The 5 Best Restaurants in Glasgow for Every Occasion
I’m here to tell you that Glasgow’s food scene isn’t trying to impress you. It just quietly does.
I’ve eaten my way from white-table-clothed fine dining to late-night pizza places here, and this list is what survived my repeat visits. These are the places I would recommend when friends ask where to eat, not just what’s trending this week.
Think strong cooking, clear identities, and menus that know exactly what they’re doing. For proper date nights, loud group dinners, or business lunches that feel like winners, here are the best restaurants in Glasgow you should try ASAP.
How much does it cost to eat in a restaurant in Glasgow?
Eating out in Glasgow can be very reasonable, depending on where you go and what you order. A casual or budget meal typically costs around £10 to £15 here, covering cafes, takeaway spots, and relaxed neighbourhood restaurants.
For mid-range dining, expect to pay £15 to £25 for a main course, or roughly £50 to £90 for a three-course meal for two (excluding drinks). This is where most well-loved bistros and popular date-night spots sit.
Drinks are usually extra, with a pint around £5 and a glass of wine around £7 to £9. Fine dining and tasting menus cost more, usually at over £100 per person.
1. Ox and Finch
Address: 920 Sauchiehall St, Finnieston
Contact: +441413398627
Hours: Daily, noon to midnight
Ox and Finch is one of those few places locals whisper about and try to gatekeep badly. We finally went there, looking for “something new” and ended up wondering why we waited so long!
It’s small-plates done properly, where sharing actually feels generous rather than stingy. Dishes like the confit lamb shoulder, barbecued sea bream, and the ever-changing veg plates punch well above their weight.
The Finnieston location works for both casual catch-ups and low-key date nights, with a buzz that never tips into chaos. It’s not cheap, but portions, quality, and the considerate vegetarian/vegan options make it feel fair for Glasgow foodies.
We found the service confident without being performative, with the staff genuinely knowledgeable about the menu inside out. Booking ahead is a smart move; locals fill this place fast, especially at weekends.
That said, the tables are close together at this place, so it’s not ideal if you want privacy or quiet conversations. And if you don’t enjoy sharing plates, you might want to dine elsewhere.
Customer Reviews
We can’t wait to return for some great food and fantastic service
We were in on Saturday night, food was beautiful, decor is lovely but the stand out thing for us was your staff, especially Angus, the one who looks like the actor from dexter, we had a laugh with him about this, his knowledge of the menu and his help and advice on our food order was much appreciated, he really is a credit to your wonderful restaurant. We can’t wait to return for some great food and fantastic service.
- Matthew Wylie, Google Review
All of the dishes we tried tasted fantastic
We were very impressed by the service and efficiency of the staff here. All of the dishes we tried tasted fantastic, especially the feather blade of beef. The chips were perfectly crispy yet fluffy on the inside, with a beautiful roast garlic aïoli to go with it. High-quality food at affordable prices: what more could you want?
- Ryan Chung, Google Review
2. The Buttery
Address: 652 Argyle Street
Contact: +441412218188
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, noon–9 PM
The Buttery is where I take visiting friends when I want them to understand what Glasgow is about, minus the boring lecture. It’s old-school in the best way (established 1870), the kind of place that feels like it’s been getting things right for decades (because it has).
The menu leans confidently into classic Scottish cooking, done with restraint and care. Think Scotch beef fillet, grilled sole, and even a vegetarian haggis! They all taste as if they came from someone who actually knows the farmer.
For visitors, it works beautifully as a celebration or proper dinner without tipping into stuffy fine dining. The pre-theatre and set menus are solid value, especially when you want quality without explaining tasting menus to jet-lagged guests.
We found the service polished but warm, and the pacing was calm enough for long conversations and good wine. It doesn’t chase trends, which is why it feels reassuringly special.
Do note that it’s not the place for experimental plates or buzzing nightlife energy. Prices reflect its reputation, so this is more treat meal than a casual drop-in.
Customer Reviews
The Buttery never disappoints!
The Buttery never disappoints! This was my second time hosting a team dinner here, and once again, everyone loved it. The private dining space downstairs is such a gem — cosy, intimate, and perfect for team gatherings. Every dish was spot-on (honestly haven’t had a single miss yet), and the staff were brilliant throughout. Andrew deserves a special mention for being so accommodating with both my bookings. Best believe I’ve already locked in our team Christmas dinner here too — it’s become our tradition!
- Hayley Tan, Google Review
Thank you so much for a lovely meal
My boyfriend and I are massive foodies, and we’ve eaten in some really nice places all over the world. The buttery is up there with some of the nicest. Fresh British ingredients elevated to something very special, everything cooked to absolute perfection. Service was immaculate, wine glasses polished perfectly – such great attention to detail. The one male waiter is an absolute winner (sorry didn’t catch his name) and offered to book us taxis after our meal. Cocktails were fab, staff absolutely make this whole experience fantastic. Thank you so much for a lovely meal, we can’t wait to come back. Very, very reasonably priced. We paid £170 for 3 courses each and a bottle of wine and 2 cocktails – the level of service you get here you could only expect from a high-end hotel, I was very pleasantly surprised.
