Scotland, and more specifically the second city Glasgow, is enjoying something of a moment, restaurant-wise. There have been a slew of positive reviews in the national press recently, and 2025’s Michelin reveal was even held here, cementing Glasgow’s reputation as a heavy hitter where culinary culture is concerned.
The city’s residents didn’t need the Big Red Guide to confirm this. They already know that Glasgow is alive with creativity and imagination, as well as a surrounding larder that seemingly makes it difficult to cook a bad dish.
But beyond the accolades, what makes Glasgow’s dining scene particularly compelling is its unwavering commitment to quality, creativity, and a genuine hospitality, all reflective of the city as a whole.
If you’re visiting the city and pulling into Glasgow Central, firstly, can we assume that you’re a millionaire? Those train tickets don’t come cheap. But more importantly, we guess you’re looking for a great feed the moment you alight. If so, then you’ve come to the right place; here are the best restaurants near Glasgow Central.
Margo, Miller Street
Ideal for contemporary Scottish dining with a neighbourhood bistro feel…
Five minutes’ walk from Glasgow Central, Margo opened in late 2024 on Miller Street as the latest addition to Scoop Restaurants, the acclaimed hospitality group behind Ox and Finch, Ka Pao, and now also Sebb’s. While its siblings each have more singular identities, Margo plays faster and looser, with a broad mission to showcase Scottish ingredients via European techniques. Mission accomplished, and then some.
The restaurant recently earned a prestigious Bib Gourmand in the 2025 Michelin Guide, with inspectors praising its “bustling, efficiently run restaurant that’s deservedly popular thanks to its great buzz and flavour-packed, generously priced dishes.” They’re right, you know.
The 36-cover space is intimate but not cloying—sage green banquettes, white-washed brick walls and wooden floors create a breezy backdrop, and Chef Amie Rae (formerly of The Gannet and Alchemilla) leads a focused, quietly confident team in the open kitchen.
The menu changes seasonally, though certain standout dishes have become mainstays. The Margo beef tartare, keenly priced just shy of a tenner, demands attention—hand-chopped bavette comes with a grilled onion salad that brings sweetness and smoke, crispy potato shards for texture, and a generous swoosh of crème fraîche that harmonises the elements. It’s a sign of Rae’s deft touch with seasoning, letting the clean, mineral notes of the hand-chopped beef take centre stage.
You’d be mad to stop there, and the chipsticks with taramasalata (£6) feel like the perfect supporting act to that tartare. Here, an ingenious hybrid between pomme rösti, hash brown and panisse is topped with silky smoked cod roe taramasalata and house-made furikake. Meant for sharing, you might regret that decision after tasting them.
For special occasions, the 600g sirloin on the bone (£50) makes a statement. It’s finished with either ‘sauce Margo’ or their interpretation of café de Paris butter, the latter slowly melting over the perfectly pink beef, seasoning as it disperses. It’s quite the sight, and it eats damn well too.
The wine list features low-intervention bottles from small European producers alongside classic regions. The front-of-house team, led by co-owner Julie Dunn, achieves that rare balance of knowledge without intimidation—you’ll get thoughtful recommendations whether spending £30 or £300. Or, go for a house cocktail, which employ innovative techniques like fat-washing and carbonation. Crowd favourites including Frozen Martinis and a distinctive Yoghurt Punch both killer.
Whichever way you play it, finish with the bare bones chocolate nemesis and vanilla ice cream—a dense, flourless cake highlighting single-origin Guatemalan chocolate from local maker Bare Bones, recently featured on Rick Stein’s Food Stories, no less.
In Glasgow’s increasingly confident dining scene, Margo represents a particular strain of modern Scottish restaurant—technically impressive while remaining approachable, ambitious without arrogance, rooted in Glasgow while drawing inspiration from beyond.
Website: margo.restaurant
Address: 68 Miller Street, Glasgow, G1 1DT
Sebb’s, Miller Street
Ideal for vinyl vibes, boozy slushies and big-flavoured small plates…
Beneath Margo in a subterranean brick vault on Miller Street, Sebb’s marks the newest addition to the Scoop Restaurants group. Open only half a year, the name ‘Sebb’s’ is an anagram of ‘Sixty-Eight Basement Bar,’ neatly reflecting its location beneath Margo at 68 Miller Street. We find that super satisfying, we’re not going to lie.
