Glasgow Food Guide: Where industry insiders go to eat and drink

We spoke to the faces behind some of our favourite bars, restaurants and cafes to find out their top picks for eating and drinking in Glasgow.

Jul 28, 2024

Pints of Guinness at Heraghty’s, home-style cooking at Big Counter, coffees at 1841…Bar and restaurant owners from some of our favourite spots in the city have shared where they like to eat, sip cocktails or grab a coffee in Glasgow.

Julie Lin

Author, chef & co-owner of Ga Ga Kitchen + Bar

Favourite restaurants? Ranjit’s Kitchen is my local pick. I cherish places that thrive on home-cooked foods. You can feel the passion, love, and how knowledgeable the chefs are about the spices that go into the dishes. It’s been open for years now and is still such a cornerstone of the Southside food scene. It has the soul of a thousand people cooking in the kitchen but there are just a few brilliant ladies in there making some of the most delicious food I’ve ever had.

Number two is Crabshakk, both of them. They are a staple of Glasgow’s food scene. That scallops with anchovy butter and sage dish is genius. It’s always somewhere you can go for a fancy meal out and it’s nice that you’ve got somewhere that celebrates local produce. It’s had the same dishes on the menu for years and that’s because they’re so good. I think if a restaurant can rely on its staples and keep them on the menu for years to come, it knows exactly what it’s doing.

The Real Wan is famous for homemade dumplings and noodles. The South-West regional Chinese cooking is to die for and shows they are absolute masters of their craft. Banh Mi and Tea has such a good price point. The service is fast and you always get the same bowl of food - the consistency is amazing. Beirut Star sits quietly on Paisley Road West and serves some of the most delicious food, it’s unbelievable.

For drinks? My number one favourite pub in the city is The Lauriston, it has such a fond place in everyone’s heart. The Belle on Great Western Road is another staple. It’s beautifully done inside and really, really nice. Also, The Thornwood has lovely mac n’ cheese and great pints.

If I’m going out for cocktails my favourite place in the city is Naked Soup. I think it’s got such a nice vibe, the interiors are stunning and the staff are really friendly. My secret place to go for late-night cocktails is Crabshakk Botanics. I like popping in there at about 10 o’clock to get a wee nightcap on the way home. They do a good Midori sour, it’s delicious - love it.

I also love West Side Tavern for their cocktails - the Paloma on tap is top-notch.

Coffee? I would always go to 1841 just off Byres Road because I love the place inside, the coffee is delicious and they always have the best pastries. The team there are so friendly.

My number one cafe has to be my friend Laurie Macmillan’s Cafe Strange Brew. She started up this amazing brunch scene that now exists in the Southside of the city and it’s remained brilliant ever since.

Café D'Jaconelli on the other side of the city in Maryhill serves classic rolls and fry-ups. I think they might still sell sweets on the back counter.

Steven Turner

Owner, OUTLIER

Favourite restaurants? Embarrassingly rare these days but when I can pry myself away from work I’m going to Errol’s Hot Pizza or West Side Tavern for some slices. Ranjit’s Kitchen - I can’t get enough of their potato and spinach sabji! Also, Celentano’s. I’m a huge fan of what Dean and Anna are doing. They serve great food and the staff are brilliant, everything hits the spot.

For drinks? I’m a big fan of Naked Soup’s refurb, I’ll grab a Radler there or a pint of Guinness at Babbity Bowsters. The last cocktail I had was probably a gimlet (straight gin with a dash of lime cordial) at… I actually can’t remember… honestly, next time I shed the workie gear I’ll make a point of jumping out for one.

Coffee? When I can dip out I head east to DAILY for a coffee or south to two.eight.seven to snap up some of Sam and Anna’s bakes - they always have a great offering, can’t fault a thing. I’m also a huge fan of the coffee the team at the Good Coffee Cartel are putting out.

Lily Brown

General Manager, Crabshakk Botanics

Favourite restaurants? No hesitation, number one on the list is Big Counter - never fails. If there's a sharing steak on there, carrot rapées, or steak tartare get there in a FLASH. And always order the side salad - sharp & sweet dressing and a mountain of salty parmesan. too good.

Madhras Dosa (formerly Banana Leaf) for South Indian food. Nothing glamorous about it but it’s delicious. My go-to's are Masala Tawa Fish, Gobi 65, and their Rasam Soup, which is a nourishing, hot and spicy tomato soup with tamarind, garlic and lots of pepper - a real miracle worker.

At Kebabish, a Punjabi grill in the Southside, get the baby chicken every time - rubbed in spices, spit-roasted and grilled on charcoal. And of course the signature Peshwari nan - trail mix topping to keep you going and doubles as a dessert. Ideal.

Sylvan has delicious vegetarian dishes to share, I think it’s best to go with four or more friends so you can order the whole menu and dig in. My top picks are the green beans, beansprouts and the smoked tomato and yoghurt (mopped up with pillow soft flatbread). They have a brilliant wine list and their drinks are perfect.

Finally, Caprese Don Constanzo. It’s a family-run, family-friendly, fun, classic, checked tablecloth Italian. Best for celebrations and good times, I’ve seen the whole restaurant do the conga and they'll sing happy birthday to you whether you like it or not...

For drinks? Made From Grapes is a wine bar and off licence specialising in low-intervention wines and the staff are super knowledgeable. They also serve the perfect snacks to eat with wine. Drop in for a glass or take away a bottle to enjoy at home.

