Merchant City, Italian - Restaurant Guide

“Delicious” Neapolitan-style pizzas are found at this “big, busy restaurant with lots of hustle and bustle, where the staff are welcoming and the service is fast and efficient” – “the relatively short menu with amazing ingredients on top (especially San Marzano tomato sauce and really good mozzarella, all sourced from Italy) results in top-quality pizzas”. There’s a second branch in Glasgow’s West End, and new owners DRG (best-known for Cafe Andaluz) are planning a major expansion: Southside opened in May 2025, with Edinburgh expected to follow soon after – while ratings have held firm at the OG.

“Perfectly cooked pasta in a range of mouthwatering sauces is served up by the friendly, enthusiastic FOH team” at this “reasonably priced” outfit in the Merchant City, with a “vibrant and upbeat ambience”. New owners DRG (of Cafe Andaluz and more) have maintained standards, and plan to open new branches both north and south of the border.

“A great Italian-inspired spot” – this popular destination is run by Dean & Anna Parker in the ground floor of a historic Baronial-style building called Cathedral House, which incorporates a mezzanine level to the traditional bar and dining room. “Amazing pappadelle in generous portions” exemplifies the “talented cooking with great ingredients”.

2024 Review: Occupying an interesting looking Edwardian landmark (built in 1914 as a tram stop), this “classic Italian” wins praise for its “well-cooked Italian food” (pizza, pasta, plus classic Italian staple dishes). “It can be crowded, but is very friendly”. It generated national headlines in 2023 (including in the fun-filled Sun), when owner Marco Giannasi ‘secretly’ sold the business to waiter Alex Matheson and his wife Jen Doherty (although Giannasi and his wife still own the freehold). Top Tip – “good value lunchtime offers”.

2024 Review: “A brash, grand and ambitious new Italian” from owner Guiseppe Marini, which opened to much fanfare in spring 2023 in the expensively revamped city centre premises that were previously a branch of Zizzi. It immediately inspired upbeat reviews in our annual diners’ poll (“just what Glasgow city centre needs”; “excellent pastas and promising-looking meat and fish options”; “really committed to its Italian wine list and to weaning its crowd off premium Champagne”). But in August 2023, the three Cozzolini brothers who used to work for Francesco Mazzei at Sartoria in London’s Mayfair parted ways with the project. Consequently, we’ve left it un-rated for the time being while its culinary direction becomes clearer.