The Italian Caffè
- Food served: Sun–Thu noon–10pm; Fri/Sat noon–11pm.
- Pre-theatre times: Mon–Fri noon–6.30pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 27
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu, Outdoor tables
- Music on stereo: Jazz
- Capacity: 90
- Largest group: 16 Sun–Thurs; 8 Fri/Sat
- Open since: 2007
- Average price:
£9.95 (set lunch)
£20 (evening meal) - Pre-theatre price: £9.95
- House wine: £15.50 per bottle
Send us more details about this place.
The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
As chic and contemporary as Italian eateries get in Glasgow, this shiny, glass-fronted enoteca puts a designer twist on the concept of tapas. Why settle for boring old patatas bravas when you can have a bottle of gavi di gavi and some fresh sardines, baked with sea salt and lemon? Buttered langoustines are also a hit while a dish of fegato di pollo, pan-fried chicken livers with pancetta and Marsala sauce, shows that even the cheapest cuts of meat can be elevated to gastronomic heights. Vegetable plates do not always display the same level of attention – in patate con fagoli e limone the potatoes look tired and taste reheated, the broad beans bashed about and the resulting dish could be more appealing with more care. Fortunately, the bread is magical and comes freshly baked from their sister premises at the Italian Kitchen round the corner. Dessert is also worth a mention and it’s perhaps this success with fine wines and baked goods that makes the Italian Caffè so unfalteringly popular with the city’s fashionable ladyfolk.
- High point: Intense flavours of the home-made gelato
- Low point: Window tables are too small for tapas
Reviews of The Italian Caffè (92 Albion Street, Glasgow)
- 8. Roberto, Glasgow – 26 May 2011, 4:23pm
The Italian CaffèReport -
I have eaten here dozens of times. Food is good, wine expensive but good. Service can be variable depending just how busy it is. For a slightly unusual Italian meal it is well worth the visit.
- 7. R Fernandez – 3 January 2011, 11:13pm
The Italian CaffèReport -
I have been here about 5 times in the last 12 months or so. On all five occasions the food has been very good. Unfortunately, on two of those occasions the service has not been so good.
My last visit was during a busy afternoon, the restaurant was nearly full and there appeared to be three staff working the tables and sorting out drinks. Once we had sat down we had to wait for close to 15 minutes before we were asked for our orders. Our food took 35 minutes to arrive. As mentioned earlier the food is very good but because of the long wait I was unwilling to chance ordering a pudding.
The staff at this restaurant have always been helpful and friendly but there does seem to be a recurring problem when it's busy.
It's one of my favourite Italian places in Glasgow but I'm not sure I'd recommend visiting on a Friday or Saturday night when it's likely to be extremely popular.
- 6. kernikki, dundee – 1 March 2010, 9:03pmThe Italian CaffèReport
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lunch one sunday recently.
Trout bruschetta delish and the sardines excellent.
Really enjoyed the wine and felt really welcomed by the staff. It was just nicely busy so maybe they were keen to make it look busy but we sat there for 2 and a half hours.Pricey though if you want to really enjoy it especially with small glasses of wine about £6 a glass and each plate of a similar price.
Would still go back in a heart beat and dying to try the italian jitchen up the road
- 5. salalex, Glasgow – 3 February 2010, 9:50pm
The Italian CaffèReport -
My boyfriend and I have been looking at this restaurant for ages and thinking we must get around to going. Monday night we actually got round to it - and wished we hadn't bothered. Service was not good, the staff didn't seem to be interested and couldn't even raise a smile in greeting us. They seemed unimpressed when we didn't order wine or water. The food came and was unremarkable to say the least. The mixed bean and chick pea and red pepper stew tasted like a tin of mixed beans from Asda warmed through with a tiny bit of cheese on and the meatballs and spicy italian sausage didn't taste of much. The daube of beef was by far the best thing and for that, a decent pint of Moretti and good bread and olives they get 2 points. Difficult to see what all the fuss is about but we won't be going back to see if our bad experience was just a one off. Very disappointing.
- 4. The Belly, Glasgow – 7 December 2008, 5:38pmThe Italian CaffèReport
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Tapas style food was excellent (especially spicy king prawns and Italian sausage mini-pizza), busy atmosphere, good wine selection, friendly service but running out of mozzarella cheese and bread on a Saturday night was a big let down.
- 3. Carine, Edinburgh – 31 July 2008, 3:33pmThe Italian CaffèReport
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One of the best meals I have had for some time - highly recommeneded for excellent food, fabulous wine, great service and atmosphere. I will be paying this place a visit everytime I'm in Glasgow, without a doubt. Loved it.
- 2. Wee Jim, Glasgow June – 27 July 2008, 1:27pmThe Italian CaffèReport
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Excellent new venue to add to the already impressive choice in Merchant City.Beef and Tuna Carpaccio to die for !
- 1. Citizen Viewer, Glasgow – 26 July 2008, 11:55amThe Italian CaffèReport
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The sight of their chefs hanging over a wheelie bin smoking with their kitchen uniforms on is rather off putting. We just walked on!
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