The Hot List: 8 Glasgow restaurants to try this winter

The weather might be chilly, but Glasgow’s restaurant scene is hotting up. Here are some of the best restaurants to try this winter, from taco joints and izakayas to buzzy brasseries championing Scottish ingredients.

The Ivy Buchanan Street – This handsome all-day brasserie is the perfect place to warm up after a stroll around the George Square Christmas market. The modern British menu offers something for everyone, from steaks and seafood to locally inspired dishes like haggis bon bons and whisky steak tartare.

Bibimbap West End – Glasgow favourite Bibimbap has just opened a second restaurant in the West End. If you’ve never tried Korean food, we recommend their seafood and spring onion pancakes (pajeon) and their namesake dish, bibimbap – a hot stone bowl with rice, beef and vegetables topped with a fried egg.

Julie’s Kopitiam at Acid Bar – Julie’s Kopitiam is currently in residence at SWG3’s Acid Bar, serving affordable Malaysian dishes like mamak fried chicken, char kuey teow, and nonya-style curries. Julie’s Southside restaurant was recently voted Malaysian Restaurant of the Year at the Scottish Asian Food Awards, so you know you’re in safe hands here.

Mezcal – Say hola to Mezcal, a new Mexican restaurant bringing tacos, tequila, neon lights and live DJs to Glasgow’s city centre. After a round of frozen margaritas, you can tuck into zingy ceviche, cheesy quesadillas, and tacos filled with steak, fried chicken, and pork pibil.

Buck’s Bar Trongate – Buck’s Bar have opened a second restaurant in Merchant City, serving their famous buttermilk fried chicken and seriously addictive Nashville hot chicken. Throw in some live music, plenty of beer and bourbon, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a good night out.

Eighty Eight – One of Glasgow’s most exciting new openings is Eighty Eight, a West End restaurant serving seasonal small plates, cocktails, and fine wines. The menu changes daily but diners can expect bold flavour combinations like squid ink tagliatelle with ‘nduja and lamb ribs with dukkah, date and pomegranate.

Bo & Birdy – With its tall windows and tiled central bar, The Blythswood’s brasserie is one of Glasgow’s most elegant dining destinations. Scottish produce takes a starring role in dishes like game pie, spiced monkfish tail, and Highland venison loin with rosemary and juniper.

Mikaku – Inspired by the izakaya bars of Tokyo, this neon-lit Japanese restaurant is the perfect place to catch up with friends over gyoza and chicken karaage. Don’t leave without trying some of their kushi-yaki skewers – ‘smoky and seared in all the right places’, according to food critic Jay Rayner.

Visit OpenTable to discover more great restaurants in Glasgow.