Round the world

Pivo Pivo is a cutting edge live music venue in the heart of Glasgow, home to both emerging and established home-grown talent as well as touring acts from further afield. Live music shakes the walls seven nights a week, all genres catered for and…

This new Persian and Middle Eastern venture sits with an Indian curry house to its left and an Egyptian restaurant to the right – which sort of makes sense in world terms. It's nothing fancy inside – clean, crisp lines and tables hugging the walls on…

Billing itself as Edinburgh's new home of 'soul food' this Afro-Caribbean take away in Meadowbank has big plans: lunchtime opening starts in May 2012 and they are scouting sites for a dedicated restaurant. These are bold moves for a tiny site with just…

Food is often an expression of culture and Glasgow’s only Afghan eatery is a fine example of this. Combining almost familiar Pakistani flavours with the richness of Persian influences, it’s certainly a crossroads of culinary routes. Though somewhat…

‘Welkom to meat heaven’ declares a chalkboard at the entrance of this South African-themed restaurant. It’s no idle boast either – simply looking at the menu is enough to induce the meat sweats. Meatballs, ribs and giant steaks all vie for your…

Circus has a relaxed, hangout vibe with original art hanging on whitewashed walls, chunky wooden furniture and colourful Turkish lamps. Food serving hours run from breakfast right the way through to dinner, making this a popular place with folk staying…

As a result of ongoing building work, Athena has temporarily moved from its West End home to the City Centre, which has led to an increased popularity at lunchtime, such is the abundance of offices in their new environ, and the £5 express lunch deal is…

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.

See Ashton Lane branch for review

Big brother to its recently opened sister restaurant Pomegranate, Hanam’s is a class act. No-charge BYOB keeps spirits high across a well-appointed dining room and lower-level overspill. Décor and lighting are warm and inviting with just enough…

Scottish? American? Asian? Mediterranean? If you can’t decide what to eat, then International Starters could be the solution. The idea is to pick ‘starters’ from anywhere on a sprawling global menu covering many bases, ideal for trying different dishes…

Hardened patriots might lament this venerable old boozer’s transformation from dingy haven to high-end Swedish ϋber-pub, but only the most misanthropic skinflint can really resent its success. Indeed, JP’s has an uncanny knack of catering to wildly…

When it comes to knowing what students want, you’ve got to hand it to Ketchup. Set on the ground floor of a block of Ashton Lane venues, the American feel may not quite fit the cobbled lane, but inside, large booths and benches are crammed full of teens…

This Bay Tree can count a good few rings in its trunk; it's been around for over 50 years and was one of the first Arabian restaurants in Scotland. With large portion sizes, and generous servings of salad and creamy hummus served with almost everything…

Despite being festooned with an abundance of fairy lights and flickering candles and boasting a burnished golden ceiling, the dining room of this converted church has an intimate, relaxed feel. Chef Jonathon Macfarlane (formerly Ubiquitous Chip) is a…

Complete with a continental bicycle above bread-laden shelves, Falko Konditormeister is a slice of lazy-afternoon coffee-drinking heaven. This corner of Germany in Bruntsfield is already a well-known hangout for cake connoisseurs and has numerous awards…

The menu at Konaki, located on Sauchiehall Street, is an embarrassment of Greek riches, all prepared with care and attention. While it may sound a bit much for a starter, the skordalia – mashed potato with garlic and olive oil – is delicious in its…

With sea-blue walls, a giant photograph of Santorini and a heady garlic aroma, you could almost forget that you’re in chilly Tollcross. It’s certainly worth getting into the holiday vibe for an evening at Edinburgh’s only Greek restaurant, where a mix…

Despite its celebratory name, the décor and atmosphere at Viva Brazil are quite restrained – perhaps a reaction against the excessive ‘carnival’ vibe that some Americas restaurants reach for. Here, it’s all about the meat. For this is a churrascaria, a…

The happy bustle of the well-fed diners clustered into El Quijote’s snug interior tells you all you need to know about this unassuming Tollcross tapas bar. Spaniards Maria Giminez and head chef Oscar Mateos show off a different side to Spanish cuisine…

Leith’s Mongolian outpost welcomes a new owner with ambitions to add a little more polish to proceedings. Man v Food fans shouldn’t worry, however, as the all-you-can-eat barbecue feast remains centre stage and safari park exotic meats are still very…