Glasgow, Fish & Seafood Restaurant Guide

2018 Review: Café Gandolfi’s nearby spin-off delivers “lovely and fresh fish” enjoyed against the backdrop of “Art Deco-style decor”.

An Art Deco interior created in 1935 by the same craftsmen who fitted out the Queen Mary make this city-centre icon one of the UK’s more historic restaurant spaces. Shuttered since September 2020 and the onset of Covid-19, it had been feared in some quarters that its closure might be permanent. But in August 2021, the owners confirmed that this seafood destination would reopen in 2022 after a refurbishment.

“Very good-quality fish (fresh and locally caught) – often simply but always expertly cooked” has been the hallmark of Derek Marshall’s low-key city-centre basement destination since it opened in 1998. Top Tip: “exceptional fish soup!”.

“A piece of old Glasgow in a traditional setting” – the Buttery is a city institution, run since 2007 by Ryan James as part of his Two Fat Ladies group. Worth a visit for the Victoriain interior alone, its “reasonably priced menu and good cooking” ensures that a meal is no let-down.

“Fish and seafood heaven” – a Finnieston fixture since 2009, this bustling joint with a very ‘street’ attitude is “not to be beaten” for spanking-fresh crustacea and well turned-out fish at “amazing” prices for such quality. Perch at the bar, or book/hustle for a table in the small interior.

A second branch of Crabshakk opened near the Botanic Gardens in April 2022.

The team behind Cail Bruich opened a seafood restaurant in Hyndland in March 2022 - their fourth site overall - serving up fresh Scottish produce with Champagne and cocktails.

A Glasgow aesthetician known as Dr Q has branched out into restaurant ownership with this seafood restaurant and takeaway on the fringes of Glasgow, offering an extensive menu of locally sourced seafood dishes, including vegetarian and vegan dishes and a "scallops high tea"; opened May 2022.