Places to Eat in Finnieston

Below is a comprehensive list of bars and restaurants in Finnieston – within roughly 20 minutes' walk of the SEC. Almost all of these are small to medium sized places, ranging from coffee and cake to medium to high end dining.

None of them are going to be set up to deal with the numbers of people attending the convention. If any of them catch your interest, then it's best to make a booking in advance. While many places do accept walk-ins, the chance of having to wait – probably for upwards of 30 minutes – is high.

This list is arranged in approximate distance from the SEC.

Burgers are the speciality at Lebowskis, but there are many other options to satisfy your appetite. There are plant-based alternatives on the menu, though these are few, plus a kids (Little Dudes) menu and 30 (yes, 30) different variations on a White Russian cocktail.

The Kent Chippy is a classic fish and chips place serving up all your standard chippy dishes - battered fish, steak pies, haggis, smoked sausage and a range of sides. There is also a vegan menu.

A quick note - when ordering a fish supper in Glasgow, you must specify if you only want 1 piece of fish. The standard fish supper for one person in this city is 2 battered fish with chips. It is a lot.

The Brass Monkey pub offers a warm, lively atmosphere with themed cocktails and premium pints. Popular pre-concert and live televised sports place, so if you're after a quiet drink, this isn't really the one.

The taste of Morocco in the heart of Finnieston! Finnieston Fez is a coffee/brunch/lunch place that offers panninis, flatbreads and dips, Moroccan-inspired charcuterie boards, coffees, mocktails and more. Several veggie and vegan options are available, and all food is 100% halal. Very popular and very small.

Café Mille is a quirky wee coffee shop that also serves nice things for breakfast and build your own pannini for lunch.

Kafenio sells a range of greek-influenced coffee, cakes and pastries, and light lunches.

The main focus at Dough Balls is the extensive pizza and sides menu, of which the dough balls themselves are a minor part. A few vegetarian options are available. All their veggie options can be made vegan, all their chicken is halal, and if you really can’t find anything you fancy on their seventeen-pizza menu, you can always create your own.

Strip Joint is a (surprisingly, given the name) family-friendly (at least until 9pm) pizza and burger restaurant and bar, with a selection of vinyl records for purchase if you like. Not expensive, and a welcoming and friendly atmosphere.

Franks Pizza has a small but classic pizza menu, as well as mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders and fries. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Chateaux X is a steak restaurant featuring several different cuts of meat with sides including Mac and cheese and carrots cooked in beef dripping. Their steak frites is only £10 per person Mon-Wed, and if you happen to go on a Sunday for their roast dinner, you’ll be treated to unlimited Yorkshire puddings (this is a good thing).

Fanny Trollopes prides itself on selecting Scottish produce for its dishes. The main focus here is around fish, meat and game, though there are some plant-based options as well. There is a private dining space but must be pre-booked.

International Standard Subs on overly-sweet bread. Unfortunately, in Subways in the UK, unlike the franchises in the USA, you don't get those little Banana peppers.

A ‘piece’ is Glasgow slang for any kind of sandwich, but at Piece in Finnieston, you’ll get really great sandwiches on thick, crusty bread. Filling, tasty and a range of veggie and meat options available. Average cost is around £7.50, so slightly pricey, but worth it.

Desserts are the thing at Fat Sals. Waffles, waffle bites, ice cream and cheesecake, with a range of hot and cold drinks.

Taphouse Bar and Kitchen is a trendy (and loud) bar with a good range of craft beers (more canned than on tap though.) Food available includes burgers, hotdogs, loaded fries etc.

Tesco Express are the smaller, local versions of the supermarket chain. It has a smallish range of food but also does the usual grab-and-go stuff – pastries, sandwiches, crisps and drinks (meal deal options available) etc. Ideal if you’re just after something quick while you’re on the go or in a rush.

The Dirty Duchess is a fun old-looking pub but with a range of standard cocktails and beers. Pizza slices come from Joia across the road.

Specialising in Southern Italian food, Joia is a reasonably upmarket restaurant of 60 covers. Good food including their Black Charcoal Sourdough-based pizzas. Yes, you read that right.

Meze Meze is a Turkish and Persian place specialising in traditional stews, skewers and kebabs. Small-ish (about 20 covers) so book or be prepared to wait.

