Clifton Hotel

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Their motto here is ‘think global, eat local’ and this clear to see from the menu, where their homemade haggis sits alongside an array of ingredients from multiple Asian cuisines – be it furikake from Japan, tom yum from Thailand or lentil dahl from India. A pleasingly unfussy quality runs throughout these dishes, which are tasty and carefully prepared. The ground floor has a shabby-chic café-bar style, while The Cellar is a more intimate affair.

When a Glasgow restaurant belongs to the same stable as Ox and Finch, Ka Pao and Margo, you know you’re in for a treat. Sebb’s sits underneath the latter, in a vaulted red-brick basement that’s perfect for a party. The menu happily ignores international borders, offering up everything from Turkish lahmacun to Brazilian-style picanha steak, via tandoori trout and jerk-spiced pork belly. Each one bursts with flavour and generosity thanks to the skill of the chefs. Cocktails are a feature too, with an intriguing and enticing list including the likes of a miso and malt Old Fashioned.