Restaurants, Bistros & Brasseries
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The Italian Kitchen
64 Ingram Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1EX
A sleek, stylish and airy character-setter for its corner of the Merchant City, the Italian Kitchen has a striking atmosphere of buzz and bustle at lunchtime, with relaxed business people competing with smatterings of recharging shoppers to be heard…
The Grill on the Corner
21–25 Bothwell Street,
Glasgow,
G2 6NL
With its shiny black wooden furniture, mirrored surfaces and private booths, each with their own rather decadent crystal chandelier, this luxurious restaurant has a distinct air of the moneyed 1980s. The time travel effect is further enhanced by the…
Two Fat Ladies
118a Blythswood Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4EG
An average two-course dinner at Two Fat Ladies costs what top-end restaurants charge for a single main course these days. Such economies have an obvious appeal and this restaurant helps its cause by putting generally excellent food on the table, to…
The Apartment
7–13 Barclay Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HW
This landmark Tollcross diner has been putting style and ambience at the heart of the eating experience for nearly ten years now. Lights are dimmed to seductive levels, with funky beats gently reverberating through the multi-annexed floor space. Staff…
The Outsider
15/16 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EE
With its dark exterior and candle-lit, cavernous interior, the Outsider lives up to the mysterious ambience its moniker suggests. A mix of small and large tables fills the wide dining room, and guests can also sit in the upstairs loft or the snug on the…
The Jam House
5 Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1JE
Dusky purple lights cast romantic shadows on the walls of this funky, jazz-centric venue once occupied by BBC Scotland. Guests dine on the balcony above the main stage where soulful musicians entertain throughout the evening. A fixed-price set menu with…
A Room in the Town
18 Howe Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6TG
A Room in the Town is a great place to have in the back pocket if you happen to have friends in from, well, out of town. Managing to combine the warmth and friendliness of a neighbourhood restaurant with some seriously fine cooking, it's the kind of…
Urban Bar & Brasserie
23–25 St Vincent Place,
Glasgow,
G1 2DT
Elegance and glamour are evident when you enter this venture owned by the team behind the successful Gamba restaurant. Dark wood flooring, black leather banquettes and white linen table clothes give a classic feel to the dining room, while a centrepiece…
The Dogs
110 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DR
Ascending the stairs of this sharply decorated, stylish bistro is a little like walking into a friend's lovely living room for dinner. Stark white walls and simple furnishings are set against pictures of the eponymous dogs liberally scattered around the…
Monteiths
57–61 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SR
Spanking new Monteiths brings a touch of glitz and glamour to this section of the Royal Mile, more commonly associated with pubs and tourist attractions. The entrance is down a vine-arched and lit alleyway next to Moubray House, at the bottom of which…
The Dome Grill Room
14 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2PF
Among the many A-listed buildings on George Street, the Dome stands out as both majestic and remarkably unspoiled. The grandiose grill room and cocktail bar – all marble pillars and potted palms – generates a kind of colonial atmosphere, the…
A Room in the West End
26 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NH
Happily roosting under Teuchters bar on upmarket William Street, A Room in the West End shares many a trait with its older New Town sibling – not least its focus on modern Scottish cookery. The option to BYOB also runs in the family, making both popular…
The Loft Bar & Restaurant
The Grosvenor Theatre, Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
Set above the Grosvenor Cinema, The Loft is one of the largest establishments on Ashton Lane and as such is packed at the weekend with students and young professionals from across Glasgow. Midweek sees more locals venturing into this vast, airy space.
