Travel Channel

Dining and Drinking

It used to be known primarily for its Indian food, but Glasgow now has a great variety of places to eat, drink and make merry. Contemporary cuisine, Euro-food and organic menus are all on offer for the hungry client. There’s no shortage of pubs and bars either, so dining and drinking in this Scottish city are a real pleasure, whatever your tastes.

The Merchant City has a healthy collection of bars and restaurants, which are all conveniently located near to each other. Feeling spicy? If you fancy fajitas or chilli, Pancho Villas’ lively atmosphere and tasty menu will add sizzle to your evening, or try Khublai Khan for a taste of Mongolian magic. If this sounds too hot, pop into the Candleriggs branch of Oblomov and cool down with some icy cold vodka and a big plate of goulash. Mao, an export from Dublin, offers delicious yet healthy Oriental fusion, dished up in huge bowls. Local food is also well represented in this area. In the heart of Merchant City, Schottische and Rab Ha's serve excellent Scottish fare, while the City Merchant specializes in seafood and local cuisine. On the same street as the latter, try Granny Black's for a traditional pub atmosphere. Merchant City is a popular night-time haunt for Glasgow’s beautiful people so there’s no shortage of fashionable bars to be seen in. Try Bargo if you think you’re cool enough, while Bacchus and Bar 91 have a more relaxed atmosphere. Corinthian and Arta attract a civilized and slightly older clientèle who feel at home in the equally palatial settings.

The city center, unsurprisingly, has a greater selection of eateries than any of the other districts. All the popular menus are on offer here, from Chinese to Indian, French to Italian. Curry with good music is the dish of the day at Bombay Blues and Kama Sutra puts the spice into Baltis. Malmaison Brasserie and 78 St Vincent offer fine French fare in opulent surroundings. If you’re a fan of pasta and pizza, you’ll love the enormous amount of Italian restaurants in the city center. Fratelli Sarti has a lively, vibrant atmosphere and Rico's is a top place to eat before a film at the Odeon. La Tasca, just around the corner, is popular for munching on tasty tapas, no matter what the hour. When it comes to seafood, you can’t beat Rogano for quality or luxury, although this is a restaurant best visited when somebody else is paying. Bars to check out include Strata, Spy Bar, Budda and the Bier Halle Republic. The latter is representative of an East European trend amongst Glasgow’s newer drinking holes. For a more traditional atmosphere, admire the interiors in The Counting House or The Drum and Monkey, both of which are housed in former bank buildings, or call into The Horseshoe to discover why it merits an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.

Most of the options for a late drink or meal are to be found around Charing Cross on either side of the motorway, which separates the city center from the west end. Canton Express, Glasgow Noodle Bar and Pattaya all serve food until the early hours of the morning while Insomnia never closes. For an alcoholic beverage when it’s past normal closing time, try Cas(Bah) or the Baby Grand.

The west end itself has a flourishing dining scene, with treats to tickle most taste buds. Try some Greek cuisine at Parthenon or Antoniou's Tavern, or chow down on a curry feast at Mother India or the Killermont Polo Club. Margaritas a la Mexicana are great, if a little dangerous at Salsa; go easy or it could get messy! Diet-conscious diners might be put off by Two Fat Ladies, but rest assured, the Scottish seafood here is really good. If juice is your thing, don’t miss the chrome charms of Tinderbox and Naked Soup, who both whip up delicious fruity crushes and smoothies. For a taste of the Orient, there’s Chinese at Amber and Japanese at Fusion, or see what Thai Fountain has to offer. The best in contemporary local cooking can be enjoyed at One Devonshire Gardens or Nairns, while Sixteen Byres Road is a tiny but perfect gem. The Puppet Theatre is great for romantic dinners a deux and The Ubiquitous Chip is upmarket with a lively atmosphere to be savored as much as the excellent contemporary cuisine. At Kelvinbridge, La Parmigiana serves Italian food so good that the ex-pats flock, and The Big Blue a few doors down dishes up riverside al fresco pizzas. The Bay Tree is a self-service café offering vegetarian fare with a Middle Eastern theme, while Grassroots is a meat-free zone with a globally influenced menu. Stravaigin has one of the best bar menus in the city, but if you just want to fill up on beer, check out Ashton Lane’s pubs; Cul de Sac, Brel, Jinty McGuinty's and The Attic; they stay open a little later than most and are always packed as a result. Air Organic and the Living Room are trendy places to down a pint or two, while Curlers is a student favorite and claims to be the oldest pub in Glasgow. To overdose on traditional fittings and atmosphere, drop into Uisge Beatha and start sampling some of their huge collection of malt whiskies.

The area south of the River Clyde has less eating establishments than the rest of the city, but there are a few gems worth seeking out. Not far from The Burrell Collection, the Stoat and Ferret offers good pub grub and nicely pulled pints, while you can sit outside The Church on the Hill and admire its stunning architecture. Battlefield Rest is a great Italian joint and, for good Greek cuisine, Café Serghei’s menu is impressive.

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