The Arches Café Bar & Restaurant

The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

The question that springs to mind on entering the Arches underneath the Heilanman’s Umbrella does not concern its myriad of titles – bar, nightclub, theatre, live music venue, restaurant – but why one of the most relaxing spaces to drink and eat in Glasgow is not much busier at weekday twilight hours. Many a hungry traveller just across the road at Central Station may well be missing out on the moreish market (set) menu, which may include a main of roast chicken breast served with potato cake, duo of beetroot and a cider jus or a quirky sweet treat of warm chocolate brownie served with sweet red wine ice-cream. Pizzas offer a pleasant surprise too and not only due to the less-than-traditional choice of toppings – from pulled chilli pork to haggis and red onion – but because they are fabulously fresh-tasting and soft-based. The lunch and evening à la carte menus offer more traditional dishes from shepherd’s pie to fish and chips or fajitas, but still throw up an off-centre dish, such as the pork and haggis burger, here and there.

• High point: So much on offer
• Low point: Could market itself more in the station opposite