The Social
27 Royal Exchange Square,
Glasgow,
G1 3AJ
Location is key for this trendy city centre bar/brasserie in the G1 Group's stable of stylish ventures. A huge square bar dominates the interior space, surrounded by dark wooden tables and leather pouffes. A mixture of suits and pre-clubbers rub…
A Room in Leith
1c Dock Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LU
There's definitely room for a branch of this well-established Edinburgh chain in Leith, which, over the past few years has been overly dominated by high-brow and fish-based establishments. The Room in Leith has taken over the popular and comfortable…
Amarone
2 Nelson Mandela Place,
Glasgow,
G2 1BT
Conceived as a more upmarket venture by the owners of the popular Italian restaurant chain DiMaggio's, Amarone immediately impresses with an elegant entrance and staircase leading to a stylish, modern basement dining room. High stained glass windows…
Roastit Bubbly Jocks
450 Dumbarton Road,
Glasgow,
G11 6SE
Amidst the charity shops at the long end of Dumbarton Road, Roastit Bubbly Jocks might seem out of the way. For many, however, it's a well-loved dining institution. The emphasis is on the food and atmosphere: it's bustling, loud and warm – the way any…
Catch 22 Restaurant & Bar
158–166 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4TB
Stefan King's various holdings are not best known for their cuisine, but from its launch in 2006 the G1 Group's Catch 22 Restaurant & Bar has put food to the fore. Chef David Thompson's predominantly but not exclusively fish and seafood oriented menu…
Amicus Apple
17 Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EY
Amicus Apple has been under new ownership since 2007, and its basement area has been transformed into a chic, welcoming, boudoir-like space. Patterned black walls, twinkling light fittings and comfortable leather chairs accommodate shoppers and office…
Chinaski's
239 North Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7DL
The almost anonymous exterior and dimly lit, stylish interior makes Chinaski's a secret and sophisticated haven from the city rush, epitomised by the sunken M8 across the road. Even if you have never heard of Henry Chinaski, the relaxed approach of bar…
Darcy's
The Courtyard, Princes Square,
Glasgow,
G1 3JN
Nestling among a plethora of bars, restaurants and luxury outlets in Princes Square, Darcy's occupies a quiet corner away from the hoards of frantic shoppers. Perhaps in a concerted effort to de-stress those seeking refuge from the bustling crowds, the…
Home Bistro
41 West Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DB
A number of neighbourhood bistros have popped up around Edinburgh in recent years. The concept is a good one: locally sourced foods in a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. Inevitably, some work and some don't, but you would be hard pushed to find any…
Guy's
24 Candleriggs,
Glasgow,
G1 1LD
Guy's twinkles warmly in the Merchant City firmament. It's a big, long room, but you can feel at home amid the accumulated bric-a-brac sprinkled lightly about the interior. These include Mexican Day of the Dead plates, an imposing carved bird lectern…
The Lot
4 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JU
Despite its rather grand situation in an old church, which nestles in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, The Lot is a colourful, somewhat unassuming café-cum-restaurant with a lot of charm. The ceilings are high, the colours bright, and people come at all…
La Lanterna
35 Hope Street,
Glasgow,
G2 6AE
For almost four decades, the Martinolli family have been serving up traditional Italian cuisine in their attractive, cavernous restaurant beneath the otherwise unedifying, traffic-choking Hope Street. The décor has remained almost untouched – a warm…
Italian Caffè
92 Albion Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1NY
Styled on the Italian enoteca, literally meaning 'wine library', this recent Merchant City arrival knows its Chianti from its Montepulciano. With 24 labels by the glass and double that number by the bottle, it may be easy to overlook the tapas-style…
La Vallée Blanche
360 Byres Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8AY
A former antique complex above the West End's beloved branch of Fopp has been chosen as the reunion venue for many members of the team that once made Princes Square's étain such a success. The space has been transformed into a calm, low-lit haven of…
Opal Lounge
51 George Street, New Town,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2HT
Scotland
This labyrinthine, subterranean bar/restaurant below George Street is a stylish venue for a meal, a quiet drink, or, very late in the day, a spot of clubbing. The mood is funky and très chic, with a motif of hot-pink and 1970s stylised flowers - the…
Big Slope
36a Kelvingrove Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7SA
Occupying a basement near Kelvingrove Park, this Alpine-themed bar is the closest Glasgow gets to après-ski. Black leather booths nestle under wooden panels depicting snow scenes, while antlers decorate the walls. Students and office workers snap up…
blue
10 Cambridge Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2ED
In applying Slow Food philosophies, properly educating its staff and delivering superbly designed dishes, blue is doing a lot of things right. A fastidious sourcing policy forms the restaurant's backbone, the name of the game being those elusive goals…
The Bothy
11 Ruthven Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 9BG
Tucked away in Ruthven Lane, a stone's throw from the hustle and bustle of Byres Road, the Bothy combines modern design with traditional touches, creating a look somewhere between country hotel sitting room and trendy style bar. The kitchen aims to…
Café Andaluz
St Vincent Place,
Glasgow,
G1 2DW