Usta serves classic Mediterranean cuisine, as well as some twists on old favourites (a selection of Shish burgers, for example). Booking advised.

A bar specialising in cocktails, Crescent opened in 2019 on the site of a wines and spirits merchant from the 1880s. Reasonable range of spirits and a small beer selection too. Often busy, no bookings.

Rebel Street Coffee is a coffee stand offering speciality coffee plus sandwiches and pastries.

A long-established fruit and vegetable shop, Roots Fruits and Flowers has decent produce and a good range but is a bit pricey.

Porter & Rye specialises in Scottish produce, everything from hand-dived scallops to venison, pigeon, dry-aged roast beef and seasonal vegetables. As with The Finnieston below, this place is incredibly popular and spaces book out quickly. Small plates at lunchtime can be a good choice.

The Finnieston is a popular sustainable Scottish seafood restaurant and gin bar. Booking in advance is essential - this is one of the premier restaurants in the city and will book up fast.

A longstanding and popular pub in Finnieston, The Grove serves a selection of wines and spirits plus beers from Belhaven Brewery.

Open for breakfasts and lunches, Ten-Eighty-Two does an especially good range of eggs for breakfast. Open perhaps a bit late and 8.30am

Villa Toscana is a restaurant specialising in Italian standards done well. Pricey but very good.

Greggs is a grab and go lunch place - pizza slices, pasties, sausage rolls, sandwiches, meal deals, that sort of thing. Not groundbreaking but cheap and cheerful.

Hidden Lane Tearoom serves up home baked sweet treats, scones, light lunches and all sorts of things on toast as well as their Morning Tea and Afternoon Tea service, which must be booked in advance. They also provide a party package for larger groups if you're celebrating (again, booking is required).

What Soup is a brunch place providing mainly soups, toasties, sandwiches and coffee. Reasonably priced and freshly prepared, and a wide selection of beverages available.

Come and queue at Rafa's when it opens because when their tacos are gone, they're gone. Arguably the best in Glasgow.

King Roj Shawarma offers shawarma/kebab meat in wraps, or as part of a box meal served with chips, rice or salad. Decent and reasonably priced - food is made to order so be prepared to wait.

The Park Bar is a traditional pub offering Ceildh Music Thu - Sun as well as your usual range of beers, wines and spirits, live music and sports.

El Jefe's is a Mexican taqueria place offering tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos and dirty fries, and the usual cocktails and beers. They also do a 'Mexican style' Sunday roast dinner (for 2 or more people) - booking for this is advised.

Inside the Post Office, Stampbucks is another place to grab a coffee.

Hanami offers classic Japanese cuisine with a high-end twist. While take out is available, certain dishes are only available to dine in.

Sainsburys is a supermarket chain which also does the usual grab-and-go stuff – pastries, sandwiches, crisps and drinks (meal deal options available) etc. Ideal if you’re just after something quick while you’re on the go or in a rush.

Sichuan / Hotpot

Cocktails

Whole Leaf UK serves up burgers/ Piri Piri + Takeaway

Sano is a pizza chain specialising in Neapolitan style pizza. Vegan and gluten free options available.

The 78 is a trendy, student-y bar focusing on vegan beers - occasionally has the odd local gig/event happening too, as well as local DJs and a pub quiz night.

Silla is a small Korean place of around 20 covers.

Meets Noodle serves Chinese Street Food – Noodles, Ramen, Bao. Takeout only.

Eat six courses inspired by a particular theme, with optional wine pairing. The menu and theme changes every six weeks and has in the past showcased everything from Pan-Asian fusion cuisine to a high-end take on the British chippy. Booking is essential - while there are Six By Nico restaurants in other UK cities now, the franchise was born in Glasgow, places are limited and book up quickly.

Modern Scottish fine dining. The only reason The Gannet doesn't have a Michelin Star is that it refuses to be as formal as that requires. Outstanding tasting menu in the evening for a very special occasion but the lunch menu is as good and much more reasonably priced.

Beginning life as a pop-up cart in Glasgow Central Station, Ramen Dayo now has multiple restaurants city-wide and also offers home delivery. Ramen of all flavours, including many vegetarian options. Tasty and filling.

Ben Nevis is a small traditional pub which occasionally features live music. Limited seating available outside. This place is very popular and as a result gets incredibly crowded very quickly.

Coffee stand serving coffee, pastries, sandwiches etc. Grab and go, good if you're on the move.

