Glasgow Food
Although such culinary delights as the deep-fried Mars bar, deep-fried Cadbury's Creme Egg, deep-fried pizza and deep-fried black pudding were all invented in Glasgow, this certainly does not reflect the other delicacies that this Scottish city has to offer.
Glasgow boasts a huge selection of cuisines from around the world and is most famous for its Chinese, Indian and Italian restaurants. The city centre offers a number of trendy bistros and brasseries with extensive menus to cater for all tastes. There are also a clutch of lively, informal eateries that are cheaper and accommodate the emptiest of wallets.
Many restaurants shut on a Sunday or a Monday, with others locking up immediately after lunch and reopening for dinner again at around 6pm. Those premises that have bars are more inclined to stay open for longer and hours when food is served tend to be listed.
Some of the best Scottish produce is served up in Glasgow and is always impeccably presented. From shellfish and seafood from the nearby west coast sea lochs to Ayrshire meat, such as pork and lamb, diners cannot go wrong.
Meats such as lamb, beef, venison and pheasant are commonplace on menus in Glasgow. Haggis is also a traditionally popular option. Nevertheless, vegetarians are also well catered for and vegetarian haggis is making its way onto most menus!
Glaswegians pride themselves on their cafe culture and the city is packed full of little patisseries and Italian cafes where you can enjoy sweet snacks washed down with a latte. Those who prefer tea will not be disappointed either, as the city is famous for its tearooms.
The most famous of these is perhaps the Willow Tea Rooms on Sauchiehall Street. The elegantly-designed tea room was designed by Glaswegian architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1903.
Visitors from across the globe come to this eatery to admire the beautiful, delicate colours and the interesting furniture, not to mention the superb breakfast of smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and toast. Visitors are advised to miss the large queues by arriving at opening time.
For a more contemporary experience, tourists are advised to take a trip to the West End, where Tchai Ovna has a selection of over 80 teas which are served in bohemian surroundings. The evenings are when these tea rooms really come alive, with poetry readings, comedy and live music.
As well as eccentric tea rooms, the greatest concentration of eateries in Glasgow is around the Byres Road in the West End. This is the best place to get a cheap meal in stylish surroundings as it is typically a student region.
Some of the more stylish and slightly more expensive restaurants can be found in the Merchant City. However, some of the bars here also serve food at a reasonable price. The gastro-pub phenomenon has certainly hit Glasgow, but at a cut price. As well as traditional pub grub, Glasgow boozers also tend to offer freshly prepared courses with side salads.
As with any British city, the traditional tipple seems to be the trusty pint of lager. However, you can't visit Scotland without sampling a 'wee tod'. Whisky mixed with cola is popular in clubs and pubs but Scotch and water is a tipple enjoyed by the hardened locals to accompany their haggis, tatties and neeps.
For a city of its size, Glasgow more than pulls its weight in terms of eating and drinking. This has prompted many critics to claim that the lively Scottish city has the most complete restaurant scene outside of London. Whatever you are searching for and on whatever budget, you are certain to find it in Glasgow.
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Eating & Drinking
