Restaurants, Late Dining
Found 153 places.
Sorted by place / most viewed.
Showing 10, 25, 50, 100 per page.
What is this?
Narrow results by attribute
Chow
98 Byres Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8TB
Bright lights, clean lines and minimal modern décor mark Chow out from most other Chinese restaurants in town. It's a little breath of fresh air that's been right at home among the hustle-bustle of Byres Road since opening its doors in 2002. Food is…
Khushi's
9 Victoria Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HE
If there is anyone out there who still yearns for the bygone days of flock-wallpapered Indian restaurants, a trip to Khushi's will soon sort them out. Buzzing with energy, the vast, grand, contemporary dining environment that is home number five for…
Thai Lemongrass
40–41 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HJ
The entrance to this deceptively large restaurant is via a small reception and bar area where silk-suited waiting staff exude an air of modesty and proficiency. The rust-coloured walls, hessian wallpaper and wood floors evoke a peaceful atmosphere, and…
Kebabish
323–325 Victoria Road,
Glasgow,
G42 7SA
While no longer a part of the Kebabish Original chain, this Govanhill eatery continues to lure customers with its flame-filled open kitchen, contemporary interior and tremendous value for money. Above all, it still delivers on its promise of 'the thrill…
Moskito
200 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4HG
Bath Street has seen many a pub come and go but Moskito is now something of an old hand, having been trading steadily here since 2000. This seems largely due to its ability to appeal to a mixed crowd, offering a wide variety of beers, a comprehensive…
Vittoria
113 Brunswick Street, Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5HR
Professional waiting staff, the babble of Italian voices and food that remains loyal to its roots – close your eyes and it could be Lucca rather than Leith. Vittoria on the Walk has become an Edinburgh institution over the last four decades and now, for…
Dragon-i
311–313 Hope Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3PT
Since opening opposite the Theatre Royal in 2003, Dragon-i has sat at the top table of Glasgow's Chinese restaurants, and owners Raymond and Susie Man are proud that their venture attempts something markedly different. With the décor, they've opted for…
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…
La Favorita
325–331 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8SA
The glow from the twin log-fired ovens is the first indication that pizza is taken seriously at this Leith Walk eatery. La Favorita combines the lightest, crispest bases (also available gluten-free) with a long list of both classic and more inventive…
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…
Hanedan
41 West Preston Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9PY
The fact that Hanedan's owner and chef, Gursel Bahar, has previously flexed his culinary muscles at the Four Seasons and with Sir Terence Conran at London's exquisite Quaglino's restaurant will come as little surprise to anyone who's sampled the…
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…
Spirit of Thai
44 Grindlay Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AP
Since 2006 this popular restaurant has been treating the West End's office workers and theatre-goers to attractively presented dishes and the friendliest service around. Simply styled, with cream walls and dark wooden beams, the small space has an airy…
The Ashoka
108 Elderslie Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7AR
At this independent restaurant (which, despite its name, is not part of the Harlequin chain), lively hen parties and office groups tend to head for the 'curry karaoke' below street level, while the main dining space, branded the Ashoka Flame, offers a…
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…
Time 4 Thai
45 North Castle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3BG
In keeping with its image-conscious neighbours on George Street, Time 4 Thai has ditched the familiar adornments of elephants and corpulent Buddhas in favour of slick modern styling in dark wood, glass and muted shades of stone. While this minimalist…
Bonsai
46 West Richmond Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DZ
With the convivial hubbub of the closely packed tables, the sizzling steam and enticing aromas emerging from the kitchen, and the bold white, crimson and black décor, at Bonsai it's easy to imagine yourself in an izakaya in downtown Tokyo. And indeed it…
Jasmine Chinese Restaurant
32 Grindlay Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AP
The elegant interior and subdued orchestral music suggest that this is one of Edinburgh's more refined Chinese restaurants. But while this holds true for the food, on closer listening the seemingly classical music turns out to be an orchestral version…
Konaki
