAKK BOTANICS

Botanic Gardens Garage, 18 Vinicombe Street, crabshakk.co.uk

Crabshakk’s second venue opened in this A-listed garage 13 years after the tiny original trailblazed in Finnieston. There’s a similar casual seafood-andcocktail vibe here amid the smart bar-bistro décor, with signature dishes of squid tempura, crab cakes and scallops in anchovy butter.

KA PAO

Botanic Gardens Garage, 26 Vinicombe Street, ka-pao.com

The Ox And Finch team opened their second venture in this splendid building. Food is south-east Asian

small plates offering vibrant and exciting regional aromas and flavours. Try the sharing menu for four or more where the choosing is done for you.

ÒRAN MÓR

Top Of Byres Road, oran-mor.co.uk

This imposing converted church houses restaurants, bars and gig spaces, with Alasdair Gray’s epic ceiling mural in the auditorium. Eclectic menus grounded in Scotland are served in the restaurant, wine bar and among the abundant drams in the whisky bar.

PAPERCUP COFFEE COMPANY

603 Great Western Road, papercupcoffee.co.uk

This stripped-back haven for coffee lovers has been supplying caffeine hits since 2012. There are plenty of beans on rotation, along with a focus on cold brews. Local, careful sourcing dominates a global-influenced brunchy menu that drifts enticingly into lunchtime.

Also try . . . Michelin star-holder Cail Bruich (page 66) is close to the Gardens if you want to get fancy, or head to baking supremos Cottonrake (page 59) who have a café and bakery nearby

’BABS

49 West Nile Street, babs.co.uk

City Centre: Restaurants

The folks behind burger spot Bread Meats Bread upgrade the kebab here. There’s a Mediterranean-Middle East vibe to menu and décor, while the charcoal-fired robata grill dishes out all manner of gyros, shish and shawarma. To avoid decisions, head for the mezze platter.

GRILLED BY AJAY KUMAR

142 West Regent Street, grilledbyajaykumar.co.uk

This sister to Swadish continues Kumar’s upscaling of Indian cuisine. Grilled dishes come juicy, tinged from the flames, enhanced by bold salsas and chutneys, while curries such as duck leg vindaloo have the meat hitting the coals before pairing with a sauce.

HALLOUMI

161 Hope Street, halloumiglasgow.co.uk

There’s an enticing Greek menu of mezze and grills at this good-looking, contemporary diner. Dishes, from dips with pitta and salads to gyros, souvlaki and more, arrive staggered and are ideal shared. The focus is on big flavours from simple ingredients.

NON VIET

534 Sauchiehall Street, nonviet.co.uk

One of the first Vietnamese diners in town, this original Charing Cross spot has spawned a second outlet at Hillhead and a third vegan option at Partick, giving Glaswegians across the city the chance to enjoy fresh, vibrant spring rolls, soups, curries and noodles.

RED ONION

257 West Campbell Street, red-onion.co.uk

Large and airy dining space with a welcoming vibe that feels neighbourly for a city-centre venue. Scottish classics and popular European and Asian dishes are deftly handled by the kitchen, which also provides separate menus for vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free diets.

RIOJA

115 Hope Street, riojaglasgow.com

After impressing in Finnieston, Rioja moved to a three-floored city-centre spot on a busy corner, combining its restaurant with bars for a lively take on modern tapas and cocktails. The menu splits familiar ‘clasicas’ with lesser-seen ‘modernas’ where Spanish flavours are given fresh twists.

Also try . . . Gost for steaks and cocktails or, for a smart Franco-Scots meal, their sister venues Glaschu and Maison By Glaschu, the latter one of a cluster of options under the glass roof of Princes Square. For lively tacos and cocktails, check out La Masa Taco Bar or, for Korean food, try Bibimbap, close to Central Station

City Centre: Cafés

CAFÉ WANDER

110a West George Street, instagram.com/cafewander

Great food, from breakfast and brunch to light lunches. Excellent coffee and plenty of home baking.

MACKINTOSH AT THE WILLOW

215–217 Sauchiehall Street, mackintoshatthewillow.com

Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald, this place is as special as it was when first opened in 1903. Savour classic afternoon tea over three floors.

SINGL-END

263 Renfrew Street, thesingl-end.co.uk

Not only will you get a fine brunch here, from porridge and eggs to full brekkies, but there are cakes galore and a kaleidoscope of home baking.

SMILE CAFÉ

121 Douglas Street, smilecafeglasgow.com

Lovely Italian café with good-value sangers on ciabatta or focaccia, plus salads, pasta and pastries.

SPRIGG

264 Sauchiehall Street, sprigg.co.uk

Sprigg proves healthy doesn’t need to be boring, with uber-fresh produce and flavour-packed options going into their customisable bowls.

THE TEA ROOMS AT THE BUTTERFLY AND THE PIG

151–153 Bath Street, thebutterflyandthepig.com

Retro stylings plus homemade cakes and breads, and a menu covering breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea.

Also try . . . escaping the hurly-burly at The Wild Olive Tree in St George’s Tron Church, or for top-class coffee and brunch, head to Willow Grove Coffee

City Centre: Bars

If it’s nightlife you seek, then Glasgow’s city centre will deliver, whatever your taste or inclination. Music is at the heart of many venues. Nice N Sleazy has been rocking Sauchiehall Street since 1991. The bar and club is regularly jumping until 3am, with open mic, trad music sessions, karaoke and club nights. A few blocks away is the venerable King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, where Oasis were famously signed to Creation. Primarily a gig venue, it’s a welcoming, indie-vibe bar in its own right. For daily free live gigs try old-school MacSorley’s close to the river, which has been refreshing Glaswegians since 1892. Don’t ignore the city centre’s many back lanes, which can conceal top bars such as Stereo, an important player in Glasgow’s vegan-friendly rep, housed in a Charles Rennie Mackintosh building. Opposite another CRM building on Mitchell Lane is Tabac, a long-standing favourite for great cocktails and pre-club warm-ups. Whisky fans need look no further than The Pot Still for its beguiling back bar of seemingly endless (over 1000) whiskies and ultraknowledgeable staff. For cocktails, check out The Last Bookstore for a literary-themed concoction (a Tolkien or a Chandler, perhaps) and Med-inspired small plates amid shelves with thousands of tomes. Or try the quirky mixology, theme nights and outdoor terrace at The Social on Royal Exchange Square. Bath Street has the monopoly on great basementbar hangouts. The Butterfly And The Pig has live music most nights on its wee stage and serves great Scottish-leaning food in the bar and separate restaurant. Moskito puts on plenty of events alongside great cocktails and top East Asian food, from gyoza and bao buns to donburi bowls. For something even more exotic, descend into the Polynesian den that is The Tiki Bar for cocktails in ceramic skulls. Further down the road is Slouch who not only have regular live music but also open until 3am every night, serving pizzas and burgers until 2am.

Merchant City: Places To Eat

DAKHIN

89 Candleriggs, dakhin.com

This classy south Indian curry house (sister to nearby The Dhabba) is in an attractive building opposite Merchant Square. There are headturning papery dosas, regional specialities, lots of coconut-based dishes and flame-cooked skewers. There is plenty for vegans too and it’s all 100% gluten and nut-free.

MADHA

42 Albion Street, madha.co.uk

A contemporary Indian diner specialising in north and south Indian cuisine with familiar dishes (dosas, biryani, tandoori, etc) and intriguing lesser-known options, including Keralan and Malabari specialities. Every dish packs in flavour with finesse and it’s all delivered by charming staff.

MARGO

68 Miller Street, margo.restaurant

Effortless cool at this accomplished, gigantic space from the team behind popular Ox And Finch and Ka Pao. Dishes are complex yet utterly simple; think modern takes on classics with familiar combinations playfully reimagined. Downstairs is sister bar Sebb’s, doing cocktails and small plates.

THE MERCHANT STEAKHOUSE

56 Ingram Street, themerchantsteakhouse.com

There’s a relaxed luxe feel to this contemporary steakhouse. Beefy options range from ribeye to tomahawk and are aged in-house, available as 28days old or 45 days. They also do Sunday roasts, half-price Tomahawk Tuesdays and beef wellington.

THE SPANISH BUTCHER

80 Miller Street, spanishbutcher.com

Sister to Finnieston’s The Butchershop, specialising in the beef of Galician blond cattle (arguably some of the best beef around). Added enticements include Ibérico pork, well-handled Scottish seafood, a handsome setting and a Spanish-inspired cocktail menu.

TURKIYE EFES

97–99 Candleriggs, turkiyeglasgow.co.uk

This diner, opposite the grand City Halls, is a top spot for a traditional Turkish feast (and occasional belly dancers). An enticing menu includes hot and cold mezze, topped pide breads and grilled kebabs, with traditional breakfast served on Sundays.

Also try . . . creative pizza at Nonna Said, classic Scottish food at Mharsanta, and the fantastically named Momo Hub Mother Nepal for Nepalese dumplings and Indian cross-over curries

Babbity Bowster

Merchant City: Places To Drink

THE AMSTERDAM

106–108 Brunswick Street, thedamglasgow.com

An enticing outdoor area plus sport on TV, weekly quizzes, good food (burgers, tacos) and beers on tap.

BABBITY BOWSTER

16–18 Blackfriars Street, babbitybowster.com

Lovely Georgian townhouse with beer garden, lots of vino by the glass and great pub grub.

BAR 91

91 Candleriggs, bar91.co.uk

Big doors open onto an outdoor space and food is a cut above here; think nachos, wings plus MYO pizza.

BLACKFRIARS OF BELL STREET

36 Bell Street, blackfriarsglasgow.co.uk

Nightly events (trad music, open mics, comedy) plus plenty of US/Euro taps and pizza from Nonna Said.

THE SPIRITUALIST

62 Miller Street, thespiritualistglasgow.com

Cocktail specialist with the country’s biggest bar gantry (reportedly), serving small plates, tacos and burgers.

THE TAP YARD

17 Bell Street, Merchant Square, tapyardglasgow.com

Sports bar where large screens are joined by individual ones at tables and folks order small plates and burgers.

Also try . . . Sebb’s (page 82) and The Absent Ear (page 82) for cocktails, BrewDog for craft beers, and Bar Gandolfi for an intimate taster of the classy Café below (page 13)

Saltmarket & Around: Places To Eat

ARTREZ CAFÉ

91 Saltmarket, instagram.com/artrez.cafe

Impressive Neapolitan pizzas as well as artisan paninis baked in-house. Its combo of café and lunchtime pizzeria make it somewhat unusual.

DAMASQINO

94 Saltmarket, damasqino.co.uk

Focusing on Lebanese and Syrian cuisine, enjoy excellent shawarma, classic Middle Eastern mezze like tabbouleh, moutabal and falafel, plus grilled meats.

EDA

8 High Street, edarestaurant.com

This under-the-radar spot serves all the Turkish favourites: kebabs, falafel, pide, mezze and moussaka.

HAJAR SHAWARMA

23 Gallowgate, hajarshawarma.com

If there’s one person to thank for the profusion of shawarma in Glasgow, it’s Hajar Salih, who originally started Shawarma King. Everything here is made fresh.

SCRAN + ROADIE

180 Saltmarket, scranandroadie.co.uk

Brunchy classics and New York tavern-style pizzas have proven to be a winning formula. BYOB as well.

SHAWARMA KING

113 King Street, shawarmakingglasgow.com

Majed Badrekhan took over this OG Glasgow shawarma spot and has taken it to the top. Tuck into enormous lamb and chicken shawarma.

SISTER MIDNIGHT

61 King Street, instagram.com/sister_midnight_glasgow

Focaccia sandwiches big enough to feed a small family with fillings that change regularly.

Scran + Roadie

Dennistoun: Places To Eat

Duke Street is synonymous with Dennistoun. It runs for more than two miles, but most of the action in this bustling neighbourhood is packed in or around a densely populated stretch about 800-metres long: with a couple of notable exceptions, the best eating is here.

