Glasgow has carved out a reputation as one of the UK’s most exciting food destinations. While the traditional staples of deep-fried Mars bars and satisfying⁷ haggis still have their place (and, to be fair, the city does them better than most), the culinary landscape stretches far beyond those familiar tropes.
These days, Glasgow’s dining culture feels both hearty and inventive, equally at home serving Michelin-star tasting menus as it is dishing up casual, globally inspired small plates. What ties it all together is the delicious meals and sense of story that every restaurant has surrounding it, typical of Glasgow. They all offer a different flavor of the city’s produce and delights in just a serving.
Best Restaurants in Glasgow
1. Gloriosa
2. Lobo
3. Cail Bruich
4. The Buttery
5. Ox and Finch
6. Brett
7. Suissi
7 Best Restaurants in Glasgow
This guide pulls together some of the most memorable tables worth seeking out.
1. Gloriosa
Gloriosa is not just another Glasgow restaurant making waves for its aesthetic and Instagram-worthy vibe. Though, to give it credit, it has that going for it. It is a bit of a chameleon in Glasgow’s West End. On one hand, it is an upbeat dining room built rich with Mediterranean flavors. But it also moonlights as a coffee shop, deli, off-licence, and even a flower shop.
The restaurant itself has a clean, contemporary energy about it, part restaurant, part cafe. Soft grey tones, pale beech wood, and floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the room with daylight. At the center of it all sits a wood-fired oven, its glow setting the pace for the open, relaxed atmosphere.
The menu is designed for sharing; five or six plates between two is the best option, and leans heavily towards Mediterranean combinations. You can start with grilled squid over potato and green chili, or perhaps roasted carrots dressed in walnut, mint, and chili butter. For mains, there are smoky lamb chops with charred aubergine and za’atar, mussels tangled in garlic-and-chili tagliatelle, or hake paired with butter beans and Grelot onions. Desserts have not come to play, too. It keeps things interesting with olive oil and walnut cake, pistachio sponge with plums and crème fraîche, or even a delicate loquat and elderflower sorbet topped with cava. You can pair your meals with a wine list focused on small European producers alongside cocktails, like their punchy take on a spicy Margarita
Gloriosa ensures that you keep coming back for more with a clever weekday deal. It is pretty simple too; any pasta, any salad, plus a little crème caramel for a little under £20. That makes dropping by during the week especially tempting. And if you would rather just swing past for something lighter, the deli stocks coffee and treats, while the off-licence lets you take home bottles from the restaurant’s wine list. Better yet, you can leave with a bunch of flower bunches sourced from Dear Green Flower Farm.
Location: 1312, Argyle Street, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Price Range: £30 – £60
2. Lobo
Located in a small, lively corner of Glasgow’s South Side, Lobo has only been around since late 202. Although it is relatively new when compared to several others, it has already cemented itself as a neighborhood favorite. In fact, it picked up a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award not long after opening.
The restaurant strikes a balance between chic and homely. The interior is a beautiful blend of exposed brick and warm timber with a rustic edge. While soft lighting keeps the mood intimate without feeling stuffy. It is the kind of place where tables can be shared with strangers and conversations spill over several rounds of small plates.
When it comes to the food, Lobo pulls inspiration from across the Mediterranean; Spain, Italy, and France mostly. Instead of cooking as it is, it grounds everything with fresh Scottish produce. The menu is built around bold flavors: fried chicken and honey, salt cod, grilled pork chop, prawn and mussel bisque, and coeur de boeuf, to mention a few.
Even vegans are well looked after with a dedicated plant-based menu. There is also a delightful set menu for your group of more than six; it saves money and has all the good stuff within. The restaurant has an extensive collection of wines, cocktails, spirits, and liquors that pair well with many of the meals. If you aren’t a big drinker, though, you can opt for the mocktail or soft drink section.
At its core, Lobo feels like more than a restaurant. Instead, it feels like a dream project of someone who loves Mediterranean dishes a lot. Still, there is a very Glaswegian warmth woven into its Mediterranean spirit. From the attentive service to the way the food invites sharing. It is both laid-back and polished, the perfect place for a date night or casual business dinner.
Location: 758 Pollokshaws Road, Scotland, United Kingdom
Price Range: £20 – £40
3. Best Restaurants in Glasgow: Cail Bruich
As one of only two Michelin-starred restaurants in Glasgow and the first to receive the coveted award, Cail Bruich stands as Glasgow’s undisputed culinary landmark. Located in the fashionable West End, the restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2021, ending an almost 18-year wait for the city. Its name, taken from Scottish Gaelic, means “eat well,” and is both a promise and a philosophy that the restaurant runs by.
At the helm of the restaurant’s affairs is Head Chef Lorna McNee, who favors the two multi-course tasting menus. Her menus shift with the seasons, making use of produce and ingredients from trusted butchers, fishmongers, farmers, and foragers. The chefs are not afraid to sometimes draw from the restaurant’s own kitchen garden to make their dishes. The predominant flavours are Scottish but with global touches such as black truffles shaved over handmade pasta or foie gras paired with pigeon.
A typical meal might begin with West Coast brown crab brightened with apple, Thai green curry, and mussel cream. Before moving to a refined take on ‘cullen skink’ featuring Scrabster turbot and a smoked eel hollandaise. Showstoppers like wild mushroom pasta with black truffle or squab pigeon with chicory, roast onion, foie gras, and preserved cherry demonstrate the kitchen’s technical prowess and flair for presentation. Desserts are no afterthought either; they are almost as exclusive as the main dinner menu. Olive oil sponge with honey crémeux, lemon mousse, and yoghurt sorbet.