Drawing inspiration from European vinyl bars, this venue blends industrial and retro elements—burgundy tiles, red leather booths and that distinctive arched brickwork ceiling illuminated by neon lighting. A DJ spins records in the corner, though the music never drowns conversation.
Head straight for the alcoholic slushies (£8), worlds apart from the sugary concoctions of yours and my youth. The strawberry margarita strikes a remarkable balance between fresh strawberry, quality tequila and lime—delivering a nostalgic frozen sensation with sophisticated flavour. The Miami Vice combines strawberry margarita and piña colada into a glorious two-tone creation. Yep, they love strawberries.
The open kitchen, headed by Danny Carruthers (ex-Brian Maule at Chardon d’Or, with short stints at Le Gavroche and Lyle’s), focuses on cooking over fire, the central charcoal grill thoroughly seasoning the place with smoke.
The much photographed DC’s Texan Hot Link (£9) isn’t just an Insta-perfect plate — it’s a juicy, substantial sausage with just enough heat, served with ‘gold sauce,’ bread and those all-important butter pickles. Lamb skewers (£7 a pop) arrive blistered and burnished from the grill, a little gnarly and with enough chew to reveal pastoral flavours a plenty. A creamy garlic labneh sees the skewers on their way. Plant-based options hit the mark too —the grilled cauliflower with hummus, rayu and pine nuts is a lot of fun for under a tenner.
All great plates, but what sets Sebb’s apart is its ability to deliver both big night-out energy and genuinely good food, with inclusive opening hours of midday to midnight seven days a week ensuring a diverse crowd and plenty of good cheer.
Website: sebbs.com
Address: 68 Miller Street, Glasgow G1 1DT
Celentano’s, Cathedral Square
Ideal for zero-waste Italian with fermentation wizardry…
In Glasgow’s atmospheric Cathedral Precinct, Celentano’s occupies the ground floor of historic Cathedral House, a striking 19th-century baronial-style building with a fascinating past— it once housed released female prisoners from Duke Street Prison. With views of the city’s gothic Necropolis, the food has some work to do to live up to the setting.
Husband-wife team Dean and Anna Parker launched the restaurant in summer 2021, and hit their stride fast in the most testing of climates, winning a Bib Gourmand just a year later. Perhaps that’s not a massive surprise; Parker built his reputation in London heading acclaimed restaurants Darby’s, Sorella and The Dairy (RIP), while Anna’s background lies in fashion and design.
The name Celentano’s reflects their Italian honeymoon journey from Florence to the Amalfi Coast, when the singer-songwriter Adriano Celentano seemed to be soundtracking the entire jaunt. The menu spans Italy with similar breadth, evolving seasonally and with sustainability at its core. Drawing from his time at The Dairy in particular, Parker employs fermentation, preserving and curing to maximise ingredients and minimise waste. Their environmental commitment extends beyond cooking—biodynamic wines on tap reduce glass waste, herbs and vegetables grow in their restaurant garden, and they keep bees nearby.
Start with smoked cod doughnuts —airy morsels filled with cod cream and topped with zingy house-made kimchi—or the now-famous lasagne fritti, crumbed pucks of fried pasta containing porcini bechamel and tangy Corra Linn sheep’s milk cheese. Technically precise and a touch playful, both clock it at under a fiver.
From the larger courses, on a recent visit the agnolotti with shaved artichoke stood out. Equally compelling was the linguine with cuttlefish ragu, black olive and tarragon—a deep, inky tangle that thrummed with saline depth. For secondi, the whole grilled bream is a worthy centrepiece. Perfectly cooked with skin on the verge of crackling, it exemplifies Dean’s philosophy of respectful simplicity with superior ingredients.
Their affogato is a winner if you’ve got a mind for the sweet stuff. On our last visit, a malted barley gelato, chocolate mousse and cold brew coffee was a clever reimagining of the Italian classic, each element supercharged. Back to the beginning, and you’ll want to start with a house negroni, made with the restaurants homemade vermouth. For non-drinkers, Celentano’s house kombucha is ace.
One of the best places to dine near Glasgow Central, Celantanos represents a homecoming success story of London culinary talent returning to Glasgow (a trend begun with Rosie Healey at Alchemilla in 2018) and exemplifies the city’s increasingly confident dining scene. Here, technical expertise meets warm hospitality, honouring Italian traditions while establishing its own identity. We’ll be back, time and time again.
