Italian food has long been one of Scotland’s favourite cuisines. With its thriving international community and fast-moving restaurant culture, Glasgow is a hotspot for Italian restaurants. From family-owned Italian restaurants with a cosy, mom-and-pop feel, to sleek Italian chains that offer bright, quick service and great food at affordable prices, the Dear Green Place brings Italian fare to its dining scene.
Pizza fans can enjoy stone-baked pies straight from the oven, or crispy sourdough bases that sit beautifully with fresh mozzarella topping while homemade pasta pairs perfectly well with creamy carbonara, sausage meatballs, fresh shellfish and white wine sauces.
Some of the best Italian restaurants in Glasgow are sprinkled around the city centre, meaning it’s easy to grab some filling Italian food after a day out at the shops or before heading to the theatre. Family-friendly joints are also perfect if you’ve got the kids in tow and many of Glasgow’s best Italian restaurants effortlessly adapt their cuisine to suit younger diners. There are Italian restaurants that offer the perfect setting for celebrating special occasions or a fun night out with friends. Join us as we explore the 5 best Italian restaurants in Glasgow.
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For family dining – try Little SoHo Jordanhill in Glasgow
If you’re looking for somewhere with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, Little SoHo Jordanhill is one of the best Italian restaurants in Glasgow to go for. This bustling joint is open throughout the day and for dinner seven days a week and offers a great range of classic Italian dishes with a Scottish twist. Start your meal off with something from Little SoHo’s great selection of small plates, where you’ll find popular Italian favourites like minestrone soup or sausage meatballs sourced from a well-known local deli, Pietro’s. Or why not kick off your Italian feast with a mini antipasto board, which comes with Italian olives, Parma ham, and crusty bread.
Don’t miss Little SoHo’s crowd-pleaser like carbonara mac and cheese and fresh stone-baked pizzas. The place is a must-visit for mac and cheese lovers, with an entire section of the menu dedicated to different versions of the famous American-Italian dish, and a fusion dish in form of a mac and cheese pizza.
Choose from a range of traditional pasta dishes like fusilli arrabbiata, Tuscan lasagne, or spaghetti with sausage meatballs. For a dash of Scottish flair, try the haggis mac and cheese or the Stornoway pizza, made with the world-famous Stornoway black pudding from the Outer Hebrides. The local influence also carries over into the cocktail list, with playful mixers that hark back to Scottish childhood treats. Try the Irn Lady, made with Scotland’s favourite fizzy drink, Irn Bru, or satisfy your sweet tooth with a Drumstick, made with raspberry and vanilla vodka, raspberry syrup and a real Drumstick lollipop.
Little SoHo Jordanhill is also one of the best Italian restaurants in Glasgow to visit with kids, as it has a great children’s menu with lots of simple pizza and pasta options. The restaurant also allows dogs, making it a great day out for the whole family (furry friends included).
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For one of the best Italian restaurants in Glasgow for special occasions – try Banca di Roma – Glasgow in Merchant City
Located in the historic heart of Merchant City, just inside Glasgow’s bustling Royal Exchange Square, Banca di Roma – Glasgow is one of the best Italian restaurants Glasgow city centre has to offer. The restaurant itself is situated inside a regal Glasgow townhouse, which once belonged to a wealthy tobacco merchant. The stunning marble interior, mezzanine floor, and indoor tree flourishing in the atrium give diners a taste of Italian grandeur in Scotland. The staff are warm and welcoming, and, despite the lavish decor, Banca di Roma is known for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
The menu here is traditional Italian, with a wide range of pasta and pizza dishes as well as a meat selection and fresh seafood options. Start off with some Italian classics, like a crunchy Bruschetta topped with Sicilian tomatoes and Ricotta cheese, or beef carpaccio on a bed of rocket salad. Popular Italian mains, like spaghetti carbonara, salmon risotto, and Roman-style pizzas, make for a delicious centrepiece.
To finish your meal off, Banca di Roma has a whole menu dedicated to its Italian cheese selection, which features creamy camembert made with buffalo milk, pecorino sheep’s cheese, and a salty gorgonzola. The restaurant also prides itself on its robust Italian wine cellar, which showcases a range of premium bottles. Wine pairings are curated by an experienced sommelier, who can help you select the perfect vintage to complement every course. If you fancy a cocktail, Bianca di Roma’s bar manager is a trained mixologist and was semi-finalist in one of 2021’s United Kingdom Bartender’s Guild competitions.
Diners who’d prefer something sweet for dessert can also choose from Italian favourites, like Amaretto Tiramisu, Italian cheesecake, and a Lingotto Gold Bar, which is a salted caramel mousse served with raspberries. Wash this down with a rich Italian espresso for the perfect end to your meal.
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For pre-theatre dining – try Café Antipasti in Glasgow
Café Antipasti has been around since the 1990s and is widely known as one of the best Italian restaurants in Glasgow for its efficient service, upbeat atmosphere, and modern Italian menu. Located on Sauchiehall Street, close to Glasgow city centre, it’s a short walk from several theatres and concert venues, making the restaurant the perfect spot for a bite to eat before a show.
One of the most popular draws at Café Antipasti is the pre-theatre menu, which is served from noon to 6.30 pm and offers a starter, main, and dessert – little wonder, then, that Café Antipasti is considered one of the best Italian restaurants in Glasgow for theatregoers. Choose from popular pre-theatre combos, like a minestrone soup starter and a chicken linguine main, or tuck into the famous beef and Italian sausage lasagne served with garlic bread.