The dining room is a balance of fine-dining elegance with laid-back charm, exposed brickwork, and mint-green banquettes. While service is refined, but also tailored to every person. To complete the experience, guests can opt for a classic wine flight or a non-alcoholic pairing of bespoke mocktails, such as Seedlip with honey, apple, and dill. Dining at Cail Bruich is undeniably a splurge, but one worth spending money on.
Location: 725 Great Western Road, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Price Range: £100 – £150
4. The Buttery
Believed to be the oldest running restaurant in Glasgow in current times, The Buttery is not just any restaurant. First established in 1870, The Buttery has stood the test of time as one of Glasgow’s most cherished dining institutions. Its rebirth in 2007 under the stewardship of the celebrated Two Fat Ladies group has become a beacon of Scottish hospitality. The restaurant without a doubt blends history, tradition, and modern culinary needs.
Tucked away on a quiet street near the River Clyde, The Buttery transports guests into an era of old-world elegance. The inside is lined with oak and mahogany panelling, stained glass windows, and tartan carpets that create a warm, intimate setting that feels especially welcoming on a crisp Scottish evening. The place somehow combines formality and comfort together, making it one of those places that work for every event or celebration.
The menu at the Buttery is very traditional, crafted with the finest local ingredients. Its signature plates include hand-dived scallops, venison, beef fillet, or seasonal fish like prawn and salmon. There is, of course, also the native haggis, Scotland’s traditional dish for those feeling brave enough to try. Desserts are a sweet tooth delight filled with creamy goodness like crème brulee, chocolate tart, and coconut pannacotta. There is also a decent vegan menu, although not as extensive as the main menu, filled with veggie haggis, mushroom risotto. The Buttery also has an extensive wine and cocktail option that pairs well with their dishes.
Service at the Buttery is legendary. There are Kilted waiters happy to share stories about the dishes and the heritage of the restaurant. With its deep roots in the city’s history, its timeless setting, and its unwavering dedication to Scottish food done right, Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery is a must-visit for anyone seeking a genuine taste of Glasgow.
Location: 652 Argyle Street, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Price Range: £25 – £45
5. Ox and Finch
Since its opening in 2014, Ox and Finch has established itself as one of Glasgow’s most exciting restaurants. The restaurant is one of those places that is beloved by both locals and tourists alike.
The concept is simple but executed flawlessly, sharing plates filled with dishes from the finest seasonal produce. The whole menu is designed to bring people together, something that is perfect for a family or friendship hangout. Guests are encouraged to order a spread of dishes and enjoy them communally, with the menu spanning meat, fish, and vegetable-led creations. There is hummus and sourdough that you can use to scoop green chili and Iberian salami, duck liver parfait and brioche, and beef tartare. You can get grilled monkfish with curry sauce or ox tongue with brown sauce. It is a balance of tasty, tender, and spicy.
The restaurant is designed with an open kitchen where chefs can be seen preparing the food. It is dinner and a show. To match the food, Ox and Finch offers an impressive drinks list, featuring craft beers, boutique wines, and carefully chosen spirits, selected to complement every flavor on the menu.
If you are seeking something more intimate, Ox and Finch also offers a private dining room for up to 14 guests. It is a discreet, elegant space ideal for celebrations.
Location: 920 Sauchiehall Street, Finniestone, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Price Range: £15 – £25
6. Brett Restaurant
As the younger sibling of Glasgow’s Michelin-starred Cail Bruich, people had expectations for Brett. And the restaurant more than delivered, quickly carving out its own distinct identity. At Brett, the magic lies in its combination of locally sourced produce and the allure of cooking over open fire.
The menu is eclectic, baked potato beneath a molten blanket of raclette; cabbage with a liberal dousing of XO sauce; and sweet potato tempura with ponzu dip. On weeknights, the kitchen’s Yakitori draws guests from everywhere for a taste of skewers of seasoned chicken or lamb meatballs served with a golden yolk for dipping.
The restaurant has several counter seating places for guests at the heart of the kitchen’s theatre. There are also terrace and mezzanine spots for a more relaxed vantage point. The drinks list leans into small-scale producers and natural wines, guided by a floor team as passionate about pairings as the chefs are about fire.
Location: 321 Great Western Road, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Price Range: £60 – £90
7. Suissi Vegan Kitchen
There is one restaurant redefining vegan food in Glasgow’s lively Partick neighborhood, and it’s Suissi Vegan Kitchen. With dishes rooted in real Malaysian home cooking, Suissi opened in 2019 by Mama Lim and quickly became a global name. It is currently ranked among the top 10 vegan restaurants in the world by HappyCow and the best in Scotland. It was also awarded Best Noodles Restaurant in Scotland for three consecutive years at the Scottish Asian Food Awards (2022–2024).
Suissi’s success is largely as a result of Mama Lim’s philosophy: fresh, local ingredients prepared without MSG, artificial enhancers, or refined sugars. The result is natural flavors that win over even devoted carnivores. The menu spans a vibrant spectrum of Asian-inspired plates like curry laksa, a rich coconut broth layered with spice, to the rendang with lion’s mane mushrooms. Other highlights include king trumpet mushroom katsu curry, tempeh bao, vegetable wontons and rolls, and crisp lotus root chips.
The restaurant itself is warm and intimate, with monochrome styling, leafy greenery, and a cozy, homely feel. Service is by the family, adding a personal touch makes it more friendly. Suissi Vegan Kitchen is that one restaurant that proves that plant-based food can be just as soulful, satisfying, and authentic as any other.
Location: 494 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Price Range: £20 – £40
Conclusion
The Glasgow dining scene has it all, from traditional Scottish dishes to recreations of international dishes. The restaurants are a delightful combination of taste, community, and that Scottish warmth that the country is famous for. If you are ever visiting Scotland, then any of the above is a must-try and let’s know what you think when you visit.
