Everyone has heard of Haggis, but Glasgow is not just about this ubiquitous Scottish meal. Haggis has been outlawed in the U.S. since 1971, so most people immediately go to a pub and order it when they visit Glasgow. But the food scene in Glasgow is much more than that and we recommend you go to a tasting of the best restaurants in Glasgow. As Scotland’s largest city with over half a million downtown residents and another 2 million living just outside it, Glasgow is without a doubt a city of entertainment. The city rests on the west bank of the River Clyde and has historically been one of the most important economic centers of Great Britain outside London. The area has hosted various communities for years since the Clyde River became a fishing hub. The area was first founded as part of Roman Britain, and by the 6th century Glasgow had become an important religious center founded by St. Mungo, where he built the church that now houses Glasgow Cathedral. By the 1700s, the city had grown exponentially, and with it came an abundance of wealth where, by the time of the Victorian era, much of the aesthetics associated with the city came to the fore.
While the city experienced a slight economic decline in the 60s to 80s, the city has since grown and expanded with different ethnic communities that have immigrated and immigrated here, bringing with them their culinary tradition. In fact, Glasgow has been declared the “British Capital of Curry” and although there is plenty of it, Glasgow doesn’t shy away from great-tasting dishes. If you want to have a snack in Glasgow, be sure to visit these amazing places to eat and drink.
The ubiquitous chip
Locals colloquially known as “The Chip”, The Ubiquitous Chip is regularly named the best restaurant in Glasgow. The place was opened by Ronnie Clydesdale in 1971 and is still owned and operated by the same family that serves some of the city’s best tickets. But what makes The Chip a legendary place that has been open for more than 40 years? First of all, the place is quite large with several floors dedicated to different things. So not only does The Ubiquitous Chip serve great food, but it’s also home to some of the city’s coldest bars. The Big Pub upstairs is a casual place to drink and chat, while the dining room on the ground floor and on the terrace allows guests to dine among fountains, ponds and greenery. Corner has a selection of award-winning wines, while Wee Whiskey Bar has the most whiskey in Scotland per square foot.
The menu itself consists of classic Scottish dishes influenced by the country itself. But that doesn’t mean they’re all fish and chips or haggis. Decadent plates like lamb in the Tweed Valley, roe deer Argyll and seafood from the island of Gighe will make you rethink everything you know about Scottish cuisine with a high hood.
Platform
Known as the largest bar and restaurant in Scotland, this place is an interesting indoor location in the heart of the city and is located directly below Glasgow Central Station. Brick arched walls and ceilings make you feel like you’re having dinner in some sort of secret underground bunker, while large tables and common areas allow for tons of friendly conversation on several mugs and plates. The food hall has its own microbrewery, and guests can even order food and drinks for their table from the app or restaurant website right next to your table.
Shish Mahal
According to legend, the first known recipe for meat in a spicy sauce with naan bread appears on a cuneiform text from ancient Babylon dating back to 1700 BC. Although The Shish Mahal has not been in Glasgow for that long, the restaurant is an icon of Glasgow for more than one reason. Founder Ali Ahmed Aslam locals known as simply “Mr. But ”came to Glasgow in the 1960s and brought with it the flavors of India. The restaurant was a novelty at the time, and the waiters wore jackets for dinner and dishes with flavors that most Glasvežans would not be familiar with at the time.
The concept of “Indian food” is huge. India is big, and the food from the north does not look like the same in the south. The food found around the Himalayas does not resemble the dishes of the fiery plains of Madras, but one thing that many Westerners consider an essential “Indian” dish – chicken Tikka Masala was invented right here in The Shish Mahal in Glasgow. From Indian restaurants in New York to Sydney, it would almost seem weird to go to an Indian restaurant and not see Tikka Masala chicken on the menu, but here in the 60s this dish was actually invented. The story goes that Mr. Ali invented the dish after a customer came in and complained about the dryness of his chicken. The chef then took the tomato soup, added the spices, and the rest is history. A campaign for the legal recognition of the origin of food is underway from MPs Glasgow.
Although The Shish Mahal is home to Tikka Masala chicken, you can try absolutely other amazing dishes here, yet there is a reason why it has been open for over 50 years. Try the menu or stop by for lunch and check out the specialty.
Kimchi cult
What started as a modest food stall in London’s street market has grown into one of Korea’s most popular hotspots. The original location took off in 2011, and by 2015 Kimchi Cult had opened its first brick and mortar store in Glasgow, West End. For more than a decade, Kimchi Cult has been presenting delicious Korean-inspired dishes with unique food options, decent prices and bold flavors.
