Glasgow Restaurant Guide

“After a few years of stooping from its previous heights the chip is back to its best!” This famous Glaswegian veteran (est. 1971) put in a strong showing in this year’s survey, with general agreement that “it’s still a top eating place” with a superbly “atmospheric” interior, “relaxed and knowledgeable staff” and “expensive but stunningly good”, modern Scottish cuisine; with a particular highlight being the “fantastic wine and amazing malt whisky list”.

Ryan James’s dark, tartan-clad Scots seafood operation (part of a small local chain) occupies a historic, wood-panelled site near the SECC, and won acclaim for some “fabulous” meals this year “efficient and friendly” service too.

In buzzing Finnieston, a NYC-style two-year-old that “specialises in local farm-bred, air-dried beef steaks” full of “fantastic flavour and texture”, and “accompanied by an interesting menu of locally sourced produce”.

Celebrating 20 years this year, Derek Marshall’s city-centre basement has earned a very solid reputation over the last couple of decades as one of the city’s top culinary destinations, on account of its unfailingly “excellent” preparation of “high quality” fish dishes and “efficient and pleasant service”.

2016 Review: “Consistently brilliant”… “consistently exceptional” – the concepts of reliability and excellence feature in all reports on this tiny, traditional Italian favourite, on the borders between the West End and city centre.

A tiny Finnieston classic offering the “best seafood in the area” in a stylish if cramped setting; the menu covers pretty much everything under the sea (all “fab”) but it’s the daily specials, chalked up on the board, that are “really special – try them!”