Glasgow Restaurant Bible – Best New Restaurants
Here at I Love Glasgow, we simply obsess over great food. Fortunately we live in a city that is bursting with awesome restaurants, and the standard just seems to keep getting better and better.
The food and drink industry in Glasgow has changed dramatically in recent years. Competition has driven standards to an all time high, and whether you’re dining in a 120 cover brasserie, or a 12 seater cafe, you might just happen across the tastiest dish you’ve ever eaten.
Here’s our list of Glasgow’s 25 Best Restaurants that have been in business for less than 5 years.
Ox & Finch – 920 Sauchiehall Street
A staple in the “favourites” list of many a discerning Glasgow diner, and quite frankly the team at Ox & Finch deserve awwwww the praise. The first in Glasgow to nail small plates dining – a little bit of this, a little bit of that and always brilliant. This is food that makes you want to high-five the chefs as you walk past the open kitchen.
The Spanish Butcher – 80 Miller Street
Marcona almonds, Gordal olives, Cantabrian anchovies… produce is everything at The Spanish Butcher – and they’re just the nibbles! Next up are the big guns, Galician Blond beef, Secreto Iberico de Belota – truly the best of the beasts. Oh, and if you ever feel like going full Game of Thrones by shelling out on a whole roasted suckling pig, The Spanish Butcher is the place to do it!
Paesano – 94 Miller Street
If you want to pinpoint the exact moment that Miller Street got its groove back, it was when Paesano threw open their doors and started slinging authentic Napoletana pizzas to the hungry hoards. Fortunately, they now also have a west end venue to satisfy the huge demand from those craving a slice of the action.
Julie’s Kopitiam – 1109 Pollokshaws Road
The sum of some of the world’s most vibrant foodie cultures, Malaysian scran draws inspiration from Chinese, Indian and Malay cooking. Not always given the recognition it deserves, Malaysian cuisine has finally found a permanent home in Glasgow. Julie’s Kopitiam is a charming, welcoming, and fiercely flavourful addition to the south side’s burgeoning food scene.
Six by Nico – 1132-1134 Argyle Street
A new concept and menu every 6 weeks. Sure, it sounds a bit of a gimmick. However the quality of food being cooked by Nico and his brigade douses that notion. An exceptional dining experience, executed by a highly ambitious and creative team. Serving up fancy food, without the hefty price tag.
Alchemilla – 1126 Argyle Street
You’d be forgiven for missing this place in the cacophony of people, bars, cafes, traffic and restaurants, all vying for space and attention in Finnieston. But when you step inside, the vibe is so achingly chilled, with a simple, pared-back aesthetic – the outside world just melts away. This Scandi-inspired dining space is outdone only by the beautiful dishes that the chefs create.
Rioja – 1116 Argyle Street
Rioja is an authentic tapas bar with a touch of the hipster vibe. Daytime dining merges seamlessly with late-night drinks as this Finnieston hub fulfills both roles with aplomb. Whether you visit for a vast spread of tasty tapas or simply a couple of cocktails and nibbles at the bar, Rioja certainly won’t disappoint.
A’Challtainn – 54 Calton Entry
Seafood in The Barras was once confined to mussels pickled in vinegar and served in a styrofoam cup – which is no bad thing. But the team at A’Challtainn have done something few would have had the guts to even attempt. Opening a serious seafood restaurant in the heart of Glasgow’s characterful Gallowgate and injecting a new lease of life into the gateway to the east end.
The Gannet – 1155 Argyle Street
The Gannet has become somewhere that every foodie in Scotland simply has to visit. Vitally, it more than lives up to the hype! Holders of 3 AA Rosettes and a Michelin Bib Gourmand, they cook food that celebrates everything that’s great about Scottish produce. This is food made with real confidence and skill, served up in a seriously cool, industrial dining space.
Bilson Eleven – 10 Annfield Place
They’re committed to the big reveal at Bilson Eleven. As each dish touches down on the table, only then will you have a clear idea of what you’ve actually ordered. The stripped-back menu descriptions are no accident. Without pre-made palate preparation, guests are treated to an added serving of the wow-factor.
Hutchesons City Grill – 158 Ingram Street
If you’re looking for a dining experience that ticks all of the boxes and one that is sure to impress your guests, then Hutchesons will take some beating. Situated in a category A listed building, this stunning restaurant would be a stand-out in any city in the world. Home to probably the most Instagrammed ceiling in Glasgow, it’s worth visiting for the grandeur alone.
Singl-end – 265 Renfrew Street
One of Glasgow’s most loved breakfast joints, Singl-end is a superfood mecca with some seriously tasty sweet treats to balance things out. Their baked eggs are the stuff of legend and the perfect fuel before hitting the shops in the city centre. Expect hearty portions and lot of people taking photos of their grub.
