The best places to eat out in Glasgow this Christmas

Consider yourselves full-on carnivores? You and your other half can get your meat on this Christmas at this central bar that celebrates all things fleshy and juicy. Naturally, you can expect servings of steak, as well as the traditional staple of turkey and some Scottish haggis. And if you have a sweet tooth, you can finish your meal with a delicacy like the very tempting Christmas pudding cheesecake, served with a winter berry coulis. This December you can get two courses for £30 and three courses for £35, seven days a week. So any night can be date night. Licensing laws mean it’s kid-free after 8pm and no under-fives are allowed earlier either, making it a great shout for couples seeking some grown-up vibes.

Make Christmas Day a grand and magical one for you and yours at this gorgeous Victorian-era venue with roaring fires and sweeping staircases. There’ll be no arguments about who washes up and no worries about an undercooked turkey if you leave the work to the team at this four-star hotel that’s housed in a unique 19th-century baronial castle. Found in Pollokshields it’s easy to get to by car, with lots of lovely parks and green spaces to explore and walk off your lunch post-meal. Both adults and kids are welcome for a very special meal at this mansion house.

Celebrating 20 years in business this year, the powerhouse that is Fanny Trollopes dishes up some of the tastiest scran around, Scots style. It’s a quirky spot, with Art Deco, ship-like decor and an intimate friendly atmosphere, with more than a touch of Christmassy chintz. Come here for lunch (12pm to 3.30pm) for £32.50 per person, dinner for £36.50 per head, or on the big day itself for a fantastic spread at £89.50 per diner. The menu this year includes courses such as pressed smoked ham hough terrine with piccalilli; poached blanquette of turkey, with white truffle velouté, duck fat parmentier potatoes, stir-fried Brussels sprouts and smoked bacon; warm clootie dumpling with lashings of custard and whipped cream; and dark chocolate mousse with orange curd, candied orange and mint syrup. Portions are big, so arrive hungry and take time to savour your meal, as well as one another.

This new wine bar and bistro on Renfield Street is a sophisticated spot to enjoy some quality time with your other half. Book your table for a set lunch or dinner, and you can enjoy the chef’s Scottish, French and Mediterranean fusion flavours. On the menu, you’ll find such delights as cock a leekie soup, slow-cooked beef cheek (with parmesan and truffle mash, vegetable mirepoix, Bordeaux wine jus and sauteed garlic button mushrooms), lemon and garlic poulet (that’s chicken, for those whose French is a little rusty) and rice vegetable albondigas. The evening sitting is £32 per person. On occasion, Roots provides live music in the form of a saxophonist, conducive to an evening of romance…

Fancy something new as the year draws to a close? Those resident in the Rutherglen and surrounding areas will love the convenience of Hugh’s. Skip taxi queues and the schlep into the city, by staying local at a family-friendly Burnside establishment that first opened its doors less than a year ago. A cosy daytime eatery during the week, with later opening at the weekends, Hugh’s caters to those of all ages and will welcome your little ones with open arms. And you can pop by for breakfast, a hearty brunch, lunch, or an early evening meal. The family-owned establishment is offering a special seasonal menu for 2024. Last year they had cute holiday-themed cakes from Jingers bakery too, so look out for those appearing again this Crimbo.

If your fam’s from out of town, or even out of Scotland, why not introduce them to some top-class Scottish fare. This historic and renowned dining establishment located on Argyle Street has been a fixture in Glasgow’s dining scene for many years, offering traditional Gaelic cuisine in an elegant and classic setting. It’s a fine dining experience sure to impress the in-laws, with a menu that includes Scotch beef and seafood. The panelled walls and carefully laid tables will please older members of the family, while the menus also cater for young diners. It’s a multi-generational hit with plenty of seasonal specials to savour this Noel.

Many people say that Christmas is all about the kids. So if you have little ones you want to make the period extra special for, take them to this hotel on the southside, where you can have Christmas With Santa. They’ll get a pressie from the big man himself and hang out with his magic Elf, while you all get to tuck into breakfast. This is offered on Saturday 21st December for £20 per adult and £10 per child. Alternatively, book for a multiple-course festive lunch or dinner at the hotel as a family, or for the buffet with a live DJ on the 6th. Kings Park Hotel also opens on Christmas day, for five family-friendly sittings.

