Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city, has a diverse and exciting restaurant scene. When searching for restaurants in Glasgow city centre you’ll find cuisines from around the world and everything from fine dining establishments to casual street food. No matter your taste or budget, you’ll find an eatery to suit you in our ultimate Glasgow city centre restaurants guide.
Italian restaurants in Glasgow city centre
Unsurprisingly probably the world’s favourite cuisine is well represented in Glasgow city centre. There are tons of Italian restaurants in Glasgow city centre so if you have a craving only a pizza or pasta will fill you won’t have to look far.
La Vita, part of a group of family owned Italian restaurants in Glasgow, has an excellent spot at the corner of George Square. Antipasti on Sauchiehall Street is a warm Italian restaurant with a huge menu and laid back vibe.
For a popular, lively Italian restaurant with a huge choice try Viva Bothwell Street. Ristorante Piccolo Mondo has been serving Italian food to Glaswegians since 1974 and is now run by the second generation of the Tuscan family.
Di Maggio’s City Centre is the largest branch of the hugely popular Di Maggio’s Glasgow restaurant group and is located in the imposing Royal Exchange Square.
Luxury dining in Glasgow city centre
Scotland’s most stylish city offers lots of options for those who want to dine in luxury.
Glasgow’s oldest, and perhaps most famous, restaurant Rogano opened in 1935 when the Queen Mary cruise ship was being built on the Clyde and is furnished in a plush art deco style designed to mimic the interior of the iconic ship.
Set over four floors of The Townhouse bulding on Buchanan Street, Chaophraya is Europe’s largest Thai restaurant and possibly its most spectacular, with a vast space which includes golden buddhas, gold chandeliers, soaring ceilings covered in ornate cornicing and romantic balconies.
With eleven years working for the famous Roux brothers at their London Restaurant Le Gavroche, where Gordon Ramsay also did a stint, Brian Maule is one of the most highly regarded chefs in Glasgow and his restaurant, Brian Maule at Chardon D’Or, situated within an elegant townhouse on West Regent Street, is considered one of the best fine dining experiences in Glasgow.
Hutchesons Bar & Brasserie on Ingram Street is a sumptuous reincarnation of one of Scotland’s most iconic Grade-A listed buildings and an elegant setting in which to sip Champagne and dine on the finest Scottish produce.
Located in the five star Blythswood Hotel, Blythswood Square Restaurant has a setting of pendant chandeliers, red velvet booths and the highest expenditure of Harris tweed since the QE2.
Scottish restaurants in Glasgow city centre
Glasgow serves plenty of native cuisine in its city centre.
Arisaig serves traditional Scottish dishes under the canopy of fairy lights in Merchant Square. Ingram Wynd is a cosy bistro on Ingram Street that serves traditional Scottish favourites with a slight modern twist.
Scottish seafood is generally considered to be the best in the world and you’ll find the freshest on the menu in City Merchant. Two Fat Ladies – City Centre (part of the highly regarded Two Fat Ladies) also specialises in Scottish seafood but you’ll also find the finest Scottish meat on the menu.
Cafe Source is based within the spectacular St Andrews In The Square building and uses the finest local suppliers.
Indian restaurants in Glasgow city centre
If Glasgow had a defining dish it would probably be curry – Scotland’s biggest city has won Curry Capital of the UK four times and has been runner up for times and chicken tikka masala was allegedly invented in Glasgow.
For two opposing sides of Indian cuisine, try Dhabba and Dakhin which sit opposite each other in Candleriggs – Dhabba specialises in North Indian food and Dakhin South India.
Masala Twist on Hope Street offers buffets, tapas style curry dishes and some Scottish/Indian fusion, like mince and tatties curry!
A firm Glasgow curry favourite is Charcoals on Renfield Street which has won multiple awards for its curries.
Kama Sutra on Sauchiehall Street serves up a wide selection of Indian dishes including regional specialities from Himalaya, South India, Kashmir and the Punjab.
Bar food in Glasgow city centre
If you want to enjoy a bite to eat in a casual environment over a drink, there are plenty of bar food options in Glasgow city centre.
Liberte at Charing Cross offers bar food classics with the odd French twist, like boeuf bourguignon and Bouillabaisse.
October Cafe and Late Bar is located on the top floor of the stylish Princes Square shopping mall and is a sophisticated spot to tuck into dishes such as sirloin steak and mac n cheese.
Mini Grill on Bath Street is a basement bar that specialises in steak and serves an imaginative “Glasgow burger” which is topped with Barr’s Irn Bru pulled pork, Buckfast marinated bacon, haggis & Glasgow cheddar.
Yesbar, named after the 2014 Scottish independence Yes movement, is a bar and venue that hosts regular comedy nights and specialises in pizza which they serve by the metre.
Moskito on Bath Street serves a range of small bites, pizzas and burgers and has an impressive cocktail list.
If you enjoyed this ultimate Glasgow City Centre restaurants guide, visit 5pm Dining for many more restaurants in Glasgow city centre.