Restaurants, Italian, Budget within 5 miles of Glasgow

There are many restaurants serving Italian food for the masses, what singles Tony’s out is the service.. It’s polished and on a par with more expensive establishments. The food is not bad either and ribs dish to start is a substantially meaty choice.

A smart, light, bright dining room with a stylish champagne bar attached, the place has an open kitchen where the chefs can be seen preparing dishes from the large menu. Deep-fried calamari are tasty and tender as are the prawns in the same…

Situated in the fashionable Merchant City area, Qua likes to think of itself as a stylish place to eat quality Italian food, the way they do back home. The décor is minimalist, with red and black furniture dominating the large dining area which is…

With the opening of Piccolino e Vino in Newton Mearns, the La Vita ‘family’ now includes four restaurants across the country. This expansion is indicative of the popularity of its operation in George Square, which can serve upwards of 1000 diners on a…

It can seem a bit lonely sitting in the plush but slightly soulless Merchant Square, but Fanelli’s has a very warm welcome. On offer here are Italian staples with a Scottish influence creeping in. This is evident in pizza combinations such as haggis and…

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…

In Glasgow’s trendy Merchant City the competition among restaurants to attract discerning diners is high. Artà stands out architecturally. Once the location of a medieval cheese market this listed building was developed Baroque style in 2000 into a…

The long dining room has a mix of booths and tables, and art deco styling. There’s a magician touring the tables with a pack of cards entertaining families, couples and larger parties. Although not here every night, he’s a Di Maggio’s stalwart. It’s a…

Set in the heart of Candleriggs, Guy's is an unusual find, it has the feeling of a place where something extraordinary could happen. Eclectic décor reflecting the owners fun-loving tastes – film posters, white wood paneling hung with paintings, china…

Italian tapas is the order of the day in this large airy restaurant. Given it’s part of a chain, it doesn’t feel like the cooking is terribly bespoke. It’s a busy place, though, with many in for a drink and just a couple of dishes rather than a full…

A stalwart of Glasgow’s Italian scene, Dino’s has been plugging away on Sauchiehall Street for over 50 years. Renowned for their pizza, which is available for takeaway, inside it is completely unreconstructed. Behind the modern façade and green and red…

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…

With its large, brightly lit dining area, long serving hatch at the back and the bar running along the side, Carluccio’s gives the impression of a bustling up-market canteen. Inside the door high shelves are packed with squid ink spaghetti, finest…

With its reputation for authentic north Italian cuisine and rich seafood served in elegant surroundings, dining at Fratelli Sarti’s Renfield Street branch is meant to be a special occasion. Peruse the leather bound Tuscan specials and enjoy the light of…

This restaurant has little in common with its better known older sibling Di Maggios. The décor is contemporary and stylish featuring leather booths for intimate dining as well as a larger space for bigger parties. The menu includes Italian classics with…

Owing more to Uncle Sam than the Old Country, Di Maggio’s can be relied on for hearty American-Italian fare. The Theatreland branch, well located for the Concert Hall, Pavilion and the cinema, does a fine line in pre-theatre offers with two courses for…

With over 100 restaurants in the UK, Zizzi is a growing chain, but changing specials and quirky touches such as the staff photograph on the menu make for a distinct dining experience. Situated on the top terrace in Princes Square, Zizzi takes full…

Verona is very much the new boy in town finding his feet having opened in January 2012. Set aside the gaudy neon lighting outside and an interior which is about as authentically Italian as a fake Gucci handbag and there is a not bad menu on offer. With…

Pulcinella radiates tradition – checked table cloths, walls crammed with souvenirs – which you’ll either find charming or a bit tired, but the friendly staff chattering away in Italian certainly add to the ambience. The menu offers a range of familiar…

If its location at the tail-end of Hope Street is a little dingy, stepping inside La Lanterna provides a welcome step back into an almost forgotten age of catering. In a scene that is predisposed to bringing a contemporary or modern twist to classic…

The informal atmosphere at these cosy Italian restaurants is a welcome refuge for weary shoppers and commuters seeking comfort in carbohydrates. The family-run feel is evident with homely chequered tablecloths and friendly staff, happy to advise and…

Being greeted at a reception desk and following a suited maître d’ into a high-ceiling restaurant with plush carpets and white linen is not too common an experience in modern day Glasgow. There’s a sense of grandeur emanating from every part of the…