More Than Fried Mars Bars: Eating Scottish in Glasgow

A guide to eating Scottish in Glasgow

In recent years Glasgow has put itself on the map of the UK’s top dining destinations. In the city there’s a number of acclaimed restaurants offering cuisine from just about every corner of the globe, whether it’s the array of award-winning curry houses, trendy hipster burger joints or fine French restaurants. If there’s one thing Glasgow does exceptionally well, however, it’s Scottish food, and scattered throughout the city there are restaurants showcasing the best Scottish food that goes well beyond the infamous fried Mars bar. We’ve put together a guide of must-try Scottish food and our favourite Glasgow spots to indulge in it.

From the loch to the plate

Scotland is blessed with miles of coastline and Scottish seafood is famous across the globe, with Scottish produce like salmon and mussels popping up at some of the most prestigious restaurants worldwide. Given its close proximity to the sea as well as a number of famous lochs, in Glasgow you can experience some of the freshest Scottish fish and seafood there is. One of the country’s most popular seafood dishes is Cullen skink, a thick, traditional chowder originating from the town of Cullen in Moray and made from smoked haddock, potato and onions. To have a try, head over to The Fish People Cafe, a sleek seafood restaurant in Kinning Park where hearty bowls of Cullen skink are cooked up just how yer granny would make ’em.

Another fishy Scottish food favourite is The Finnieston, a celebrated seafood restaurant that has really helped put Finnieston on the foodie map. With cosy wooden booths, tasteful maritime decor and a menu with a focus on sustainable Scottish seafood, this restaurant brings a bit of the seaside to Glasgow city centre. Try some West Coast blue shell mussels, some Tarbet scallops or oysters with a bacon and haggis crumb and Rock Oyster whisky mist.

An ode to the haggis

As Scotland’s national food, no trip to Glasgow is complete without haggis. Believed by many tourists to be made from wild haggis found in the Scottish highlands, the dish is actually made from the heart, liver and lungs of a sheep, mixed with suet, oatmeal and seasoning and then traditionally served inside a bag, usually a sheep’s stomach. Typically served on Burn’s Night alongside neeps n tatties (turnip and mashed potato), it may not be a dish for the faint hearted, but it’s surprisingly delicious. One of our favourite spots to indulge in Scotland’s most famous dish is Roastit Bubbly Jocks, a cosy and casual bistro on Dumbarton Road.

Another of our go-to city centre haggis haunts is The Hope, a laidback eatery that combines time-tested Scottish food with hip, urban design. With its central location, it’s great to combine with nearby sights, galleries and museums, with big Scottish breakfasts and other favourites all featuring on the menu too.

Time for a wee dram

Think of Scotland and there’s a good chance you’ll think of Scotch, the country’s most revered drink (besides Irn Bru, of course). To be labeled as Scotch, a whisky must be produced entirely in Scotland and with so much history, attention to detail and tradition going into each bottle, it’s no wonder the tipple has such a reputation. Whether you’re a budding connoisseur or you can’t tell your Glenmorangie from your Glenfiddich, Glasgow is a hotspot for whisky lovers. For a wee dram with the locals head over to Dram, a snug neighbourhood bar located in leafy Woodlands that boasts one of Glasgow’s finest whisky collections. With over 70 malts waiting to be tasted, though, we can’t guarantee you’ll leave sober…