7 of the best places to enjoy Scottish food in Glasgow

Fancy some stunning haggis, mouth-watering seafood or a delicious game?

Published 1st Mar 2017
Updated 18 th Sep 2023

Glasgow is currently a mecca of great food with cuisine from all over the world ranging from traditional favourites like Italian, Indian and Chinese through to more modern choices like Brazilian, Mexican and Japanese.

Thankfully, the foodie scene has come full circle and many restaurants in Glasgow have gone back to revisit our traditional dishes, updating them for today’s palates and giving them a modern twist.

These restaurants not only showcase the best in Scottish cuisine but also highlight the wonderful natural larder the country provides.

Here’s our pick of some of the best places to try Scottish cuisine in Glasgow:

The Gannet

(1155 Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8TB)

Picture: Trip Advisor Traveller

Picture: Trip Advisor Traveller

Situated within the heart of Glasgow's trendiest dining scene, the Gannet is a relatively new edition to the city's Scottish cuisine contingent but it's wasted no time in quietly assuming its position at the head of the pack.

The independent eatery offers a stripped back design that not only slots effortlessly into the surrounding area but also echoes the cooking philosophy in which the cooking has been rendered down into simple elegant dishes made with a focus on seasonal Scottish produce.

Featuring dishes like Seared west coast scallops, Perthshire pigeon and Inverness red deer, there's a reverence for provenance not found in a lot of its contemporaries.

Scottish producers like George Mewes, Ardunan Farm and West Bay Shellfish all provide the ingredients which head chefs Peter McKenna and Ivan Stein then transform into truly outstanding dishes showcasing what Scottish cuisine really is capable of.

Island cafe with stunning views to team up with Michelin-recommended Edinburgh restaurant for one-off supper club

The Sisters

(36 Kelvingrove Street, Glasgow G3 7RZ)

Picture: Trip Advisor Traveller

Picture: Trip Advisor Traveller

Not only one of our favourites for Scottish cuisine but also one of our favourite Glasgow restaurants, the Sisters has earned a truly sterling reputation over the years, with chef Jak O'Donnell gaining a reputation for outstanding food and service with a smile.

 

Never has the phrase "Eat up, you're at your aunties" been more apt then when visiting the Sisters restaurant in Kelvingrove as you really do feel like you're visiting a favourite relative and by Jove will you want to eat what's put in front of you.

With a menu crammed full of Scottish favourites such as Inverurie lamb rump, Grilled Uist Haddock fillet and the Sisters homemade Scotch Beef steak pie you are sure to find more than a few Scottish plates that will vie for your attention.

New Scottish restaurants added to the Good Food Guide

 

Cail Bruich

( 725 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8QX, 0141 334 6265)

Blowtorched scallop with pickled fennel, citrus fruit & scallop cracker. Picture: Cail Bruich

Blowtorched scallop with pickled fennel, citrus fruit & scallop cracker. Picture: Cail Bruich

The award winning Cail Bruich have focused on creating a modern take on classic Scottish cuisine and in doing so have created a hugely successful formula.

Using a little French influence they craft their menus with an appreciation of the finest Scottish ingredients and produce, providing an excellent fine dining experience with a relaxed atmosphere that perfectly fits Glasgow's laid back style.

The food is truly excellent and features everything from grouse to scallops and paired with their excellent range of Scottish spirits and craft ales makes for a very enjoyable night.

El Perro Negro and Ka Pao team up for kitchen takeover in Glasgow 

Arisaig

(1 Merchant Square, Merchant Square, Candleriggs, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G1, 0141 553 1010)

35 day, dry aged, Tweed Valley Chateaubriand. Picture: Arisaig

35 day, dry aged, Tweed Valley Chateaubriand. Picture: Arisaig

The word Arisaig means "the safe place" in Gaelic and lets face it, there can be fewer safer places than being in this wonderful restaurant, in the company of good friends, enjoying delicious Scottish food.

Located within the stunning courtyard in Glasgow's historic Merchant Square, Arisaig was inspired by childhood holidays to the picturesque West Coast Village of the same name and offers a creative Scottish menu in a relaxed atmosphere with excellent service.

A great place to sit and watch the world go by and the Haggis fritters are definitely worth checking out too.

Guys

( 24 Candleriggs, Glasgow, Glasgow City G1 1TD, 0141 552 1114)

Rack of lamb, roast veg and redcurrant glaze. Picture: Guys

Rack of lamb, roast veg and redcurrant glaze. Picture: Guys

With a menu akin to a well traveled but slightly mad chef's fever dream, Guy's offers some truly astounding dishes that have to be seen to be believed. Located in the heart of the Merchant City, The Glasgow favourite has been around for twenty years or so and has even had Ewan MacGregor train there for his part in the film Perfect Sense.

The true star in the kitchen is Guy himself and his excellent menu has been delighting Glaswegians since he first gave up his Location Catering business to open the restaurant.

Offering everything from sushi and sashimi to mince & tatties and homemade ravioli - all made using the best Scottish ingredients - we are sure you will be spoiled for choice, however we recommend trying the Scottish tapas style dishes which are perfect for sharing.

Roastit Bubbly Jocks

(450 Dumbarton Rd, Glasgow G11 6SE, 0141 339 3355)

Picture: Roastit Bubbly Jocks

Picture: Roastit Bubbly Jocks

One of the newer weans on the block, Roastit Bubbly Jocks has been quick to establish a name for itself. Not afraid to mix it with some of the West End's big hitters, RBJ offers some excellent Scottish dishes at their wonderful little bistro on Dumbarton Road. With an eclectic but stylish interior and a great location you'll be more than happy to come back again and again.

The selection of regional dishes from around Scotland really stand out and showcase some of the best produce Scotland has to offer. Fine dining that won't break the bank.

Ubiquitous Chip

(12 Ashton Ln, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G12 8SJ, 0141 334 5007)

Slow cooked ox cheek, potato terrine, baby onions, and crushed peas. Picture: UC

Slow cooked ox cheek, potato terrine, baby onions, and crushed peas. Picture: UC

One of Glasgow's recurring mysteries is the number of its residents who will happily tell you the Ubiquitous Chip is one of the city's best restaurants but will also admit they have never been. Consistently rated as one of the best places to enjoy fine dining since its inception forty years ago, there's never been a better time to enjoy this well-known but seemingly hidden gem in Ashton Lane.

The seasonal menu is small (which for us is always a good sign) and focuses on creating beautiful dishes from the very best produce sourced from around Scotland.

The food offering is delightful and is also great value for money, add to this its exciting setting and perhaps it's time Glaswegians tried out this wonderful restaurant they've happily been recommending for all these years.

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