Café Antipasti’s a la carte menu also features a range of Italian classics, such as pasta and fresh stone-baked pizzas. Popular dishes include the lobster ravioli, served in a parmesan, white wine, and cream sauce, and the parmesan and Parma ham coated chicken breast, which is served with a leek and potato gratin. If you want to try a range of dishes, you can also opt for a selection of small plates, either as a starter or a main, which include homemade meatballs in a tomato sauce, Scottish mussels in a white wine and cream sauce, and the butternut squash lasagne, which is a firm favourite with regulars.
To pair with your meal, Café Antipasti offers high-quality Italian wines by the bottle and by the glass. A fruity and lightly spiced red Languore Sangiovese from Northern Italy is the perfect accompaniment for a sirloin steak, while an Italian Chardonnay is the ideal tart vintage to offset a shellfish pasta.
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For one of the best Italian restaurants in Glasgow for casual dining – try Tony Macaroni in Glasgow Fort, Silverburn, East Kilbride and Motherwell
With locations throughout the city, Tony Macaroni at Glasgow Fort, Silverburn, East Kilbride and Motherwell is one of the best Italian restaurants in Glasgow for high-quality, affordable food. Daytime diners here can enjoy a cheap and cheerful Italian feast from the restaurant’s Presto menu, which features a range of hearty Italian mains at a standard price of £6.95 each, including popular favourites like mushroom risotto, Nasello in Rossi (hake in tomato and garlic sauce), and spaghetti Bolognese. The Presto menu also comes with a minestrone soup option, giving you a classic, warming taste of Italy during your lunch break, as well as an alternative soup served with a range of sandwiches.
Pizza lovers are particularly well catered to at Tony Macaroni’s. Freshly made sourdough bases give their pizzas a satisfying crunch, while the huge range of Italian toppings lets you build the perfect pie for you. Upgrade your pizza to a crust stuffed with silky Scottish mozzarella for just £4, or go half and half on toppings with the Geppy deal. If you want to try an award-winning slice, the Champion BBQ pizza, topped with Italian Nduja pork sausage, mascarpone, and pancetta, is a World Champion Pizza prize winner.
Tony Macaroni’s a la carte menu also features seafood mains that are made using produce freshly caught and sourced from local fish markets. Enjoy a salmon fillet served with leeks in a creamy pepper sauce or treat yourself to king prawns fried in a vodka, tomato, and chilli sauce. Pair your fish dish with the Ca’ Bolani Sauvignon Blanc, which the house recommends, and which received the 92 points Silver Medal Decanter World Wine Award in 2021. The wine list also has a selection of premium reds, which are all affordably priced.
Tony Macaroni prides itself on serving hearty portions in true Italian fashion and diners are encouraged to take away leftovers to finish off at home. You can bring a box with you or pay a few pennies to get a Tony Macaroni box, with all the money made from these containers going to local charities.
📍 Glasgow Fort — Check Availability
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📍 East Kilbride — Check Availability
📍 Motherwell — Check Availability
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For traditional Italian cuisine at one of the best Italian restaurants in Glasgow – try Sannio Restaurant in Glasgow
As a family-owned business, Sannio Restaurant is one of the best Italian restaurants in Glasgow for sophisticated dining and a traditional taste of Italy. You can feel the inviting atmosphere as soon as you walk through the iconic pink front door and down to the restaurant, where you’re greeted by plush sofas and cosy booths. The slick service here means you can easily fit in a meal before going to a concert at the nearby King’s Theatre, and the restaurant has been in the same location since the 1970s, making it known for being a spot that regulars return to again and again.
Sannio is also one of the best Italian restaurants in Glasgow for high-quality affordable dining. The restaurant offers a set menu that is served all day and includes a two-course lunch or dinner for under £25. Diners who choose the set menu can enjoy starter options like a classic minestrone soup, a tomato and basil bruschetta, or mushroom and mozzarella-stuffed arancini balls. Mains on the set menu, meanwhile, include traditional pastas like carbonara and ragú, and spicy pizza topped with Napoli salami.
Make your way through an extensive menu of pasta and pizza and pasta, or pick a main from the great selection of meat and fish specialities or a choice of vegetarian risottos. Succulent fresh sea bass served with mashed potatoes, peas, and a creamy sauce gives you a rustic Italian dish combined with fresh Scottish produce. If you’re in the mood for something special, go for a sliced fillet of premium beef served alongside creamy mashed potatoes, black pudding, and a rich red wine jus.
Cocktail nights at Sannio are always a big hit, with a drinks menu that showcases all the classics. Whether you love a cosmopolitan or a sophisticated prosecco sangria, it’s easy to keep the drinks flowing. Sannio also offers a selection of wines by the bottle and by the glass, so you can enjoy a different vintage with each course or choose a bottle for the table. The wine list is made up of mainly Italian wines, such as a crisp white Gavi or a Nero D’Avola, as well as international options, like a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and an Argentinian black malbec, which is the house favourite.
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Italian food is one of those cuisines that has something to suit every palette. Whether you’d choose pizza every time or you’re a fresh pasta fanatic, these Italian eateries are some of the best Italian restaurants Glasgow city has to offer.