The furthest spot on your hitlist, just beyond the Cumbernauld Road bisection, should be Dunya. They do Persian cuisine and grilled meats as well as anywhere in town and it’s always busy. Get the mixed grill if your numbers are plenty and appetites large. Over the road, Dennistoun Bar-B-Que is the place to go for smash burgers and pit-style food, while Mesa is the neighborhood’s muchbeloved brunch spot, where Mediterranean and Middle Eastern details elevate sandwiches, pancakes and plates as the sun pierces the big window.

Facing each other on Whitehill Street, Tapa is an organic bakery with a vibrant little veggie and vegan menu for something light, while The Loveable Rogue comes alive on Thursday evening when they run a £12 steak-frîtes deal right through until an equally popular Sunday roast takes over and wraps up the weekend.

The East End branch of Frank’s Pizza arrived in 2024. An intense sugo, a properly chewy outer crust and pleasing restraint with the cheese are its hallmarks: that and the viral, preposterously large mozzarella sticks. For a more traditional Italian meal, Celino’s on Alexandra Parade is the pick of the bunch. Think Neapolitan pizzas and old-fashioned pasta dishes packed with flavour. The smorgasbord starter is a lucky bag of whatever they’re running through from the adjoining deli. It’s fantastic value on the set menu.

Compared to even a couple of years ago, the choice in this area is remarkable. Sword Sushi offers a quaint space for sushi and noodles made with care, and Nakodar Grill on Annfield Place is a top-drawer neighborhood curry house, specialising in rich, cooked-down sauces and tandooris. Meanwhile, just round the corner on Bellgrove Street, La Bodega’s Venezuelan cuisine might be the quiet gem of the entire area, with its brimming, juicy arepas. They do great coffee too.

Speaking of caffeine, standouts around here are Daily, using Allpress beans and pastries from Wheatberry Bakery (they have a fantastic takeaway wine shop too), and Black Pine Coffee for swift, charming service and bagels baked in-store. And whether you’re feeling a bit ‘earnest coffee snob’ or somewhat ‘Instagrammable matcha latte’, Zennor is your place of zen and indulgence.

The Barras & Around: Places To Eat

GHINDA CAFÉ

161 Gallowgate

The Gallowgate has become Glasgow’s Little East Africa, home to a number of Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurants and cafés. This loveably ramshackle spot serves injera (pancake-like flatbread) with veg and meat curries, alongside coffee.

GREEK STREET YEEROS

Unit 1, 25 Kent Street, instagram.com/greek_street_yeeros

One of the few market stall food vendors to stay open through the evening. Lamb and chicken are satisfyingly crunchy on the outside and packed into thick wraps, overflowing with all the good stuff. It’s about as pure as street food gets.

HO LEE FOOK

1 McFarlane Street, holeefookglasgow.co.uk

Ho Lee Fook does a roaring trade in tonkatsu sandos and sesame noodles. Lee and Johnny Chung have been running this postage stamp-sized takeaway across from The Barras since 2023. They’ve also just opened a wee sit-down spot around the corner, called Fook Mei, at 239 London Road. Expect much of the same, with a few tweaks.

OUTLIER

38 London Road, instagram.com/outlier.gla

This immaculately designed space does it all. By day, delicious pastries and sourdough made in-house, excellent coffee and soft drinks. Brunch is stellar, with some of Glasgow’s best sandwiches and eggs on toast. It’s moving into dinner service too, with a local, seasonal approach and a modern-British sensibility.

SMOKEY TROTTERS KITCHEN

233 London Road, instagram.com/smokeytrotterskitchen

Hip hop on the walls and on the stereo while an onslaught of all things loaded, topped and pimped comes from the kitchen. Patty melts, dirty fries and strong encouragement to dip burgers in filthy sauces. Guilty, beautiful stuff. No booze.

THE WINGED OX

17 Bain Street, stlukesglasgow.com

Heads up: everyone just calls it St Luke’s, which is the adjoining gig venue. Either way, this church-turned-rock’n’roll bar, all neons and leather, is also one of the few places in Glasgow to do a smokehouse menu, with things like Nashville-rub and pastrami flanking the very impressive burgers, nachos et al.

Discover Barras Art and Design

From club nights and weddings to street food feasts and festive fun, Barras Art and Design brings the city together under one roof.

At the centre of Glasgow’s East End, Barras Art and Design (BAaD) is where the city comes together to celebrate music, food, art and unforgettable experiences. Set in a striking glass-roofed courtyard and spread across five versatile spaces – from the bustling outdoor backyard and main venue to the floating restaurant and bar, mezzanine and street food outlets (including Nonna Said, Shawarma Boy, Snapper Fish Bros and McBarras Burgers) – BAaD is a cultural powerhouse with something for everyone.

As the venue’s buzzing events calendar shows, BAaD thrives on variety. You’ll find quarterly makers’ markets and summer farmers’ markets alongside festive highlights such as Breakfast With Santa and seasonal wreath-making. But BAaD also knows how to turn up the volume: hosting club nights with international DJs including Hannah Laing and Melting Pot. In the past year alone, the venue has secured more than 80 weddings, booked through to 2027 and counting, cementing its reputation as one of Glasgow’s most soughtafter destinations for celebrating life’s big moments.

Foodies are also well catered for. The venue recently launched and sold out its Taste Of The Calton paired dinner series, running from June to December, a showcase of the area’s culinary talent that brought diners something truly special.

With its mix of gigs, club nights, markets, dining and cultural events, BAaD captures Glasgow at its most exciting: energetic, welcoming and endlessly creative. Whether you’re discovering local talent, dancing the night away or raising a glass at a wedding, BAaD is the place to be.

Glasgow Cross & Around: Places To Drink

Five streets meet to form Glasgow Cross, and whichever way you drift from the Merchant City, things are always interesting.

Up on High Street, McChuill’s is a pub with a big soul and its heart on its sleeve. Ageing mods, rockers and clubbers maintain a high level of banter and the back section might well have a gig or club night worth checking out. Down in the other direction, The Tolbooth could easily be dismissed as just another old Saltmarket boozer, but it genuinely does one of the best pints of Guinness in Glasgow. Just beyond that, Super Bario hides on King Street with a concisely perfect combo of vintage arcade games, bar memorabilia and interesting beers.

Drifting south, Whistler On The Green is poised at the tip of Glasgow Green and does a lovely number in low-ceilinged homeliness, lots of nooks and crannies,

a cute wee outdoor bit and a gastropub-ish menu. Sweeping back up towards The Barras takes you to 226 Gallowgate, a well-turned-out affair with outdoor seating in the thrust of the market space. The Gate is your spot for very, very good cocktails and a whisky selection to die for, or there’s a killer bourbon range (Scotland’s largest) just a few yards further on at Van Winkle. Then there’s BAaD, a multipurpose event space with a rambunctious outdoor bar in the middle giving off clubby food-court energy when open: if it’s showing a major sporting event it’s immensely popular. Further along, WEST On The Green is the brewpub of WEST Brewery, and their bar is a spacious and airy homage to their German-style beers brewed to the Reinheitsgebot (German beer purity laws) with appropriate food of the schnitzel/ pretzel/bratwurst variety.

Finnieston & Around: Bars

THE 78

10–14 Kelvinhaugh Street, the78.co.uk

The 78 (originally called Stereo before that sister venue moved to the city centre) is both a neighbourhood pub and one of the heavyweights of Glasgow’s vegan dining scene. Currently the animal-free menu is courtesy of Mexican street-food popuppers Antojitos.

BIG SLOPE

36a Kelvingrove Street, instagram.com/bigslopeglasgow

Opened in 2006 in a still-quite-ropey Finnieston, Big Slope nears its 20th birthday with little let-up in popularity. It’s got a top location near Kelvingrove Park, an enticing al fresco area, pub grub that’s always a cut above, great cocktails and a carefree, whimsical attitude.

DUKES BAR

41 Old Dumbarton Road, instagram.com/dukesbar_glasgow There’s been a bar on this site for as long as anyone can remember: The Clash played here on their 1985 busking tour, which already sets this place out as supercool. It’s also a great corner spot, with a nice interior and good cocktails.

THE FINNIESTON

1125 Argyle Street, thefinniestonbar.com

Housed in an ex-drovers’ tavern (c.1800), this bar-diner is a cosy place for top-quality cocktails and seafood. Nautical nods in the décor conjure up an old galleon, with diligent bar staff and a beer garden for enjoying their 60-plus gins.

LEBOWSKIS

1008 Argyle Street, lebowskis.co.uk

Named after the eponymous slacker hero of the Coen Brothers’ cult movie The Big Lebowski, this bar opened in 2007, before the area’s dining boom. Tuck into wings, and burgers, while nearly 30 Lebowski-themed variations on White Russians would make Jeff proud.

STRIP JOINT

956 Argyle Street, stripjointglasgow.co.uk

Close to the Hydro, this place bags a chunk of the pre-gig crowd with quality drinks, good-value food (pizzas are great) and a leaning towards indie music (there’s a vinyl shop inside). They also have Innis & Gunn lager straight from their tank system.

Also try . . . craft beer galore at behemoth BrewDog (page 22) opposite the museum or the much more diminutive Grunting Growler (page 79) for beer and wine to sit-in or take-away

For 22 years Dakhin has served authentic South Indian cooking in the heart of Glasgow. Every dish is 100 per cent gluten free and accredited by Coeliac UK.

From crispy dosas to fragrant curries, our food delivers flavours you will not Book your table today at dakhin.com. find in a typical curry house. Guests call us...

“the best Indian restaurant I have ever eaten in. Wonderful food and staff.”

Perfect for coeliacs, vegans and anyone seeking the authentic taste of South India.

Finnieston & Around: Places To Eat

One of Glasgow’s top dining destinations wasn’t always that way. Up until a dozen or so years ago, only a few intrepid owners ventured out among the house-clearance shops and caged off-licences of Finnieston. Mother India was the trailblazer, opening up their curry house in 1990 in a multistorey tenement. The 2000s saw Fanny Trollopes arrive, dishing out classy Scots-Euro bistro dishes from their compact art deco-style restaurant. Crabshakk arrived a few years later, changing the way people ate seafood in the city with their casual cocktail-and-crab approach to our ocean harvest at their stylish diner.

The burgeoning of Finnieston’s dining reputation can be traced back to the arrival of The Gannet in 2013 (who shocked fans with the announcement that their last service would be on New Year’s Eve 2025, though other plans are afoot). From its arrival, things took off. Ox And Finch continues to delight diners with casual and creative small-plate offerings and clever cocktails, setting the culinary bar high for more than a decade now. Fans of prime cuts can enjoy a steak and cocktail at Porter & Rye or at The Butchershop, close to Kelvingrove Art Gallery And Museum.

Michelin came to Finnieston when Unalome By Graeme Cheevers picked up a star at his attractive corner tenement in 2022, the Glaswegian’s first solo venture after winning the award at other people’s establishments. Up a side street closer to Charing Cross is Five March, a contemporary bar-diner serving inventive small plates and equally imaginative cocktails. Expertly crafted dishes are generally European in outlook with flashes of global flavours, served in a calming, simple Scandi-like interior. There’s a similar vibe at Gloriosa, where chef Rosie Healey always impresses with her plates of fresh, vibrant Mediterranean cuisine.

A recent incomer is Trust By Modou, offering diners a very reasonably priced five-course meal, albeit without any menu whatsoever; it’s a matter of putting your trust in the head chef. For a Japanese take on dining, check out specialists Pickled Ginger for a casual sushi and noodles menu, and Hanami whose signature dishes include various ways with wagyu beef. In a tin-roofed shack down The Hidden Lane is Rafa’s Mexican-inspired, south-western US food, where experienced hands build tacos, burritos, quesadillas, plus twists like nacho cheese birria pizza. From Wednesday to Sundays you can now pick up wood-fired pizza from the converted horsebox run by Dough Man’s Land parked near the edge of Kelvingrove Park on Derby Street.

