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A Gaelic phrase that means "to eat well", the restaurant known as Cail Bruich certainly lives up to its name as evidenced by its many awards, including a coveted Michelin star (currently the only eatery in Glasgow with one). Run by two brothers, the ambitious and innovative menu makes use of local, high-quality Scottish ingredients, but it's really the delicate and clever cooking style that takes the menu to higher heights. Tasting menus of 5 or 7 courses are available (with vegetarian alternatives also available on request).
725 Great Western Rd., Glasgow, Glasgow City, G12 8QX, Scotland
Known For
- Glasgow's only Michelin star
- Multicourse chef's table experience
- Elevated Scottish cuisine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Tues.–Thurs.
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For many years Stravaigin has maintained the highest quality of cooking, creating adventurous dishes that often combine Asian and local flavors and unusual marriages of ingredients. You can try the piri piri quail (the seasoning is used in Africa) or the restaurant's famous haggis and neeps (turnips), symbolizing its commitment to local produce. A wide variety of wines is available, including some uncommon ones. The café-bar is abuzz with conversation; the downstairs restaurant serves the same menu, but the environment is quieter.
28 Gibson St., Glasgow, Glasgow City, G12 8NX, Scotland
Known For
- Buzzy bar with a quieter restaurant downstairs
- Classic haggis and neeps
- Daily-changing curry option
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One of a new breed of burger joints that has emerged in the city, this casual spot with long wooden tables, stools, and benches is also a meeting place for coffee or a drink. The many creatively stuffed burgers and sauces are accompanied by different poutines and cheese toasties, a variation on the British classic known as rarebit. There's a good vegan and vegetarian menu, too. The West End branch is strategically located a block from Byres Road and the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.
701 Great Western Rd., Glasgow, Glasgow City, G12 8RA, Scotland
Known For
- Creative and delicious burgers
- Best poutines outside of Canada
- Cheerful sociable vibe
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With Iberian flair, this lively basement eatery located on the cobbles of Cresswell Lane is beautifully decorated using Spanish tiles throughout. The first tapas place to make an impact in Glasgow, it has been followed by others (and has opened a second location in the City Centre) but remains one of the most successful. This is an ideal way to dine with friends: sharing the dishes as they arrive and as you down some good Spanish wine. (Rioja is always a reliable choice.) Booking ahead is strongly advised.
2 Cresswell La., Glasgow, Glasgow City, G12 8AA, Scotland
Known For
- Nice Spanish wine selection
- Lively but intimate atmosphere
- Delicious paella
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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Glasgow's first Vietnamese canteen offers a different style of dining, which is apparent from the moment you walk through the door and see the rustic setting, low tables, and stools. This is classic street food (all cooked on the premises and arriving when it is ready) and choices include blood sausage with razor clam salad, hot-and-sour fish soup, and plenty of pho, the fragrant Vietnamese soup with noodles and sliced meat. There are no starters or mains as such—couples are advised to share three dishes. The seating may take a little getting used to, but it's also part of the experience.
8 Ruthven La., Glasgow, Glasgow City, G12 9BG, Scotland
Known For
- Excellent pho
- Street food in small plates
- Organic tofu options
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | West End |
A welcome addition to the West End dining scene, this trendy and accomplished restaurant has a thorough menu of Southeast Asian small plates that allow diners to mix and match different dishes. Founded by the team behind Finniston's popular Ox and Finch restaurant, Ka Pao opened its doors to high expectations from local foodies and absolutely did not disappoint.
26 Vinicombe St., Glasgow, Glasgow City, G12 8BE, Scotland
Known For
- High quality local ingredients
- Fried whole fish
- Spicy and inventive flavors
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Offering all things Italian, this constantly busy, noisy, and extremely friendly café sits in the heart of the West End. Its pizzas, made on the premises while you wait with a coffee or a glass of Italian wine, are probably the best around, and the house-made pastas are just as consistently good. You can create your own pizza combination from the many topping options, but do leave room for the tiramisu. Perch on a stool by the window with a cappuccino while watching the world go by, or grab a seat at one of the crowded tables or in the mezzanine.
