Restaurants, Bistros & brasseries, Outdoor dining, Child friendly within 5 miles of Glasgow

Housed in the former Sheriff Court there are few building fronts as impressive anywhere in the city. Gone are any remnants of law court life. Split between a ground floor with a massive glitzy cocktail bar, and an upstairs restaurant that has a more…

What’s on offer in this upmarket eatery is far removed from the rustic style of cooking you’ll find in any roadside café after which it is named. The chefs have previously cooked for India’s rich and famous bringing with them a majestic, refined…

Zinc tables, novelty spirits behind the bar, walls papered with banknotes and postcards from around the globe: at first glance Brutti Ma Buoni has all the trappings of a travellers’ bar rather than a traditional bistro. But it would be a shame to miss…

Once headquarters of the Bank of England, the restaurant still has a feel of money about it. With original features like wood panels and an Art Deco ceiling offering a diffused soft light. With striking paintings and leather-clad booths, the overall…

Scallops wrapped in pancetta is a good way to start in this large, airy and stylish basement dining room. The portion is generous and the scallops not overcooked. The antipasto misto is described as a signature dish, but is a little disappointing. It…

Tapas eating can fit into a shopping expedition like few other culinary styles – it’s restorative, flexible and convivial, and rarely too heavy or time-consuming. So Barça’s location in Princes Square makes a lot of sense, and after eight years it ranks…

Despite its position adjacent to one of Glasgow’s busiest thoroughfares, O Sole Mio provides far more than a pit-stop for hungry shoppers. The restaurant lays claim to introducing the first real wood-fired pizza oven to Scotland, and is somewhat of a…

Darcy’s commands a large corner position on the basement courtyard of upmarket Princes Square − decked out faux al fresco French café style − all wicker chairs and flower baskets. It’s a hotspot for coffee and cake junkies, the shopping masses and…

Microbrewery appreciation starts early at Mono, where vast silver vats line one wall, piping homemade lemonades directly to the bar for a refreshing alternative to the usual drinks, which are of course also available. Young parents bring their kids to…

There is nothing quite like The Red Onion in Glasgow. It has an established clientèle that clearly likes its casual style, and prices. At the heart of the city it offers food with French and Far Eastern influences, using quality Scottish ingredients.

Billing itself as a canteen rather than a restaurant, Lucky 7 has a distinct ‘distressed tenement chic’ aesthetic. The former townhouse has been re-imagined as a cross between a European squat and an East Village hangout with artfully peeling mismatched…

Tucked away behind the King's Theatre, this brasserie has been on the city restaurant scene for 20 years. The layout includes a long, thin bar with an open kitchen, a blackboard showing specials, quirky artworks and candles flickering on black tables.

Tibo looks as if it should be in the the city's West End. The huge glass windows, large twinkling-star ceiling lights and candles dotted about are inviting and create a warmth inside. Laid back and friendly is the vibe the owners are going for, making…

Relatively hidden down a side street between Kelvingrove Park and Sauchiehall Street, this friendly family owned outlet offers home cooked Italian food in a café setting. With its focus on a daytime and early evening clientele, Arcaffe attracts mainly…

No place captures the energy of the Finnieston renaissance better than Crabshakk, a few years old but still packed to the rafters most evenings. At the bar and on the mezzanine, diners sit beside, opposite – practically on top of each other. Brushed…

There’s always a lively buzz around this ground-level section of the popular restaurant where staff move with a studied air of relaxed professionalism amid babbling West Enders. Although it’s lighter in spirit and intentionally less formal than the room…

The Left Bank has a truly varied clientele; from families to students and even the odd dog. Chunky wooden tables, big glass windows and a smattering of fairy lights make it feel warm and intimate both downstairs or on the mezzanine. Thanks to a cracking…

While the origin of the name may have been lost in the mists of time, the team at Firebird are certainly taking the ‘fire’ part seriously. A wood-fired oven bakes the signature sourdough pizzas to a pleasing crunch, while a blazing stove keeps the…

With an informal wine bar atmosphere, racks of wine bottles around the walls and a gallery of artworks for sale in aid of a hospice, there's a feeling of caring and community here. This caring extends into the food, wine and cheery service on offer.

Formally, Mise en Place, Rhubarb is situated on the edge of Pollokshields and the Strathbungo's village triangle of shops and cafés. It is a stylish café/restaurant serving breakfast, snacks and light lunches in the daytime, including soup, salads…

This bright and spacious establishment is now into its thirteenth year as a place to go for meals, coffee, sandwiches and cakes in Pollokshields. The menus and specials have expanded over the years so much so that for reliability and availability it is…

MJ’s gold-embossed frontage justifiably claims that it is a brasserie. It also has an appropriately Scottish twist and a daytime alter ego as a popular café. Customers are offered a cocooning and enjoyable experience, for which they usually return.