Earlier this year, we reported that there were two new One Michelin Star awards in Scotland. In Glasgow, there were two more Bib Gourmand awards for good cooking at affordable prices and two restaurants retained their One Michelin Star rating.
Jonathan Macdonald of Sebb’s on Miller Street said: “As soon as Ka Pao opened in 2020, Covid hit and everything else was put on the back burner,” he said. “Once we made the decision to push forward, it took years to design the place from scratch, making significant structural changes, and working through all of the associated paperwork that comes with it being a listed building.
“To be honest, there were moments when we thought about selling the space. People told us not to open in the city centre — post-pandemic things looked bleak. But we took a leap of faith, and I’m glad we did. The city centre is buzzing again. There is lots of excitement and a few like-minded operators have opened more great venues.”
Michelin currently recommends 13 restaurants in Glasgow. Gary Townsend’s Bearsden restaurant, Elements, just outside of Glasgow, is also Michelin recommended.
Here are the top restaurants in Glasgow according to Michelin inspectors.
1. Cail Bruich
Michelin Award: One Star: High quality cooking. "Cail Bruich means ‘to eat well’ and this smart restaurant certainly lives up to its name. Experienced Head Chef Lorna McNee has the utmost respect for the quality of her ingredients and a great understanding of how to handle them." 725 Great Western Road, G12 8QX | Cail Bruich
2. Unalome by Graeme Cheevers
Michelin Award: One Star: High quality cooking. "In the lively hub of Finnieston, this elegant spot in a period building represents local chef Graeme Cheevers' desire to create a restaurant for all occasions. His considerable culinary skills pay their respects to the finest of Scottish produce, be it Orkney scallops or North Sea cod, in dishes that display his classical leanings." 36 Kelvingrove Street, G3 7RZ. | Unalome by Graeme Cheevers
3. Margo
Michelin Award: Bib Gourmand for good quality, good value cooking: "As a sister restaurant to Ox and Finch and Ka Pao, you can probably guess what you’re getting with Margo: a bustling, efficiently run restaurant that’s deservedly popular thanks to its great buzz and flavour-packed, generously priced dishes. The sharing plates are a satisfying synthesis of Mediterranean cooking and Scottish produce, borne out in dishes like red prawn agnolotti and ham hough croquettes." 68 Miller St, G1 1DT | Margo
4. GaGa Bar and Kitchen
Michelin Award: Bib Gourmand for good quality, good value cooking: "One side is a former butcher’s shop with the original glazed tiles on the walls, whilst the other is more rustic with colourful pot plants dotted around. Grab one of the booths if you can and start with a cocktail, then dive right into the menu of vibrantly flavoured, Malaysian-inspired dishes – the fried chicken with Sichuan hot sauce and orange zest is a highlight." 566 Dumbarton Rd, G11 6RH | Gaga