I’M not sure whether it’s whether easy or difficult to choose five favourite restaurants in a city centre.
Easier, because of breadth of choice., but more difficult because of the quality and the potential for so many restaurants to be in that top five. These are my current favourites in Glasgow city centre, which offer completely different types of culinary experiences for different occasions.
Celentano’s, 28-32 Cathedral Square
Celentano’s has been hot on the lips of anyone talking about where to eat in Glasgow since it opened in 2021. Situated next to Glasgow Cathedral, its decor is bistro chic with a rustic feel and a distinctly laid-back vibe.
The menu is versatile – come for snacks and cocktails and float into food heaven with light bites such as the lasagne fritti with porcini and Corra Linn sheep’s cheese or do it Italian style: antipasti, primi, secondi and dessert.
I’ve yet to make it through all four courses but would heartily recommend the pappardelle with Dexter beef and Bonnington Linn, a perfect combination of al dente pasta with a melt-in-the-mouth ragu and a generous scattering of grated hard goat’s cheese.
Cafe Gandolfi, 64 Albion Street
My 92-year-old father-in-law’s favourite restaurant – he’s been going since it opened in 1979 – Gandolfi spans generations with so many people having a fond foodie tale to tell. Beneath the stained-glass windows, adorned with the masterpiece A Flock Of Fishes by John Clark, you’ll find people from all walks of life, shooting the breeze and enjoying great food.
There’s always a happy cloud of good conversation floating above the extraordinary hand-sculpted tables and chairs. It feels special to walk into a place which is unchanged by both time and trends in its aesthetic and ethos.
The menu focuses on Scotland’s culinary heritage, featuring high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Breakfast has always been a highlight, but it’s also known for its exceptional sea food – the cullen skink is a menu signature.
A treasure in Glasgow’s food story and one of the city’s enduring culinary and cultural institutions.
Paesano, 94 Miller Street
It was love at first visit, almost 10 years ago, thanks to the level of authenticity with every aspect of the Paesano experience.
Everything is sourced from Italy, from the San Marzano tomatoes to the wood-fired ovens from Napoli, which cook the pizzas in just over a minute at 500C.
The fundamental secret to creating a good pizza is in the dough, of course. Paesano leaves its dough to rise in the fridge for two days, breaking down the gluten and starch which results in a soft, light, chewy pizza. Add the San Marzano Sugo, the Fior di Latte mozzarella, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil and you have a pizza of dreams for less than £10.
The simplicity of Paesano in terms of its menu, industrial, stripped back decor and authenticity is why it has stood the test of time and set the benchmark for the Neapolitan pizza revolution.
Sapporo Teppanyaki, 2-6 Ingram Street
At Sapporo Teppanyaki, you’ll find jokes, japes and a side portion of harmless jiggery pokery work alongside terrific Japanese food.
It is all about fun and bold theatrics, so expect to find yourself sitting at a large chef’s table, flames bursting in front of you while your chef showcases some nifty knife skills while rustling up your noodles. It is feelgood, upbeat and entertaining without being too gimmicky. It is an ideal pre-gig venue and also for me the perfect place to take our four teenagers for great food, guaranteed non-screen time and a whole lot of laughter.
Outlier, 38 London Road
If I ever needed an excuse to down tools, put my sad little cafetiere back in the cupboard and head to the city for other-worldly coffee and brunch with my son, Outlier is it.
Named as one of three best places to get brunch in Scotland by The Times, Outlier is a bustling coffee and bakery spot in a rustic communal space with a cosy, warm atmosphere, just off the Trongate.
There are delicious sweet and savoury pastries (try the rhubarb galette); toasties with a twist, such as the beef shin, smoked cheddar and fennel jam; breads; bagels; soups; and extraordinarily good coffee courtesy of The Good Coffee Cartel.
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