It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas in Glasgow.
The lights in George Square are on, Buchanan Street shop windows are filled with festive displays and Saturday shopping is beginning to take more of a harassed air.
Every year Glasgow fully embraces Christmas which, as a city known for its warmth, friendliness and love of socialising, isn’t a surprise.
The city’s vibrant restaurant scene plays an important role as the heart of the action, a place for friends and family to enjoy food, drink and festive cheer in the time of year that is all about indulgence.
Glasgow restaurants indulge in the season with beautiful decorations, Christmas menus and festive cocktails, ensuring their customers have a dining experience to remember.
Here’s our recommendations for restaurants where you can enjoy the perfect Glasgow Christmas.
Beautiful Christmas surroundings
Corinthian Club
Glasgow is home to some incredible buildings, many of which are now restaurants. One example is the Corinthian Club in the Merchant City which was built in 1842 as the Union Bank of Scotland. The spectacular interior of the Corinthian equally matches the outside – the brasserie features elaborate cornicing, gold leaf work and a dazzling glass dome. The Corinthian always go all out with their Christmas decorations, and their festive menu which includes Roast borders turkey with sage and onion stuffing, goose fat roast potatoes and thyme flavoured root vegetables is just as lavish.
The Restaurant at Blythswood Square
The Restaurant at Blythswood Square, which was formally the Royal Scottish automobile club for 100 years, is decorated with eight foot pendant chandeliers, red velvet studded booths and the highest percentage of Harris tweed soft furnishing since the original QE2. At Christmas time the tree sits in the hotel’s opulent marble lobby. Their festive menu is £23 for 2 courses and dessert includes a Baileys and double chocolate cheesecake served with cookies and ice cream.
Chaophraya
Set over four floors of The Townhouse on Buchanan Street, Chaophraya is Europe’s largest Thai restaurant. It is also a strong contender to be the continent’s most spectacular, with marble staircases, crystal chandeliers and a granite bar. Chaophraya’s modern Christmas decorations make the most of such an opulent space and their festive menu includes Thai favourites such as chicken satay and pad thai.
29 – The Grill At The Square
The spectacular views over Royal Exchange Square from 29 – The Grill At The Square is only matched by its uber stylish surroundings. 29 has both a Christmas lunch and dinner menu with a wide selection of delicious dishes – as the restaurant is a member of the Scotch Beef Club it makes sense to try the Char-grilled 8oz sirloin steak with garlic roasted field mushroom and tomato, green peppercorn and brandy sauce.
Hutchesons
Hutchesons Hall in the Merchant City which after lying empty for years opened this year after as Hutchesons, a three four dining experience which includes a cafe bar, brasserie and private dining. The building has been beautifully restored with elegant period features such as stained glass windows, intricate cornicing and beautiful murals, ensuring dining in Hutchesons will always be an opulent experience. They currently have a 5pm offer for £15.95 for 2 courses.
Warm and cosy Christmas
Harsh winter weather leads to many Glasgow diners seeking a warm and cosy refuge over Christmas time. Thankfully Glasgow restaurants do warm and cosy well.
The Bothy
With a coal fire, candlelight and chunky wooden furniture, The Bothy in the West End is the perfect haven on a harsh winter day. Their festive menu features all the traditional favourites like roast turkey with all the trimmings, Christmas pudding and roast parsnip soup.
Bo’Vine
With leather seats and big Chesterfield sofas, Bo’Vine on Byres Road is an inviting restaurant to sink into over Christmas time. As the name suggests, the menu is all about steak and the festive offerings are no different – choose from a rib eye or sirloin. Christmas favourites such as roast turkey, Christmas pudding and chocolate and orange trifle are also on the menu.
Black Sparrow
Flickering candlelight and comfy leather booths make the Black Sparrow in Charing Cross an atmospheric bar to enjoy the festive season. Their Christmas menu is huge and includes seven burgers the bar is famous for.
Enjoy
The large windows overlooking Great Western Road in Enjoy may contribute to the restaurant’s light and airy feel but when darkness falls and the candles are lit it becomes an intimate haven. Their Christmas menu forgoes traditional for a unique take on festive favourites – deep fried mulled wine ice cream on brandy snap basket anyone?
Alternative Christmas dining
Christmas dinners don’t have to be traditional – with such a wide range of restaurant cuisines in Glasgow there are many unique takes on festive favourites.
Bar Soba
Bar Soba in Mitchell Lane and Byres Road, which serves south east asian cuisine including Thai, Vietnamese and Malaysian, have ramen and Thai curry on their menu. Christmas pudding cheesecake served with a brandy and caramel sauce is a nod to tradition.
Thairiffic
Thairiffic in the city centre is serving a Christmas menu filled with Thai favourites, including a duck with orange sauce and a Christmas pudding with dessert.
Cubatas
Small plates mean even more to try and Cubatas Tapas Bar & Restaurant’s Christmas menu features a host of meat, fish and vegetarian options, including croquettes made with Spanish black pudding, béchamel, spinach, pine seed and sultanas, and “Brownies de Navidad”: home-made brownies bathed in chocolate and sprinkled with red fruits.
Enjoy a Glasgow Christmas with 5pm
Whether you’re looking for sophisticated surroundings, a traditional Christmas dinner, a Christmas curry, Italian, Thai, steak…. you’ll find them all and lots more on 5pm Dining. We have tons of special offers and menus just for the festive season so make sure to take a look before you booking any restaurants out over Christmas time.