Website: celentanosglasgow.com
Address: Cathedral House, 28-32 Cathedral Square, Glasgow G4 0XA
Glaschu
Ideal for elegant Scottish plates in a grand Exchange Square setting…
Occupying the ground floor of the impressive Western Club building in Royal Exchange Square, Glaschu (Gaelic for ‘Glasgow’, no less) sits just minutes from Glasgow Central. It’s a dining space that exudes understated elegance – muted beige tones complemented by grand green pillars that has you worried you’re just about to drop serious money on a meal.
Fear not. Chef Graeme Brown’s isn’t quite as expensive as its esteemed surroundings imply. Dishes like scallops with celeriac, apple and hazelnut, or lobster ravioli with cep puree and lobster bisque both hover around the £20, whilst the substantial 35-day aged beef fillet with ox cheek and ale suet pudding is £45, sure, but it’s enough to send you home happy without absolute need for starter or dessert. To get a more thorough overview of Brown’s cooking, there’s a tasting menu too, priced at £75 or £125 with drinks pairing.
It’s on the Hump Day that Glaschu becomes particularly appealing. To get you through the rest of the week, ‘Wellington Wednesdays’ present two pinpoint beef Wellingtons with golden thick-cut chips, tender carrots and rich red wine jus, plus a bottle of wine for £90 per couple.
The cocktail list reflects the restaurant’s appreciation for Glasgow’s history and architecture. The Marochetti blends limoncello, Malfy Italian gin, basil and lemon juice—named after the Italian-born architect who designed the Duke of Wellington statue, while the Barrowlands with Roku gin, Lillet Blanc, salt and seaweed pays homage to the iconic East End venue.
If all of that sounds a little high falutin, then you’ll be interested to hear that Glaschu has recently expanded by opening MAISON by Glaschu in Princes Square on Buchanan Street, a French-inspired bar and restaurant offering a slightly more casual dining experience.
Website: glaschu.com
Address: 32 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, G1 3AB
Hazel
Ideal for a bright, airy spot serving global-Scottish fusion from dawn till dusk..
Inside the new AC by Marriott hotel on John Street, just a short walk from Glasgow Central, Hazel forms part of the ambitious £100 million Love Loan development. Named after the hazel branch in Glasgow’s original coat of arms, the restaurant brings a contemporary dining option to a rapidly evolving district.
The 100-seat venue boasts a bright, Scandi-chic interior with a striking faux hazel tree as its centerpiece, plus bird-shaped lights and fish sculptures nodding to the city’s emblem. It’s all a bit much, visually, but as floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the space in natural light on Glasgow’s sunnier days, it’s also kinda irresistible.
Don’t let the obviously AI-written social media posts put you off (“Dine, unwind, and escape the rush of the city in a setting where nature and urban elegance coexist beautifully…”). Rest assured real chefs—very good chefs—work in the kitchen, seeing to the sprawling five different menus with admirable consistency.
The lunch menu reels in nearby office workers, offering expertly executed classics like eggs Benedict with yielding yolks, alongside global sandwiches including Cuban, Reuben, steak baguette, and a smoked salmon and lox bagel featuring Scottish salmon. The evening menu gets heartier, with dishes like roast haunch of venison with potato gratin, puy lentils and rosemary jus, or pan-roasted hake with hispi cabbage and lemon hollandaise. For those seeking special deals, Chateaubriand Thursday offers excellent value at £60 for two.
Wash it all down with a signature Hazel 75 cocktail, developed in partnership with local Crossbill gin distillery, and feel very satisfied with your lot, at least for the evening.
Website: hazelglasgow.co.uk
Address: 65 John Street, Glasgow G1 1JP
Dakhin, Candleriggs
Ideal for South Indian spice with a gluten-free guarantee..
On the first floor of a building in Glasgow’s buzzy Merchant City district, Dakhin opened in 2004 as Scotland’s first South Indian restaurant. Two decades on and what makes this restaurant truly unique remains the same; it’s the UK’s only acclaimed South Indian restaurant serving 100% gluten-free food. Yep, a rare thing here; all dishes are prepared without gluten, nuts, peanuts, sesame, celery, lupin, molluscs and sulphites, making it an unrivalled destination for diners with dietary restrictions.