Sylvan

Kelvinbridge & Woodlands: Places To Eat & Drink

Wedged between the motorway, Great Western Road, the River Kelvin and the posh bit up the hill, Woodlands and Kelvinbridge has a bohemian and multicultural vibe, its residents helping a lively drinking and dining scene to thrive.

The studenty contingent means there are plenty of bars. The Drake excels at village-pub vibe with a real fire, lazing dogs and Sunday roasts. Also renowned for its roasts plus upscaled pub grub is The Loveable Rogue, which has expanded to three venues in town. The Hug And Pint is a popular spot, with gigs in the compact basement and pizzas courtesy of Pica Luna, while Inn Deep has a great location by the river and excellent Asian-inspired food from pop-uppers Café XO. Wine fans should check out two sister spots to Michelin-holders Cail Bruich: Brett and The Caravan Shop, both dishing up delicious food alongside their carefully curated wine lists.

Café culture is strong in these parts. Coffee fans should head to roasters Spitfire Espresso or Perch & Rest Coffee, who have a great location in a corner cottage on Otago Street. Wholesome institution Roots, Fruits And Flowers has a lovely brunchy café alongside grocery, deli and flower shops. Cake lovers should check out the creations from Italianleaning Sonny & Vito’s who also do sandwiches, soups and groceries.

The long-standing food truck at the petrol station on the corner of Ashley Street and Woodlands Road is home to Mrs Falafel and her delicious Levantine street food. For imaginative vegan and veggie dishes there’s Sylvan, or for a meaty fix El Perro Negro is one of Glasgow’s top burger specialists. Get top-notch Italian food at La Lanterna West End, sister to the longstanding city original, while Mother India serves classy curries at The Lansdowne

Hyndland & Partick: Places To Drink

BAG O’ NAILS

165 Dumbarton Road, bag-o-nails.co.uk

Big, busy and unashamedly broad in its appeal. The student friendly late-night food menu, the 1am licence and the live music all do their bit.

COTTIERS

93–95 Hyndland Street, cottiers.com

Spacious bar in an old church, full of chatter. Perfect for a pint and a leisurely perusal of the newspaper.

THE SPARKLE HORSE

16 Dowanhill Street, thesparklehorse.com

A muso’s pub and one of the first outfits to successfully modernise and reimagine the oldfashioned boozer in their own mould.

THE THORNWOOD

724 Dumbarton Road, instagram.com/thornwoodglasgow

This place has a lively rock’n’roll soundtrack and a loyal following who value how much it values them. Snug in the winter, lovely outdoor bit in the summer.

THREE JUDGES

141 Dumbarton Road, thepeoplespub.co.uk/three-judges-glasgow

One of the city’s dying breed of real ale-focused pubs, with nine beers on the hand pull and cask cider as well. The CAMRA force is strong in this one.

Also try . . . The Record Factory (page 80) for big screen sports (and big beer garden in summer) or its neighbour West Side Tavern (page 80) for cocktails on tap and an equally impressive outdoor space. The Lismore (page 86) has the West End’s best whisky range, while Vino Valentino’s wine shop and tasting room has lesser-known Italian varietals by the glass

Hyndland & Partick: Cafés & Casual Eats

BANH MI & TEA

340 Dumbarton Road, facebook.com/banhmiandteaglasgow

Vietnamese cooking’s best-known exports in a chirpy space. Shreds of carrot, crumbs of peanut, coriander tumbling out of baguettes. Pho and homemade spring rolls arrive at your table within a couple of minutes of ordering. Delicious, cheap and cheerful.

KIMCHI CULT

14 Chancellor Street, kimchicult.com

One of the first places in town to really celebrate Korea’s national dish and its versatility, this spot has settled into its neighborhood fast-food, guilty-treat personality, where sesame and gochujang, fried chicken and bulgogi beef all play their part alongside its namesake fermented veg.

SALANDINI’S

49 Hyndland Street, instagram.com/salandinis

An artisan pasta shop with a mere seven sit-in spaces is the sort of place foodies get excited about. Options like wafer-thin pappardelle or beautiful little parcels of butternut squash and chilli can be paired with lamb ragù or pistachio pesto. Fills up fast.

SONGBIRD SPECIALITY COFFEE

476 Dumbarton Road, instagram.com/songbirdspecialitycoffee

The mandatory scaffold board window ledge-cumtable at Songbird is ever so slightly lower than elsewhere, making standing, leaning and people watching that bit more enjoyable here. It also sets itself apart with beans from Argyll Roasters and Oddy Knocky Coffee, and pastries from Wheatberry.

THUNDERDOG

71–77 Byres Road, thunderdogpubdiner.co.uk

Thunderdog does Chicago-style hotdogs and is the sibling and counterpoint to Thundercat’s Chicago deep dish pizza (though you can get them here, too).

Eating beneath its neon red thunderbolts is fun: think hotdog topped with haggis, or tater tots loaded with macaroni cheese and black pudding.

Also try . . . The University Café for fried food and Italian ice-cream in an art deco space that Anthony Bourdain famously checked out, Ting Thai’s take on unfussy, snackable Thai food (page 71), tiny Nowita for great ice-cream flavour combos or Epicures for the Hyndland brunch and casual dinner set

Hyndland & Partick: Restaurants

THE CLARENCE

168 Hyndland Road, theclarenceglasgow.co.uk

The Cail Bruich team tap into the trend for ‘restaurantified’ pubs. Comfy seats and pints are encouraged alongside significant things getting grilled (lamb chop, tuna loin) while classics like chicken kyiv and steak pie are upwardly reimagined.

EIGHTY EIGHT

88 Dumbarton Road, eightyeightglasgow.co.uk

Impressive cooking and great value to be had at this daily-changing small/smallish plates spot. Handmade pasta is the big draw, but delicate dishes like coley with spiced confit chickpea are great too.

GA GA

566 Dumbarton Road, gagaglasgow.com

Trendy Malaysian affair that’s equally comfortable slamming out spritzes to the outdoor tables as it is doing modern twists on south-east Asian food. Everything has a light touch, from the lime-leaf butter drizzled over oyster mushrooms to pickled beets in an ox-cheek rendang.

NUMBER 16

16 Byres Road, number16.co.uk

Refined cooking using Scottish ingredients in a cosy, split-level spot overlooking Byres Road. Expect Gressingham duck, venison haggis, hen of the woods, and cod with romanesco. Great lunch deal as well.

PARTICK DUCK CLUB

27 Hyndland Street, partickduckclub.co.uk

The Duck Club leans into its hushed demeanour and curtained, speakeasy tendencies. They do all-day breakfast and brunch, and the poshest sausage roll imaginable surrounded by the glossiest of gravies, with flaky wellington-esque pastry and coarse crumbles of meat spiked with mustard seed.

Also try . . . Massawa on Byres Road: Glasgow’s appetite for Ethiopian and Eritrean food is increasing and this place is largely responsible. Folk travel from all over town for The Skillet’s Sunday roast and, at the junction of Dumbarton Road and Hyndland Street, Celino’s does Italian with a broad appeal and topdrawer ingredients (page 72)

Govanhill: Cafés & Restaurants

One of Scotland’s most diverse neighbourhoods might have food from all over the world, but there’s a focus on one thing around here: affordability. For Punjabi-style desi cooking on coals, from kebabs to curries, Kebabish Grill is an absolute stalwart. The paratha wrap at Pakistani Street Food delivers bags of flavour at bargain prices while an alternative budget option is the samosa and veg curry at Vegan & Veg Café. For more samosa, as well as sweets such as gulab jamun, try Delicious Corner or Glasgow Sweet House. Victoria Road, Govanhill’s main street, offers everything from pasta and pizza at Cibo to Spanish-inspired small plates and wine at Café Buena Vida, where you can watch DJs broadcast live on a community radio station as you eat and sup.

Patricia’s and its sit-in sister café Short Long Black do dependably great coffee, with the former focusing on cakes and pastries, while the latter adds focaccia sandwiches, cookies and intricate viennoiserie to the mix. Newbie on the block Pistachio specialises in Turkish treats such as borek, as well as macarons. Another recent arrival, Qasba, serves delightful North African dishes, from tajines to merguez pitta, washed down with arabic coffee or Algerian lemonade.

At the tail-end of Vicky Road lies Vini, an Italian wine bar and restaurant that does hearty plates of pasta and bittersweet cocktails. If you’re looking to treat yourself, two doors down is Big Counter (sister spot of Errol’s Hot Pizza) which unapologetically cooks the sort of generous, meat-heavy fare the chefs would like to eat themselves, from steak diane to pork chops and alpine sausages. There is always one green thing on the menu though: a salad hidden almost entirely under a mountain of parmesan. If you’re feeling less spenny, next door is Glasgow’s take on New Orleans, Nola Soul, serving chicken burgers, fried wings and bowls of rich gumbo.

City Centre Introducing . . . Neighbourhood

SÍSÍ

15 Candleriggs | G1 1TQ sisirooftop.com

Meet SíSí: serving up bold cocktails, shareable small plates, skyline sundowners and late-night DJs, all in one laid-back, high-up hangout. Inspired by Mexicana flavours, the menu features fresh, vibrant plates with locally sourced produce and sustainable suppliers.

INNIS & GUNN BREWERY TAPROOM

22–24 West Nile Street | G1 2PW innisandgunn.com

At Innis & Gunn’s Brewery Taproom you can expect a warm welcome, award-winning beer and delicious food. Our famous steak frites is packed with flavour. What’s more, if you finish your first steak, you can have a second on the house!

TOPOLABAMBA

87 St Vincent Street | G2 5TF topolabamba.com/glasgow

Street-food spirit, fiery flavours, made fresh every day. Round up the gang, dive into tacos, sip Margaritas, and experience the true Mexican vibe. At Topolabamba City Centre and West End, the fiesta never stops!

Spotlights

ICHIBAN

50 Queen Street | G1 3DS ichiban.co.uk

Well known among locals as one of the first independent establishments to bring a taste of Japan to the heart of Glasgow (since 1998). From sushi and ramen to teriyaki and tempura, there’s something on the menu for everyone!

THE AMSTERDAM

106 Brunswick Street | G1 1TF thedamglasgow.com, instagram.com/thedamglasgow

Stiff drinks, late nights and ’Dam good vibes. The Amsterdam is a lively dive bar, serving up big flavour bombs, with perfect smash burgers and loaded fries alongside a wide range of craft beer, cocktails, live DJ’s and loads of fun!

THE SOCIAL

27 Royal Exchange Square | G1 3AJ thesocialglasgow.co.uk

A stylish cocktail bar and restaurant known for one of the city’s best outdoor terraces and its vibrant atmosphere. Food ranges from wood-fired pizzas to light bites and sharing plates, with an inventive and fun cocktail menu to match.

West End

SUISSI VEGAN KITCHEN

494 Dumbarton Road | G11 6SL suissivegankitchen.co.uk

Perennial award-winning vegan restaurant in the West End of Glasgow. This family-run restaurant serves delicious Asian cuisine that aims to showcase the dynamic range of vegan food and drinks.

VALHALLA’S GOAT

449 Great Western Road | G12 8HH instagram.com/valhallas_goat

Our wee shop is overflowing with wines, beers, spirits, and everything in between. We specialise in offering relaxed, informative service from knowledgeable staff who love a good chat! Whatever you’re looking for, we’ll be sure to help you find it.

CAFE ANDALUZ

2 Cresswell Lane | G12 8AA cafeandaluz.com

Big flavours, small plates, endless reasons to celebrate. Gather friends, share tapas, sip sangria, and be transported straight to Spain. At Café Andaluz City Centre and West End, every dish is made for sharing: just bring your apetito.