Christmas and shopping are synonymous and in Glasgow, we have a wealth of fantastic malls to choose from. If Silverburn is your centre of choice, why not break up the spree with a nice meal and a hand-crafted cocktail or two? Those with kids in tow will be especially glad to have a break, rest their feet and enjoy some delicious food with all the family. Then you can continue on with your haul, refreshed and refuelled. There are wee plates and big plates to suit your appetite and a menu especially for children (this applies to under 12s). Traditional Christmas roasts can be made gluten-free too, so everyone can partake in turkey with all the trimmings.

Classic Christmas dishes tend to include meat, fish and dairy, so what’s out there for vegan diners wanting a tasty slap-up meal? The Duke’s Umbrella on Argyle Street has a dedicated plant-based menu specially created for the season. Available as a set lunch or dinner, it offers the likes of curried cauliflower soup with toasted sourdough, EVOO and sherry vinegar; celeriac steak with dressed watercress and spiced olive oil; lentil, squash and almond wellington with carrots, brussels sprouts, roast potatoes and stuffing; dark chocolate brownie and blackcurrant crumble.

A night out with your mates calls for something not too fancy, but a little bit special, so a gastropub is the ideal option. This one in Baillieston hosts a Friday night steak night, for a steal, at £49.50 for two people. The main menu is a fusion of Asian, European and Scottish fare, with dishes such as haggis, neeps and tatties and whisky peppercorn essence; baked goats cheese in panko and almond crumb with grilled Mediterranean vegetables and pesto dressing; and petit chocolate espresso pot with amaretto biscuit. The East End Fox was the 2023 winner of the Greene King’s Capex Pub of the Year. It allows dogs in the venue too, so if your best friend is furry, this is the place to come for your Christmas feed.

Wishing you could escape the dreich days and dark nights of the Scottish winter? Why not take a break in the Caribbean, right here in the heart of the city? Turtle Bay is a nationwide chain that brings the cheery colours, chilled sounds and spicy taste of island life right to your doorstep. The brand’s Christmas menus are available from the 18th November to 2nd January, and offer two courses for £26 or three courses for £31. Try some jerk chicken (vegan or meaty), curried goat, training curried prawn and a warming ginger pudding with pineapple compote and coconut ice cream. There will be special seasonal cocktails in the mix too, or opt for a classic Reggae Rum Punch and imagine you’re soaking up the sun on a sandy bay.

Another option if you’re considering some non-traditional Christmas fare, is Bibi’s. This Mexican eatery is hard to beat on value. And the bright decor, plus a few margaritas, will help you forget the weather outside. You and your mates can indulge in four courses for just £25 on Friday and Saturday, with a lunch menu available for only £16.50 per person — this will ensure you have plenty of cash left over to splash on pressies. Festive chicken mole (chicken breast cooked in a blend of chocolate, chillies, garlic, onions and nuts, with Mexican rice and warm flour tortillas) and warm cinnamon tortilla chips with honey and ice cream, are a couple of the dishes you can choose. Bibi’s is nestled at the Thornwood end of Partick, with free parking and a range of buses close by.

Book your office party at this eclectic eatery and experience your own “Miracle on Bath Street” this Christmas. The cute little venue known for its delectable afternoon teas is opening up its three floors for dining and dancing for the 19th year in a row. A festive three course lunch is available from £30 per person and dinner from £40 per person mid week (a four course meal with a glass of prosecco to start and tea/coffee with your dessert). Then afterwards, you can get your freak on to some disco and funk music till late. The Butterfly and The Pig is open on Boxing Day too and lays on a cracking brunch, so it’s well worth booking a slot so you don’t have to cook two days in a row — and as it’s close to the city centre shops, you can hit the sales once you’ve refuelled.

