The name Glasgow comes from Gaelic for ‘dear green place’. Perhaps not the first thing that comes to mind when we talk of a city famous for its locomotive and shipbuilding industries, and which still seems perversely proud of its somewhat gritty, working-class reputation.
Yet Glasgow has grown enormously in attractiveness to locals and visitors since the late 20th century. I’ve been visiting my father’s home town since 1990, the year it was named European Capital of Culture, and I can tell you that Glasgow is home to some of the world’s friendliest and funniest people. Forget deep-fried Mars bars, today’s Glasgow is a wonderful city for food lovers too, with great options from fine-dining to cafés. As well as its history, architecture, museums and galleries, shopping and Bohemian West End, Glasgow is the perfect starting point for a tour of Scotland’s stunning scenery – you can be on the bonny banks of Loch Lomond in just 30 minutes. It lives up to its Gaelic name too, with more green space per capita than any other European city. Here’s my round up of Glasgow for food lovers – Slàinte mhath!
Stay The Sherbrooke Castle Hotel
Where better to stay in Scotland than a castle? And this red sandstone baronial home on the quieter south side of the city – with turrets, sweeping central staircase, gorgeous leadlights and beautiful garden – ticks all the boxes, including the best kippers for breakfast! Book a turret room for extra atmosphere.
Fine Dining The Gannet
Scottish chef Peter McKenna is an alumni of Liam Tomlin’s Sydney restaurant Banc. Today he runs one of Scotland’s finest restaurant showcasing seasonal produce and his deft touch in combining it in modern yet thoughtful ways – from delicious foraged budding wild garlic shoots to locally reared free-range guinea fowl. Excellent wine list and service too.
Casual Dining Ubiquitous Chip
This wonderfully quirky venue, down a cobbled West End mews, has been serving superb Scottish produce since 1971 (when most of it was still being exported). With friendly service, a great wine and whisky list and an enchanting jumble of spaces to eat and drink, ‘The Chip’ is a must-do Glasgow experience for food lovers.
Coffee Singl-end
This cosy café-bakery, downstairs in an inner city backlane serves excellent coffee. Mouth-watering doesn’t begin to describe their huge array of cakes and slices as well as breakfasts, salads and sandwiches! They bake their own bread too (no traditional baps though so see video below to make your own).
Drink The Pot Still
With over 300 whiskies on offer, this antique watering-hole sees locals and visitors side by side at the long wooden bar. The largest collection of single malts from all over Scotland, plus blends and whiskies from around the globe, means even die-hard whisky-heads will find something they’ve never tried before.
Visit Museums
Museums in this egalitarian city are all free of charge with something for every age and taste. Including locomotives and other transportation at the interactive Riverside Museum, social history at the People’s Palace, Kelvingrove Art Gallery’s impressive collection and the Charles Rennie Macintosh-designed Scotland Street School.
Updated 18 May 2025