It’s a beautiful room to step into, whatever your dietaries. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook busy Candleriggs, and exposed brick, a slatted wooden ceiling with hanging greenery, and an illuminated bar create a welcoming space where diners can observe the chefs at work.
Begin with their famed dosas—thin rice and lentil crepes spanning three feet long, and perfect for sharing. These arrive with various fillings and come with sambhar (spiced lentil soup) and coconut chutney. The paper dosa particularly impresses, its crisp, golden-brown form dramatically draped across the plate. In fact, it’s a great place to stay in the vegan lane, as South Indian cuisine inherently celebrates plant-based cooking.
That said, there’s plenty of protein getting treated right here, too. Creative section titles like ‘The Ocean’s Lure’, ‘Treats of Lamb’, and ‘Pick of The Poultry’ suggest spliffs are being smoked in the kitchen, but they only serve to focus diners’ attention on regional specialties from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. The former section provides some real treats – the yetti masala (jumbo tiger prawns in a thick, complex sauce) and meen moilee (Scottish monkfish stewed with coconut milk) both hit the spot.
Lunchtime visitors should consider the £15 Thali – superb value, indeed.
Website: dakhin.com
Address: 89 Candleriggs, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 1NP
Nanakusa
Ideal for Japanese food in minimalist, light-filled surroundings…
Operating since 2007 on Sauchiehall Street near Charing Cross, Nanakusa (named after the seven edible wild herbs of spring eaten in Japan for their health benefits) has established itself as a real standout in Glasgow’s limited Japanese dining scene.
Despite an unassuming wood-panelled frontage, the interior surprises with its spaciousness—an ornately corniced high ceiling, a bar near the entrance, and a mezzanine create distinct zones. Minimalist design elements and large panels of ever-changing light create a distinctly Japanese mood that casts just the right light on the elegant plates here.
Nanakusa excels with one-bowl wonders, including the una don—grilled eel, fluffy egg, onions and seaweed coated in their secret eel sauce. Their katsu curry deserves its reputation, available with chicken, king prawn, duck or tempura. For warming comfort, the Nanakusa spicy noodle soup features ramen noodles in spicy chili broth topped with your protein of choice.
The fried items particularly shine. Try the kani karaage—soft shell crab that elevates the concept of Japanese fried chicken – and the yasai tempura of seasonal vegetables in light, crisp batter demonstrating the kitchen’s technical prowess.
With its proximity to entertainment venues like the King’s Theatre, CCA, and Nice’n’Sleazy, Nanakusa sits perfectly for pre-show dining, with efficient service and food that won’t keep repeating on you at your show.
Website: nanakusa.co.uk
Address: 41-49 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3LG
Paesano
Ideal for Neapolitan pizza perfection in industrial-chic surroundings…
When Paesano opened on Miller Street in 2015, it revolutionised Glasgow’s pizza scene by becoming the first restaurant to bring traditional Napoletana pizza to the city. Its popularity has only grown in the decade since, with Glaswegians drawn to the pizzeria’s unwavering commitment to time-honored methods and top-quality ingredients.
The expansive dining room exhibits industrial-chic style—exposed ceiling pipes, pendant lighting, wooden tables, and school desk-style chairs create the backdrop. The open kitchen offers the usual theatrical Neapolitan entertainment, as skilled pizzaiolos spin and flip dough before loading it into wood-fired ovens imported directly from Naples that reach a searing 500°C.
The dough here is as digestible as it comes, undergoing 24-hour proofing and resulting in a base that’s ethereally light. The menu remains refreshingly concise. Pizzas start at just £7.90 for a basic tomato sugo with garlic, oregano and extra virgin olive oil, while the classic Margherita is less than a tenner, too. More elaborate options like the spicy Ventricina and Nduja sausage or spinach and ricotta with smoked scamorza cheese still won’t have your accountant in too much of a fluster, both priced keenly at £13.50.
Despite its popularity, Paesano maintains a strict no-reservations policy, though efficient service ensures you rarely wait long. Its democratic, sprawling opening hours (12pm to 10:30pm Sunday to Thursday, and until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays) in keeping with Neapolitan traditions, ensures that queue is always moving.