920 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7TF
Family is important at Konaki. The kitchen uses home-grown olive oil matured in Grandma's cellar, wild herbs gathered on island holidays and recipes handed down through generations. Front of house, children receive an indulgent welcome, the whole…
Mariachi
7 Victoria Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HE
Mariachi has all the hallmarks of an archetypal Mexican restaurant. The Latin music is upbeat, the décor is loud and the tequila is strong, and, despite having capacity for up to 160 revellers, there's still plenty of space for conga lines and dancing…
La P'tite Folie
61 Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1LH
Like the best local chains, the two branches of La P'tite Folie seek out and serve quite distinctively different customer bases in their different locations. The West End branch in Randolph Place buzzes with business talk at lunchtime. Its popularity is…
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…
Amber Regent
50 West Regent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2QZ
From the classily understated sign in the window to the photos of celebrity customers at the entrance, and from the thick drapery that flanks paintings by a local artist to the cute little thistles that garnish each table, it's clear that Amber Regent…
Dionika
3–6 Canonmills Bridge, Canonmills,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5LF
Dionika's welcoming owner and head chef Juan Blanco – who was taught to cook by his large extended family back home in Galicia, an Iberian region just on the Spanish side of the Portuguese border – would take offence if people referred to his restaurant…
Ristorante Gennaro
64 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JR
The busy Grassmarket area attracts a mix of tourists, revellers and locals, and the same can be said of this family-run establishment. It claims to offer a true taste of Italy, and that starts from the moment you are greeted by one of a clutch of…
9 Cellars Restaurant and Bar
1–3 York Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3EB
As Indian restaurants go, 9 Cellars is one of the more unusual. Not only does its impressively long menu boast unfamiliar dishes unseen anywhere else, but the space itself is a labyrinth of intimate eating corners on different levels rather than the…
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…
Pizza Express
111 Holyrood Road,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8AS
As seems to be the case with much of metropolitan Britain, you don't have to venture too far in any part of Edinburgh before stumbling across one of the city's five Pizza Express restaurants. If you are looking for reliable, Italian food that won't…
Siam Thani
14 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RH
Loyal locals and regulars at the nearby Playhouse theatre know that, for a genuine taste of Thailand, there's no need to travel further than this unpretentious restaurant at the top of Broughton Street. Intricate wooden carvings and gold-laced wall…
Café Gandolfi
64 Albion Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1NY
Café Gandolfi is a marvellous antidote to any harshness life throws at you. Its rustic charm and consistently good food has nurtured Glasgow's city dwellers since it opened in 1979, earning owner Seumas MacInnes and his team well-deserved iconic status…
Chukoku
298 Sauchiehall Street, City Centre,
Glasgow,
Chukoku, which means 'China' in Japanese, fuses a Victorian Sauchiehall Street façade with a friendly but functional modern interior that presents one of the more stylish options among the city's entourage of buffet-style Chinese eateries. More than 50…
Favorit
19–20 Teviot Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QZ
Favorit is a late night diner for the young and hip and – most importantly – for those with the munchies. Black and white chequered tiles, retro tables and benches and a large, red neon Favorit sign set the scene. All that's missing is Pulp Fiction's…
Kalpna
2/3 St Patrick's Square,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9EZ
It's been left to the Kalpna to fly the flag for meat-free eating in a surprisingly under-served capital for quarter of a century. To its credit it has done so constantly, while simultaneously being one of Edinburgh's top Indian restaurants. Kalpna's…
Roti
73 Morrison Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8BU
Roti bills itself as 'a restaurant that serves Indian food' rather than an Indian restaurant, which may seem a minor quibble, but as soon as you enter the building it all becomes clear. This is fine dining without the pomp and ceremony, offering a…
The Witchery by the Castle
Castlehill, Royal Mile,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2NF
The Witchery must have witnessed a fair few proposals over the years. The combination of oak-panelled walls, red leather upholstery, tapestries and antique brass candlesticks makes the atmosphere in the historic 16th century building nothing short of…
