When the news landed in the 5pm inbox that a new Spanish restaurant, The Spanish Butcher, is opening on Miller Street, we were excited.
With descriptions of the “finest grades of Galician beef, Spanish and Mediterranean inspired flavours, and chic modern New York loft style interiors”, combined with the fact The Spanish Butcher is from the same group who brought us Glasgow restaurant landmarks Hutchesons and The Butchershop Bar & Grill, all signs point towards something special.
But it was the location that intrigued us most. The Spanish Butcher will join neighbours, The Spiritualist, SoHo, Paesano, Seoul Restaurant and Piece on Miller Street, making it one of the most restaurant packed streets in Glasgow per square metre.
Miller Street
But it wasn’t always this way. All of the restaurants listed above, bar SoHo, opened in the last two years. Up until fairly recently, the narrow street off Argyle Street was pretty much ignored, with most walking past it on their way to the Merchant City.
And here at 5pm we know this better than most, with Miller Street street just behind our office. Apart from nipping to Soho for a pizza, there was never any other reason to go there.
A desolate area has suddenly turned into a hip dining hotspot. Sound familiar?
Here’s three reasons why Miller Street is the new Finnieston.
1. It used to be desolate, now it’s thriving
It’s hard to believe now, but up until around 2013, Finnieston was not an area of Glasgow you would go on a Saturday night. Just read this quote from the restaurant manager of Bukharah in our article about Finnieston’s regeneration: “Finnieston used to be derelict. There was nothing here. SECC was round the corner, but the new Finnieston flats were empty warehouses. It was not desirable. It was horrible.”
Now Finnieston is widely regarded as the coolest, most happening areas of Glasgow, hosting the city’s best restaurants like Porter & Rye, Fanny Trollopes, The Sisters and many, many more (check out our Finnieston restaurant offers). Finnieston went from being almost desolate to a destination you would out of your way to dine in. It was a transformation that happened quickly but organically. Despite its city centre location, Miller Street was a street you might never have realised existed, until the stream of new restaurants provided a reason to go. Just like Finnieston used to be, it has a recently discovered feel.
2. The restaurants are cool
Just like Finnieston’s hip dining scene, all of the restaurants which have arrived in Miller Street are pushing boundaries and raising the standard of Glasgow restaurants. The Spiritualist’s stunning art deco interior is matched by its modern dishes and impressive drinks list (320 spirits). The latest fashionable cuisine, Korean, can enjoyed in Seoul Restaurant. The stylish Paesano serves pizzas cooked under a minute in ovens imported from Naples using a 400 year old method in spacious industrial chic surroundings. Piece is more a cool takeaway sandwich shop rather than restaurant but its minimalist interior, retro soundtrack and quality sandwiches are another example of a focus on quality and attention to detail.
3. More restaurants are arriving
Rusk & Rusk, the group behind The Spanish Butcher, the latest restaurant to arrive in Miller Street, own possible two of the best restaurant locations in Glasgow, The Butchershop Bar & Grill, which sits opposite Glasgow University and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and boasts a stunning view of both, and Hutchesons, which is located inside the A listed Hutchesons Hall in the Merchant City. Out of all the locations in Glasgow, the fact they’ve chosen Miller Street to open their new venture speaks volumes and establishes it as a Glasgow dining destination.
What do you think? Is Miller Street the new Finnieston? Comment underneath.