The 30 best restaurants in Glasgow

What is it? Cail Bruich’s cooler little sibling, Brett pairs exceptional cooking with unbeatable service. 

Why go? Brett is not short of admirers, earning rave after rave from critics and regular diners alike. I’m hear to add my voice to the clamour, because it really is that good. In its Instagram bio, Brett announces itself as a ‘modern fine-dining restaurant’ – if that conjures up troubling images of fussy foams and finicky plating, fear not. The food is undoubtedly elevated, but dishes like the mushroom XO linguini or the duck with blackberry and white turnip are designed not to shout about their cleverness, but to delight and comfort. Choose from the à la carte menu, chef’s menu, or set menu (with two courses starting at £32). The wine list (helpfully organised according to flavour profile) is equally as impressive.

What is it? Fresh Mediterranean flavours from the chef who brought us Alchemilla. 

Why go? At the start of the year, Glasgow’s foodies went into a state of collective panic when Gloriosa announced it was closing. Fortunately, just two and a half weeks later, chef Rosie Healey – whose CV includes training with Ottolenghi and stints at London’s Quo Vadis and Rochelle Canteen at the ICA – was back to serving some of the city’s finest scran. Dishes are designed to be shared family-style and the menu changes often, but you can expect fresh, impeccably balanced plates that celebrate the best of the season. The pillowy foccacia has become something of a Glasgow celebrity in its own right. 

What is it? A beloved neighbourhood joint serving unusually generous Mediterranean small plates.

Why go? It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Strathbungo –Glasgow’s coolest neighbourhood – and it’s places like Lobo that keep us coming back for more. It’s the kind of neighbourhood spot where one table could be celebrating a graduation while another simply wants a night off from doing the dishes. Whichever camp you fall into, you’re guaranteed delicious, comforting food (special mention to the vegetarian dishes, which feel every bit as considered as their meaty counterparts) and a warm welcome from the outstanding front of house team, who are some of Glasgow’s finest purveyors of patter. On a sunny day, there’s no better plan than picking up a colossal sandwich from Boca (recently opened by the same team) and enjoying it in nearby Queens Park.

What is it? Michelin-awarded, Italian-inspired dishes.

Why go? Celentano chef-owners Dean and Anna Parker were inspired by their honeymoon trip to Italy – though many dishes use Scottish meats, plus herbs and honey from the restaurant’s own garden and beehive. It’s been a big hit: within six months of opening in 2021, they scooped a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Dishes on the rotating seasonal menu may include linguine with cod cheeks and pistachio, or Loch Etive trout with seaweed butter. There’s also a three-course set menu served on Sundays, occasionally accompanied by live music.

What is it? Très delicious Franco-Scottish cooking. 

Why go? One of Glasgow’s two Michelin-starred restaurants, Cail Bruich’s attention to detail is exemplary, from the consideration given to dietary requirements to the cooking and some exuberant advice from the sommelier. The trim seasonal or tasting menu strives for flawlessness as it works its way up through the gears using the finest of Scottish fish, meat, game and vegetables, some of which come from the restaurant’s own garden.

What is it? Opened towards the end of 2024, Sebb’s is set to be the city’s go-to date night spot. 

Why go? Scoop restaurant group (the team behind Glasgow favourites Ox and Finch and Ka Pao) continue to open some of the city’s most exciting new spaces. Creating a genuinely sexy space without tipping into cheese is no mean feat, but Sebb’s – with it’s moody lighting, red accented décor and selectors playing vinyl – pulls it off convincingly. Menu highlights include tequila verdita cod ceviche and the jumbo-sized DC’s texan hotlink, served with gold sauce and pickles. From the dedicated cocktail kitchen come some of the city’s best drinks; the miso and malt and the white linen are two standouts.  

What is it? An iconic restaurant with a cult following in Glasgow. 

Why go? Opened by Ronnie Clydesdale way back in 1971 and still run by the same family, this warren-like destination with several bars, upstairs bistro and downstairs fine-dining restaurant remains a perennial go-to for indulgent contemporary Scottish cuisine. Championing dishes of local provenance, the menu is rich and, at times, unashamedly lavish, but well worth splashing out on. From venison haggis to Isle of Gigha halibut, The Ubiquitous Chip raids the Scottish larder with style.

Time Out tip: Try and grab a table in the ground floor restaurant with ponds, fountains and plenty of hanging greenery. 

What is it? Glasgow’s best pizza shop.

Why go? Franks, West Side Tavern and Paesano all have a case to make, but no – the very best pizza in Glasgow can be found at Errol’s Hot Pizza Shop in Govanhill. It can be maddeningly difficult to get a table, but when you do, you’re rewarded with thin, chewy dough, umami-rich tomato sauce and toppings that may not reinvent the wheel, but deliver impactful flavour, bite after bite.

What is it? An if-you-know-you-know favourite, specialising in traditional fare from southwest China

Why go? There’s a time and a place for a good old-fashioned British-Chinese restaurant, but when you want to try something less familiar, the Real Wan is the place to do it. Chef-owner Lea brings the lipsmackingly sour and spiced flavours of her hometown Guiyang to Glasgow’s southside, serving chewy flat noodles, crispy pot sticker dumplings and remarkably tasty pearl rice dishes. It’s BYOB (corkage is £2.50 per person), so you can bring a couple of your favourite cans to wash it all down. 

What is it? South East Asian dishes, delicious cocktails and plenty of soul.

Why go? Julie’s Kopitiam owner Julie Lin, and Marc Ferrier and Ken Hamilton of nearby pub The Thornwood have joined forces to bring Partick a new dining spot, specialising in South East Asian-inspired food and a fantastic selection of drinks. Gaga’s rotating menu promises a range of meat and veg dishes, such as Taiwanese fried chicken, prawn toast, chaat masala crinkle cut chips and chop suey aubergine. The Chumpunker – a cocktail with tequila, cucumber, lemon, mint and anise syrup – is well worth a try as a fine accompaniment to your dish of choice.