Kam Po
34 West Preston Street, Southside,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9PY
A relative newcomer to the Edinburgh restaurant scene, Kam Po has set its standards pretty high. With beautifully fresh fare and service so attentive it borders on embarrassing, it's only a matter of time before news of this family-run Southside gem…
Loon Fung
2 Warriston Place, Canonmills,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5LE
Still going strong after 36 years, with a loyal following among locals, Loon Fung is undoubtedly doing something right. Specialising in Canton-style seafood, a two-person starter of chopped scallops with cashews and crisp vermicelli gives some…
Namaste Kathmandu
17–19 Forrest Road,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QH
In a city with no shortage of Indian restaurants, it would be easy for a new kid on the block to blend into the crowd. Namaste, however, is a very welcome addition to the Edinburgh scene. Combing elements of Indian and Nepalese cuisine, the menu here…
OKO Express
78 Queen Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3DN
This sushi bar and Japanese grill redefines the post-pub/club fish supper when it reels in the beer-goggled during one of its late late opening nights. The bright red walls and semi-communal benches of a compact but surprisingly spacious dining area…
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…
Ashoka West End
1284 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8AB
Established over 25 years ago, Ashoka West End claims to sit on the corner of the longest street and the shortest road in Glasgow. It is undoubtedly something of a local landmark. Split over two levels, there is a bar and 25 seats at ground level and…
Chiang Mai
15 Dalry Road, Haymarket,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2BQ
With the hectic activity of Haymarket just outside the window, Chiang Mai has long been a welcome haven of South East Asian calm for locals, commuters and rugby fans alike. Watched over by portraits of the Thai royal family, the lofty restaurant is…
Di Maggio's
21 Royal Exchange Square,
Glasgow,
G1 3AJ
After more than 25 years in business, Di Maggio's is a firm favourite, with loyal locals and tourists alike visiting its various outlets. The Royal Exchange Square branch welcomes a stream of customers, even outside the peak times, attracted by the…
Dusit
49a Thistle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DY
Hearty Scottish produce and exotic Thai flavours may not make for the most obvious culinary marriage, but it's one that Dusit's skilled chefs consistently pull off with aplomb. All the usual favourites, such as intensely hot and sour tom yum soup…
Gusto
135 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JH
Gusto, recently opened on the spot previously occupied by EstEstEst, is a stylish addition to the Italian restaurants in central Edinburgh. The sophisticated bar at the front of the restaurant is not exclusive to diners, and the dark wood, high tables…
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…
Qua Italian Restaurant
The Todd Building, 68 Ingram Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1EX
This restaurant has a modern feel that is highly suitable for its trendy Merchant City location. The leather chairs are contemporary but comfortable, and an eclectic collection of smooth boulders are scattered about the space. A stylish, roughly hewn…
Rawalpindi Tandoori
321 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3HW
Established some three decades ago, Rawalpindi describes its 'fine Indian cuisine' as 'probably the best in Glasgow'. The atmosphere inside the eatery, where swathes of pink material hang from the ceiling along with some rather wilted pot plants and a…
Skippers Seafood Bistro
1a Dock Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LU
After almost 30 years in the same location, Skippers has a well-deserved reputation for quality and a loyal clientele of locals, business people and patrons from nearby hotels. A series of cosy, wood-floored and wood-lined rooms has been extended in…
Thai Orchid
5A Johnston Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2PW
Just round the corner from the Hub at the top of the Royal Mile, Thai Orchid has a contemporary feel, with polished chrome fittings, leather seats, hessian wallpaper and long mirrors opening up the small room. Initially, the menu appears to offer few…
Trattoria Siciliana
5a Union Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3LT
With a door that won't close, the lingering smell of cigar smoke, glaring lights and a disinterested waiter, Trattoria Siciliana doesn't make a great first impression. Frustratingly, remedies to the situation don't appear thick on the ground. Staff…
L'Ariosto
92–94 Mitchell Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3NQ
