Glasgow is an incredible place for foodies. You can wander from a Michelin-recognised tasting menu in the West End to a hot, floppy Neapolitan pizza in the city centre. And it was named one of the best food cities in the UK by Time’s Out.
For food lovers visiting Scotland, Edinburgh often gets the glossy attention. Glasgow, though? Glasgow gives you every flavour you can dream of, and if you’re booking motorhome hire, you can have the freedom of visiting them all, not just the popular city centre spots.
Read on to the ultimate foodies’ guide to Glasgow.
Ox and Finch on Sauchiehall Street
Ox and Finch is at 920 Sauchiehall Street, close to Kelvingrove, Finnieston and the western edge of the city centre. It is one of Glasgow’s best-known modern restaurants. The room has energy, and it’s so nice to go there and order a handful of things, pass them around, and have a fabulous evening.
It has a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide, which is awarded for good quality and good value cooking. Michelin has also previously highlighted Ox and Finch as a strong example of neighbourhood dining, noting its long-standing commitment to value.
The menu changes, but it’s always amazing. A recent review in The Times praised its comeback after refurbishment, mentioning dishes such as cod cheeks on sourdough, cod with garlic salsa verde, hen-of-the-wood mushrooms, skate wing with spicy crab sauce and lamb shoulder kebab.
Paesano in Merchant City or the West End
Sometimes the best food is pizza. Paesano has two main Glasgow locations, one on Miller Street in Merchant City and another on Great Western Road in the West End. The Miller Street branch is great if you’re exploring George Square, Buchanan Street or the Gallery of Modern Art.
Paesano is famous for its Neapolitan pizza. Soft sourdough base, blistered crust, simple toppings and that slightly messy middle that requires confidence. You can’t beat it.
TripAdvisor reviews for the Great Western Road branch show a strong 4.4 rating, and reviews of the Miller Street Paesano regularly mention quick service, a buzzing atmosphere and pizzas coming out fast from the oven.
Our recommendation would be to order a classic tomato, mozzarella and basil pizza if you want to keep things simple, or go for something richer with spicy salami, mushrooms or extra cheese, depending on what is on the board.
Ka Pao near the Botanic Gardens
Ka Pao is inside the old Botanic Gardens Garage at 26 Vinicombe Street, just off Byres Road.
Location-wise, it is perfect after a wander through the Botanic Gardens or a slow afternoon in the West End. The restaurant says its food is influenced by Southeast Asian cooking, and Michelin lists it as a Bib Gourmand for good-quality, good-value cooking.
The food here is truly amazing. You’ve got everything from fragrant curries to dishes full of fresh herbs, coconut, chilli, lime and all those bright flavours that make you keep reaching back across the table.
Online reviews are so enthusiastic about the food, but some do say the service can be slow. We wouldn’t let that bother you; just order another wine and enjoy the night. The food is worth the wait.
Margo in the City Centre
Margo is at 68 Miller Street, which is right in the centre of Glasgow. It is minutes from public transport, close to George Square and very easy to work into a day of shopping, galleries or pre-theatre drinks. It is also one of the newer names that has quickly become a favourite for tourists and locals.
The Guardian reviewed Margo in 2025, calling it “something very special” and loving its relaxed, elegant feel. The review mentions starters from £4 to £9.50, mains from £8.50 to £50 and desserts from £6 to £8.50, which gives it a surprisingly flexible price range for somewhere with this much polish. You really can’t go wrong with the price and the quality of food.
Food-wise, this is a place for jazzed-up comfort. The Guardian review rated the focaccia with confit garlic butter, polenta chipsticks with taramasalata, ham hock croquettes, hand-dived Uist scallops, cold roast lamb saag, bavette steak with chimichurri and a half Creedy Carver duck with liver parfait, marmalade and toast all as amazing.
Margo also received a Michelin Bib Gourmand shortly after opening, so it definitely is worth going.
Glasgow is a dream city for foodies. The best tip? Plan by neighbourhood. Do Cail Bruich or Ka Pao when you are in the West End. Pick Margo or Paesano if you are around Merchant City. And yes, book the popular ones. This is a city that knows when it is onto something good.