PAST É IS LISBOA

280 Byres Road, G12 8AW & 24 Gordon Street, G1 3PU instagram.com/pasteislisboa

Famous for the UK’s best pastel de nata, handmade daily to an awardwinning recipe from Lisbon: try the classic or seasonal faves like plum and cardamom (plus vegan options). Their Iberian deli range of specialist artisan products from Spain and Portugal has a serious rep too. A must-visit for all foodies.

NOWITA ICE CREAM

51 Hyndland Street | G11 5QF nowita.co.uk

Small-batch ice-cream made in Glasgow by husband and wife, Jamie and Jill, using premium locally sourced ingredients. Every element of every flavour is made from scratch with a strong emphasis on the quality of ingredients used.

KAHAWA MZURI SPECIALTY COFFEE

357 Dumbarton Road | G11 6AL instagram.com/kahawamzuri

Based in the heart of Partick, Kahawa Mzuri is a specialty coffee shop supporting Kenyan farmers. Serving various coffees, teas and masala chai, we have a homely atmosphere where you can surround yourself with homemade bakes and plenty of books.

East End

DOH

115 King Street | G1 5RB doh-nuts.com

Doh offers a great selection of handmade, fresh doughnuts alongside speciality coffee. As well as traditional brioche doughnuts, they also have plenty of vegan flavours to choose from. Open Thursday to Sunday, pop down to the Doh-nut hole to try them out.

THROUGH THE HOUSE

15 High Street | G1 1LX throughthehouse.com

Coffee. Music. Good times. Through The House serves specialty coffee from some of the UK’s best roasters on filter and espresso, soundtracked by their hi-fi setup. They also regularly host events, ranging from chilled yoga mornings to live DJs spinning vinyl.

OUTLIER

38 London Road | G1 5NB instagram.com/outlier.gla

Outlier is a Glasgow café, bakery and restaurant (and soon to be wine bar) celebrating craft, community and creativity. Offering sourdough breads, seasonal dishes and speciality coffee in a design-led space, it blends culinary precision with a raw, independent spirit that defines the city’s new food culture.

SAINT LUKE’S

17 Bain Street | G40 2JZ

stlukesglasgow.com, instagram.com/stlukesglasgow

Bustling live music and wedding venue in a beautifully restored 19thcentury church in Glasgow’s East End. It has played host to swathes of national and international bands and artists since opening in 2015, cementing itself in the Glasgow music scene.

TRON THEATRE

63 Trongate | G1 5HD tron.co.uk

The Tron Theatre Café/Bar is a unique space to relax in the Merchant City. Pop in for coffee, soup and a toastie, afternoon tea or a pre/post-show drink. Open Tues–Sat 11am–4pm, with extended opening until 11pm on show nights: and we’re dog-friendly too!

THE WINGED OX

17 Bain Street | G40 2JZ

stlukesglasgow.com, instagram.com/stlukesglasgow

The Winged Ox @ Saint Luke’s serves up big bold flavours, specialising in barbecue smoked meats, burgers and classic American treats. Boasting 18 taps and a deliciously fun cocktail menu, it’s perfect for lunch dinner and, of course, pre-gig bites!

Southside

CAFE BUENA VIDA

535 Victoria Road | G42 8BH buenavida.co.uk

Community café/bar and internet radio station serving up Spanishinspired, locally sourced food and drinks to an ever-changing soundtrack, broadcasting live from our window. Enjoy beers, spirits and quality wines by the glass in a unique space where the coffee machine and kitchen run until close.

PARTENOPE

75 Hector Road | G41 3QD instagram.com/partenopeglasgow

Partenope is a neighbourhood focacceria, run by a husband-andwife duo. Inspired by their Italian heritage, they deliver fresh focaccia, great coffee and friendly service to loyal regulars at this well-loved spot. Partenope was also named one of the best in the world in La Liste’s Pastry Awards 2024.

CAESAR’S SOCIAL

2 Clarkston Road | G44 4EH caesarssocial.com

We’re a small neighbourhood pizza place trying hard to use local, seasonal, regeneratively farmed and sustainable ingredients, mainly from Scotland and the UK. We’re open Wednesday till Sunday and are currently BYOB.

SYLVAN LA CAVE

44 Sinclair Drive | G42 9QE sylvanglasgow.com

An offshoot wine shop (and potential future bar) from restaurant Sylvan and importer Baregrape. Modelled in the cave à vin style, this new offering for Glasgow’s Southside offers ne, sustainable and natural wine with knowledgable and relaxed service. Coming soon.

ZENNOR COFFEE

287 Langside Road | G42 8XX zennorcoffee.co.uk

Zennor combines Nordic warmth and Japanese restraint, blending wood, aluminium and steel in quiet harmony. This philosophy extends to their coffee: seasonal, small-batch micro-lots roasted inhouse and served with precision as espresso or hand-poured lter.

BIRDS FRIED CHICKEN

Phillie’s of Shawlands, 117 Kilmarnock Road | G41 3YH instagram.com/birdsfriedchicken

New fried chicken concept from the team behind award winning burger joint, El Perro Negro. Expect quality ingredients, bold avours and laid-back dining. From crispy tenders and indulgent burgers to southern-style breakfasts and salads. Located in Shawlands’ favourite dog-friendly bar.

Govanhill: Places To Drink

THE BELL JAR

21 Dixon Avenue, belljarglasgow.com

Much like its siblings The Sparkle Horse and The Rose Reilly, there’s great beer on tap here as well as a nice wine list. The menu offers simple, delicious dishes such as mushroom ragù and smoked haddock risotto.

MCNEILL’S BAR

106 Torrisdale Street

Much of Glasgow life can regularly be found at this charmingly eccentric pub. There’s serviceable beers but really you come here for the company. There are also folk and vinyl nights, and an eclectic mix of events upstairs at The Fiddler’s Elbow.

QUEEN’S PARK CAFÉ

530 Victoria Road, fb.com/queensparkcafeG42

Victorian pub with a mahogany horseshoe bar, stained-glass detailing and a wooden gantry. The beers are standard, meant to be drunk in copious quantities rather than savoured, preferably while watching Celtic play. Mark McManus of Taggart fame used to drink here.

THE ROSE REILLY

58 Albert Road

Named after the World Cup-winning footballer, this wood-panelled space is warm and inviting, with delightfully creamy pints of Murphy’s and Guinness on draught, as well as the lesser-spotted Tennent’s 80/-, Arbor pale ale, bottled beer and a solid selection of spirits.

RYAN’S BAR

165 Allison Street, ryansbarglasgow.com

When PJ Neeson’s was taken over and changed its name for the first time since 1903, it caused some concern. Since then, Ryan’s has garnered a reputation for rotating beer taps, good cocktails, folk sessions and a chaotic/debauched vibe on weekends.

Shawlands: Places To Drink

THE CORONA

1039 Pollokshaws Road, corona-bar.com

This grand old building has finally been given the lease of life it deserves. Sport on the big screen, Dungeons & Dragons night, Sunday roast; it does everything a community pub is meant to, and with gusto.

CURIOUS LIQUIDS

28–30 Kilmarnock Road, instagram.com/curiousliquids

Bagging one of the tables at the floor-to-ceiling windows here is a truly beautiful thing. Even when the weather’s sombre, there’s still 40 wines by the glass to choose from, surely the biggest range in Glasgow.

THE GLAD CAFÉ

1006a Pollokshaws Road, thegladcafe.co.uk

Equally adept as a daytime hangout for creative types or diners wanting something from their plant-based menu. A solid range of beers accompany the full arts programme of gigs, comedy nights and film showings.

HENRY’S

5 Abbot Street, instagram.com/henrysglasgow

The Southside’s favourite speakeasy does a great number in hushed ambience, exquisite cocktails and delicate small plates of food.

THE MARLBOROUGH

26 Langside Avenue, instagram.com/the.marlborough

The reincarnation of The Shed is an impressive, late-night venue that Shawlands’ folk flock to when everywhere else is closed: live music, DJs in the evenings, cocktail o’clock the whole time.

PHILLIES OF SHAWLANDS

1179 Pollokshaws Road, instagram.com/ philliesbarshaw

Spacious and vibey bar in the evening, with monthly craft brewery residencies and a strong cocktail game. At night-time, it can get very rowdy indeed when the house band or bandaoke nights are on.

Shawlands: Places To Eat

BIRDS FRIED CHICKEN

1179 Pollokshaws Road, instagram.com/birdsfriedchicken Food is unapologetically rich at this fried-chicken concept from the El Perro Negro burger team, which takes up the left hand side of Phillies bar. A vigorously seasoned and crunchy coating, homestyle chicken gravy and a house dressing spiked with anchovies are the hallmarks.

CHAW PET NOI

1109 Pollokshaws Road, chawppetnoi.co.uk

Thai street food as you watch the world go by. Expect thick, sticky mains where fish sauce, chilli paste and tamarind punch their weight and red chillis and crispy onions are in abundance.

THE JOLLY TAMIL

95 Kilmarnock Road, thejollytamil.com

Multi-generational family affair that’s a love letter to Sri Lankan and Tamil cooking. There’s mutton rolls (little golden, breadcrumbed flutes of fiery meat) or try devil ah, a tangy, spicy fusion of Indian and Chinese styles. Dishes have personality here.

THE OLD FISH BAR

74 Coustonholm Road, instagram.com/the_old_fish_bar

A neighbourhood fish restaurant where the menus and concept rotate every five or six weeks. The common thrust is always imaginative riffs on seafood backed up by solid cocktails. That, alongside charming attentiveness and service, means its gobackability is pretty impressive.

PAESANO PIZZA SOUTHSIDE

1038–1040 Pollokshaws Road, paesanopizza.co.uk

The newest outpost of the Neapolitan pizza empire is also the most homely, a stylishly upcycled corner unit on Shawlands Cross. Paesano’s well (EVOO)-oiled combo of slick service, ever-changing specials, and fat, chewy crusts that cede into a paper-thin foldable centre mean it’s always an enticing option.

PARTENOPE

75 Hector Road, instagram.com/partenopeglasgow

Hiding among the flats on the corner of Tassie Street, Partenope is an airy lunchtime spot where it’s all about strong coffee and fantastic, bubbly focaccia that they bake in-house.

Also try . . . popular Café Strange Brew (page 60) where there’s been a queue for about six years now. Be prepared to wait in line at Deanston Bakery (page 59) as well, because those cinnamon rolls are legendary. And Lychee Oriental’s Southside site gives the area classy, old-fashioned Chinese dining (page 65)

Strathbungo: Places To Eat & Drink

Strathbungo is a neighbourhood defined by other neighbourhoods: no one can seem to settle on where it begins or ends. But for gastronomic purposes, if we can agree it’s ‘just up from Govanhill’, ‘before you get to Shawlands’ and ‘not quite Pollokshields’, then we can also agree it’s a packed little pocket of the Southside where you’re rarely more than a few units away from the next eating and drinking hotspot. Let’s start with Ranjit’s Kitchen, unassumingly serving Punjabi homestyle veggie delights since 2015. The dhal of the day always has a remarkable depth of flavour, and dishes show all sorts of skillful uses of paneer, potato and chickpea. Across the road, under the archway and into The Cooperage courtyard reveals Boca, doing hefty artisan sandwiches bursting with colour and flavour.

Just off Pollokshaws Road on Allison Street, there’s Kurdish Street Food, one of the handful of places vying for best shawarma in Glasgow status, and just beyond, there’s laid-back BYOB Vietnamese cuisine on wooden stools at Little Hoi An. Get anything with pork and anything involving a fried egg.

