West Highland Way Rooms ED30002F

In the lively hub of Finnieston, this elegant spot in a period building represents local chef Graeme Cheevers' desire to create a restaurant for all occasions. His considerable culinary skills are evident in dishes that pay their respects to the finest of Scottish produce from Orkney scallops to North Sea cod – the latter of which might come with peas, asparagus and subtle hints of mint and wasabi, providing a fine example of the precision and sophistication you can expect here. It's well worth going for the full tasting menu and the thoughtfully considered wine pairings.

A smart neighbourhood restaurant in a very smart neighbourhood, Elements occupies a swish, lavishly renovated premises blending royal blue fabrics with dark wood and gold furnishings. The kitchen applies classical techniques to top-quality Scottish ingredients, while incorporating some subtle international influences, and delivers an interesting range of flavours and textures. Beef short rib with beetroot, smoked eel and beef dashi is a good example. The on-display wine is a nod to the well-stocked list featuring something for every palate and purse.

The team from Cail Bruich are behind this likeable neighbourhood spot decked out with cool modern décor and boasting a large bar – start with the well-priced house negroni or something creative from the extensive cocktail list. The cooking is led by the top-quality ingredients, be they seasonal girolles or super-fresh Loch Fyne mackerel, and the charcoal grill plays a key role in proceedings too. The best value comes via the set menu or sharing dishes from the à la carte. Knowledgeable and attentive service adds to the appeal.

A few streets from the Botanical Gardens is this fun, buzzy basement restaurant situated in a former garage dating back to the 1900s. Sister to Ox and Finch, it has a similar ethos of laid-back dining and affordable pricing, but here the cooking comes with a distinctly Southeast Asian flavour. The chefs blend sweet and spicy elements with great skill, in colourful sharing plates ranging from corn ribs to stir-fried ox tongue so satisfying you'll be considering a second helping. Another branch is located in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter.

In the West End suburb of Partick, this brightly painted restaurant offers an enjoyable slice of Southeast Asian cuisine. One side is a former butcher’s shop with the original glazed tiles on the walls, whilst the other is more rustic with colourful pot plants dotted around. Grab one of the booths if you can and start with a cocktail, then dive right into the menu of vibrantly flavoured dishes that take inspiration from Malaysia, Thailand and beyond. Lively, delicious and great value, GaGa has all the ingredients for a fun night out.

Now in its second decade, this hugely likeable bistro is becoming something of a Glasgow institution – the first in a small group of restaurants offering brilliant value and a buzzing atmosphere. After a refurbishment in early 2025, it's got a fresh new look and menu, but the ethos remains: Mediterranean dishes that are ideal for sharing, showcasing skilful use of simple ingredients so that their flavours really shine through – such as cod cheeks with chorizo, tomato and morcilla. The attentive service team run the place like a well-oiled machine.

It's always such a joy to find a neighbourhood restaurant as warmly and passionately run as this. The relaxed and friendly style of the service is a perfect match for cooking that feels like the epitome of a modern British bistro. Straightforward, well-executed dishes based on quality ingredients, with a few international flavours running through the menu. The kitchen does a great job of enhancing the seasonal Scottish produce, such as pan-fried coley served with salty samphire and pea purée.