The Best Restaurants in Glasgow's West End

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Less of a restaurant in the traditional sense and more of an immersive culinary experience, love will grow by the bite at Ubiquitous Chip. Unashamedly iconic, everything involving The Chip is otherworldly and a mirror to the past. The menu, which is a wondrous display of Scottish cuisine, has been charming the pants of locals and travellers alike, since its opening night in 1971. Spruced up with greenery and lovely little lights, the décor is the epitome of hip, the rooftop terrace dreamy, and the drinks menu on point.

Like a 1960s film siren, The Bistro at Hotel Du Vin – or One Devonshire Gardens – is timeless, suave and delightfully magnetic. Muted grey hues, strategic lighting and corniced accents exist amidst the effortlessly gorgeous dining room. When it comes to the quality of the ingredients and the sumptuous dishes, this eatery is in a league of its own, thanks to Head Chef Barry Duff. The tasting menu, with its seven courses, is decadent to the core and the Sunday Lunch, an enticing display of French market table seafood, crustaceans, and roasts, cannot be surpassed.

So great that you want to keep it a secret forever, Cail Bruich can’t help but hold a spot in every foodie’s heart. A playground of prolific Scottish produce, the inventive, ever-evolving seasonal menus (which range from market and seasonal, to tasting) can never get old. The family-run element adds that extra touch, with the intimate vibe stealing the show. The noticeable respect and appreciation for ingredients pays off in the taste — each bite is as transformative as the next.

So great that you want to keep it a secret forever, Cail Bruich can’t help but hold a spot in every foodie’s heart. A playground of prolific Scottish produce, the inventive, ever-evolving seasonal menus (which range from market and seasonal, to tasting) can never get old. The family-run element adds that extra touch, with the intimate vibe stealing the show. The noticeable respect and appreciation for ingredients pays off in the taste — each bite is as transformative as the next.

Arty and ridiculously trendy, Hanoi Bike Shop is a wee sanctuary of all things delicious when it comes to Vietnamese street food. The taste of each bowl of phô is the definition of superb. Most of the menu is made from scratch in house, and it shows. The organic tofu is a must, as is ordering multiple dishes to share. Top it off with the spiced gin, admire the hanging bikes, and enjoy!

Worthy of a standing ovation, Stravaigin is flawless. Aimless wanderers and adventurous foodies alike will adore the more adventurous ingredients like sea urchins, hedgerow herbs and grey squirrel. From the effortless cool, calm and collected furnishings, to dishes like the pan roast cod and goat’s cheese gnudi, and the stunner of a drinks menu, there’s a whole lotta love for this spot. What’s more, they do a mean brunch. Seriously. Think a sassy full Scots brekky, eggs Benedict like never before, French toast with char-grilled bacon, nasi goreng complete with bacon and a poached egg. It’s all too good to be true. Get ready to tour the world via the vehicle of food.

It wouldn’t be Glasgow without Indian cuisine. In turn, Glasgow wouldn’t be what it is today without Shish Mahal. A revered culinary landmark, dining here is essentially an expedition across India via the taste buds, due to the astronomical number of eats representing the many Indian dishes. Oh, and remember chicken tikka masala, the UK’s favourite Indian dish and Scotland’s other national dish? Yeah, well, owner and curry king Mr Ali Ahmed Aslam created it.

A perfectly proportioned treasure trove of gastronomic delights, Number 16 restaurant is number one when it comes to all things yum. Wildly unpretentious and cool to the core, the exposed brick and red walls, in tandem with the menu that presents itself as edible art, give this foodie jewel a perpetual shine. Unsurprisingly, Number 16, with its inspiring Scottish menu and stand-out ingredients, is a firm favourite amongst locals.