Back on the main stretch, and whether for nourishment, libation or a bit of both, The Rum Shack is the only real party in town for all things Caribbean. Go for the jerk fish and chips, stay for the rum. A few steps up, there’s complimentary pickled cucumbers and everything is made fresh at friendly neighbourhood Japanese spot Wasabi (don’t confuse with the chain in London). Directly over from that, Lobo, from the same folk as Boca, is a knowing combo of neighborhood eatery and trendy Mediterranean small plates that tends to book out most nights.

For pubs and bars, we’ve mentioned Koelschip Yard in our craft beer section, where it pretty much reigns supreme. But not all good beer is craft beer, as exemplified by The Allison Arms and its honesty fridges at the back, with all manner of bottled delight from Germany in a boisterous Glasgow pub setting. Right beside is MJ Heraghty, another old boy. Rumour has it they go through 40 kegs of Guinness a week, such is its quality: it’s certainly up there.

If it’s not booze you seek, the edge of Strathbungo offers up Gusto & Relish which continues to hold its own in the increasingly competitive and gimmicky brunch scene through good old-fashioned combinations and great quality bread. Nearby, Burnfield Bakery’s window will entice you in with all manner of shiny, glossy bakes, like a chilli-jam cheese swirl or whipped mascarpone and cherry pastry.

Bread & Patisserie

BIG BEAR BAKERY

54 Sinclair Drive & 21 Dowanhill Street, bigbearbakery.com

The black sesame sourdough loaves here are strong contenders for the city’s best. Big Bear does a lot more besides bread, from danishes and cinnamon buns to sausage rolls and filled croissants (their sandwich game is also good). Get down early for those loaves.

BURNFIELD BAKERY

717 Pollokshaws Road, instagram.com/burnfieldbakery

In an area with no shortages of bakeries, this one stands out. Burnfield’s window counter groans under its own weight, with gigantic cinnamon buns, tomato focaccia, pain suisse, almond croissants, spinach and feta swirls, carrot cakes and seasonal specials to keep things fresh: you can’t go wrong.

COTTONRAKE BAKERY

497 Great Western Road, cottonrake.com

It’s hard to believe that this bakery has been serving some of the city’s best bread and laminated pastries for 15 years now. The baguettes and sourdough are top drawer, as are the viennoiserie, cakes and tarts. You’ll struggle to get your order wrong: everything is delicious. Minimal seating but there’s a bigger café further down the road at number 717.

DEANSTON BAKERY

163–167 Deanston Drive, instagram.com/deanstonbakery

The savoury offering at this welcoming bakery is extensive: doorstopper sandwiches, bagels, breads and seasonal buns. The sweet side is also well covered, from cinnamon buns and cookies to strawberry turnovers and Ukrainian baked cheesecake.

HONEYTRAP BAKERY

4 Skirving Street, honeytrapbakery.com

Plant-based baking doesn’t have to leave you wanting. Savouries here aren’t an afterthought: think sausage rolls, danishes and jalapeño pies. Alongside are intricate pastries, seasonal tarts, buns, cookies and brownies. It would be hard for the uninitiated to guess that it’s all vegan.

KAF COFFEE

5 Hyndland Street, kafcoffee.co.uk

With such skillful lamination, you can’t beat a simple croissant at Kaf. But there are more complex offerings, like a cardamom monkey knot with lemon and poppy seed, plus sandwiches, savoury specials, sourdough loaves and baguettes.

Also try . . . vegan specialist bakery The Dorky French, Rutherglen’s Fleur Bakery, Southside’s Wild Flours for gluten-free, while doughnut fans should check out Doh in Saltmarket’s King Street arches

Breakfast & Brunch

Glasgow has heartily embraced brunch so you’re never too far from an enjoyable lazy-morning feed. Southside’s Café Strange Brew is the matriarch, doing rolls, skillets, hashes and stacks, be they pretty pancakes or sourdough options. Further up Pollokshaws Road is Bramble, who’ve eked out a leafy corner spot. They’ve got global outreach, with Korean fried chicken waffles and nasi goreng alongside various toasts and pancakes. Nearby is Sunny Acre, blending brunch and lunch in dishes that feel healthy and light; think mackerel on rye or heritage tomatoes on toast. Excellent cakes too.

In the Merchant City, The Wilson Street Pantry is an old expert with a stylish, Euro-bistro set-up. Their fairly compact menu is slickly done and delivered, from rolls and eggs benny riffs to sourdough toppings. Nearby is Kozi Café, a tranquil escape from High Street. Their full brekkies, eye-catching stacks and continental nods have proved so popular that they are planning to spread into the adjacent shop. There’s also Singl-end for breakfasts and eggs many ways, alongside great pastries and cakes. East End brunch is ruled by Mesa, bringing a worldwide influence to skillets, sandwiches and posh pancakes that taste big.

Arguably the best location for brunch is at Ocho, housed in the old grain mills by the canal at Speirs Wharf. Enjoy their breakfasts, hashes, toast and pancake stacks, and then walk it off along the nolly. Brunch is celebrated all day at the excellent Partick Duck Club, with straight-up breakfasts and rolls plus fancier numbers such as shredded duck leg hash brown or addictive duck fat fries. After a stroll in Kelvingrove Park, head to Pulp for their bright and breezy offerings, from toast toppings to rolls, croque monsieurs, smoothies and more. At the other end of the park, The Brunch Club has a nice corner near the gallery for extensive all-day options, from brekkies to chicken waffles, tacos, wraps and sweet pancakes.

Burgers

BREAD MEATS BREAD

65 St Vincent Street, breadmeatsbread.com

There’s a lip-smacking range of options, both classic and smashed, at this outfit’s city centre site. They do the trashiest of poutines too.

CHILO’S

480 Paisley Road West & 488 Great Western Road, chilos.co.uk

Giving Glaswegians a great burger when everywhere else is shut. Don’t get anything fancy, just an Aberdeen Angus beef patty on brioche.

DENNISTOUN BAR-B-QUE

585 Duke Street, dennistounbbq.com

Burgers that come from old Americana, whether smashed, mustard fried, or thick and crumbly. The Carnival is perfection, all gooey monterrey jack and softened onions.

THE DUKE’S UMBRELLA

363 Argyle Street, dukesumbrella.com

Delicious French steak-haché style burger that almost feels like shreds of steak rather than ground mince. Properly pink, with squeezy cheese, jalapeños and a hash brown.

EL PERRO NEGRO

152 Woodlands Road, el-perro-negro.com

The foodie’s burger joint. A smashed patty luxuriates in bone marrow and roquefort butter with black truffle mayo. That one’s called the Top Dog . . . and it is.

FAT HIPPO

86 St Vincent Street, fathippo.co.uk

Patties here have a cracking balance of crispy browned exterior and juiciness. A side is generously included and you can even upgrade to waffle fries.

BYOB

BANANA LEAF

192 St Vincent Street, fb.com/bananaleafglasgow Banana Leaf recently moved into the city centre, where the décor may be a big step up but it’s still the same excellent south Indian food and free corkage.

CHILLIES WEST END

176–182 Woodlands Road, chillieswestend.com

For more than 15 years, this curry house has kept spice-lovers happy, whether in its contemporary diner or dedicated takeaway. No corkage charge (wine/beer only) unless you’re in a group of nine or more.

THE DEN

1347 Argyle Street, motherindia.co.uk

The Mother India group’s cosy wee diner, at the rear of their Dining In takeaway shop, is something of a secret, serving a pared-down, lighter menu, great for enjoying with your own wine (corkage £3.50).

THE HIDDEN LANE TEAROOM

Unit 8, The Hidden Lane, hiddenlanetearoom.com Vintage-loving tearoom serving breakfasts, light lunches and afternoon teas. There’s outdoor seating where dogs are welcome and diners can bring wine/ bubbly (£4 corkage) or premixed cans (£1.50 corkage).

SATU SATU

97 St Georges Road, satusatu.co.uk

This Asian diner is different. That it does ChineseMalaysian cuisine is fairly unusual; that it specialises in desserts, from sweet soups and tofu puds to bubble waffles, is downright idiosyncratic. BYOB for free.

Also try . . . Glasgow’s Southside for plenty of BYO options, such as Vietnamese diner Little Hoi An (page 57) and Chinese streetfooder The Real Wan (page 65). For pizza, try Errol’s Hot Pizza (page 74) and Caesar’s Social (page 74)

Den

Coffee Specialists

Glasgow’s coffee scene is in rude health. Buzzing, in fact. For the more classically inclined, Spitfire Espresso on High Street caters to all your needs. For something more boundary-pushing, try Govanhill’s Zennor or Partick’s Amulet; the former roasts its own beans, the latter sources some of the best from across the world. In the city centre, they take beans and brews seriously at the ultra-small, ultra-cool Laboratorio Espresso (for other options near here, see page 17), while on Vinicombe Street in the West End there’s 1841, an ever-dependable café from the Thomson’s Coffee team.

Turkish-inspired Ottoman Coffeehouse near the Mitchell Library has been producing some of the most carefully crafted filters and espresso-based drinks for the past decade in a stunning space. One of their alumnus, Kieran Darlington, is now serving the best beans from Kenya and Ethiopia at Kahawa Mzuri on Dumbarton Road in Partick.

South of the river, another excellent roaster, Good Coffee Cartel, has room to sit in and while away a few hours in Kinning Park, with the aroma of freshly roasted coffee filling the space. In Shawlands, Verse has a reputation not only for top coffee but some seriously inspired coffee-based long drinks, iced lattes and tonics. Just around the corner, planted-based Frankie serves up coffees using their own roasted beans. There are also intriguing new openings across the city, from High Street’s mid-century, music-focused Through The House to Japanese café Showa on Minard Road. Oh, and if you’re off to the Burrell Collection or Pollok Park, make time to stop off at Toro

Scotland’s Tastiest

Adventures Await

If you’re drawn to food, stories, and unforgettable experiences, you’re in the right place. From foraging feasts and wild dining to farm stays, distillery tours, and hands-on workshops, Scotland is full of rich, immersive food and drink adventures. Think cuddling Highland cows before a local produce breakfast, crafting your own gin, or cooking over open flames with new friends.

Pictured: RAER at Jackton Distillery and The Oak Tree Inn’s Vintage Bus

Oyster Tours – Argyll Coast

tion h d assion

Scotland’s food tourism scene is thrivingoffering not just a taste of place, but a true connection to the people and passion behind every bite. And we at Scotland Food & Drink, with partners like VisitScotland, are helping businesses deliver just that: authentic , memory-making experiences.

Curious what’s out there? We’re here to inspire your next booking, recommendation, or spur-of-the-moment escape. Dive in, eat well, and make memories.

Tasty Experiences to Try

RAER at Jackton Distillery - Lowlands

Take an intimate tour of the family-owned distillery, showcasing premium whisky, vodka, and gin - with tastings of RAER Original and award-winning sherry cask expressions. Book here: raer.co.uk

Wilson’s Farm & Kitchen – Scottish Borders

From field-to-fork tours to BBQ feasts, enjoy local produce and warm hospitality at this third-generation farm in the beautiful Borders.

Book here: wilsonsfarmandkitchen com

Go behind the scenes with the Caledonian Oyster Company, learn how to shuck, and sample the f reshest oysters straight f rom the sea. Book here: pierhousehotel.co.uk/offers/oystertours

Vintage Bus at The Oak Tree InnLoch Lomond

Experience

The Oak Tree Inn’s beautifully converted vintage bus. Perfect for private events, group lunches, or foodie gatherings featuring hyper-local produce grown right in Balmaha. Book here: theoaktreeinn.co.uk/the-bus

Tea Tour – Lanarkshire

Explore how tea is grown in Scotland with a tour of the Scottish Tea House garden, sensory tastings, and a delightful afternoon tea. Book here: scottishteahouse.com/copy-of-teahouse

Feel free to tag @scotfooddrink, @visitscotland and use #ScotFoodTourism to share your own delicious discoveries!

