Merchant City, Scottish - Restaurant Guide

Dating from 1870 – and with an evocative, traditional interior to match – this “famous Scottish restaurant” on the periphery of the city centre (from which it’s cut off by the M8) is steeped in Victorian charm. Run by Ryan James, it once traded under the banner of his ‘Two Fat Ladies’ brand, but with the demise of its siblings it generally just goes by ‘The Buttery’ nowadays. Its traditional Scottish fare is consistently well-rated in our survey, but there’s also a sense that “one goes for the ambience more than the food nowadays”. It’s also “very popular with tourists” – not that this should necessarily put you off.

“Top cooking with no stuffiness” helps win applause for Graeme Cheevers’s “exceptional” venue – a comfortably furnished, somewhat old-school enterprise “located in hip Finnieston” and with “tables set nicely apart so neighbours’ conversations don’t intrude”. There is a seven-course tasting menu for £135 per person, but there’s also a (slightly) cheaper à la carte for £100 per person and all agree that the “set lunch is great value” (at £55 per person – “Michelin quality at a price that’s half that of its nearest competitor”). “You can always walk it off in the park afterwards if needed!”

“Still a top destination in Glasgow” – this West End institution “changed owners in 2022 and now belongs to pub chain Greene King”, who replaced founder Ronnie Clydesdale and (later) his son Colin, but “luckily the ambience, good service, and excellent modern Scottish cuisine” remain even better than ever (and mercifully “far away from pub grub”). The multi-tasking and “trendy” venue (the “ambience is pretty jungle style”) combines pub, restaurant, brasserie, wee whisky bar and coveted roof terrace turning out “inventive cocktails”. “Overall it remains a super (though expensive) place for special celebrations” – if not a wholly “different world”.

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”.

2025 Review: This well-heeled spot near Glasgow’s Theatre Royal is, say fans, a “great showcase for Scottish produce – from venison to scallops and langoustines” – delivering “a traditional Scottish menu with style and taste”. But one or two doubters find it “expensive” for what it is.

2023 Review: Just along the road from Kelvingrove Museum, it’s worth remembering this small-plates restaurant: the menu is inventive and all reports rate the results well.

2024 Review: This April 2023 opening is the brainchild of Nico Simeone (of Six by Nico fame) whose wife Valentina recovered from Hodgkin lymphoma some years ago and was supported at Beatson Cancer Charity. 100% of profits from this relocated 48-seat venture (which previously operated in Whitehill Street) go to supporting the same charity. No feedback as yet in our annual diners’ poll, but The Scotsman’s Rosalind Erskine was impressed: the “chefs in charge… have come from Unalome by Graeme Cheevers… so the expectation is high, and they do not disappoint”.