Like The Butterfly and The Pig, Royâ is centrally located, so super handy for an after-work jaunt. The deep blue interior creates a classy backdrop for your Christmas party night, Middle Eastern style. The venue serves Eastern Mediterranean small plates and photogenic cocktails with sugar, spice and all things nice. If there are nine or more of you dining, you can book a banquet, with a choice of three menus. Sharing dipping platters, mixed mazzeh and some kebab grills will help you get to know your co-workers better. And you can add on a prosecco reception of champagne toast to celebrate a great year’s graft. Had your heart set on a roast? Try a saffron chicken, cauliflower shawarma, or pomegranate lamb shank, with tatties, za’atar Yorkshire puddings, honey and cumin roasted carrots, caramelised pomegranate onions, garlic naan and Lebanese ‘slaw.

Looking for something a little less formal for a bite and a debrief after work? Come to Bar 91 between the 22nd November to 22nd December and you can enjoy a main from the festive menu and a glass of prosecco for £19.95 (£29.95 for two courses and £35.95 for three). Found in Merchant City, it’s a popular meeting place for those leaving the office. And it’s open till 1am on a Friday and Saturday night, so your festive celebrations can continue for many hours. Set across the ground floor and basement, this venue has been in business for exactly two decades now. We love the sound of Bar 91’s drunk panettone (rum and raisin ice cream with panettone croutons).

Bring your foodie work friends to Stravaigin for some sustainable and considered cuisine. This year’s festive menu is priced at £50 per person for three courses. And for this, you can savour dishes such as parsnip and apple veloute with chimichurri, sourdough and whipped butter; free range turkey ballotine with buttered potato, burnt onion conserve and crispy kale; and tonka bean panna cotta with mulled cherry and candied pistachio. The atmosphere here is relaxed, but sophisticated, cosy, yet stylish. Stravaigin is found in Finnieston and offers a Christmassy private event space, The Cellar, if you’d prefer a more exclusive party. Canape, buffet and drinks packages are also available and you can create a bespoke experience to suit your team.

Dine on a three or four course meal prepared by Head Chef Joe Lazzerini at this gastropub in the leafy West End. It’s a good choice for those planning a relaxed date night before being immersed in the yuletide week of non-stop family gatherings. Dishes on the festive menu at The Loveable Rogue will include a classic chicken liver parfait, braised, glazed shin of beef with truffle mash and king oyster mushroom, dark chocolate cremeaux with blackberries, meringue and hazelnuts, vanilla rice pudding and a compote of plums with spiced warming crumble.

Harness the romance of the golden age of travel at The Anchor Line, former HQ of the esteemed shipping line. Service here is elegant yet unfussy, ideal for a slightly more formal date with elaborate and very Instagrammable cocktails. A three course festive lunch is £42 Sunday to Thursday and from £45 Friday and Saturday, perfect for your daytime date. Or there’s one after dark starting at £49 per person. You’ll be able to choose from dishes like duck liver and port parfait with pear and apple chutney toasted sourdough, winter coconut curry with fennel braised rice and a crispy sago poppadom, turkey ballotine and chocolate cake with rich caramel dark chocolate cremeux, chocolate almond crumb and chocolate tuile.

Win them over with a three-course dinner (£55 midweek and £60 Friday to Sunday) and some handcrafted winter drinks at Gōst (the Aphrodite cocktail is just the ticket for inspiring a little yuletide romance). This upmarket foodie favourite has created a special burger for the season, with double smashed Ex dairy Angus beef patties, sage and onion stuffing, pigs in blankets, bacon jam, port cranberry onions, Brussels slaw, roasties and turkey gravy, and we’re going weak at the knees at the thought of the mulled wine fruit crumble packed with red wine stewed fruits, candied orange zest and spiced granola crumble. Gōst is slick and relatively small, so will give you the chance to become better acquainted, away from the rowdy Christmas work dos going on elsewhere around the city.

A little tinkling on the ivories will set your date up nicely. Book The Baby Grand on a Friday or Saturday night and the resident pianist will serenade you as you eat. A three-course dinner will set you back a mere £29.50 for three courses, meaning you won’t have broken the bank if your date doesn’t work out long term. But you will have had a tasty feed, including classic plates such as honey-glazed baked ham, duck rillette with melba toast, vegan haggis Wellington and Christmas pud with brandy cream. The Baby Grand is beside Charing Cross station, so getting here from out of town is a cinch. This year marks the venue’s 40th birthday, so the restaurant has certainly seen more than its fair share of dates over the years.