Chinese

DUMPLING MONKEY

121 Dumbarton Road, instagram.com/dumpling_monkey

Compact canteeny setting for top dumplings, steamed buns, noodles and a selection of curries.

KA KA LOK

175 St George’s Road, kakalokchineserestaurant.co.uk

Rises above the competition through its authenticity, with many ingredients imported from China.

LYCHEE ORIENTAL

59 Mitchell Street, lycheeoriental.co.uk

Stylish, modern restaurant, serving familiar staples and plenty of specialities. Big flavours shine through.

NOODLES & DUMPLINGS

23 Gibson Street, instagram.com/noodlesanddumplings25

The dough that goes into noodle dishes, steampots, hotpots and dim sum is made in-house, hand pulled and cooked to order.

OPIUM

191 Hope Street, opiumrestaurant.co.uk

Holder of an AA rosette, serving Chinese dishes with a sprinkling of other Asian influences. Excellent dim sum.

THE REAL WAN

10 Clincart Road, instagram.com/therealwanglasgow

‘South-western Chinese street food café’ is a bit of a mouthful but many dishes here are influenced by the owner’s hometown of Guiyang.

Also try . . . cheekily named Ho Lee Fook and their recent opener Fook Mei (both page 33)

Delis & Places To Pick Up A Picnic

When your city is referred to as the ‘dear green place’, you can bet there’s a nice park nearby in which to enjoy some deli delights and picnic treats. For cheese lovers, Starter Culture in Shawlands sells cheese and charcuterie, available in handy hampers to take away. On weekend nights they also transform into a wine bar. In the West End, IJ Mellis has a lovely shop at Kelvinbridge, like a cheesemonger of yesteryear, with big rounds stacked up and provisions from butter and oatcakes to jams and chutneys. On Byres Road, George Mewes Cheese is namechecked on menus across the city. A range of hampers are available to grab and go, plus groceries, provisions and accessories. For continental goodies, head to Celino’s, either in the East End or Partick, for authentic produce, from charcuterie, cheese and wine to pastries, cakes and ice-cream. Planning a picnic in Kelvingrove Park? Pop into Eusebi Deli who stock a good range, from pizza and prepared meals to dolci, pastries and breads. Sustainability and community are key at Locavore who have deli-shops in Govanhill (with café) and Partick for grabbing provisions, including local dairy, prepared salads and savouries, bread and cakes. Roots, Fruits And Flowers is a local institution; their wellstocked deli-café at Kelvinbridge has loaded shelves and counters full of staples, tasty treats and healthy goodness.

If you can’t be bothered with any faff, there are some great sandwich shops. Piece (Scots for ‘sandwich’), the self-proclaimed original sandwichmongers since 2008, have a few venues for sangers and salad boxes. Homemade in Partick does seriously eye-catching and tasty numbers, while Roast in Finnieston has been doing meaty treats for years. In the city centre, Sub 126 specialises in Italian-American subs, while Southside’s Cherry & Heather punches out big flavours, blending Asian and Scottish influences in inventive sandwiches, soups, noodle pots and more.

CAIL BRUICH

Fine Dining

725 Great Western Road, cailbruich.co.uk

A top-tier restaurant for many years, forever famous for bringing a Michelin star back to Glasgow in 2021 following an 18-year absence. Chef Lorna McNee has retained that star with a solitary tasting menu showcasing local sourcing and culinary wonder.

FALLACHAN KITCHEN

Arch 15, 8 Eastvale Place, fallachankitchen.co.uk

This Michelin-recommended spot is the work of Craig Grozier, who delivers tasting menus that move with the seasons using hyperlocal Scottish produce. Bookings are a must: there are only a few dinner services a week (and a couple of lunches) for just 12 people around a communal table.

GAMBA

225a West George Street, gamba.co.uk

City-centre restaurant at the top tier of Glasgow’s seafood scene since 1998. With a clever sub-aquatic vibe and great service, it delivers inventive dishes using local and regional catches, from oysters and scallops to lobsters, crabs and a roll call of fish.

HOTEL DU VIN RESTAURANT

One Devonshire Gardens, hotelduvin.com

A salubrious setting in an upmarket terrace befits one of Glasgow’s most famous restaurants. Part of a UK-wide chain, but dedicated to regional food, it serves up classy bistro dishes, tasting menus, afternoon tea and Sunday lunch, all rooted in Scottish produce.

TWO FAT LADIES AT THE BUTTERY

652–654 Argyle Street, twofatladiesrestaurant.com

The Buttery oozes old-world Scottish charm with its classy brica-brac décor and seafood-forward menu. Quality ingredients are treated with care and delivered with skill. It’s a local institution and said to be Scotland’s oldest hospitality venue (est. 1870).

UNALOME BY GRAEME CHEEVERS

36 Kelvingrove Street, unalomebygc.com

Graeme Cheevers travelled a bit, grabbed Michelin stars at other restaurants, then came home to win the accolade in his own place at the first time of asking. A Michelin-level dining experience full of technical mastery and imaginative flourishes. He also has Loma at Cameron House, Loch Lomond.

Also try . . . Elements in Bearsden (page 88) from Gary Townsend (awarded 3 AA rosettes in 2025 after only being open for 6 months) and diminutive bistro Number 16 on Byres Road (page 45). Chef Modou Diagne has two venues where diners don’t get much choice but have to rely on his skill in the kitchen: Trust By Modou (page 38) in Finnieston and 111 By Modou at Kelvindale

CHARCOALS

74 Trongate, charcoals.co.uk

Once tried, it’s hard not to keep returning to this contemporary diner when curry calls. Service is superfriendly, the food generous and delicious. Indian favourites like pakora, samosa, biryanis and on-the-bone desi dishes are handled with aplomb, while tandoor options really sing, including charred lamb chops and sizzling chicken tikka.

KINARA BY SHABU NATARAJAN

10 King Street, kinara.co.uk

Kinara is a sophisticated spot for Indian dining, though prices remain reasonable, particularly set menus. There’s a vitality to the food; fresh, well-presented, with punchy, balanced flavours lighting up dishes. The tandoor focus sees whole fish and lobster tail coming out of the clay oven, while slow-cooked dum pukht options also feature.

MADURAI

142a St Vincent Street, madurai.co.uk

This open, contemporary curry house serves up enjoyable regional cuisine featuring the likes of papery dosas, biryanis, grills and coconut curries. Not afraid to heat things up, the kitchen also deftly handles tamer spices, and there are creamy coconut dishes for fans of calmer curries. Prices are competitive and everything is gluten-free.

MOTHER INDIA

28 Westminster Terrace, motherindia.co.uk

The matriarch of Glasgow curry houses, specialising in home-style Punjabi cooking for more than three decades, spreading the love to four other venues in town. This corner multistorey tenement is the original, featuring a beautiful wood-panelled dining room on the first floor and exceptional north Indian food coming out of the kitchen.

OBSESSION OF INDIA

25 High Street, obsessionofindia.co.uk

This unassuming restaurant is a standout option for spice fans thanks to a lively energy from staff and classic dishes done exceptionally well. The menu of Punjabi-leaning food may be familiar to any curry fan, yet the surprise here is in the freshness, big flavours and minimal use of oil.

SWADISH BY AJAY KUMAR

33 Ingram Street, swadish.co.uk

Since opening in 2019, owner-chef Ajay Kumar has been on TV’s Great British Menu and opened another diner, Grilled. This original operation, housed in a former fire station, has won two AA rosettes for blending traditional and contemporary Indian cuisine with impeccable Scottish produce. Various menus include a five-course tasting option.

YADGAR KEBAB HOUSE

148 Calder Street, yadgar.co.uk

Established in 1981, Yadgar’s reputation has grown ever since. There’s a canteen vibe but that doesn’t deter spice lovers from grabbing some of Glasgow’s best curry. As well as excellent kebabs, Yadgar shows skill in vegetarian and classic curries, from channa dhal and biryanis to naans and on-the-bone dishes.

Also try . . . vegetarian Punjabi food at Ranjit’s Kitchen (page 57) and charcoal specialist Kebabish Grill (page 46) on the Southside, or sister venues The Dhabba (north Indian food, page 71) and Dakhin (south Indian, page 29) as well as Madha in the Merchant City (page 29)

Groups

THE DHABBA

44 Candleriggs, thedhabba.com

From street-style dishes to tandoori sizzlers, this north Indian spot caters well for special dieters, vegetarians and vegans, and can host super-large groups.

DISHOOM

6–11 Nelson Mandela Place, dishoom.com

The Bombay cuisine specialist has had queues out the door since opening this summer. Feast menus for tenplus are available, whatever the dietary requirements.

PICCOLO MONDO

344 Argyle Street, piccolomondo.co.uk

Long-standing restaurant with old-school charm and top-quality Italian food. Plenty for groups to enjoy.

ROYÂ

59 Elmbank Street, royarestaurant.co.uk

Persian cuisine is celebrated with banquets for five to 20 people and extensive vegan and gluten-free options.

SAPPORO TEPPANYAKI

2–6 Ingram Street, sapporoglasgow.co.uk

The only teppanyaki (hot-plate cooking) specialist in town with chefs slicing, dicing, frying and flaming their way through tasting menus of Japanese favourites.

TING THAI

94 Byres Road, tingthai.co.uk

Being close to Glasgow University makes this a top Thai option for groups. Dishes are clearly marked for vegans, plus gluten-free options and nuts are flagged.

Also try . . . south-east Asian Ka Pao (page 24) for a set menu for four-plus, Ardnamurchan (page 17) for a Scottish feast or Ka Ka Lok (page 65) for a choice of Chinese and British menus

Japanese

HANAMI

1185 Argyle Street, hanamifinnieston.co.uk

From a wagyu sando to foie gras and truffle donburi, Hanami loves a bit of decadence, while still maintaining its neighbourhoody student popularity.

ICHIBAN

50 Queen Street, ichiban.co.uk

Chicken ramen here is still a comforting joy, not to mention yakisoba (noodles), chahan (fried rice) and katsu curries. New sushi café Ichigo is at street level.

MAKI & RAMEN

21 Bath Street, makiramen.com

Noodles are handmade, stocks are glistening and punchy and the chashu pork belly is slow cooked with serious knowhow. Second, bigger unit just up the road at Renfield Street.

NIPPON KITCHEN

91 West George Street, nipponkitchnen.co.uk

Reliable sushi, ultra-crisp tempura as well as teppan grilled dishes and elegant ramen.

RAMEN DAYO

31 Ashton Lane, ramendayo.com

Top-tier ramen looking onto Ashton Lane. Stylish and tasty in equal measure, and now boasting a large new branch at 38 Renfield Street in the city centre.

UMAMI

523 Sauchiehall Street, instagram.com/umamiglasgow

The kushiyaki (skewered and grilled) is notable at Umami but all the heavy hitters are here.

Also try . . . Nuku Nuku’s chilled café atmosphere make it a popular lunchtime and early-evening spot for solo ramen; likewise, Okome in Shawlands

Italian

BATTLEFIELD REST

55 Battlefield Road, battlefieldrest.co.uk

This restored tram shelter dates back to 1914, but since 1993 it has housed a quaint Italian restaurant serving bistro-ish dishes inspired by Scotland’s larder alongside crowd-pleasing pizzas and pastas. Lunchtime and set menus offer good value for this level of cooking.

CELINO’S

235 Dumbarton Road, celinos.com

The Celinos have helped imbue Glasgow with a love of Italian food since 1982. This West End spot, following their original East End restaurant, delivers on the family motto ‘tutto per tutti’ (everything for everyone) with extensive all-day sit-in options and deli takeaways.

EUSEBI DELI

152 Park Road, eusebideli.com

Originally an East End deli-takeaway, founder’s daughter Giovanna Eusebi took over the reins and opened on this attractive West End corner. There’s clear passion in the dishes including brunch, homemade pasta, Roman sourdough pinsa, frittura, cannelloni and various deli items to go.

