9 of the best restaurants in Glasgow’s Merchant City

Merchant City's food is as beautiful as its architecture - read on to discover where the best restaurants in the area are.

Published 8th Jul 2021
Updated 18 th Sep 2023

The Merchant City is one of the most dynamic, vibrant and personality-filled areas of Glasgow, packed with significant historical landmarks, galleries, museums, restaurants and bars.

We all love a wander around Glasgow's beautiful Merchant City. Here's our pick of places to stop for a bite to eat when your feet get tired.

Sapporo Teppanyaki

(2-6 Ingram St, Merchant City, Glasgow, G1 1HA)

Merchant City
Image: Sapporo Teppanyaki Glasgow

Dining at a Teppanyaki restaurant has got to be one of the most exciting ways to enjoy Japanese cuisine.

Watch your server cook your meal to order on a giant hot-plate right before you whilst they engage their audience with all sorts of culinary tricks and cooking performances.

Sapporo Teppanyaki serve a vast menu filled with all sorts of goodies ready to make their way onto the hot-plate, from salmon, prawns and lobster to beef, chicken or duck.

The sushi is also fantastic - why not try a chef's selection, or choose your own favourites.

Teppanyaki is an ideal dining experience for families as well as friends or couples - why not celebrate date night with a couple of hand-crafted cocktails from the bar if you're in the mood to celebrate?

Nonna Said

(26 Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 1LD)

Image: Hilary Elliott

Nonna Said is a Merchant City pizzeria, serving their signature Napoli-style pizzas and cocktails with their own hip-hop twist.

The El Mexicano Loco pizza is a real game changer, topped with jalapenos, crushed nachos, chorizo, avocado and chipotle beef chilli. Or, if you prefer the classics, there's always a pepperoni or margarita out there as well.

Don't forget to order some of Nonna's famous 'Suppli alla Carbonara' crispy fried rice balls on the side - they're described as a distant cousin of your classic Italian arancini, but with the additions of pancetta and black pepper.

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The salt and chilli macaroni cheese is also not one to be missed.

Singl-end Merchant City

(15 John Street, Glasgow, G1 1HP)

Image: Singl-end Merchant City

Singl-end is a firm local favourite for all things breakfast, brunch, lunch, coffee and cake.

This gem of a cafe in Merchant City is dog-friendly and always welcoming.

They do all the classics from fry-ups to avocado toast (with plenty of tempting vegan and vegetarian options as well).

There is also as a good range of their own brunch and lunch creations such as the loaded breakfast bagels, Korean BBQ chicken wrap, or their incredibly tasty signature baked eggs.

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Make sure to save some room for one of their home-baked cakes afterwards - the perfect accompaniment to a freshly brewed coffee.

Mamasan

(222-224 Ingram Street, Glasgow, G1 3BX)

Image: Mamasan Glasgow

Mamasan brings a contemporary taste of Southeast Asia to Glasgow, with powerful flavours that pack a punch.

The entire menu is produced from scratch using the best quality British produce from field, farm and sea.

Alongside cocktails, craft beers and a selection of wines you'll find the likes of king prawn and crab claw pad Thai or Massaman curry with coconut and short rib beef on the menu.

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Glaschu

(32 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, G1 3AB)

Image: Glaschu Restaurant

As a contemporary Scottish restaurant and bar in the heart of Glasgow, Glaschu sets the bar high with its high quality ingredients, show-stopping menu, signature drinks and stunning presentation.

For brunch enthusiasts, there's a Saturday-Sunday brunch menu filled with all sorts of drool-worthy dishes from eggs royale to butter grilled beef brisket crumpets.

Alternatively, why not partake in a hearty Sunday roast, or sample the Market Menu which showcases the best of fresh, local fare with three courses for just £30.

Buck's Bar Trongate

(96 Trongate, Glasgow, G1 5EP)

Image: Buck's Bar Trongate

After roaring success with their original West Regent Street city centre restaurant, local favourite Bucks Bar have branched out into Merchant City with their venue on Trongate.

Home to all things chicken from wings and burgers to waffles and buttermilk fried chicken tenders, Bucks Bar is a meat-lover's paradise.

There are also a few veggie-friendly options such as jackfruit or vegan burgers as well as cauliflower bites and halloumi nuggets.

If you don't fancy sitting in, Bucks also offers a click and collect service seven days a week, or you can have your chicken delivered via UberEats.

Paesano Pizza

(94 Miller St, Glasgow, G1 1DT)

Image: Paesano Pizza

By far one of the most successful restaurants in Glasgow, Paesano Pizza was the first to bring the now raved-about Naepoletana pizza to town.

The Pizzaiolos here use authentic Artisan-built Italian wood-fired ovens which are heated to 500 degrees Celsius to cook their pizza to perfection in seconds, creating a light, airy and wonderfully aromatic crust.

Using only the best quality, authentic ingredients imported straight from Italy, the team at Miller Street regularly change up their limited edition specials which always sound incredible.

A meal at Paesano is one of the tastiest and most reasonably priced dining experiences you'll find in Glasgow.

Their Great Western Road restaurant is also extremely popular for student date nights and group bookings.

Swadish

(33 Ingram Street, Glasgow, G1 1HA)

Merchant City
Image: Swadish

One of the finest curry houses in the city, Swadish serves a menu full of award-winning modern Indian cuisine. O

wned and run by husband and wife team Ajay and Jas, this restaurant offers some of the best curry in Glasgow - make sure to try the tandoori salmon tikka and Goan monkfish curry which are perfect for seafood fans.

Each dish on the menu is carefully thought through, and with a full vegan menu available, it has got to be one of the best places to dine on a plant-based diet too.

The restaurant also offers a takeaway service and are additionally also currently providing a home dining service.

Cafe Gandolfi

(64 Albion St, Glasgow, G1 1NY)

Merchant city
Image: Cafe Gandolfi

Cafe Gandolfi pride themselves on their use of locally sourced, simply cooked ingredients.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with the aim of customers to using the power of good food to spend time with loved ones and strengthen bonds, this cafe is a long-standing favourite with locals.

The spicy nduja lasagne is the talk of the town, or maybe a delicate smoked halibut will tempt you?

For veggies and vegans there are hummus flatbreads and dishes such as heritage carrots with labneh, mint and hazelnut pesto, just perfect for dining with friends and family on a warm summer's evening.

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