There are two Café Andaluz restaurants in Glasgow – at St Vincent Place in the city centre and Cresswell Lane in the West End – and there are plans to open another in Edinburgh's George Street in 2008. The tapas format fits well into each location, with…
The Living Room
150 St Vincent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 5NE
Slightly adrift from the hub of the city centre, this stylish bar and restaurant pulls in a mix of fashionable twentysomethings and corporate diners on expense accounts. It's dark and moody inside, the long rectangular space divided between cocktail bar…
Olive Branch Bistro
91 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RX
Broughton Street is not lacking in places to eat, so any restaurant looking to make its mark has to offer great food with an atmosphere to match. The Olive Branch has both in spades. In a compact, almost post-industrial-style setting, candle-lit tables…
Urban Angel
121 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DJ
More urbane than urban, this bustling Hanover Street basement is an ever-popular choice, and it's easy to see why. With simple prints on the white walls, solid pine furniture and flock-printed menus, the aesthetic lends the restaurant a cool…
Corinthian/Lite Bar
191 Ingram Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1DA
As we went to press with the 15th edition edition of The List Eating & Drinking Guide, this G1 Group-run landmark was preparing for another rejigging (with the six-week works due to commence in spring 2008). But as the building is listed, its owners can…
Iglu
2b Jamaica Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6HH
Iglu is a venue that takes its organic, local and ethical food policy very seriously. But don't feel guilty if you need to take a taxi there should you find it hard to locate: it's hidden away from the main drag of the city centre and lurks…
Salsa
63 Carlton Place,
Glasgow,
G5 9TW
Technically on the Southside, Salsa is just a pleasant five-minute walk from the city centre via the Clyde's suspension pedestrian bridge. The discreet location suits the ambience of the restaurant, which is refreshingly unlike most Mexican-themed…
Browns Restaurant and Bar
131–133 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JS
With a kitchen that can handle close to a thousand covers on its busiest days, Browns is no modest operation. No surprise, given that it's one of a chain of 14 owned by the gargantuan Mitchells and Butlers pub operators. The corporate ethos is classic…
Gamba
225a West George Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2ND
Gamba celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2008, and one would be hard-pressed to name a more consistently excellent, top-end restaurant in Glasgow over the same time period. It's not only that chef and co-owner Derek Marshall doesn't ever settle for…
First Coast
97–101 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2AB
What inspired Skye-born brothers Alan and Hector MacRae to open First Coast, slightly off the beaten track on Edinburgh's Dalry Road, is something of a mystery. That said, a restaurant with such a simple, adaptable ethos – local, good value produce…
Iris
47a Thistle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DY
Iris only opened its doors in December 2007, but, thanks to the competence of owners Mark Lawrence and Kenny Waugh – part of the team that founded the Apartment and the Outsider – the restaurant already seems confident. It's charming too: three petite…
The Left Bank
33–35 Gibson Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8NU
Our 2007 Newcomer of the Year, the Left Bank is still managing to draw in the crowds – the popular bar/bistro has the holy trinity of dedicated service, competitive prices and honest, solid cooking to thank for its success. The stylish décor helps as…
Manna
104 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2EN
Manna, another successful enterprise in restaurateur Alan Tomkin's empire (Gamba, Urban Grill, etc), is tucked away in the basement of a Bath Street townhouse. Despite such seclusion, this reincarnation of the former Papingo is clearly sought after…
North Bridge Brasserie
20 North Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1YT
Already highly regarded for stylish, good-quality food and service, North Bridge Brasserie (part of the Scotsman Hotel) was about to undergo a comprehensive refurbishment as we went to press in April 2008. The heritage-listed wood and marble features…
Two Fat Ladies
88 Dumbarton Road,
Glasgow,
G11 6NX
An average two-course dinner at Two Fat Ladies costs what top-end restaurants charge for a single main course these days. Such economies have an obvious appeal and this restaurant helps its cause by putting generally excellent food on the table, to…
Zanzero
15 North West Circus Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6SX
Opened in 2007, this is the younger, slightly brasher sibling of the city centre establishment Centotre, owned by Victor and Carina Contini. Many aspects of the two are consistent, including the insistence on high quality, largely organic local produce…
Tinto Tapas Bar
138 Battlefield Road,
Glasgow,
G42 9JT
With the Victoria Infirmary and Langside College providing something of a captive audience, Battlefield Road sustains a fair range of food outlets and, since 2007, Tinto has been adding a little Iberian flavour to the line-up. In contrast with some…
The Bank
443 Clarkston Road,
Glasgow,
G44 3LL
Housed in an impressively spacious former bank building, this pub and restaurant shows that catering for a wide range of tastes – and keeping standards reasonably high – is possible. Vast brown sofas, long wooden tables and a stained glass dome in the…
Ad Lib
33 Ingram Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1HA