LA LANTERNA WEST END

447 Great Western Road, lalanterna-glasgow.co.uk

A Kelvinbridge sister to the venerated city-centre Italian restaurant (est. 1970). It’s lighter and more contemporary compared to the original, while the cooking shows a similarly deft touch with great Italian ingredients and well-executed dishes that mix classic and contemporary.

SANTA LUCIA MERCHANT CITY

68 Ingram Street, santaluciaglasgow.com

Local group Santa Lucia run this elegant two-tier restaurant in the Merchant City, where the kitchen picks classics from across Italy and executes them with confidence. There are extensive glutenfree and vegan menus, while set lunch and celebration menus offer great value.

SUGO PASTA

70 Mitchell Street, sugopasta.co.uk

After setting the bar high with sister Paesano Pizza, there’s a similar treatment at Sugo when it comes to fresh handmade pasta dishes, served in the Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed Lighthouse building. Food and wine scoots around Italy for regional inspirations and flavours.

Also try . . . Southside favourites Oro, Cibo (page 46) and Vini (page 46), and the long-standing Piccolo Mondo (page 71) in the city centre. Also check out our Pizza TipList (page 74)

Pizza

ANXIOUS PETE’S

25 Kent Street, instagram.com/anxiouspetes

Anxious Pete’s is the pinnacle of Glasgow’s New York slice scene with its ultra-thin, perfectly oily wedges of pizza served into the evening. OG spot, The Pizza Cult, does super-fast Neapolitan pizza round the corner when The Barras market is on.

CAESAR’S SOCIAL

2 Clarkston Road, caesarssocial.com

The aroma of baking dough permeates the room. Bold toppings celebrate both Scotland and Italy: we’re talking ’ndjua sausage, pickled chillis, roast pineapple and Cora Linn cheese. Crusts are blackened and blistered and the overall vibe is gorgeously neighbourhoody. BYOB and sit outside if the weather’s up for it.

ERROL’S HOT PIZZA

379 Victoria Road, instagram.com/errolshotpizzashop

Thin and crispy are taken to supreme levels here as vigorously seasoned pizza stamps all over your taste buds in the best way possible. Sharing is the norm and it’s BYOB. Try the white option, with gorgonzola, mushrooms, chives and cream, and get on board with the hard rock soundtrack.

SEAR’S PIZZA

8 Chancellor Street, searspizza.com

The true spirit of the New York slice shop: stylishly no-frills and damned cheap. Pop in and you’ll likely be on your way, paper plate in hand, in under a minute. Try the Sears (pesto on a vodka sauce base) if you want to get adventurous.

SUB ROSA

Unit 34, 147 Drakemire Drive, subrosapizza.co.uk

This understated spot on the city outskirts does Detroit-style pizza with a majestic cheese climb. Pepperoni is nicely blackened on one edge, guindilla peppers are scorched and spiky, and pulpy San Marzano tomatoes soak into the dough before a sesame base finishes things off.

THUNDERCAT

86 Miller Street, thundercatpubdiner.co.uk

Recreating the Chicago deep-dish style where one slice is so filling it might be enough. The spacious, biscuity crust, intense tomato base and crumbles of fennel sausage are genuinely pretty close to the Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s of Chi-town itself.

Also try . . . 313 for Detroit pizza that nails all the traits, Paesano’s three locations (page 56) for great-value Neapolitan-style, Civerinos (page 22) for New York slices, and Frank’s various spots (pages 18 & 32) for thin and crispy pies with more tomato, less cheese

TRADITION FLAVOUR

Since day one, our goal has been simple: to create the ultimate go-to whisky. Bold, borderless, flavour-first — the essence of everything WWoven, distilled into one House Blend. Sip it. Mix it. Share it. All flavour. No rules.

Plant-based

Thanks in no small part to Craig Tannock and his vegan venues Stereo, Mono, The Flying Duck and The 78 (The Old Hairdresser’s doesn’t serve food), Glasgow has had a reputation as a friendly city to those of a plantbased disposition since the early noughties. The former four still dish up reliably good food, particularly Stereo, which serves everything from pickled tempeh and dan dan noodles to seared mushroom steak.

In 2013, Glasgow was named the most vegan-friendly city in the UK and, in the years since, there’s been an explosion in vegan and vegetarian eateries. The pick of the bunch is Sylvan, a natural wine bar and restaurant on Woodlands Road with a menu that straddles both Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. As a small-plates affair, not all dishes necessarily gel together, but each is delicious in its own right. Continuing the Asian theme, longstanding Vietnamese restaurants Non Viet (on Sauchiehall Street and Great Western Road) now have their own vegan-only venue in Partick, where bowls of pho and hue noodle soup are deeply savoury; mushrooms, seitan and tofu delivering protein in heady, spicy broths. Perhaps the best vegan food can be found in an unassuming spot on Dumbarton Road, where Suissi Vegan Kitchen has been knocking out Asian-inspired cuisine under the radar for years. Try their lion’s mane mushroom rendang, gyoza and laksa ramen.

There are also several successful plantbased bakeries, in particular The Dorky French on Parnie Street and Honeytrap Bakery on Skirving Street. While the former’s focus is viennoiserie, the latter is more varied, with tarts, cakes, savoury pies, buns and pastries. Neither disappoints.

Michelin-recommended with Three AA Rosettes, Elements is an award-winning fine-dining restaurant led by Chef Gary Townsend.

Elegant yet relaxed and rooted in the seasons - it’s defined by detail and driven by passion Every dish tells a story of seasonality and skill - just ten minutes from Glasgow’s West End.

AN RELAXED FINE DINING IN GLASGOW

Craft Beer

DRYGATE BAR + KITCHEN

85 Drygate, drygate.com

One of the few places you can try all Drygate’s small-batch stuff while watching beers being made through the big windows at the back. Also runs all sorts of gig nights and events.

GRUNTING GROWLER

51 Old Dumbarton Road, gruntinggrowler.com

Owner Jehad Hatu is a bit of a legend on Glasgow’s craft beer scene. No other bottle shop comes close to the range here, and the draft lines feature some of the biggest, most-hyped beers from around the world.

INN DEEP

445 Great Western Road, inndeep.com

The best location for any bar in this list, looking onto the River Kelvin, with a lovely balance of rotating lines from UK breweries and permanent, very keenly priced stuff from Williams Brothers.

INNIS & GUNN

22–24 West Nile Street & 44–46 Ashton Lane, innisandgunn.com/taprooms/glasgow

Try their own tank lager alongside every other Innis & Gunn beer imaginable, as well as rotating smaller Scottish craft outfits in their 20-plus lines. Check out their steak-frîtes deal too.

KOELSCHIP YARD

686–688 Pollokshaws Road, koelschipyard.beer

The who’s who of the UK craft scene have passed through the doors here, with its 18 lines and worldclass bottle selection. Great events and takeovers.

THE OLD TOLL BAR

1 Paisley Road West, oldtollbarglasgow.com

One of the city’s most beautiful old pub interiors, with eight rotating lines expertly curated to include hazy pale ales, fruit ales and Belgian classics.

REDMOND’S OF DENNISTOUN

304 Duke Street, instagram.com/redmondsofdennistoun

A neighbourhood pub with 150-plus craft beers and five rotational lines, and monthly tap takeovers with some of the best breweries in Britain.

SHILLING BREWING CO

92 West George Street, shillingbrewingcompany.co.uk

More than 20 rotating lines with an emphasis on Scottish breweries as well as hazy pales aplenty.

Also try . . . Bavaria Brauhaus for its German lagers and weissbiers. Similarly, WEST On The Green (the taproom for WEST brewery) serves all of the Glasgow-based outfit’s beers (page 14)

Old-fashioned Pubs

THE ARLINGTON

130 Woodlands Road, instagram.com/the.arly

A favourite with local musicians and students as well as Woodlands residents, where the tunes are always on point and the ‘Stone Of Destiny’ is proudly displayed.

THE BELLE

617 Great Western Road, instagram.com/the_belle_glasgow

A magical balance of atmosphere, crowd, keenly priced malt of the month, good Scottish and German beers and a cracking big open fire.

CLUTHA & VICTORIA BAR

159 Bridgegate, facebook.com/cluthabar

There’s a constant in and out of gallus punters as befits the Clutha’s transient spot where the city centre ends (or begins). Live music is as strong as ever.

THE LAURIESTON

58 Bridge Street, instagram.com/thelauriestonbar

The coolest old spot in town, with its red melamine tables, banquette seating, crazy curtains and a most delicious mix of Glaswegian wildlife for punters.

THE SCOTIA

112–114 Stockwell Street, instagram.com/scotiabarglasgow

Billy Connolly used to perform here. Dark wood everywhere, and what seems like a thousand corners and crevices to while away the day. Live folk music too.

Also try . . . The Ben Nevis (page 86) and The Islay Inn (page 86), both reliably unchanging; MJ Heraghty (page 57) and The Titwood’s ever-younger clientele show that Shawlands will always love the old ways; or Govan’s The Old Toll Bar (page 79) for its ornate décor, especially at night when the red lamps glow

Outdoor Drinks

BREL

37–43 Ashton Lane, brelbar.com

Brel’s backyard sweeps up the hill behind Ashton Lane. It gets all the sun and has loads of shelter when needed, as well as fire pits and a top sound system.

BREWHAUS

182 Queen Margaret Drive, thebrewhaus.co.uk

This student-friendly garden with bookable private huts fills up fast in summer and pretty much every item you’ve ever called ‘pub grub’ is available on the menu.

CHINASKIS

239 North Street, instagram.com/chinaskis_glasgow

Chinaski’s outdoor space is a split-level garden party with a trendy crowd while the impressive food strikes a balance between global small plates and pub classics.

THE RECORD FACTORY

17 Byres Road, recordfactory.co.uk

Beer garden that’s a mishmash of students, sports fans and Westenders. Pints and spritzes are the order of the day alongside slices from Sear’s Pizza.

STAG & THISTLE

778 Pollokshaws Road, stagandthistleglasgow.com

Southsiders flock here when the sun breaks. Its proximity to Queen’s Park helps and seating is protected from the whizz of traffic.

Also try . . . West Side Tavern’s block party vibes when DJs are on, The Finnieston’s beer garden (page 36) and Inn Deep’s riverside set-up (page 79). Also cocktails at SíSí Rooftop (page 13), Mono’s courtyard suntrap (page 77) and WEST On The Green’s superb outdoor area (page 35)

Cocktail Bars

Glasgow is experiencing something of a cocktail renaissance. While there is excellent pedigree at dependable bars across town, it’s the plucky younger entrants shaking things up. Key to this revival has been The Gate, which has been delivering creative serves alongside classics since 2019, as well as 160-plus whiskies. Try the tropical Viva Chavez, with mezcal, lychee, lime and coconut. Or pop in for a Whisky Sour and a cheese toastie before your next gig at The Barras.

The Absent Ear in the Merchant City is selfconsciously silly and camp, with the most elaborate menu in town. Expect the likes of a Sugar Snap Pisco Sour with herby, vegetal notes counterposed with zippy acidity. House Of Gods’ cocktail bar is another otherworldly venue in town, while Daddy Marmalades near the Tron Theatre is more pared back, spinning delicious riffs on Martinis, Margaritas and more. Their top-seller is called Puntin’ Pastries, which can only be described as the perfect imbibable distillation of a pastel de nata.

In the city centre, look no further than the Devil Of Brooklyn for a complex themed menu, alongside modern classics and signature serves. If you’re heading back home via Central Station, stop off at Malo for variations on Negronis and other Italianate creations such as spritzes and amaro: the Round Midnight marries sweet vermouth with cognac, rye whisky and Benedictine.

