Ruth's Guidebook
Food scene
(pronounced 'Cal Brook' - meaning ‘cook something’ in Scottish gaelic)
Contemporary cuisine that doesn’t stray too far from Scottish tradition. Awarded Glasgow’s only Michelin star this year. Locally sourced, unfussy, yet beautifully composed fine dining. Literally a one minute walk from the flat.
55 locals recommend
Cail Bruich
725 Great Western Rd(pronounced 'Cal Brook' - meaning ‘cook something’ in Scottish gaelic)
Contemporary cuisine that doesn’t stray too far from Scottish tradition. Awarded Glasgow’s only Michelin star this year. Locally sourced, unfussy, yet beautifully composed fine dining. Literally a one minute walk from the flat.
Fabulous buzzy, Instagrammable space set in a grade A listed converted Botanic Gardens Garage. South East Asian influenced, packed with flavour, small plates for sharing. I could live on the chargrilled corn ribs with salted coconut, shrimp and lime.
33 locals recommend
Ka Pao
26 Vinicombe StFabulous buzzy, Instagrammable space set in a grade A listed converted Botanic Gardens Garage. South East Asian influenced, packed with flavour, small plates for sharing. I could live on the chargrilled corn ribs with salted coconut, shrimp and lime.
A glorious, jungly, plant filled space and a West End institution since 1971. Proper Scottish dishes with a contemporary edge. This is where to go to try haggis, needs and tatties (the veggie version is just as good), then head to the first floor bar or The Wee Pub for a blether and a wee dram of whisky. We go here when parents and friends visit, for Christmas Eve and it was the first place we chose after the first lockdown.
165 locals recommend
Ubiquitous Chip
12 Ashton LnA glorious, jungly, plant filled space and a West End institution since 1971. Proper Scottish dishes with a contemporary edge. This is where to go to try haggis, needs and tatties (the veggie version is just as good), then head to the first floor bar or The Wee Pub for a blether and a wee dram of whisky. We go here when parents and friends visit, for Christmas Eve and it was the first place we chose after the first lockdown.
A local secret, tucked away in a pretty little Georgian square and the sister restaurant to Mother India (see separate entry). It’s not a beautiful room, but it’s comfy and welcoming (they’ll have the fire lit) and, in our opinion, serves the best Indian food in Glasgow. The First Class Indian Curry is exactly that and you must try the Daal Makhni Peshwari, heaven.
Mother India Cafe at The Lansdowne
7A Lansdowne CresA local secret, tucked away in a pretty little Georgian square and the sister restaurant to Mother India (see separate entry). It’s not a beautiful room, but it’s comfy and welcoming (they’ll have the fire lit) and, in our opinion, serves the best Indian food in Glasgow. The First Class Indian Curry is exactly that and you must try the Daal Makhni Peshwari, heaven.
Family run for over 40 years, authentic Italian restaurant and deli. the owners are passionate about serving the very best Italian produce and straight up traditional cooking. Home made sausage and pastas, wines from small vineyards and artisan cheeses. ‘Yesterday’s Lasagne’ is Jamie’s absolute favourite, he never orders anything else.
39 locals recommend
Eusebi Restaurant & Delicastessen
152 Park RdFamily run for over 40 years, authentic Italian restaurant and deli. the owners are passionate about serving the very best Italian produce and straight up traditional cooking. Home made sausage and pastas, wines from small vineyards and artisan cheeses. ‘Yesterday’s Lasagne’ is Jamie’s absolute favourite, he never orders anything else.
When only a burger will do this is the place. A bright and comfy little space with a phenomenal burger, sandwich and poutine menu. Veggies and vegans are equally well catered for. Geographically the closest restaurant to the flat, a minute away, so a handy little spot if the weather is dreich.
16 locals recommend
Bread Meats Bread West End
701 Great Western RoadWhen only a burger will do this is the place. A bright and comfy little space with a phenomenal burger, sandwich and poutine menu. Veggies and vegans are equally well catered for. Geographically the closest restaurant to the flat, a minute away, so a handy little spot if the weather is dreich.
Authentic, artisan, wood fired Neopolitan pizza served in a relaxed yet vibrant and lively atmosphere in a cavernous old bank building. Unpretentious, good value, and bloody good pizza, an absolute favourite.
70 locals recommend
Paesano Pizza West End
471 Great Western RdAuthentic, artisan, wood fired Neopolitan pizza served in a relaxed yet vibrant and lively atmosphere in a cavernous old bank building. Unpretentious, good value, and bloody good pizza, an absolute favourite.
This is a pub, theatre, restaurant, event space and even a club (pre-pandemic) in a converted parish church. Standard pub food, a bit posher in the brasserie, but it’s not about the food, go for a drink in huge bar with the beautiful panelled ceiling. It’s a stone’s throw from the flat and open till 2am.
198 locals recommend
Oran Mor
Byres RoadThis is a pub, theatre, restaurant, event space and even a club (pre-pandemic) in a converted parish church. Standard pub food, a bit posher in the brasserie, but it’s not about the food, go for a drink in huge bar with the beautiful panelled ceiling. It’s a stone’s throw from the flat and open till 2am.
