Where to eat?
With well-established and much loved restaurants continuing to innovate and improve while trendy new restaurants pop up left right and centre, Glasgow’s city centre is home to some of the most unique dining spaces, vibrant and innovative menus, and worldly cuisines. Traditionally famous for its nightlife and shopping, the city has recently been raising the stakes in its food game. So, for the real foodies among us – Glasgow city centre is not to be missed! Wondering where to go first? Take some inspiration from Panoptic’s top four must visit Glasgow city centre eateries.
Ox and Finch
Located on the bustling, vibrant Sauchiehall Street, Ox and Finch is a relaxed, contemporary sharing style dining institution which has quickly risen to success since its establishment in 2014. Offering diners innovative plates inspired by everywhere from the Middle East and Asia, to traditional British classics with a twist – Ox and Finch knows how to get your taste buds going while keeping quality and seasonality at its core. It’s laid back ambiance paired with its subtle, sleek and stylish interior of pendant lights, brown leather banquettes and walls lined with wine bottles make Ox and Finch the perfect location for both casual lunch spots and special occasions,
With a small plate, sharing style approach to dining and an ingredient-led, simple and honest approach to cooking, Ox and Finch boasts a colourful and vibrant menu of tempting dishes that brings tourists and locals back time and time again. From the green harissa and pea hummus with feta, pickled chilli and toasted flatbread; to the confit duck leg with peas, pancetta and charred gem lettuce; to the pork, fennel and sage meatballs served with a butter bean cassoulet – it’s a good thing they recommend sharing several plates as choosing just one dish from this menu would be ridiculously hard!
With an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu too boasting dishes like the slow-roast tomatoes with watercress puree and pickled roscoff onions; or the roasted cauliflower with piccalilli, golden raisins and granny smith apple – there truly is something to please everyone at Ox and Finch.
So, for those looking to immerse their taste buds in a globally-inspired, vibrant and fresh culinary experience – look no further than this flavourful eatery.
The Spanish Butcher
Situated right in the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City, The Spanish Butcher is an effortlessly cool gastronomic institution, combining both Mediterranean and Spanish inspired flavours with premium Scottish ingredients to deliver innovative and vibrant cuisine with their signature quintessential style. Their modern, luxe and industrial New York loft style interior sets the tone of it’s effortlessly stylish vibe – complete with exposed brick walls, dimmed lighting and polished concrete flooring. Serving up only the finest quality ingredients including their premium Iberican Jamon, the finest grades of Galician beef and the freshest catches of seafood – this eatery serves up some of the most innovative dishes we have seen in a long time.
Well-renowned for their premium cuts, why not treat yourself to a 100% Scotch grass-fed black angus and limousin chateaubriand, or a Galician fillet, with plenty of moreish accompaniments to choose from, like the manchego truffle fries or sauteed potatoes with garlic, paprika and chives?
If steak isn’t what you’re after, The Spanish Butcher has you covered. With vibrant and imaginative dishes like their cauliflower steak served with potatoes ‘a la pobre’, caperberries, piquillo peppers and mojo verde; or the roasted shetland monkfish tail served in a chorizo and caper brown butter sauce on the menu, be prepared for The Spanish Butcher to blow your mind and your taste buds.
Red Onion
Situated right in the heart of the city centre, the multi award-winning Red Onion has earned itself an esteemed reputation for excellent, contemporary and casual fine dining. Their vibrant, innovative menu offers diners classic Scottish dishes served up with a modern twist, while its intimate and friendly atmosphere gives this fine dining institution the same relaxed, bustling feel of your local neighbourhood bistro.
With robust, flavoursome plates to choose from like their sweet and smoky braised feather blade with black pudding hash, saute kale, mushroom ketchup and roast carrots or their five spiced and tamarind glazed gressingham duck breast with sweet potato fondant, charred pak choi and skitake mushroom jus – Red Onion has something on the menu for everyone’s taste. It’s bold flavours, internationally inspired ideas and delicious, great value food make this institution a definite must visit on our guide to Glasgow eateries.
Gamba
Boasting two AA rosettes among several other prestigious awards, Michelin-Recommended 2021 Gamba is a charming seafood restaurant located in the heart of the city centre, on George Street. Serving up a fresh, mouthwatering menu that is heavily influenced by seasonality, sustainability, high quality, locally sourced ingredients and Scottish culture, Gamba is arguably one of the very best seafood restaurants in Glasgow – earning itself a mention in just about every Glasgow restaurant guide.
From the seared king scallops served with celeriac, apple, pancetta and black pudding, to the halibut served in a squat lobster bisque with broad beans, samphire, fine beans and seared scallop – Gamba’s menu showcases the very best of Scotland’s locally sourced fish. It’s no surprise this institution has become a firm favourite amongst locals and tourists alike.
Tucked away in a cosy basement location, Gamba’s relaxed ambiance is established by it’s charming, subdued interior which allows the food to take centre stage. A perfect spot for special occasions or those simply looking to experience the fresh, fragrant and bold flavours of the sea, this gastronomic seafood institution is definitely not one to be missed by the seafood lovers out there.
Need more recommendations for Glasgow or Edinburgh?
Check out our Glasgow west end eatery blog, plus our Edinburgh edition.
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