Glasgow’s 100 Best Restaurants book brings together the culinary highlights that define the hospitality scene in Scotland’s biggest city. You’ll find recommendations for breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and chips on the way home. A comprehensive snapshot of Glasgow food right now, consider it your restaurant tick-list for 2020.
Here are five great places in Glasgow for modern Scottish cooking. For the full story, buy the book at glasgowist.com/100best
5 Stravaigin
28 Gibson St, G12 8NX / 0141 334 2665 / stravaigin.co.uk
Regular customers can’t remember a time before Stravaigin, a Gibson Street favourite since the mid-90s. It led the way for eateries serving local Scottish produce with global culinary influences. A model that paved the way for many other bistros that followed.
The menu segues through mealtimes, starting with brunchy riffs on stalwarts like buckwheat and peanut pancakes or a chipotle scrambled duck egg. At lunchtime there’s an emphasis on sharing plates. In the evening, cuisines combine: North Sea cod is given a Sri Lankan marinade and finished with some Mediterranean raita and cashews.
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4 Wee Lochan
340 Crow Road, G11 7HQ / 0141 338 6606 / an-lochan.com
In Broomhill, on Crow Road, Wee Lochan is a charming family-run restaurant that champions Scottish produce, sered in its cosy, atmospheric dining room. It has a simple neighbourhood cafe feel that belies the quality of its food and service.
The menu varies daily depending on what comes in fresh from the suppliers, but you can always count on there being a warming bowl of cullen skink, a range of local fish dishes and interesting vegetarian choices. Try the twice-baked Mull cheddar soufflé.
3 The Finnieston
1125 Argyle St, G3 BND / 0141 222 2884 / thefinniestonbar.com
It was built as a drovers inn, on that Rob Roy MacGregor is said to have frequented. As time went by, the distinctive, small blue building was enveloped by the city of Glasgow and dwarfed by neighbouring tenements. In 2011, The Finnieston opened as a seafood and cocktail destination.
It didn’t have much culinary company back then on this stretch of Argyle Street. Soon, their success would help trigger an influx of new bistros, bars and beards to the area.
Scotland’s shorelines are showcases on the menu with clams, scallops and mussels sitting alongside salmon, haddock and halibut, all sustainably sourced. Order a whole Pittenween lobster if you are feeling fancy.
2 The Hebridean
333 Great Western Rd / 0141 339 3701 / the-hebridean.co.uk
Chef Nico Simeone travelled with his Executive Head Chef Andy Temple to the Outer Hebrides. The brief visit inspired them to bring a taste of the Western Isles to Great Western Road. Charles MacLeod Stornoway black pudding, Uig Lodge smoked salmon and wild game.
Order Tobermory Isle of Mull gin at the bar and relax amidst Harris Tweed interiors.
1 Brian Maule at Chardon d’Or
176 West Regent St, G2 4RL / 0141 248 3801 / brianmaule.com
Whenever Glasgow’s best chefs are mentioned, Brian Maule is invariably near the top of the list. Hard-working and talented, his restaurant on West Regent Street has been showered with awards and continues to provide the highest standard of fine dining in the city.
A fierce advocate of Scottish produce, expect preparations of smoked haddock, langoustines, Scotch lamb and local cheese on the menu.