Following its 2024 acquisition by Di Maggio’s Restaurant Group, Paesano is expanding with a new Shawlands location at the former Di Maggio’s site on Pollokshaws Road. This represents the first step in DRG’s plans to roll out the brand more widely across Scotland and beyond. We just hope the high standards we’ve come to know aren’t affected by saturation.
Website: paesanopizza.co.uk
Address: 94 Miller Street, Glasgow G1 1DT
Ardnamurchan
Ideal for Scottish cuisine opposite the Theatre Royal…
On Hope Street directly opposite the Theatre Royal and just minutes from Glasgow Central, Ardnamurchan brings the distinctive flavors of Scotland’s western peninsula to the city. Opened in 2017 following a £400,000 renovation of the former Trader Joe’s bar, the restaurant takes its name from the Gaelic ‘Àird nam Murchan’ meaning ‘headland of the great seas’.
The smart interior makes nods to Scottish heritage—stag antlers, whisky barrels, and subtle touches of tweed—that would veer off into cliché in lesser hands, but here it feels well judged.
Sourcing artisan products from the Highlands and Islands forms the foundation of Ardnamurchan’s philosophy. The venison comes directly from the Ardnamurchan Estate where deer roam free, fish and shellfish arrive fresh from Scotland’s west coast waters, and the beef (and whisky) hails from Speyside.
Main courses include Ardnamurchan Estate braised wild venison stew slow-cooked in red wine with mushrooms and mashed potato, and grilled Isle of Skye landed langoustines with confit garlic emulsion. The Ardnamurchan Grill section presents 45-day dry-hung Speyside steaks alongside wild venison fillet from the estate.
The Market Menu offers excellent value at around £11.95 for two courses (pre-theatre), with à la carte main courses ranging from approximately £16-£30. The restaurant is dog-friendly with limited bookable tables available upon request.
Website: ardnamurchan.restaurant
Address: 325 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 3PT
Stereo
Ideal for creative 100% vegan food and live performance in a Mackintosh building…
Approaching its 20th year in central Glasgow, Stereo occupies a beautiful Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed building tucked away on Renfield Lane, just minutes from Glasgow Central. This multi-purpose venue functions as a dedicated vegan bar and kitchen during the day and transforms into a performance space in the evenings.
The upper ground floor contains the main bar and restaurant area, benefiting from abundant natural light. As night falls, the music volume rises, though the vibe remains welcoming rather than overwhelming.
Stereo’s 100% vegan menu presents creative plant-based cooking that shifts seasonally. Small plates (which hover in the £7 or £8 region) include standouts like salt and chilli enoki mushrooms with gochujang and miso ketchup, buffalo cauliflower coated in craft beer batter, and Silesian potato dumplings topped with gremolata, crispy capers and dill oil.
Open seven days a week, from noon to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, the kitchen closes at 9pm daily.
Website: stereocafebar.com
Address: 22-28 Renfield Lane, Glasgow G2 6PH
Maki & Ramen
Ideal for Japanese noodles and sushi near Glasgow Central…
On Queen Street just a short walk from both Glasgow Central and Queen Street stations, Maki & Ramen brings the tastes of Japan to the heart of the city. This Glasgow outpost of the popular chain which originated in Edinburgh has quickly found its audience among the city’s Japanese food enthusiasts, who can’t get enough of the place. Fortunately, Maki & Ramen recently opened their third Glasgow location on Byres Road, with CEO Teddy Lee targeting 30 sites by 2027. Wowzer.
Still, it’s in the Queen Street location that we seem to always find ourselves. As the name suggests, Maki & Ramen specialises in two key areas of Japanese cuisine. Their sushi lineup includes expertly crafted maki rolls, nigiri, and sashimi, all prepared with fresh ingredients and precise technique. The ramen selection presents rich, slow-simmered broths in various styles, from the classic tonkotsu (pork) to miso and shoyu (soy sauce) bases, each with handmade noodles and various toppings.
The restaurant produces their own 8-hour slow-cooked broth and handmade noodles in their Edinburgh factory, ensuring consistency across all locations. They’ve also launched a charitable initiative at their Glasgow branches: every Wednesday from 4-8pm, they donate £1 to the Glasgow Care Foundation for each ramen dish sold.
Website: makiandramen.com
Address: 21 Bath St, Glasgow G2 1HW