- Sophie Burton, Google Review
3. The Gannet
Address: 1155 Argyle St, Finnieston
Contact: +441412042081
Hours:
Wednesday, 5.30–9.30 PM
Thursday to Saturday, noon–2 PM, 5.30–9.30 PM
The Gannet was our anniversary pick because my boyfriend and I wanted something special without any theatrical nonsense. The dining room feels calm and grown-up, perfect for a night when the food does the talking.
We went for the six-course tasting menu, which leaned heavily on confident Scottish produce handled with restraint. Standouts include beautifully aged Angus beef, wild halibut, and desserts like plum soufflé that tasted and looked thoughtful rather than showy.
For an intimate celebration, it hits the sweet spot between fine dining and comfort, with pacing that lets us actually enjoy each other’s company. It’s not a budget-conscious option, but the tasting menu feels fair when every course earns its place.
We found the service quietly excellent: attentive, informed, and never hovering, which matters on celebratory nights as we had.
However, booking ahead is essential, especially for weekends and tasting menus. The atmosphere is also not ideal if you want buzz or spectacle.
Customer Reviews
The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, just like the staff
We had a wonderful experience at this restaurant. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, just like the staff. The cuisine is both original and delicious; every dish surprised us with its creative combinations and the quality of the ingredients. Prices are fair and consistent with the high standard of the food. Highly recommended!
- Cristina Iotti, Google Review
The cocktails were amazing
An unbelievable experience! The food was utterly sublime, with every bite being a taste sensation. We took the 6-course tasting menu, as it was an afternoon sitting, so we didn’t choose the wine pairings. The cocktails were amazing, from a new twist on an old-fashioned to the pink fizz! The staff were great, they explained every course in detail and were very attentive throughout, and we never felt rushed, even though we were there for over 3 hours. Brilliant food in a lovely setting, we can’t wait to return!
- Michael Brennan, Google Review
4. No. 16
Address: 16 Byres Road
Contact: +441413392544
Hours: Daily, noon–2 PM, 5.30–9 PM
No. 16 is where I book lunches when I need to impress clients without making it feel like a circus performance. It’s a place that’s calm, confident, and quietly serious about its food.
The lunch set menus are the real draw. They’re perfectly seasoned, well-priced, and ideal when I want structure without rushing anyone. The dishes lean modern Scottish (pan-fried fillet of coley and slow-cooked pork belly), with clean flavours and portions that feel considered rather than skimpy.
The location works beautifully for daytime meetings, too, especially if I want somewhere that doesn’t feel hectic or noisy. Conversation flows easily at this place, helped by good spacing, attentive service, and zero background chaos.
The whole experience feels professional without being cold, thanks to unfussy, professional service. The ambience makes it easy to talk business while still having a satisfying gustatory journey.
It’s more restrained than buzzy, though, so it won’t suit casual catch-ups or celebratory lunches. Those looking for trend-driven menus may find the experience too understated, as well.
Customer Reviews
I was really impressed by the fantastic food
I was really impressed by the fantastic food and the very friendly and attentive staff. The individual dishes were really delicious and exceeded my expectations. I recommend reserving a table. It was a small but very cosy restaurant and the interior design was very nice. I can only recommend everyone to eat here.
- Sven, Google Review
The lunch menu offers the same high quality at a lower price
Our second visit to Number 16, this time for the set lunch menu. The lunch menu offers the same high quality at a lower price, making it an excellent value and worth every penny for 2 / 3 courses! Great service, relaxed atmosphere, and overall, it’s become a new favourite of ours.
- Rebecca Shearer, Google Review
5. Santa Lucia Glasgow
Address: 68 Ingram Street
Contact: +441415526233
Hours: Daily, noon–9 PM
Santa Lucia on Ingram Street was my family’s pick for Mum’s birthday because it had to work for everyone, from kids to grandparents. It’s warm, familiar, and the kind of place where no one feels left out.
The menu is classic Italian: crowd-pleasing, and done properly, with big bowls of pasta, well-fired pizzas, and yummy starters that feel celebratory without being intimidating. The set menus and party-friendly sharing options make planning a family meal refreshingly stress-free.
For a full-on family gathering, the space and noise level are just right. It’s lively but not overwhelming, and the staff are obviously used to birthdays, cakes, and extended tables, which they all handled with easy confidence.
We found the service quick and friendly, and forgiving when you’ve got multiple orders flying at once. We love that it’s not trying to reinvent Italian food, which is why it works exactly for joyous celebrations like ours.
That said, it’s not the place for experimental cooking or quiet, intimate dinners. Peak times like lunch hour can get busy and loud, so booking ahead is essential for larger groups.
Customer Reviews
The food was lovely, and the staff were absolutely amazing
Had a family dinner there on Monday evening (10 of us) and I have to say the dining experience was fantastic. The food was lovely, and the staff were absolutely amazing. It was my daughter’s 21st, and the staff were so welcoming and accommodating. We had brought a birthday cake for my daughter, and they happily brought it out and sang happy birthday to her. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff; they were all lovely, especially Rosa, Riccardo, Olli and Allen. Thank you all for a fantastic time. Would definitely recommend and look forward to going back!
- Darice Holley, Google Review
Fantastic Italian restaurant with a great selection
Fantastic Italian restaurant with a great selection at really reasonable prices. The wine is also reasonable and amazing. Would recommend you book, but we did walk in at an earlier time. Table staff are awesome, particularly Amber.
- Kathryn Edwards, Google Review