Named after the Renaissance bard, L'Ariosto has many surprises. Designed to resemble an Italian courtyard and exuding a cosy atmosphere, it still has room to put on dinner dances with a live band five nights a week. It's almost 40 years old, but there's…
Ashoka Ashton Lane
19 Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
The Harlequin Group's operation on Ashton Lane is most popular with local students and other people seeking an inexpensive meal before – or after – hitting the cobbled street's busy bars. The restaurant is decorated in shades of orange and brown with a…
Ashoka Southside
268 Clarkston Road,
Glasgow,
G44 3EA
This Harlequin Group restaurant has the comfortably modern surroundings, reliable service and familiar favourites of many of its siblings in the chain. Subdued lighting and cosy seating give the dining space a warm, intimate feel that is enhanced by…
Balti Club
66 Woodlands Road,
Glasgow,
G3 6HA
Although the Balti Club (known for 22 years as the Fast Food Bar) is essentially a takeaway, it produces food that some of the fancier Indian restaurants in Glasgow would be proud to serve. Its bright lighting, basic white tiles and slightly wobbly…
The Dhabba
44 Candleriggs,
Glasgow,
G1 1LE
This Merchant City establishment continues to consolidate its place among the best Indian restaurants in Glasgow. The open, airy venue is sleek and modern with bare wooden furnishings and minimal decorative embellishments, which encourages diners to pay…
Giuliano's
18–19 Union Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3NQ
Hidden behind a modest entrance with green neon signs and a rather retro ice-cream counter, the cavernous back room of this lively restaurant – a cheerful mix of tartan carpets and Italian holiday snap posters – comes as something of a surprise. At…
Gordon's Trattoria
231 High Street, Royal Mile,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1PE
Gordon Scott is keen to promote his restaurant as a family venue. And there is no risk that he will fall foul of the trade descriptions act, with brother Gary imparting his profound industry knowledge, daughters Daniela and Vanessa now involved in the…
Great Wall Chinese Restaurant
105–109 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AN
If the Great Wall of China is visible from space, it's fitting that the Great Wall Chinese Restaurant occupies a similarly conspicuous position on Lothian Road. Behind the sizable façade, the décor is standard Chinese chintz – mirrored walls, myriad…
Hanam's
13a Brougham Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9JS
Not for nothing has Hanam's owner Jahmal Ahmed applied for new, bigger premises on Victoria Street. Pared down and pleasantly unassuming in design, Ahmed's current location on Tollcross already has a loyal following, due in no small part to its…
Mr Singh's India
149 Elderslie Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7JR
During our reviewing period for this edition of the Eating & Drinking Guide in early 2008, Mr Singh's was undergoing a bit of cosmetic surgery. We expect that after the building renovations are completed, however, this stylish restaurant will remain one…
Stravaigin 2
8 Ruthven Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 9BG
Down the cobbled alleys of Ruthven Lane, Stravaigan 2 welcomes you into an intimate dining space with a real homey feel – glowing light from small burgundy lampshades and the dim buzz of chattering voices set the mood. One wall is completely covered by…
The Wee Curry Shop
41 Byres Road,
Glasgow,
G11 5RG
The sentiments of the 'small is beautiful' saying are certainly supported by Glasgow's various Wee Curry Shops. The newest one, opened towards the end of 2007 in Byres Road, is the latest tiny jewel in the crown of the empire of its parent group, Mother…
Zest
15 North St Andrew Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1HJ
Although Zest is ostensibly your standard, fairly modern curry house, there are many reasons to recommend it. The service is great – genial but never overbearing. The fact that you can get a late feast here also adds to the appeal: owner Asaddar Ali…
L'Alba D'Oro
5–7 Henderson Row,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5DH
A chippy that offers prawns with garlic and ginger – choice of single or supper, of course – alongside the traditional favourites has got to be something a bit different. L'Alba D'Oro (the name means 'dawn of gold') is a long-established leader in…
The Far Pavilions
10–12 Craigleith Road, Comely Bank,
Edinburgh,
EH4 2DP
There is something reassuring about a long-established restaurant located in the middle of a leafy suburb. Primarily dependent on locals for trade, such places can't afford not to have their main customer base on side. Craigleith's comfortable Far…
Jade Garden
303 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3HQ
Without being able to point it out on a map, many Glaswegians will be vaguely aware of Jade Garden, its bright pink sign having been part of the Sauchiehall Street fascia for what seems like forever. Those who haven't visited the restaurant behind could…
