Restaurants

Glasgow Restaurants in the Merchant City

Following the Drinks Reception at The Lighthouse on Wednesday 19 June, delegates are encouraged to try one of these fine restaurants all located in Glasgow's Merchant City within minutes of Strathclyde University Campus.

Artà

The Old Cheesemarket, 13-19 Walls Street, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 1PA, Tel: 0141 552 2101
Artà was originally the old cheese market and was bought as a shell and converted into this stunning modern venue. There are several choices for the customer here - from a selection of hats to a Tapas Mediterranean restaurant all of which offer a unique and very high quality experience in spectacular surroundings. Booking essential. [Map].

Babbity Bowster

16-18 Blackfriars Street, Glasgow G1 1PE, Tel: 0141 552 5055
Babbity Bowster is known as one of the 'in places' in Glasgow's city centre. The hotel today has a lively bar on the ground floor, with garden outside: the Schottische Restaurant for more formal dining. Quality food, drink and intellectual conversation is the key to the success of this place, together with Fraser Laurie's personal supervision. [Map].

Café Cossachok

10 King Street, Glasgow G1 1QP, Tel: 0141 553 0733
Situated near the Tron Theatre, this is a wilfully arty place. The menu features Petrushka blintzes, which are much like normal blintzes, and very nice. There is also trout à la Pushkin (in a thirst-rousing salty sauce). The tables are hand-carved, the lighting courtesy of candles, and the decor is a sea of shawls. [Map].

Café Gandolfi

64 Albion Street Glasgow G1 1NY Tel: 0141 552 6813 A unique Scottish cafe and restaurant - now a Glasgow institution - fames for its Tim Stead furniture and stained glass windows by John Clark. Café Gandolfi's reputation for innovative menus using predominantly Scottish produce and fare has maintained its position and popularity for over 20 years. [Map].

Loop

64 Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1EX, Tel: 0141 572 1472
This is a busy, buzzing bar and bistro atmosphere with cosy seating in private booths as well as round tables near the window with big armchairs. There is a wide choice of lite bites and main courses. The emphasis veers towards spicy Asian and Thai dishes but there is also a mouthwatering selection of soups, salads, steak, salmon and chicken, pasta and pizza to suit all tastes. [Map].

The City Merchant

97-99 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1NP, Tel: 0141 553 1577
Situated only a few hundred yard from George Square, the City Merchant was established in 1988, one of the first in the area, by the Matteo family. Recognised for the variety and freshness of its Scottish produce, the emphasis is on fish and shellfish. Cuisine is modern Scottish and traditional recipes, as well as international influences. [Map].

Oko

Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1DA, Tel: 0141 572 1551
A revolution in dining. Choose from a large selection of sushi and Japanese dishes as they pass before you on Oko's thirty metre conveyor belt. [Map].

Pancho Villas

26 Bell Street, Glasgow G1 1LG, Tel: 0141 552 7737
Found in the heart of the Merchant City this lively restaurant offers a superb selection of Mexican dishes. Bright, colourful restaurant free of the cluttered cantina stereotype, run by real, live Mexican, Maira Nunez. Menu in Spanish/ingredients in English. No burritos ('an American invention'). Plenty of veggie choices but you really have to try the albondigas en salsa (that's spicy meatballs). [Map].

The Tron Theatre Restaurant

63 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HB, Tel: 0141 552 4267
Attached to the important Tron Theatre, the restaurant has recently undergone a major face-lift. The buzzing bar/bistro has great atmosphere, decent house wines and an eclectic menu. Food is wholesome and generous. [Map].