Glasgow, International Restaurant Guide

Now in its 26th year, Colin Clydesdale’s well-known local operates on the principle ‘think global, eat local’, serving an eclectic selection of dishes on world food principles using Scottish ingredients in its basement restaurant. Many regulars just go for a burger or other bar snacks in the popular ground floor bar, however (same kitchen).

This Merchant City legend, with its custom-made furniture and stained-glass window, still wins a good number of nominations, particularly for brunch, and it’s often held out as a “casual and relaxed” landmark of local life with “always reliable” cooking and a “good, somewhat unusual wine list”. One sceptical report, though, has some ring of truth to it: “Long held up as a Glasgow highlight, it can now seem a bit dull. The food is absolutely fine, but without any particular interest. But the room, with its wooden furniture seemingly made from driftwood and fallen trees, is great!”

Formerly The Strathmore, this riverside pub in Glasgow's Maryhill area has been taken over and extensively refurbished by local entrepreneurs Alan Tomkins and Calum Lawson. A global menu, using local produce, will be served. The name is inspired by stories of prisoners who were transported down the river to Botany Bay, and the whole concept takes inspiration from Amsterdam's canalside restaurants.

"A new restaurant every six weeks." This mini-chain from chef Nico Simeone (also in Belfast and Edinburgh) serves a signature six-course tasting menu, which changes every six weeks in style, cuisine and inspiration, served to 66 diners.