Restaurants, Italian, Budget, Outdoor dining, Pre-theatre menu 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…

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…

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 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…

Having changed its name from Bath Street Pony thanks to legal intervention from a London bar operating under the same equine name, Palomino remains uncomplicated and relaxing, serving cocktails and a decent pre-theatre and lunch deal to office workers…

Massimo's popularity seems as much to do with its location, opposite King's Theatre, as the typically Italian fare served up in this basement venue. Modern stylings such as wooden floors and glass partitions give the space a surprisingly light and airy…

Regulars order without glancing at the large menu which covers everything from steak pie to fillet steak, from chicken curry and chips to pastas, and from pizzas and fish. The atmosphere’s buzzy and busy and you should probably book – even mid-week – to…

Despite holding residency in Alexandra Parade since 1982, Celino's has only just entered its fourth year of seated dining. Over the past three decades, it has, arguably, established itself as Glasgow's chief Italian delicatessen, meaning the transition…

Walking through the porch entrance to Gambrino transports you from the bustle of Great Western Road to a Tuscan trattoria. From the terracotta floors to exposed brickwork walls, worn table-tops and dried flowers, there's a warm, traditional feeling that…

Prior to Tony Macaroni’s arrival, successive operations have failed to find the correct formula for a tricky spot at the bottom of Byres Road. Affordable dining, coupled with the quality concurrent in its five other restaurants across Scotland, has…

The Battlefield Rest enjoys a high reputation as a reliable local. It has a large and loyal clientele that it has built over 20 years, so at the weekend it can be very busy The menu is thoroughly old-fashioned Scottish-Italian fare, with dishes ranging…

From the street Bella Napoli looks like a run-of-the-mill Italian deli, but discerning food lovers know that through the back, past the racks of wine and tins of olives, is a reliable restaurant of some worth. While the front cafe offers casual…

It’s of very little surprise to find this small local restaurant packed out whatever time you visit. Over the last three years, owners Aris and Rico have built a reputation that would make them the envy of many city centre Italians. Having begun life as…