Glasgow's two Ad Libs have carved a niche as perhaps the more mature establishments that focus on US-style cuisine. The newer Merchant City outlet has a grander atmosphere, with marble walls and well-spaced booths that give it a chic, cosmopolitan…
Circus Wine Bar & Grill
58a North Castle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3LU
Tucked discreetly away from the style bar excess of the west end of George Street, Circus offers an oasis of refined charm, albeit of the more old-school variety. Entering through a small foyer, complete with decorative piano, diners are received in a…
Mono
12 King's Court, King Street,
Glasgow,
G1 5RB
A Mecca not only for astute contemporary and indie music fans, with an in-house record shop ideal for leisurely browsing, Mono is also rightly proud to serve home-cooked dishes that are 'free of meat, fish and dairy products'. The laid-back…
Strata
45 Queen Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3EH
Strata offers two different experiences. An intimate cocktail bar occupies the ground floor, while the mezzanine space serves as an informal dining room with a handful of tables and plenty of twinkling candles. A relatively small but still ambitious…
Ad Lib
111 Hope Street,
Glasgow,
G2 6LL
Glasgow's two Ad Libs have carved a niche as perhaps the more mature establishments that focus on US-style cuisine. The newer Merchant City outlet has a grander atmosphere, with marble walls and well-spaced booths that give it a chic, cosmopolitan…
The Boat House
22 High Street,
South Queensferry,
EH30 9PP
South Queensferry's Boat House restaurant has outgrown its original walls and a couple of years back part of the garden was sacrificed to make way for what is now a thriving bistro and bar with stunning picture windows over the Forth. Cleverly, however…
The Doric Tavern
15/16 Market Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DE
Conveniently located just a hop and a skip from Waverley Station's south entrance, the Doric Tavern has been providing relief for the travel-weary since trains began chugging in and out in the mid-1800s. It's steeped in history, and rumour has it the…
JT Rochead
60 Trongate,
Glasgow,
G1 5EP
Walking through a busy bar into this recently reconstructed restaurant is such a contrast that it feels a little like entering a theatre set. The décor might be described as Caledonian gothic, exemplified by wallpaper with giant thistle motifs on a…
The Universal
57-59 Sauchiehall Lane, City Centre,
Glasgow,
G2 4JD
Flashier town centre bars may struggle to fill their sofas on an early week evening, but this little bar is buzzing pretty much every night. Hidden away on a side street, it can't attract much walk-up, so what's its secret? On two floors, bare brick…
No. Sixteen
16 Byres Road,
Glasgow,
G11 5JY
Since opening in 1991, No. Sixteen has consistently been regarded by foodies as a mainstay of the ever-changing landscape of Byres Road. Owners Margaret and Ronald Campbell continue to uphold their reputation of excellence through a commitment to…
The Salon
17 Vinicombe Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
This landmark building was originally home to the Salon cinema. After being converting into a restaurant and then run for a few more years as Gong by Stefan King's G1 Group, it has recently reverted back to the original namesake, bringing with it the…
The Sisters
1a Ashwood Gardens, 512 Crow Road,
Glasgow,
G13 1NU
Since moving from Ashton Lane to Jordanhill a few years back, the Sisters restaurant has become regarded as one of the better options in Glasgow. But its location off the beaten track made it one of the trickiest to find (though once you've been, it is…
Blueglass
45 Morningside Road,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4AZ
Occupying a prime location on a busy corner of Morningside Road, Blue Glass, with its crisp blue and white décor and relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, brings a hint of the Mediterranean to Edinburgh's Southside. Café by day and bistro by night, it…
Brian Maule at Chardon d'Or
176 West Regent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4RL
It's seven years since Brian Maule moved back to his native Scotland to develop his philosophy of bold, classic cuisine (initially nurtured by the brothers Roux in London). In this time, Chardon d'Or has become one of Glasgow's few destination…
Ivory Lounge
126–128 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4HH
The Ivory Lounge is a new bar/restaurant at the west end of George Street on the site of the former Bar 38. Plush booths and pale blue lighting help create a vibrant atmosphere, and the wide, open aisles ensure that guests never feel confined. While…
Malmaison
278 West George Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4LL
The Malmaison chain of boutique hotels is renowned for updating grand old venues, and Glasgow's branch is no exception, with the tower of this Greek-style former Episcopalian church shooting dizzingly upwards from the oversized front door. The hushed…
Mother India
28 Westminster Terrace, Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7RU
Style and elegance radiate throughout this justifiably renowned restaurant, from the small bistro-style area on the ground floor to the more formal room upstairs, with its comfortably used wooden tables, subdued lighting and wood panelling. It is a…
Moyra Jane's
20 Kildrostan Street,
Glasgow,
G41 4LU
Moyra Jane's has been a popular Southside venue for some time now and it is easy to see why. With its wood panelling and marble-topped tables, it has the charm of a genteel tea-room from another era. Staff are polite and smart in their long, white…
Pani Solińska
73 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RJ
Pani Solinska is Polish for 'Mrs Solinska'. Dorothy Nowak-Solinska took over Broughton Street landmark Café Mediterraneo last year, but before putting her name above the door in spring 2008 took some time to design a restaurant she could be proud of.
