Merchant City, International Restaurant Guide

“Just a home from home” for its many long-term fans – this Merchant City institution (est 1979) provides a cosy setting, characterised by its paneled walls and custom-made furniture (by Tim Stead). The fare is straightforward rather than of any huge aspiration, but it makes for an affordable destination.

“Tasty tapas-style food” to share at “very reasonable prices”, plus “laid-back and friendly service” draw a “great crowd” to Jonathan MacDonald’s “vibrant and funky venue” in Kelvingrove. Top Tip – “try ordering 2 or 3 dishes at a time, as they are brought out as soon as they are ready and arrive in a random order”.

Glasgow chef Nico Simeone’s distinctive concept has grown into a national chain with 11 restaurants (including Fitzrovia and Canary Wharf) in just six years, offering a quick-changing succession of themed six-course menus for under £50 a head. It’s widely seen as “fantastic value” and has a sizeable fanbase amongst reporters (“every six weeks, the menu renews and for me, it is something to look forward to…”; “we simply love it and we’ve yet to miss a menu!” – “the Tokyo menu was so good we went back a second time”). Only a tiny few say, “you can feel you’re on a conveyor belt with lots of upsells”; or that the whole thing is “a dystopia of where restaurants will evolve”.

“Continuing its outstanding reputation in the West End, Stravaigin has been given a recent facelift, which adds greatly to the ambience” – this thirty-year-old landmark of the West End was sold to new owners the Metropolitan Pub Company in 2022 and their investment is breathing new life into this Glaswegian foodie icon. Both The Scotsman and The Times reviewed it after the change and according to Rosalind Erskine of the former, “the food and drink… is a lot like the new look, it’s a refresh but still recognisable for what it always was, which will be a comfort to regulars and new visitors alike”.