Porter & Rye – 1131 Argyle Street
Undoubtedly one of Glasgow’s top steakhouses but there’s so much more to this small but perfectly formed Finnieston favourite. Amazing cocktails and late night bites create a lively atmosphere at the bar until the small hours. While the restaurant area is eternally packed with hungry diners, eyeing up their next victim from the dry-ageing cabinets.
Cubatas – 108 Elderslie Street
Just as tapas restaurants were falling out of favour, Cubatas opened in the city and introduced Glasgow to a whole new standard of Spanish cuisine. There’s often a sense of apathy in tapas restaurants – the same old dishes, a love of microwaves and service that is indifferent at best. Cubatas, however, is quite the opposite, and you sense real love and passion emanating through everything they do.
Ranjit’s Kitchen – 607 Pollokshaws Road
Taking someone to Ranjit’s is sure to impress. Not for pomp or prestige, but because this is one of Glasgow’s most beloved Indian restaurants. This little gem has built an unrivalled reputation for traditional Punjabi cooking. Simplicity is key, as is the warm and helpful service – add in some seriously tasty vegetarian dishes and you have a restaurant that will capture your heart.
Ardnamurchan – 325 Hope Street
Ardnamurchan say their aim is to bring a taste of Scotlands best produce to the table in Glasgow. With Scottish food and drink the star of the show, it’s always going to be a winner in our book… The Glasgow Restaurant Bible to be exact.
And they really do offer the best of land and shore! From North Uist landed langoustines, Ardnamurchan estate wild venison, Speyside beef and their intriguing selection of Scottish malt whiskies. For a true taste of Scotland, ask staff to recommend a dram to match with Ardnamurchan’s own haggis.
Bread Meats Bread – 104 St Vincent Street
Yes, life’s a bitch when you’re dining in the no-reservations zone, but the good news is that any wait you have pre-scran at BMB is 100% worth it. A blanket of melted cheese, oozing over a buttery, beefy patty, might just be one of the most beautiful sights known to man. Then that first bite… perfection, every time. There’s only one place you need to be right now, and that’s in BMB, face-first in a Cali Burger.
Pot Luck – 38 Nitshdale Road
A new Glasgow City Council ordinance has decreed all Instagram users within the city limits must have at least one photo of Pot Luck’s hot cakes on their feed. Relatively new on the south side foodie scene but making big waves with some of the most instagrammable dishes Glasgow has ever seen. Pot Luck has become very, VERY, popular and deservedly so.
Halloumi – 161 Hope Street
Halloumi is serving up food inspired by Modern Greek Cypriot cuisine, and injecting new style and flavour into one of Glasgow’s busiest streets. Their sharing plates add to the upbeat vibe that makes Halloumi the perfect spot to catch up with friends. Portions are generous, flavours are bangin’, and the cocktails are killer.
Nonya -10 Claremont Street
Nonya have fought their way onto the list with big punchy flavours that have excited even the most seasoned food critics in the city. A fearless menu that celebrates the flavours, textures and vibrancy of authentic Southeast Asian food. Even the cocktail list is stunningly inventive with serious consideration and effort going into each concoction.
Partick Duck Club – 27 Hyndland Street
Comforting, well-executed dishes from a very accomplished team. It’s cooking with a hug, the kind of food that makes you want to lick your plate clean. They have plenty of booths, which are perfect for group dining and families. The team at Partick Duck Club are putting in serious graft and deserve the high praise that’s being bestowed upon them.
Café Strange Brew – 1082 Pollokshaws Road
No self-respecting Glasgow foodie plans some weekend brunching without a visit to Café Strange Brew. Having outgrowing their previous venue, they still serve up the same inventive dishes with a side of their famously friendly service. We’re forever being tagged (#ILoveGLA) on Instagram by delighted diners, showing off their Café Strange Brew munch.
La Lanterna – 447 Great Western Road
At La Lanterna, they’re playing the long game. Classic Italian fare and ace wine might not be the hot new trend, but importantly it’s what people actually want to eat most nights of the week. The fresh-faced sister venue to the well established Hope Street venue. They’ve created a whole new vibe here and quite simply, it just works.
Ramen Dayo – 25 Queen Street
In Japan, you’ll hear slurping sounds coming from a good ramen joint long before you enter the restaurant. Queues are to be expected and any waiting time is always worth it. In Glasgow, we’re finally starting to embrace just how epic a bangin’ bowl of this comforting broth can be. The good folks at Ramen Dayo are leading the charge of the noodle brigade.
Madha – 42 Albion Street