sygn
15 Charlotte Lane,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4QZ
Sygn has been quietly building a reputation for quality since it first appeared in a fuzzy pink glow in 2004. In both style and substance it is the equal of any of the bars on George Street. Subdued lighting, considered décor and plush furnishings set…
Baby Grand
3–7 Elmbank Gardens,
Glasgow,
G2 4NQ
This time-honoured Glasgow outpost is tucked away from the main streets but easily found opposite the Charing Cross train station entrance. For a classic bar-brasserie, the place is pretty much perfect – candles flicker on wooden tables, mirrors adorn…
Bibi's Cantina
599 Dumbarton Road,
Glasgow,
G11 6HY
Bibi's Cantina is a recent but welcome arrival on the restaurant scene. It's like stepping into someone's living room – you'll find it has a welcoming and homely vibe with subtle touches of Latin American design in the décor. A few kitsch Mexican…
The Brasserie at the Chip
12 Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
Formerly known as Upstairs at the Chip, the Brasserie at the Chip offers the mid-range dining experience at this legendary Glasgow establishment (the bar/pub serves lighter snacks while the famous restaurant offers the formal and pricey à la carte…
The Living Room
113–115 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JN
As the Edinburgh representative of a 13-branch national chain, the Living Room fits snugly into George Street's plush aesthetic. A busy bar leads into a vast dining area, hemmed in by brown leather booths and backlit drapes. Soft browns and beiges run…
O Sole Mio
34–36 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 1HG
This quaint little trattoria at the east end of Bath Street is now in its fifth decade. The interior is traditional, with booths separated by wooden trellises, while the open kitchen is shrouded under a faded maroon canopy. There's a nice air of…
Rick's
55a Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1LH
Sunset-coloured lights shine from behind the bar in this chic, subterranean Frederick Street restaurant/hotel. Guests of Rick's enjoy the stylish atmosphere created by low lamps, sleek leather furniture and funky music. As for food, Rick's offers…
Tron Theatre
63 Trongate,
Glasgow,
G1 5HB
The Tron Theatre enjoys a reputation for its commitment to producing innovative original work and the thriving bar is evidence of the venue's continuing popularity with the Glasgow arts crowd. The Victorian Bar, the oak-panelled dining room in the heart…
An Lochan
340 Crow Road,
Glasgow,
G11 7HT
To wander through Broomhill, at least up the Crow Road from Partick towards Anniesland, is to witness a dearth of dining out options. But amid the virtual desert this oasis emerges modestly amid of a row of shops. The former Café Royale, An Lochan is…
Brel
39–43 Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
The interiors of this converted stable and coach house maintain their rustic charms, particularly with the original white glazed brick walls and heavy wooden doors. Many who come here for a bite enjoy eating in the small space with butcher paper-covered…
Citation
40 Wilson Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1HD
Ambitious and oddly charming, Citation is a new venture that aims at an array of targets and generally hits the most important one – satisfying food. Housed in Glasgow's former Sheriff Court building, it is an imposing place. The bar covers a large…
Daniel's Bistro
88 Commercial Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LX
Situated in the modern development along Commercial Quay, Daniel's is a temple to all things French – with a good dose of Scottish thrown in. Owner Daniel Vencker is originally from Alsace, but is keen to embrace his adopted country in all aspects of…
Lombardi's Ristorante Grill
Unit 4/5, Merchant Square, Candleriggs,
Glasgow,
G1 1NY
With more than a half-dozen eateries vying for customers in the Merchant Square, the competition can be a bit fierce at the renovated market – now a dining and entertainment destination in the heart of the Merchant City. Previously a French restaurant…
Mama San
190 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4HG
Saint Jude's boutique hotel presents Mama San – a design-conscious, sultry style bar with a Southeast Asian theme. Opened in December 2007, the narrow basement space stretches from the cocktail bar up front to a sushi counter at the back, incorporating…
Metropolitan
Merchant Square, Candleriggs,
Glasgow,
G1 1NP
Ascending the spiral staircase from the cocktail bar brings Metropolitan diners to a stylish and modern Merchant City brasserie. The dining area is split: opulent white leather banquettes and sultry lighting give a very grown-up feel in one spot, while…
Rogano
11 Exchange Place,
Glasgow,
G1 3AN
