We all know that Glasgow loves a curry but the city also has a massive soft spot for Italian food. We're mad for minestrone, mental for a margherita and liable to get freaky over funghi fritti.

Bearing this in mind, appetites are well whetted for the launch of two new Italian restaurants in Glasvegas. Nostrana opens on Hyndland Road this week and La Vita group have announced plans to launch a new bakery/restaurant on Baillieston Road this autumn.

Formerly Tabak and the Pizza Magic Takeaway, the new 100 seat venue promises neighbourhood dining and 'handcrafted pizza'.

Open 11am to 11pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 11am to 7pm on Sundays, Nostrana will be open for coffee, snacks and beers as well as pizza, pasta and daily specials.

The Nostrana team will be welcoming the public from Thursday 1st September.

 La Vita Barrachnie  

Sticking with the Italian flavours, La Vita group is set to expand again when they open a sixth branch in Glasgow's East End.

La Vita Barrachnie will feature a wood-burning pizza oven, cocktail bar and an outside terrace as well as the main restaurant. The outlet will also have an in-house bakery which will supply Italian breads and cakes to all the Vita restaurants.

The La Vita Spuntini  restaurants on Gordon Street and Byres Road are bookable via 5pm Dining as are the La Vita Pizzeria Bishopbriggs and La Vita George Square. Main pic is from La Vita George Square Facebook. 

In other news, Foodwulf is a new outlet in Strathkelvin Retail Park. Based in the former Frankie and Benny's, the venture will serve up burgers, pizza and cocktails to hungry shoppers.

And some Edinburgh news

Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, the Bonnie and Wild market in the St James Quarter has a new offering. Kochchi, previous winners of the People’s Choice winners at the Scottish Street Food Awards 2022, have set up home alongside El Perro Negro, Radge Chaat and Salt & Chilli Oriental.

If you have never tried Sri Lankan food, Kochchi will sort you out with kotthu - shredded flatbreads topped with a variety of curries - and hoppers - savoury crepes filled with appetising options such as black pork curry.