Librizzi
69 North Castle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3LJ
This chic New Town restaurant with its crisp table linen, brass chandeliers and large, arched windows looking out onto Queen Street has a relaxed, intimate atmosphere. Service is discreet but attentive and there are lots of quiet, cosy corners in which…
Maxies Bistro and Wine Bar
5b Johnston Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2PW
Long an Edinburgh institution, Maxies knows its loyal audience of tourists and locals and caters to them well, especially in the summer months when the long outdoor terrace offers the chance to while away the hours in the sun, away from the hordes on…
Negociants
45–47 Lothian Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1HB
Long established as a late-night eatery for nighthawk students and Edinburgh festival-goers (the Teviot and Udderbelly venues are just across the road), Negociants has recently been taken over by members of staff and was implementing various changes at…
Paperino's West End
227 Byres Road,
Glasgow,
G12 8UD
With its smart whitewashed walls, terracotta tiling and consistently well-populated pine booths, the Sauchiehall Street branch of this deceptively large restaurant is still going strong after 16 years. Increasingly, its much newer and more spacious West…
La Partenope
96 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2AX
La Partenope's new afternoon trading hours offer West End nine-to-fivers a convenient haven for a late-in-the-day work meeting. But be warned – once you sample a little something from the interesting nibbles menu and extensive regional wine list, you…
Simply Thai
305 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8SA
Leith is heavily populated with Chinese and, increasingly, Thai takeaways, but Simply Thai and its sister restaurant the Silver Bowl are among the best. There's no scrimping on the portions, which are generously meaty with good, fresh vegetables. The…
Bar Roma
39a Queensferry Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4RA
Nearly 30 years on, Bar Roma still knows how to throw a party and remains a popular venue for West End work functions and lively get-togethers. With its sprawling, brightly lit dining area and pulsing pop music, it's by no means intimate, and newcomers…
Efes
42 Leven Street, Tollcross,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9LJ
This kebab shop is such a Tollcross institution it seems as if it has been around since the beginning of time. The staff are always polite and helpful, although this doesn't matter in the slightest to the shop's many loyal customers, who come for the…
Enjoy
393–395 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G4 9HY
The pavements of the Great Western Road see more striders than strollers. So competing cafés often need something extra to get bums on seats. For Enjoy, the selling point is the real food ethos of its Kosovan owners, Sebo and Manuella Brestovca. There…
Kama Sutra
331 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3HW
Despite its theme being based on the eponymous book on love and pleasure, this Harlequin Group restaurant manages to avoid being tacky and kitschy. Gone are the previous saucy innuendos. What remains are more innocuous wood carvings and artworks…
Malmaison Brasserie
1 Tower Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 7DB
This boutique chain hotel restaurant has its own separate entrance, and as you go inside you are thrust from the sunshine of Leith waterside into a dark, enveloping atmosphere. It's more like a gentleman's club, with studded leather armchairs, leather…
Paperino's
283 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3HQ
With its smart whitewashed walls, terracotta tiling and consistently well-populated pine booths, the Sauchiehall Street branch of this deceptively large restaurant is still going strong after 16 years. Increasingly, its much newer and more spacious West…
Pizza Express
432–436 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3JD
In 1965 Peter Boizot, an eccentric English entrepreneur, teamed up with a fiery Italian designer named Enzo Apicella to create a style-conscious restaurant in Soho. Pizza Express has since mushroomed into 300 restaurants across Great Britain. Both…
Rapido
77–79 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RJ
The usual chip shop favourites are neatly arrayed in sparkling stainless steel counters, but Rapido's vibrant blue and orange frontage promises – and delivers – more than your average chippy. The wide-ranging menu truly does offer something for…
Shish Mahal
66–68 Park Road,
Glasgow,
G4 9JF
This bastion of British-Indian dining is nearly 50 years old and is run by the same family that opened it in 1964. The Shish, as it's known to regulars, remains an atmospheric place in which to spend an evening. The smart, well-designed interiors – and…