Of course, with a name like Kimchi Cult, you can bet that their kimchi is homemade and fantastic by a special jeonju regional recipe that is passed down from generation to generation. Kimchi is the inspiration for many foods here, such as kimchi burgers, french fries with kimchi cheese, among other specialties like fried gochujang chicken and soy garlic tofu.
Howling wolf
Taking the page from places more common in places like Austin or Nashville, The Howlin ’Wolf is a blues bar with a bit of an American twist. This is the type of place you go out with friends. The bar offers live music seven nights a week with a strong focus on blues and jazz, but music isn’t the only thing on offer here. The bar serves a large selection of local whiskeys, as well as American bourbons and whiskey cocktails, while the food service is more eclectic with options like haggis pizza, spicy wings and cheesy nachos. The kitchen closes at 2am, so if you come from somewhere else and need a snack or you’ve spent the whole atmosphere with live music and need something to soak up alcohol, you won’t be left hungry in the wee hours of the morning.
Ox and Finch
Opened in 2014 by chef Jonathan MacDonald (who was the head chef on the McLaren F1 team) Ox and Finch brings a lot of the casual atmosphere of Glasgew with tall restaurants and small dishes focused on plates. Nearby Argyll Street is a hot spot for the culinary scene in Glasgow, and since Ox and Finch are on Sauchiehall Street, but they have just as much work to do, you know they’re looking for something special. In fact, if you are planning to dine out, you may need to book in advance. Behind the olive-green façade inside with bare brick walls, black leather cabins, stone pillars and floor-to-ceiling floors stocked with wine.
Here the food is a cross between Mediterranean flavor and Scottish, which makes interesting dishes. Plates like harissa mackerel, fish carpaccio with peaches and pine nuts, zucchini and feta donuts make ox and finch a unique choice to eat. The attraction here are the small sharing plates that give up the usual appetizer-appetizer-dessert methods for more tapas-style activities. Despite the heightened flair of some dishes, leaving full and satisfied should not cost you more than £ 20 per person.
Paesano
At the western end of the city, in a large and luxurious building built for a bank, is the favorite, Paesano. The sumptuous and carefully maintained Art Deco-style restaurant is the exact opposite of the rest of the restaurant, but that’s by no means a bad thing. When you enter you will notice Italian marble pillars, a high vaulted ceiling and dark wooden accents that add a touch of class.
The place is noisy, it is popular among students because it is cheap, so despite the fact that the elements of the building in art-deco style will believe that it is not elegant. Homemade white wine is served in a glass of water, but all that doesn’t matter because Paesano has one of the best pizzas in town. There are banning rules, but there is a bar with a standing room while you wait at your table. Finally, when you sit down, you’ll have a full view of the open kitchen, along with a 500-degree wood-fired oven that bakes pizzas in seconds. The rind is fluffy but chewy, and the charred edges are thanks to a 48-hour fermentation process in sourdough, while the sauce is bold with tomato flavor and fresh basil aromas. The service is fast, not always careful, but with pies under £ 10 you can’t go wrong.
Gandolfi coffee
Founded back in 1979 on Albion Street, the place that used to be here belonged to a cheese shop. Café Gandolfi soon became the initiator of trends in the area and at a time when the city was losing some luck, and the concept of “hipster café” will not enter the popular lexicon for another 30 years. Today, Café Gandolfi remains the original focus, and other shoots open under the name Gandolfi (Bar Gandolfi, Gandolfi Fish and Gandolfi Fish, if you were wondering.)
With its rustic interior, pine wood chairs and tables and white walls, the place offers a homely atmosphere, and the food is filling and comforting. Café Gandolfi is most popular during breakfast and lunch and offers plates that are most important in Scotland, such as hebridous eggs or smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. But if you like something more filling than French brioche toast with walnuts and maple syrup and candied banana it won’t disappoint. Although breakfast is popular, you will not miss to visit during lunch or dinner plates like risotto with smoked vahna or satiating lasagna.
Our last word
Glasgow is home to many people and cultures. It is one of the largest economic centers in the country and the UK and as such, is an absolute gem when it comes to food. Incredible affordable options with palates and flavors that not only encompass Scotland and its benefits, but also an international flair are present around every corner. There is definitely no shortage of fantastic places to eat in Glasgow. And if you have to, go to a pub and try Haggis, but don’t just stop for a food tour.
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