Sebb’s on Miller Street has made a splash in town too, both for its generous, playful drinks and small plates. Their Miso Old Fashioned is hard to beat. On the Southside, it’s got to be Nithsdale Drive’s Lunar, where ingredients per drink can run longer than your arm: try the Country Monkey, with Caramac rum, banana water and meadowsweet. Henry’s in Shawlands is also fun, if not quite as exacting in its ingredients.

THE BEN NEVIS

Whisky Bars

1147 Argyle Street, thebennevisbar.com

There’s nowhere else quite like the Ben. Its interior is a modern interpretation of a Highland blackhouse, with a roaring fire, excellent folk sessions and a carefully curated whisky list that’ll keep you coming back for more, from classics to rarer finds.

THE BON ACCORD

153 North Street, bonaccordpub.com

The Bon Accord has survived the construction of the M8 and the death of its owner, Paul McDonagh, in 2023. Now run by his son Thomas, it remains a top spot for a dram and has one of the city’s best cask ale selections.

THE ISLAY INN

1256–1260 Argyle Street, islayinnglasgow.com

There’s been a pub here since 1871 and among the 100-plus malts offered, there’s a focus, unsurprisingly, on the peat-laden drams of Islay. Like all great Highland and island hostelries in Finnieston, it has regular folk sessions and a classic pub-food menu.

THE LISMORE BAR

206 Dumbarton Road, instagram.com/lismorebar

Everything you could want in an old-school boozer: a fireplace, folk sessions, splendid drams, great beer, stained-glass windows and a dark-wood interior. Plus, it has the only urinal in Glasgow you could justifiably describe as a tourist attraction.

THE PIPER WHISKY BAR

57 Cochrane Street, thepiperbar.com

Sure, it’s aimed at the tourist market, but this bar has a lot going for it. Overlooking George Square, it’s a stone’s throw from Queen Street Station and has an excellent range of 300-plus malts.

THE POT STILL

154 Hope Street, thepotstill.co.uk

Glasgow’s (if not Scotland’s) archetypal whisky bar par excellence. The selection is staggering, covering not only all of Scotland, but the rest of Britain, Ireland and the world. One of the best atmospheres to drink in anywhere in the city.

THE WEE WHISKY BAR

12 Ashton Lane, ubiquitouschip.co.uk

This teeny drinking den has had a glow-up but still feels very much like The Wee Pub it once was. The selection isn’t quite as strong, but it remains a wonderfully cosy spot to while away an evening.

Also try . . . Òran Mór across from the Botanic Gardens (page 24), while The Gate on Gallowgate (page 35 ), though specialising in cocktails, boasts one of the city’s best whisky-focused back bars

Out Of Town: Casual Eating

THE BROCH CAFÉ

Main Street, Strathyre, brochcafe.com

Close to the river, this wood-clad café, with reams of outdoor space, is a hub for walkers, dogs and cyclists. Local suppliers are used for enticing breakfasts and light lunches, while their tempting cakes cry out for sampling. Customers can also enjoy a game of pétanque on their international-size court.

THE COO SHED

South Corton Farm, Ayr, thecooshed.co.uk

This family-run farm operation has a great café, specialising in breakfasts, lunches and homemade cakes, with sourcing from Ayrshire suppliers, including milk from their own free-range, grass-fed cows. They also have a Milkbot vending machine in The Milk Hoose on site, so you can grab a pint any time in reusable glass bottles.

CÙ MARA

The Old Pier, Shore Road, Arrochar, facebook.com/cumaraarrochar

The loch and hills around Arrochar are the scenic outlook for this cosy diner. Top-notch dishes are star-spangled with US favourites, from great burgers and hot dogs to excellent pizza and fried chicken. Scottish touches and local suppliers pepper the menu, while global dishes inspire the eye-catching specials.

The River Shack Bus Café

THE FISH WORKS

3 The Promenade, Largs, thefishworks.co.uk

The award-winning Fish Works has a lot going for it beyond excellent chip shop classics. Set in seaside Largs, their upmarket shack, with a few seats inside and out, is literally beachside, looking out to Cumbrae. The menu is classic suppers, plus specials such as crab-loaded fries and Louisiana-style prawns.

GREENHALL COUNTRY CAFÉ & FARM SHOP

Hamilton Road, Blantyre, greenhallcountry.co.uk

It’s not often you see a menu item staring at you from a field when you arrive. This on-farm café serves home-reared wagyu and Angus beef across extensive menus, from breakfasts and steak sandwiches to burgers and brisket. Cakes are impressive, too, mostly made in-house, while local suppliers are well represented.

THE RIVER SHACK BUS CAFÉ

Vale Of Leven Industrial Estate, Dumbarton, instagram.com/therivershack1

For something a bit different, head to this converted double-decker bus café, with seating inside on both levels and a beachy outdoor sitting area. Food is great quality, from breakfast rolls and burgers to hot dogs and various loaded fries, while dinner adds a selection of rice bowls.

Out Of Town: Trip & A Treat

ELEMENTS

19 New Kirk Road, Bearsden, elementsgla.com

Gary Townsend, formerly head chef at One Devonshire Gardens, has fun with fine dining at the helm of his own restaurant. Top-quality Scottish produce is celebrated with imaginative and delicate dishes, plus there are equally well-conceived cocktails. The restaurant was awarded three AA rosettes in 2025, after only six months of being open.

INVER

Strathlachlan, Strachur, inverrestaurant.co.uk

Housed in a traditional Scottish cottage, Inver is run by chef Pam Brunton and husband Robert Latimer. There’s a Scandinavian elegance, while the food is contemporary Scottish, seasonal and exceptional, available in an evening tasting menu or a lunch à la carte. It’s the only Scottish restaurant with a Michelin Green Star for eco-friendly commitments.

LOCH FYNE OYSTER BAR, RESTAURANT & DELI

Clachan, Cairndow, lochfyne.com

What began as an oyster farm in the 1970s has grown into an institution, with restaurant, oyster bar and deli. Situated at the head of Loch Fyne, the place is smart and stylish, buzzing with locals and tourists enjoying the operation’s own produce alongside regional seafood, handled impeccably by the kitchen.

MONACHYLE MHOR

Balquhidder, Lochearnhead, monachylemhor.net

This family-run hotel is rooted in its exceptional dining set-up, where local foraging, growing and sourcing are core tenets. They also run Mhor Bread bakery and café in nearby Callander and Mhor 84 motel/restaurant/café in Balquhidder. Expect classy cooking celebrating the finest Scottish produce, with beautifully balanced dishes.

OCHO INVERARAY

Quay Close, Inveraray, ochoinveraray.co.uk

Previously a Glasgow brunch café, Ocho migrated to this attractive lochside venue with a stylish countrykitchen vibe, and now serves elegant, inventive dishes for lunch and tasting dinners. Sandwiches are available, but the set menu is always tempting, offering two or three courses of beautifully presented, deftly cooked food.

INDEX OF TIPLISTS

INDEX OF VENUES

The 78 36, 77

111 By Modou

226 Gallowgate

313

The Absent Ear 30, 82

Absolute Roasters 17

The Allison Arms 57

Alston Bar & Beef 13

The Amsterdam 30 Amulet 63

An Clachan 13

Anxious Pete’s 74

Ardnamurchan 17, 71

The Arlington 80

Art Lover’s Cafe 13

Artrez Café

Babbity

Bag O’ Nails

Banh Mi & Tea

Bar Gandolfi

The Ben Nevis 80, 86

Big Bear Bakery 59 Big Counter 46

Big Feed 16

Big Slope 36

Birds Fried Chicken 56

Black Pine Coffee 32

Blackfriars Of Bell Street 30

Blank Street Coffee 17

Boca 57

The Bon Accord 86

Bramble 60

Bread Meats Bread (Great Western Road) 24

Bread Meats Bread (St Vincent Street) 62

Brel 80

Brett 40

BrewDog (Argyle Street) 22, 36

BrewDog (Merchant City) 30 Brewhaus 80

The Broch Café 87

The Brunch Club 60

Burnfield Bakery 57, 59

The Butchershop 22, 38

The Butterfly And The Pig 27

Caesar’s Social 62, 74

Café Buena Vida 46

Café Gandolfi 13

Café Strange Brew 56, 60

Café Wander 27

Cail Bruich 24, 66

The Caravan Shop 40

Celino’s 65

The Butterfly And The Pig

Celino’s (Alexandra Parade) 32, 72

Celino’s (Dumbarton Road) 45, 72

Charcoals 69

Chaw Pet Noi 56

Cherry & Heather 65

Chillies West End 62

Chilo’s 62

Chinaski’s 80

Cibo 46, 72

Civerinos 22, 74

The Clarence 45

The Clutha & Victoria Bar 80

Clydeside Containers 16

Clydeside Distillery 14, 21

The Coo Shed 87

Corner Shop 22

The Corona 55

Cottiers 40

Cottonrake Bakery 24, 59

Crabshakk Botanics 24

Crabshakk Finnieston 38

Crossbill Gin Experience 14

Cù Mara 87

Curious Liquids 55

Daddy Marmalades 82 Daily 32

Dakhin 29, 69

Damasqino 30

Deanston Bakery 56, 59

Delicious Corner 46

The Den At Dining In 62

Dennistoun Bar-B-Que 32, 62

Devil Of Brooklyn 82

The Dhabba 69, 71

Dishoom 71

The Dockyard Social 16, 21

Doh 59

The Dorky French 59, 77

Dough Man’s Land 38

The Drake 40

Drygate 79

The Duke’s Umbrella 62

Dukes Bar 36

Dumpling Monkey 65

Dunya 32

Eda 30

Eighty Eight 45

El Jefe’s 18, 21

El Perro Negro 40, 62 Elements 66, 88

Elena’s Spanish Bar & Restaurant 22

Epicures 43

Errol’s Hot Pizza 62, 74

Eusebi Deli 65, 72

Fallachan Kitchen 66

Fanny Trollopes 38

Fat Hippo 62

The Finnieston 36, 80

The Fish Works 87

Five March 38

The Flavour Bomb Kitchen 13

Fleur Bakery 59

The Flying Duck 77

Fook Mei 33, 65

Frank’s Pizza (Duke Street) 32, 74

Frank’s Pizza (Claremont Street) 18, 74

Frankie 63

Ga Ga 45

Galloway Wild Foods 14

Gamba 66

The Gate 35, 82, 86

George Mewes Cheese 65

Ghinda Café 33

The Glad Café 55 Glaschu 26

Glasgow Sweet House 46

Gloriosa 22, 38

Good Coffee Cartel 63

Gordon Street Coffee 17 Gost 26

Greek Street Yeeros 33

Greenhall Country Cafe & Farm Shop 87

Grilled By Ajay Kumar 26

Grunting Growler 36, 79

Gusto And Relish 57

Hajar Shawarma 30

Halloumi 26

Hanami 21, 38, 71

Helensburgh Market In The Square 16

Henry’s 55, 82

Heraghty, MJ 57, 80

The Hidden Lane Tearoom 62

Ho Lee Fook 33, 65

Homemade 65

Honeytrap Bakery 59, 77

Hotel Du Vin Restaurant 66

House Of Gods 13, 82

The Hug And Pint 40 Ichiban 71 Ichigo 71

A brand-new guide from The List’s Eat & Drink team showcasing the best in restaurants, bars, cafés and more across Glasgow

Inside, discover the best of Glasgow’s hospitality scene with this compilation of TipLists: curated lists of eating and drinking suggestions and recommendations across different topics, styles of cuisine and areas of the city. With inspiring and handy recommendations for over 365 venues, you’ll find informed options for every mood, every season and every day of the year.

• 50 TipLists from Breakfast & Brunch to Curry, Coffee Specialists to Fine Dining

• Independently researched and written by those who follow the local scene all year round

• Packed with reliable, well-informed and wide-ranging insight and ideas

ALSO ONLINE AT LIST.CO.UK