High ceilinged, hip but casual, creative, contemporary small plate food. Tile-backed open kitchen serves up old Mediterranean favourites with modern surprises. Awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin for good quality, good value cooking. A real favourite of ours, so tasty, when we can get a table!
126 locals recommend
Ox and Finch
920 Sauchiehall StHigh ceilinged, hip but casual, creative, contemporary small plate food. Tile-backed open kitchen serves up old Mediterranean favourites with modern surprises. Awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin for good quality, good value cooking. A real favourite of ours, so tasty, when we can get a table!
Mother India is the original Glasgow icon known for its exceptional, flavoursome Indian cuisine. This is where Anthony Bourdain chose to have his curry when he visited the city. Mother India Cafe is just a block away just across the street from Kelvingrove Art Gallery. It’s a more relaxed affair offering small tasting portions, but still big on flavour. Both restaurants are pretty wonderful, I couldn’t pick between the two.
85 locals recommend
Mother India
28 Westminster TerraceMother India is the original Glasgow icon known for its exceptional, flavoursome Indian cuisine. This is where Anthony Bourdain chose to have his curry when he visited the city. Mother India Cafe is just a block away just across the street from Kelvingrove Art Gallery. It’s a more relaxed affair offering small tasting portions, but still big on flavour. Both restaurants are pretty wonderful, I couldn’t pick between the two.
Mother India is the original Glasgow icon known for its exceptional, flavoursome Indian cuisine. This is where Anthony Bourdain chose to have his curry when he visited the city. Mother India Cafe is just a block away just across the street from Kelvingrove Art Gallery. It’s a more relaxed affair offering small tasting portions, but still big on flavour. Both restaurants are pretty wonderful, I couldn’t pick between the two.
118 locals recommend
Mother India's Cafe
1355 Argyle StMother India is the original Glasgow icon known for its exceptional, flavoursome Indian cuisine. This is where Anthony Bourdain chose to have his curry when he visited the city. Mother India Cafe is just a block away just across the street from Kelvingrove Art Gallery. It’s a more relaxed affair offering small tasting portions, but still big on flavour. Both restaurants are pretty wonderful, I couldn’t pick between the two.
Old style, ship-shape service in a stunning high Victorian building which, back in the golden age of travel, was the headquarters of the Anchor Line Shipping Company. The interior has been beautifully restored and is tantalisingly evocative of a glamorous, bygone era. A mainly classic menu of oysters, steaks and seafood. I’m a big fan of the lobster, mac & cheese.
20 locals recommend
The Anchor Line
12–16 St Vincent PlOld style, ship-shape service in a stunning high Victorian building which, back in the golden age of travel, was the headquarters of the Anchor Line Shipping Company. The interior has been beautifully restored and is tantalisingly evocative of a glamorous, bygone era. A mainly classic menu of oysters, steaks and seafood. I’m a big fan of the lobster, mac & cheese.
Very cool, modern, NYC loft style serving Galician beef, Iberican Jamon and seafood infused with Spanish and Mediterranean style flavours. If you want steak, then this is the best in Glasgow. Very good cocktails too.
12 locals recommend
The Spanish Butcher
80 Miller StVery cool, modern, NYC loft style serving Galician beef, Iberican Jamon and seafood infused with Spanish and Mediterranean style flavours. If you want steak, then this is the best in Glasgow. Very good cocktails too.
This is part of an ever-expanding, up-market chain but gets a mention because the cooking is straightforward and comforting; Chicken Milanese, Shepherds Pie, Lobster linguine, the service is terrific and the decor is stunning. It makes this list for the pink marble bathroom alone.
The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow
106 Buchanan StreetThis is part of an ever-expanding, up-market chain but gets a mention because the cooking is straightforward and comforting; Chicken Milanese, Shepherds Pie, Lobster linguine, the service is terrific and the decor is stunning. It makes this list for the pink marble bathroom alone.
The same people behind Paesano, have now done for pasta what they so successfully nailed for pizza. Traditional dishes served as they would be throughout the various regions of Italy with the emphasis on authenticity, provenance and quality produce. A very welcome newcomer to the City Centre and I can’t wait till they open one in the West End.
10 locals recommend
Sugo Pasta
70 Mitchell StThe same people behind Paesano, have now done for pasta what they so successfully nailed for pizza. Traditional dishes served as they would be throughout the various regions of Italy with the emphasis on authenticity, provenance and quality produce. A very welcome newcomer to the City Centre and I can’t wait till they open one in the West End.
Pubs
Doesn’t serve food, but this is our favourite local pub if you’re just out for a drink. Unpretentious, cosy and welcoming.
60 locals recommend
The Belle
617 Great Western RdDoesn’t serve food, but this is our favourite local pub if you’re just out for a drink. Unpretentious, cosy and welcoming.
A charming rustic and cosy pub, if you've eaten out in Finnieston, it's a perfect spot for a nightcap before your taxi home.
30 locals recommend
Ben Nevis Bar
Argyle StreetA charming rustic and cosy pub, if you've eaten out in Finnieston, it's a perfect spot for a nightcap before your taxi home.