You won’t find much better service in Scotland than Glaswegian hospitality, but just how did Glasgow’s unique hospitality scene come about? That’s something we hope to find out today by looking at 15 landmark Glasgow restaurants that were definite milestones in defining the modern Glasgow hospitality scene.
The Glasgow hospitality scene didn’t just pop up over night, it was built up over the last 150 years or so - expanded upon and developed by each subsequent opening. Whether it was a restaurant that was open for just a few years in the 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s, or a restaurant with a history dating back to 1870 - each and every new opening tries to bring something new to the scene, to varying success.
Glasgow hospitality is unique compared to the rest of the country, and even England, Wales and Ireland too. Expect some of the friendliest quickest service you can find coupled with some of the most talented Scottish chefs running kitchens at peak efficiency.
Glasgow restaurants are some of the finest in the country, with international flavours combined with Scotland’s best produce. Over the last few decades the city’s reputation has grown as a food and drink destination with a strong independent restaurant scene. This all culminated earlier this year with the Michelin Guide hosting their awards ceremony for 2025 at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
Given Glasgow is such a multi-cultural city, you can expect a wide range of different cuisines from all over the globe to be sold in restaurants in our fair city - whether you want Nepalese, Ethiopian, Spanish, Italian or Indian; Glasgow caters for all palettes. A fact many outsiders might consider surprising given the stereotypical idea of the Glaswegian diet is deep fried pizza and crisps.
That’s why today we’re looking back at Glasgow’s hospitality history, documenting those restaurants that changed Glaswegian hospitality forever.
13. Sylvan
Sylvan told Glasgow that plant-based food is a lot more than just a fad, and the message stuck. Before the restaurant opened in 2021, if you were vegetarian you'd struggle to find anywhere upmarket to eat. Most vegan / vegetarian eateries in Glasgow were small cafes that struggled to last more than a year or so, though we reckon that Sylvan has serious staying power. | Sylvan (Glasgow)
14. The Spanish Butcher
The Spanish Butcher brought back steak restaurants in a big way to Glasgow when it opened in 2016. Before then Glaswegians viewed Spanish food as little more than tapas, but the Spanish Butcher opened peoples eyes to the possibilities of some choice Spanish meats. | The Spanish Butcher
15. Mono
Mono in Glasgow is a firm-favourite of the cities vegan crowd, with the circular venue often putting on some of the city's most promising bands in both free and paid gigs. It first opened in 2002, long before veganism was prevalent in pop-culture, proving a real commitment to the lifestyle. It's Glasgow's oldest vegan restaurant, and one of the most respected small venues in Glasgow - a very unique combination you can't really find anywhere else in Scotland. | Mono