The 10 best restaurants in Glasgow – according to The Scotsman critics

From street food to fine dining, Glasgow's restaurant scene is one of the most vibrant the UK, and in it you'll find some of the most exciting eateries around.

Published 23rd Jan 2020
Updated 18 th Sep 2023

With thousands of restaurants of all styles, any resident foodie or visitor to the city will be spoiled for choice.

Thankfully, The Scotsman’s own critics have reviewed many of them meaning we can draw on their experience and knowledge to create a list of some of the best restaurants in the city.

Don't worry if your favourite doesn't feature, it probably means we haven't got round to reviewing it yet.

10 of the best restaurants in Glasgow

Alchemilla

(Score: 85%, address: 1126 Argyle Street, Glasgow)

Lauded for its menu of seasonal Mediterranean plates and consistently named as one of the best restaurants in the city, Alchemilla is one venue that's sure to not disappoint.

Our premier critic Gaby Soutar reviewed the stylish little eatery in 2018, stating that a meal here could "cure all ills" and adding that they've turned ingredients "into gold".

• READ OUR REVIEW OF ALCHEMILLA HERE

The Spanish Butcher

(Score: 85%, address: 80 Miller Street, Glasgow)

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When it launched in 2016, The Spanish Butcher on Miller Street, was the third addition to the Rusk & Rusk portfolio. It offers diners the chance to enjoy the highest grade Galician Beef, fine Iberico Ham and fresh seafood alongside a wide selection of Spanish wines, beers & cava.

In her review in 2017, Gaby said: "Like good architecture, the food at The Spanish Butcher is well structured and sturdy, with strong foundations. However, in a Gaudi style, it’s also a bit fun, fancy and imaginative. I could probably live in a place like this."

• READ OUR REVIEW OF THE SPANISH BUTCHER HERE

Bo & Birdy

(Score: 80%, Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, 11 Blythswood Square)

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One of Glasgow’s most popular city centre hotels announced last year that it was set to open its brand-new restaurant and bar under the culinary guidance of the first female 5-star hotel executive head chef in Scotland, it certainly got people talking.

Thankfully, the chef in question, Gillian Matthews, was more than happy to handle the pressure and came out swinging with a menu that was filled with seasonal flavours that celebrate Scotland’s "vibrant culinary scene".

On her first visit to the new launch, Gaby gave this fledgeling restaurant an impressive rating of 80%, firmly placing it in the higher echelons and picking out the line-caught cod and the hearty Ardunan Farm pork pie as particularly note worthy.

• READ OUR REVIEW OF BO & BIRDY HERE

Paesano

(Score: 85%, address: 94 Miller Street, Glasgow)

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Widely considered to be one of the best pizzerias in not only Glasgow, but the country as a whole.

Gaby visited in 2016, scoring it 85% and stating that it didn’t take long for her to "get hooked", lauding the excellent pizzas and declaring that she was looking forward to seeing the brand expand in the future.

• READ OUR REVIEW OF PAESANO HERE

The Ox and Finch

(Score: 9o%, address: 920 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow)

Ask anyone in the city for a restaurant recommendation and chances are Ox and Finch will be among the first few to be listed. Already a Bib Gourmand winner, its sociable and varied dining experience is much loved by Glasgow's diners.

And, after the success of sister restaurant Baba in Edinburgh, we are excited to see what they make of Ka Pao, their latest venture in Glasgow's west end.

Gaby, who visited it when it first opened gave it a laudable 90%, she said: “The food here is carnal, indulgent, satisfying and they don’t seem to care about delicacy.

“After this sensory overload, I left with an array of new cravings that I know will only be satisfied by a repeat visit.”

• READ OUR REVIEW OF THE OX AND FINCH HERE

• READ MORE: The best small Glasgow restaurants (expert view)

The Gannet

(Score: 90%, address: 78 Commercial St, Edinburgh EH6 6LX)

The winner of the AA Scottish Restaurant of the Year is probably as close as Glasgow needs to get to a Michelin-star restaurant and under the stewardship of owner Peter McKenna they've created something truly special that stands out even on the burgeoning Finnieston Strip.

Gaby said: “I can confirm that The Gannet is as good as they all say. Big Tick, Gold Star.

“It does that smart casual food thing, as eaten at the Ubiquitous Chip, Cail Bruich and Number 16, that Glasgow excels at.”

READ OUR REVIEW OF THE GANNET HERE

Eusebi Deli

(Score: 85%, address: 152 Park Rd, Glasgow G4 9HB)

With Eusebi's original east end deli in Shettleston having been open for over 40 years, the opening of the west end deli in 2016 gave people closer to the city centre the chance to see what everyone had been raving about.

Offering pasta made fresh daily and heaps of authentic Italian flavours and ingredients, the Deli has quickly established itself as one of the best Mediterranean eateries in the city.

Gaby said Eusebi was full of "bustling vita" on her visit, stating that she enjoyed it so much she even took some home with her and urged anyone else visiting to do the same.

READ OUR REVIEW OF EUSEBI DELI HERE

Eighty Eight

(Score: 80%, address: 88 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow)

Named for its address, 88 Dumbarton Road, which used to house Two Fat Ladies, this intimate restaurant specialises in stylish, modern dishes.

A hidden gem in the west end, Gaby, who visited it at the tail end of last year, rated it 80% and particularly loved the pork tenderloin dish.

READ OUR REVIEW OF EIGHTY EIGHT HERE

Porter and Rye

(Score: 80%, address: 78 Commercial St, Edinburgh EH6 6LX)

In a city with more than its fair share of excellent steak restaurants (see the Butchershop and the aforementioned Spanish Butcher) it can be hard to stand out from the crowd, and yet, that's exactly what P & R does.

Mixing the cool vibes of its stablemate Lebowskis with the modern desire for aged meats with real provenance, Porter & Rye has quickly established itself as one of the hottest tickets in the city's culinary scene.

Our reviewer Martyn McLaughlin was blown away by the quality of the steaks when he visited in 2015, writing that the 42-day aged cuts of meat on offer were tender, succulent and packed with flavour, while the sides more than justified their standing on the menu.

READ OUR REVIEW OF PORTER AND RYE HERE

Hug and Pint

(Score: 80%, address: 171 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G4 9AW)

It's worth noting that Glasgow is as renowned for its vegan scene as it is for any other style of restaurant and in Hug and Pint, you probably have one of the most popular options for plant-based dining.

Our reviewer Kirsty McLuckie loved their Asian street food vibe, with Thai, Indonesian, Korean and even some South American influences all in the mix, with the stand-out dish being the coconut soup with cassava and rice dumplings.

Scoring it 80%, Kirtsy wrote: "An evening spent there, with a great ambience, good music, a few drinks and this fantastic healthy food to justify it all could make for an ideal night out. And I bet you would feel great in the morning."

READ OUR REVIEW OF HUG AND PINT HERE

 

 

 

 

Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for The Scotsman extensively on the subject. He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his whisky knowledge built up over 10 years advising customers from all over the world on the wonders of our national drink. Recently, his first book was published. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them.
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