Located on the banks of the River Clyde, Glasgow has always been a magnet for multiculturalism and diversity. In 2025, it will celebrate 850 years since its official founding; throughout those centuries, Glasgow has experienced its fair share of peaks and troughs, however, on a recent visit, I could detect that the vibrant city is definitely on an upward trajectory right now.
Eclectic cuisine
GaGa has brought a slice of Malaysia to Partick, with a menu packed with punchy flavours
The food scene in Glasgow is booming right now. The Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2025 awards ceremony was recently held in Glasgow – the first time, it was held outside of England. It was just reward for the exciting gastronomic scene that is evolving in the city.
One of the most popular eateries in town is GaGa, opened by renowned chef Julie Lin, who has brought a slice of Malaysia to Partick. The menu isn’t extensive, but it is packed with punchy flavours like the grilled mackerel served with green sambal or greens served with a rich mixture of spiced ground sausage along with crab claw meat. The décor has hip exposed brickwork and shelves with carefully curated antique-looking items.
Another dining venue to consider is Sebb’s. This underground hidden gem is all about dishes cooked over fire, having a bespoke cocktail kitchen and a sound system that would be the envy of most nightclubs in the city. The food here is effortlessly trendy – Carlingford oysters are served with spiced beef fat, while the pork belly I ordered was jerk-spiced. The restaurant doesn’t follow one particular type of cuisine, but it does a pick ‘n’ mix of the best available options.
The Champagne Central Lounge at voco Grand Central serves afternoon tea in glamorous surroundings
If you want to visit a true Glaswegian fine dining institution, you have to check out Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery. The Buttery was established in 1870 and is believed to be the oldest Glaswegian dining establishment. It was taken over by the team from Two Fat Ladies in 2007 and has not looked back since. The staff are disarmingly charming and dressed in Scottish attire, while the menu is elegant and refined with a fondness for local produce. You’ll find highland venison, west coast scallops and classics like Cullen Skink, and dishes are expertly presented without being overly new-fangled.
Looking for an afternoon tea in stunning surroundings? Check out the Champagne Central lounge at voco Grand Central. The tropical wallpaper and ornate chandeliers add a sense of occasion when you dine in their glamorous surroundings. Expect a selection of expertly executed patisseries, moreish sandwiches, wrap and a sizable scone to finish off proceedings. You can wash all this down with a glass of Veuve Clicquot, especially as the hotel currently has a collaboration with the renowned Champagne brand.
Food tours
The best way to explore a city’s culinary scene is via a food tour
The best way to explore a city is via a food tour. That is no exception for Glasgow; in fact, there are multiple companies offering food tours in the city at the moment, and one to consider is Glasgow food tours with Patter&Scran. The local food tours are expertly led by Glaswegian chef Steven Halcrow, a practising chef at popular Southeast Asian eatery, Ka Pao. As a result, his inside knowledge of the Glasgow food scene is unparalleled.
The tour involves six stops and incorporates classic Glaswegian staples you might not have heard of before. For example, the first stop is to try out a pizza crunch for brunch. That is a deep-fried and battered pizza, which isn’t surprising when you learn of the penchant for fried food among Glaswegians. Steven cleverly integrates stories about the history of the city, such as why there is a street called Nelson Mandela Place. He will take you on a brief detour to see the stunning interior of the Glasgow City Chambers, which has the largest marble staircase in Western Europe.
You will also get to visit the winner of Glasgow’s best café award, Henry Healy, where you will try their curried chips. The scrumptious delicacy in general is reportedly the inspiration for Japanese katsu curry. You might also get to try Cullen Skink, hot rolls and an iced chocolate drink along the tour. It is the perfect way to understand what makes Glasgow the success story it is today.
Distillery tour
A visit to the Clydeside Distillery is a popular option for whisky buffs
It would be easy to forget that Glasgow and the Scottish Lowlands have a proud heritage of producing and distributing whisky to the four corners of the earth, but a visit to the Clydeside Distillery, nestled on the banks of the Clyde, will soon correct this misapprehension.
We opted for the Chocolate and Wine Pairing Tour to sample the best of both. On arrival, you’ll be walked through a history of the region’s rich heritage that once raised Glasgow to be the second city of the British Empire due to this amber nectar. Brought to life in interesting bite-sized chunks of knowledge, and narrated by your tour guide (with multiple language options available), you’ll relive how this industry once shaped the traffic of the river and oceans, and how this is being brought back to life by this renovated distillery.
You’ll finish with a tasting session which pairs whisky from around Scotland with innovative chocolates created bespoke for the distillery by local chocolatier Sugarsnap, all the while guided by your tour expert who can also recommend well-regarded drinking establishments in the city to further sharpen your whisky knowledge.
World-class museum
One of the most unique museums in Glasgow, if not the whole of the UK, is The Burrell Collection
One of the most unique museums in Glasgow, if not the whole of the UK, is The Burrell Collection. It is situated inside Pollok Country Park, and with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, it uniquely brings the verdant greenery of the surrounding nature into the museum. The park is Glasgow’s largest green space. A short walk from the museum, you can see a fold of around 50 Highland cattle – it is an incredibly popular spot for photo opportunities.
The museum has been adapted for the modern age with interactive experiences – there are displays that are geared towards children and teenagers, so as to make the museum accessible for all. There is a clever digital display that shows where the artefacts are stored with a surprising twist towards the end of the video. They have a great gift shop and café area, which is the ideal way for Glaswegians to spend their weekends, irrespective of the weather.
Where to stay
The voco Grand Central is an award-winning luxury hotel with an excellent central location
For convenience, the voco Grand Central is unbeatable, being right above the main central station. This award-winning landmark is in the centre of the action in town, however, once you enter your room, you will experience complete serenity. The award-winning charm of the hotel is evident as soon as you walk into the lobby where you’ll spot a grand original staircase, tremendously well-polished woodwork and impressive arches.
The rooms have a light contemporary feel with soothing blues that truly show off the modernity of the city. The sizes do vary, and it is recommended to go for a higher category room, which isn’t much different in price but will offer you significantly more space. The venue most guests end up at is their Champagne bar. It has exceptional views of the train station concourse, and it is a great way to people-watch whilst sipping on high-quality Champagne.
Factbox
Avanti West Coast operates direct train services from London to Glasgow, with an average journey time of around four hours and 33 minutes. Tickets can be booked through avantiwestcoast.co.uk
For more information, visit visitglasgow.com