Lock 27

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.

Tucked away by the Forth and Clyde Canal in Anniesland, Lock 27 can be tricky to find. This fact is perhaps borne out by a clientele of mostly local regulars – from twentysomethings to pensioners – in for a social pint or to catch a game on one of the wide-screen televisions. The interior is a homey mish-mash of wood finishes, dark tartan curtains and leather seating, with a central horseshoe-shaped bar offering a good selection of bottled and cask beer and reasonably priced cocktails. An extensive menu is served in a raised dining area, with the 40 main courses (and almost 20 starters) sticking to classic pub grub – and almost every choice accompanied by chips. But beyond the scampi, steak pie and chicken tempura there's a wide selection of lighter-option salads featuring poached salmon or buffalo mozzarella. A wholesome vegetable soup is served with soft bread and an abundance of butter, while king prawn fajitas, well spiced with chilli, paprika and cumin, are served with an appetising sizzle, but are let down by cold tortillas. Numbers swell in the summer, with families and groups tempted by the waterside eating area, while management are still hopeful over plans to expand the restaurant.

• High point: Canal-side beer garden
• Low point: Décor needs updating