The art deco interiors of this true Glasgow landmark are as sharp and satisfying as they were when they were installed some 73 years ago. Beautiful wood veneers and gesso panels in the oyster bar and main dining room augment a cosseted environment to…
Tigerlily
125 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JN
A couple of years on from its much-heralded arrival on Edinburgh's night-life scene, this smart hotel, bar and restaurant is very much the glitzy hotspot it always aspired to be. The urbane, affluent and highly presentable clientele descend on this…
The Bad Ass Bar, Bistro and Grill
167 Rose Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4LS
For a nine-year-old, the Bad Ass Bar, Bistro and Grill does an impressive job of feigning maturity. An old-fashioned pub exterior gives way to a smokily-lit, cosy bar where vintage mirrors and old photographs cover the dark walls, giving the place a…
Barça Tapas and Cava Bar
Princes Square, 48 Buchanan Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3JN
The flexible tapas format is ideal for Barça's location on the top floor of Princes Square, where a quick, restorative bite and a glass of decent wine can fit into the most demanding shopping or social schedule. Barça delivers the goods with excellent…
Bijou
2 Restalrig Road,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8BN
At the corner of Restalrig Road, across from Leith Links, guests of Bijou can dine in a small, white sitting room cheerfully decorated with green plants and gold mirrors. The lunch and dinner menu celebrates Scottish cuisine and all dishes come in…
Blas
1397 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8AN
With a name meaning 'taste' or 'relish' in Gaelic, Blas proudly offers tastes of the Highlands and Islands in produce such as Stornoway black pudding, Ullapool smoked salmon and Dingwall haggis. Fittingly, it's situated close to many of the city's…
Blonde
75 St Leonard's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9QR
Jokes mocking the fairer-haired may be ten-a-penny but this Blonde is certainly no dummy. Situated in a sleepy Southside street, the restaurant positively buzzes during the Festival due to its proximity to the Pleasance, but pulls in a regular crowd…
The Brasserie at The Menzies Glasgow Hotel
27 Washington Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8AZ
It's hard to imagine how you might stumble across the Menzies hotel while searching for fine dining. Set in a rather unpromising post-industrial landscape at the edge of the city centre, it's an oddly unplaceable building – you could be essentially…
Café Français
4 Byres Road,
Glasgow,
G11 5JY
Extravagantly fitted out fin de siècle style, with globe lamps and brass railings aplenty, Café Français exudes an informal class that draws a steady trade, perhaps due to its flexible menu. There's a big selection of crêpes, salads and baguettes and a…
Café Mao
84 Brunswick Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1TD
The relaxed atmosphere and pan-Asian menu at Café Mao have attracted a steady flow of easygoing diners for nearly a decade. Big windows, bright lighting and the primary colours of its branding make sure things don't get too formal, and the winning staff…
Cul de Sac
44 Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
Rumours of Cul de Sac's demise were greatly exaggerated. Hysterical media reports had Ashton Lane in flames when a fire broke out in the kitchen here in February 2008. But after six days, a tidy-up and a lick of paint, the venue was back to normal, its…
Firebird
1321 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8TL
Openly positioned on a corner of Argyle Street in an area now filled with dining choices, Firebird celebrates it tenth year in 2008 – still winning new customers with its mix of laid-back ambience, good, affordable food and friendly staff. Smokers and…
Grassroots Café
93–97 St Georges Road,
Glasgow,
G3 6JA
This café/restaurant is worth a small diversion off the well-beaten track of Woodlands Road; its creative menu (with blackboard specials, too) and relaxed atmosphere are of a higher calibre than the usual vegetarian operation. Purple curtains divide…
The Magnum Restaurant & Bar
1 Albany Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3PY
With a decidedly masculine name, an imposing racing green exterior and jeroboams of port sitting proudly in the window, first impressions are that the Magnum might be slightly old-school. Appearances, however, can be deceptive, and new proprietor Chris…
Nanakusa
441 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3LG
Before Nanakusa opened in November 2007, manager David Wan flew to the Far East to see exactly what made an authentic Japanese restaurant. Wan adored the teppanyaki, tempura and yakitori joints he stumbled upon, although nowhere could he find all the…