The Belle is cosy, familiar, everything you need in a pub with some bouji snacks. The Ivy is my guilty pleasure. I like to sit at the upstairs bar which reminds me of a big slab of Himalayan salt and pretend I’m not in Glasgow. And Kelvingrove Cafe - how many are too many dirty martinis?

Coffee? 1841 has the best coffee, the friendliest staff and a banging cheese toastie. At Cottonrake Cafe, the second venture from Cottonrake Bakery, expect their usual high standard of cakes and pastries but with a sit-in brunch menu. Their morning plate is perfect and I’m the number one fan of their ginger and chocolate cookies. I hope they make a return. OUTLIER is a beautiful cafe and bakery. They’re now hosting evening pop-ups at the weekend and I’m excited to see what they do next.

Darryl Docherty

Owner, Burnfield Bakery

Favourite restaurants? One of my favourite places is Big Counter on Victoria Road. I just love that homey style of cooking and I really enjoy how they source their products, trying to work as locally as possible. The second place would be Ka Pao. I think they do an amazing take on Southeast Asian food - I don’t think they’re rivalled at all in the city for that. Another place is Noodles and Dumplings on Gibson Street. It used to be on Bath Street. They make handmade dumplings and hand-pulled noodles which are fantastic. I love their broths and watching the noodles getting pulled and cooked.

For sit-in, Sheerin Palace on Allison Street. It’s just a little small corner place serving Pakistani/Indian food. The food is delicious and really good value.

For drinks? Charlie Browns which has unfortunately just closed down. Red Sky was my favourite drink there, it was fantastic. For a pint, I love Heraghty’s in the Southside. It’s still got some charm to it and they pull a very, very good Guinness.

Coffee? Thomson’s HQ in Giffnock. I just love the style of coffees those guys are doing. Also, Us V Them in The Barras is a favourite for coffee.

Joshua Barr

Owner, The Locale & West Side Tavern

Favourite restaurants? I love Crabshakk for their crab cakes, followed by garlic butter lobster and fries. It’s probably my favourite restaurant in Glasgow.

Mother India’s Cafe for butter chicken and garlic paratha. Loon Fung for a selection of dim sum followed by roast duck vermicelli with preserved vegetables - best enjoyed with a bunch of family or friends.

For drinks? Henry’s in the Southside is the best new bar in the city, the interior is too cool and their drinks programme is amazing. M.J. Heraghty is probably the best pint of Guinness near me so that’s got to be on the list. Finally, it’s slightly biased but there simply isn’t a better pint in the city than at Bier Halle and it’s celebrating its 25th year in October.

Coffee? I love Sunny Acre for their coffee, cakes and sandwiches. OUTLIER is probably the best new coffee shop in the city with amazing coffee and cakes. I look forward to seeing their development into a wine bar/restaurant in the evenings.

Naked Soup has just had an awesome new fit-out. Their bagels and soup are amazing I love it for a drink in the evening too.

Joanna Nethery

Owner, Five March, Copita Festival and Vin Vivant Festival

Favourite restaurants? Kimchi Cult has the best fried chicken in the city! Always great, couldn't live without them.

I'm not sure how my days would start if not for a trip to Burnfield Bakery. The bakers are incredible and the girls that work there are second to none, it's a sacred wee place for us.

I go to Non-Viet for big bowls of pho when it's cold out and the city is a wee bit too fast.

For drinks? Made From Grapes is the go-to for sure. It’s such a relaxed space with incredible wines. Heraghty’s for a great pint of Guinness, best enjoyed on a Sunday afternoon and Kelvingrove Cafe for a late-night cocktail and a catch-up.

Coffee? Short Long Black or Burnfield Bakery for coffee. I'm a wanderer so I don't often sit in. Meetings are so much better if you're walking around the park whilst having them.

Colin Campbell

Co-Owner, Sylvan, Copita Festival and Vin Vivant Festival

Favourite restaurants? Wee Curry Shop on Buccleuch Street. I used to pick up food for journalists here in 2002-2003 when I was a copy kid for the Sunday Herald. Not being from Glasgow, this job gave me a good start to some of the city centre’s culinary institutions - including sadly departed Dino’s! I revisited the Wee Curry Shop around Christmastime after years and found that they’ve expanded into next door to become somewhat of a medium curry shop, but the food was just excellent. A mum and dad cooking, their sons taking orders - what’s not to like? I’m a sucker for Chef’s special curries, anything on the bone and their veg pakora is wonderful.

Nanakusa on Sauchiehall Street is one of the first places I would have tried Japanese food, and just around the corner from Sylvan all these years later. I love all sushi, dumplings, and katsu but have a fondness for their yasai cha han - rice, vegetables and tofu lightly and perfectly seasoned.

I love seafood and quite like a fancy bar, so Crabshakk Botanics is a winner for its selection of fish and seafood, great wine list and the opportunity to walk in and grab a seat at the bar - the latter also makes it a welcoming place to eat solo.

For drinks? I like the classics. A martini in Kelvingrove Cafe is ideal, or a cold pint of Tennent’s anywhere with a seat in the sun to watch the city move around. It used to be Stravaigin and The Doublet when I lived west, now the camping spot tends to be Pollokshaws Road. Shout out to Made From Grapes on Nithsdale Road for the best wine in the Southside and Heraghty’s for a Guinness.

Coffee? Burnfield Bakery near where I live is an almost daily pilgrimage now we [partner Joanna Nethery] have a small baby to walk. The staff are delightful, the coffee is spot on and the bakery is dramatically increasing my waistline.

Square Park Coffee in Pollokshields also does great coffee and has a nice ambience for sitting. It’s a standout in the area.