Coffee / Brunch

Greek food and cocktails. 20 covers.

Crabshakk is an excellent popular seafood restaurant with interesting specials. Higher end dining.

The beer here is organic and all vegan. You can just buy the beer, or get involved in the actual brewing process on one of the company's Pro Brewing Days - which include lunch, refreshments and plenty of beer samples along the way! Tickets for this must be purchased in advance.

Seasonal and freshly prepared Mediterranean-inspired menu which changes frequently. Served family-style, complete with seasonal and small, independently produced European wines.

One of Glasgow's longer-established Indian restaurants.

Snacks, hotpots, drinks and other convenience foods on offer here, as well as ingredients to make your own meals.

Coffee, breakfasts, soup and a range of hot and cold sandwiches at competitive prices.

An old-time Glasgow favourite, reinvented. Pakora and Small-plate Indian food. Much more upmarket than when all it sold were Pakora and Murphy's Stout! Good for a dinner.

Traditional pub with a selection of beers on tap, cocktails, bottles, etc. There are occasionally live traditional music performances.

Haugh Road

Street food, beers, cocktails and events including drag bingo and even stuff for kids. Tickets must be booked in advance.

Mother India's Cafe is a Glasgow institution. Exceptional, world-class Indian food served in a cosy, homely environment and beloved by none other than Anthony Bourdain. Booking is advised, but not essential.

Relaxed dining and take-away meals on offer here at The Den, as well as a deli counter supplying cooked and chilled Indian food with several fish and vegetarian options. 24 covers, BYOB.

Lovely Spanish Tapas bar. Live Music on Thursday night.

https://www.elenastapas.com

15-seat lunch restaurant specialising in Indian cuisine, particularly curries and many kinds of dosa.

In a word, brunch. Boozy or not, the choice is yours. Open from 9am daily, walk-ins only.

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Small Chinese restaurant - around 10 covers.

Grunting Growler is a speciality bottled beer shop (with a rotating 5 beers on tap) which also has around 20 seats if you want to sit in and sip your purchase while watching the world go by.

Grain and Grind serves 36 varieties of artisanal coffee from 15 locations around the world. Usually 20 different varieties on the go at any one time. One of Glasgow's best.

Dukes specialises in craft beers and cocktails. Famous for being the venue for a Clash gig in 1985, this place has since shed its punk aesthetic but is still home to quiz nights, folk nights and regularly plays sports matches on its TVs.

Buffet King is a Chinese takeaway rather than a buffet restaurant, in which fully half the menu is actually in Chinese. A small seating area (roughly 8 covers) is available if you'd rather sit in.

Tantrum Doughnuts are handmade in Glasgow, delicious and made fresh every day, these really are the best doughnuts in the city. Vegan options, events packages and seasonal specials are all on offer here. A real treat.

This is the West end outpost of Brewdog – the scrappy craft brewery turned behemoth. The beers are reliable and decent, and the menu is exactly as you'd expect: wings / burgers / loaded fries plus plant-based options and desserts.

Cafe Orlandos is pretty much your standard chippy – battered fish, steak pies, haggis, smoked sausage etc. Pizza too. No better or worse than the others.

https://cafeorlando.co.uk/

Farina specialises in 'true Italian' (by which they mean sourdough based Neapolitan) pizza and pasta, and a couple of things on the menu cannot be found anywhere else in Scotland. About mid-priced, booking recommended.

Ronzio Coffee House is another coffee / breakfast / brunch place. Well-regarded, but no website. There is another location on Byres Road.

Tesco Express are the smaller, local versions of the supermarket chain. It has a smallish range of food but also does the usual grab-and-go stuff – pastries, sandwiches, crisps and drinks (meal deal options available) etc. Ideal if you’re just after something quick while you’re on the go or in a rush.

There are two places to eat in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. On the main floor there is a small coffee and bakery café. In the basement there is a larger restaurant that serves more substantial meals. Both are often busy – especially at peak times – so be prepared to queue. Neither take reservations.

Nothing on the menu is going to surprise you at Butchershop, given the name. Decent cocktails too though, and the steak is of the absolute best quality. They have a sister restaurant – The Spanish Butcher – in the city centre.

MacTassos is actually on Kelvin Way and it's a gyros van. Long way to go for a gyros but it's grab and go, and reliable.