Glasgow is one of the UK’s best restaurant cities – and ‘People Make Glasgow’ is much more than a slogan. Glasgow is without a doubt Scotland’s friendliest city; some of my most vivid memories of my father’s hometown relate to its people.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself chatting to the person at the table next to you during a meal in this vibrant city, or if your waiter starts giving you tips on where else to eat in town. That sort of thing just happens in Glasgow’s best restaurants. Few cities have reinvented themselves as dramatically as Glasgow. Once the second city of the British Empire known for its shipbuilding and industry, now it’s one of Europe’s most energetic cultural capitals with former warehouses and workshops humming as restaurants, galleries and music venues. Whether you’re after fine dining, casual shared plates, or one of the UK’s best curry houses, here are some of the best restaurants in Glasgow to satisfy your hunger.
Brett West End
This narrow restaurant, in a friendly-looking green corner building, has an immediately good vibe. Especially if you nab a seat at the counter to watch Colin Anderson and team turning premium Scottish produce into inspired dishes in the small open kitchen. Flavour combinations are impressive, wine matches brilliant, and service warm and engaging. Don’t miss the salty, umami-rich XO linguine with Cantabrian anchovy, crisp leek and parmesan.
Eleven Fifty Five Finnieston
Peter McKenna and Keven Dow call this a ‘bistro’ to differentiate it from their fine-diner The Gannet, here for over 10 years, but that sells it short. Despite a more relaxed menu, this is still one of Scotland’s finest dining experiences. It’s just more accessible now. Whether it’s bubbles and a few oysters at the bar or 3-courses of Peter’s superb food with Kevin’s brilliant wine pairings, there’s real candlelight, crisp linen and superb service.
Margo Merchant City
This barn-like restaurant is the spot for big plates of delicious food perfect for sharing. House-baked focaccia is a given (see my recipe below) and the rest of the menu changes seasonally, with dishes likes crisp-skinned pink duck breast with fall-apart-tender maryland; pork belly with caramelised fennel, and skate in a citrusy cumquat sauce. Despite always being packed, service is relaxed, efficient and friendly. Great wine list too!
CrabShakk Finnieston
‘The Wee Shakk’ (as locals call it) sums up this casual seafood diner. A tiny space serving big flavours, like delicious mussel and clam escabeche, excellent salt cod brandade with dukkah and carrot (an odd combo that works), and fresh-out-of-the-oven focaccia. Fish is cooked on the grill in front of diners perched at the kitchen counter, waitstaff are friendly, and dishes are ideal for sharing. There’s good wines by the glass too. What’s not to love?
Mother India Finnieston
Curry is a national dish in the UK – and Glasgow has been voted ‘Curry Capital of Britain’ three times. Mother India, a cornerstone of the city’s dining scene since 1996, is a much-loved Glasgow institution. While the café serves snack-sized portions of street food, the nearby restaurant offers a fuller menu of classics and Scottish-Indian favourites from fish pakoras and chicken tikka masala to Delhi-style lamb and excellent dhal.
111 by Modou West End
At this casual 35-seater, Senegalese-born Modou Diagne cooks up 5- or 10-course feasts in a tiny open kitchen. The menu changes seasonally, always focused on Scottish produce and classic technique but roaming the world for flavour inspiration. It’s buzzy without being loud, copper tabletops are set with quality paper napkins, and moody lighting ensures the spotlight is on Modou. One of Glasgow’s best value dining experiences.
Published 18 May 2026