Topkapi Turkish Kebab House
109 Fountainbridge, West End,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9QG
When Hakki Ciloglo came to Scotland on holiday in the 1970s he spotted a gap in the market and returned in 1982 to open what he claims was the country's first kebab shop. What is certain is that he does have much to boast about. Offering more than just…
Il Tricolore
63 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2BZ
The cheerful green, white and red stripes of the Italian flag help this cosy family-run restaurant stand out among the hustle and bustle of busy Dalry Road. By day the friendly service, well-priced children's portions and good baby-changing facilities…
Zizzi
42–45 Queensferry Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4RA
Zizzi's three Edinburgh locations near cinemas and theatres hint at the transient nature of most of their diners. However, it would be wrong to write these stylish restaurants off as a quick stopping-off point for food before the latest blockbuster or…
Ashoka at the Quay
The Quay, Springfield Quay,
Glasgow,
G5 8NP
Formerly Masala Jak's, this restaurant has taken on the basic branding of the Harlequin Group in the past year or so. The venue has modern décor with an open kitchen and wooden tables, and the opportunity to dine overlooking the Clyde. The competitively…
Charcoals
26A Renfield Street,
Glasgow,
G2 1LU
Charcoals' colourful interiors, and its reliable and occasionally excellent Punjabi cuisine, make it a good choice in the city centre. The main draws here are the great value lunchtime buffet – popular with local office workers – and the generous…
China Blue
96 Renfield Street,
Glasgow,
G2 1NH
Although it's become a bit of a cliché to say a Chinese restaurant is worthwhile purely because it's frequented by members of the local Chinese community, what's really striking about this place is how homely it feels. There are families next to…
Di Maggio's Theatreland
163 West Nile Street,
Glasgow,
G1 2RL
More than two decades old, the Di Maggio's chain is going strong and regularly wins awards for its 'family-friendliness'. This outlet, formerly known as Pronto, is the so-called Theatreland branch and now uses the same menu as the others. But it's…
Killermont Polo Club
2022 Maryhill Road,
Glasgow,
G20 0AB
Located on an unremarkable section of Maryhill Road in a former polo clubhouse, this restaurant attracts most of its custom through glowing recommendations rather than luring the passing trade. The main dining room is decorated in the style of a hotel…
Koh-i-Noor
235 North Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7DL
Walking into the Koh-i-Noor, named after the famous Indian diamond gifted to Queen Victoria, is a bit like being transported onto a Bollywood film set. It first opened in 1964 on Gibson Street before relocating to its current location aside the M8, and…
Ruan Siam
48 Howe Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6TH
In a basement on the corner of the New Town's Howe Street is the flagship of Edinburgh's Ruan Thai trio of restaurants. A cosy little place with vaulted ceilings, carefully chosen spot-lit artworks and charming staff, Ruan Siam succeeds in achieving…
The Shore Bar & Restaurant
3 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QW
The venerable and much-loved Shore Bar & Restaurant was taken over by immediate neighbours Fishers in the spring of 2008. The Shore has one of Edinburgh's most appealing old interiors, its separate bar and restaurant areas both featuring extensive dark…
Ti Amo
16 Nicolson Street, Old Town,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DH
It's hard to imagine a restaurant of any other nationality getting away with calling itself 'I Love You', although whether Ti Amo would really make good on its promise to accept 'green stamps or IOUs' in place of cash or credit card may be debatable.
Topolino's
285 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3HQ
Topolino's is Italian for Walt Disney's most-famous little rodent, but there is nothing Micky Mouse about this restaurant. It is entered by a narrow staircase, which leads diners down to a stylish basement taverna. This is no dark, dank underworld…
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…
Café India
29 Albion Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1LH
Brightly lit, open and contemporary, Café India – something of a Glasgow institution – relocated to the Merchant City in April 2007 after many years near the Mitchell Library. A straightforward one-page menu offers a good choice of dishes, the usual…
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…
Di Maggio's
61 Ruthven Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 9BG
After more than 25 years in business, Di Maggio's is a firm favourite with loyal locals and tourists alike visiting its various outlets. Even outside peak times, the Royal Exchange Square branch welcomes a stream of customers, attracted by the efficient…
