Restaurants and Round the world
- El Quijote
A wide range of genuine and lovingly prepared Spanish food - Khublai Khan Mongolian Barbecue Glasgow
Come & Eat a Safari Park - Stravaigin
Stravaigin cooks fresh local produce to international styles & recipies in a laid back informal setting. - Hanam's
This is the home of truly authentic Kurdish & Middle Eastern Cuisine, set right in the heart of Edinburgh
Ketchup
44 Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
There’s no such thing as 'just' a burger at Ketchup – maybe you want cheese, bacon and chipotle mayo with pickles, onion and salad? Or how about Portobello mushrooms, garlic parmesan aioli and balsamic onion relish? Have it without the bun, without the…
Pivo Pivo
15 Waterloo Street,
Glasgow,
G2 6AY
Pivo Pivo was one of Glasgow's first pubs to serve an extensive range of world beers - from Argentinian Quilmes to Kirin from Japan - and still largely trades on punters' tourism. Located right beside Central Station, its small bar area lies at the…
Nile Valley
6 Chapel Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9AY
At lunchtime, this Sudanese restaurant ranks high as uni students' fast food of choice with its huge khobz wraps of falafel, hummus, aubergine or grilled chicken salads. After the afternoon lull, it is nice to see the transformation from a takeaway…
Beirut
24 Nicolson Square,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9BX
Welcome to Edinburgh’s first Lebanese restaurant, which has a sleek modern interior, scenic views adorning the walls and the cream of Beirut’s music scene on the plasma screen. Sourcing Lebanese ingredients from suppliers in London, all dishes are…
Brel
39–43 Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SG
Namesake Jacques Brel would definitely recognise this informal wood-filled bar as a distinctly European approach to dining and beer. The former stables at the end of Ashton Lane has the air of a Gallic tavern with its oak-lined walls, wooden floors and…
International Starters
82 Commercial Quay,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LX
International Starters takes you round the world in one stop. The versatility of chef Jamie Coyle means that Thailand could be in front of you one minute and Loch Fyne the next. Ordering starter sized portions of cuisine from Scotland, the…
Frankfurter Eck
62 Elm Row,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4AQ
The name might not suggest there’s much more to German cooking than sausages ‘n’ sauerkraut, but Edinburgh’s first Deutsch restaurant possesses a menu that might convince you otherwise. With more the air of a shabby chic grassroots café – the toilets…
Hanam's
3 Johnston Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2PW
Now a well-rooted fixture by the top of the Lawnmarket, three-year-old Hanam’s is deservedly popular with locals and tourists alike. Offering an extensive menu from his native Kurdistan, owner Jamal Ahmed is a genial host who takes additional delight…
Stravaigin
28–30 Gibson Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8NX
Following a thoughtful and sympathetic refurbishment the less formal bistro area of Stravaigin now provides twice the space while preserving the relaxed atmosphere that has made it a West End favourite. Downstairs, beyond the open kitchen pass, the…
Stravaigin 2
8 Ruthven Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 9BG
Smuggled into the calm oasis of Ruthven Lane, Stravaigin 2 transplants the spirit and ethos of its older sister to a cosy, low-roofed tavern with cream walls, wooden floors and candle-light adding rustic charm. New chef Chris McAdie upholds the…
The Voodoo Rooms
19a West Register Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2AA
Any time is cocktail time in the Voodoo Rooms, with its feel of a cabaret club oozing somewhat faded, slightly sleazy glamour. On evenings when there’s live entertainment, the bar is usually bulging. Gastropub grub is served in a small dining room…
El Quijote
13a Brougham Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9JS
The most recent opening on Edinburgh’s Spanish dining scene is also a strong contender for being the best. Although the boxy storefront premises aren’t the most versatile, a full bookshelf sporting the eponymous Don Quixote and a basket of imported…
Annfield House Hotel & Restaurant
6 Castle Street,
Irvine,
Ayrshire,
KA12 8RJ
Set on the romantic Ayrshire coast, Annfield House Hotel is a handsome and secluded hotel on the outskirts of the historic town of Irvine. The intimate elegance of the dining room offers a romantic setting for the restaurant's international menu of…
Driftwood
2–4 St Georges Road,
Glasgow,
G3 6UJ
Driftwood has been a fixture of Charing Cross for a few years now, offering cheap and cheerful food to hungry students and weary shoppers. The dining area is decked out in the 'traditional' Mexican terracotta and yellow, though it's actually barely…
Sabor Criollo
36 Deanhaugh Street,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1LY
For a slice of life-enhancing Latin American soul in the heart of Edinburgh, Sabor Criollo is the destination to head for. Take the few steps down to its Stockbridge basement premises and enter a world of colour, warmth and lovingly prepared food from…
Alla Turca
192 Pitt Street,
Glasgow,
G2 4DY
Alla Turca has a brightly lit contemporary interior, with glass tables, padded leather chairs and the odd scatter cushion adding a touch of haremic luxury. It has a pleasant, even sophisticated atmosphere – the walls are hung with pictures from Turkey…
Athena Greek Taverna
1116 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8TD
There's a pedigree to this restaurant, as the co-owner Kevin Campbell, comes from a family that's been serving Greek food to Glaswegians for generations. The current taverna is a rebirth of the former Strathbungo bistro, sadly missed by mousakka…
Empires
24 St Mary's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SU
Family run and with the emphasis on fresh, simple Turkish dishes, Empires is like another world just off the Royal Mile. With a custom-built and beautifully carved interior on two cosy levels, this magical space is adorned with traditional rugs…
The Grill at Dakota Forthbridge
Dakota Forthbridge, Ferrymuir Retail Park,
South Queensferry,
EH30 9QZ
The sleek, black, modern façade of Dakota at the Forth Road Bridge has an intriguing and slightly aloof quality. But once inside, this stylish hotel restaurant oozes class and sophistication. Chef Roy Brett's menu is dominated by seafood – one…
Istanbul
7 Paisley Rd West,
Glasgow,
G51 1LF
Despite the fact that there are some familiar pizzas and kebabs on offer at Istanbul, don't expect this to be particularly fast fast food. Everything is made from scratch so orders can take 20 minutes to prepare, particularly at peak weekend times.
The Left Bank
33–35 Gibson Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8NU
It is hard to categorise this bistro / bar, mainly because it is so successful in all its guises – as a lazy brunch hangout, for drinks by the window or a relaxed evening meal. The atmosphere is casual but the kitchen works hard, handling flavours…
Zorba Mediterranean Taverna
25 High Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1LX
This old-fashioned family-run taverna is about as cheesy as a package holiday to a sunny island resort. But its staff are friendly to a fault, with impromptu dancing and cheerful service. Most importantly, the food is excellent. The cosy room is…
