The Best Restaurants to Splurge in Glasgow

If you wanted to trace Scotland’s modern culinary renaissance, you would begin here, on Ashton Lane in Glasgow’s West End, where the late Ronnie Clydesdale opened Ubiquitous Chip in 1971. Even then, Clydesdale recognized that Scottish produce could serve as the building blocks of standout cuisine, with nary a chip in sight. Now run by his son Colin, the Ubiquitous Chip is still one of the standard-bearers of Glasgow fine dining, though the space itself is elegantly casual. The venison haggis with champit tatties (mashed potatoes with parsley) has been on the menu since the beginning, but also worth trying is the Caledonian ice cream with poached plums and honey oats.

Regularly cited as the best restaurant in Glasgow, this classy venue delivers elegant haute cuisine made with the very best produce from Scotland’s abundant larder. Menu items include dishes such as spiced crab with citrus salad and grilled sea bream. Although it is certainly not a budget option, it is refreshingly unpretentious and the service is friendly and appropriately casual.

Recently revamped to showcase an open kitchen, this West End venue gives diners a ringside seat from which to watch the culinary alchemy unfold. Although the name is Scottish and the produce is sourced locally, influences are derived from a range of sources with typical dishes including a wild garlic and ham soup and marinated fish with blood orange and avocado.