205 Byres Rd., Glasgow, Glasgow City, G12 8TN, Scotland
Known For
- Simple unassuming surroundings
- Wide variety of Italian wines
- Perfect tiramisu for dessert
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This tiny, intimate restaurant serves only the freshest ingredients, superbly prepared, on a constantly changing menu. Halibut is served with choucroute and a passion-fruit dressing—a typically unpredictable meeting of flavors. The pork belly with hispi cabbage is tantalizing as is the red mullet with mussel broth. Desserts are equally seductive. Set-price lunch menus are both excellent and a good value. There's room just for 40 diners so the result is cozy, but curiously it doesn't feel too cramped. It's best to book ahead, especially on weekends.
16 Byres Rd., Glasgow, Glasgow City, G11 5JY, Scotland
Known For
- Excellent set menus
- Surprising flavor combinations
- Cozy interior, so reservations are a good idea
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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Close to Glasgow University, this popular bar and restaurant attracts a more mature student crowd. It's an airy spot with high ceilings, leather sofas, and wood floors, and the specialty is good, eclectic international food at reasonable prices. It covers the spectrum: breakfast, brunch, small plates, lunch, and dinner. The extensive menu is impressively varied, including Goan chicken curry, Vietnamese soup, harissa halloumi, and even fish-and-chips. This is a relaxed, unhurried place, whose casual air belies its excellent cooking.
33–35 Gibson St., Glasgow, Glasgow City, G12 8NU, Scotland
Known For
- Delicious small plates of varied cuisine
- Casual atmosphere
- Tasty brunch
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Occupying a converted stable behind the Hillhead subway station on busy Ashton Lane, this restaurant is a Glasgow institution, with an untarnished reputation for creative Scottish cooking. Its street-level restaurant is a beautiful courtyard protected by a glass roof, and the more informal brasserie upstairs also serves less expensive dishes like haggis with neeps and tatties or a plate of mussels. The upstairs bar is invariably full and noisy with conversation. The creative menu might includes cod with hazelnuts and truffles, or Galloway roe deer, and there is an excellent lunch and pretheater menu for two or three courses.
12 Ashton La., Glasgow, Glasgow City, G12 8SJ, Scotland
Known For
- Creative Scottish cuisine like venison haggis
- Popular upstairs bar great for socializing
- Lovely courtyard
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$ | West End |
Pleasant and relaxed, this Japanese restaurant with white walls, simple furniture, subdued lighting, and a large window onto the street offers beautifully prepared food presented with great charm by the staff. Whether your taste is for hearty broths, just-made sushi, or savory rice and noodle dishes, the chef will combine the elements to your taste. The big broth noodle dishes are appetizing and substantial, as are the varied salad bowls. Vegetarians are well served here. The lunchtime bento boxes, served weekdays between noon and 5, are particularly good value with miso soup, rice, a piece of fresh fruit, and meat, fish, or vegetables.
535 Great Western Rd., Glasgow, Glasgow City, G12 8HN, Scotland
Known For
- Noodle broth bowls
- Huge sushi menu
- Reasonable prices, including a great weekday lunch special
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This small but inviting café has a vibrant, bustling atmosphere while remaining unhurried. Its changing breakfast and lunch menus of British fare are always fresh and exciting. The excellent breakfasts are available all day until 4 pm; you'll have to battle for a table on Sunday, so book ahead if you can. The dinner menu (served Thursday through Saturday) comprises small plates; try the dressed Orkney crab and the lamb with salsa verde.
66 Hyndland St., Glasgow, Glasgow City, G11 5PT, Scotland
Known For
- Wonderful breakfasts
- Tasty sobrasada (a chorizo spread)
- Vibrant atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.–Wed., Reservations essential
