By Catherine De Venny (she/her)

Glasgow is any foodie’s dream – no matter your taste or budget, there’s something for everyone. With such an abundance of places to eat it can be overwhelming to make a choice, so here are my recommendations of where to find the best scran, from meals to sweet treats.

Right at the top, the first recommendation has to be the one and only, SCRAN. Located on London Road near the Barras, it is close to the city centre. SCRAN serves simple brunch dishes with their own twist and is proud to be the ‘home of the loaded brunch fries’. Menu recommendations include the scampi roll, chicken gyros wrap, and burger fries. True to their name, SCRAN’s scran is incredible and it is the perfect brunch spot.

Next up is BABS, found in the heart of the city centre. They offer a range of Mediterranean street-food style dishes including meat, vegetarian and vegan options. They are a feast for the eyes and full of flavour, and although it’s a bit pricy the quality is worth it. Plus, they offer a lunchtime deal that is kind to the budget.

For a Mexican feast (or just some small plates and cocktails) El Jefe’s is the place to go. They offer a range of deals throughout the week, and a special mention goes to their Mexican Sunday roast. For perfectly cooked meats, flavourful dishes, and and a Mexican experience, it’s definitely worth checking out.

Located in Merchant City, Green Gates is a tapas-style Indian restaurant. They offer collection and delivery and also frequently have deals running. They serve some authentic Indian flavours as well as some familiar and unique dishes, including the Glasgow creation, chicken chasni. For accompaniments to your curry, or as a meal on their own, I recommend their poppadoms, veg pakora, and Peshwari naan.

If you’re in the mood for pizza, Paesano is the best. Their menu is simple with a pizza that everyone can enjoy. One thing you won’t find, however, is pineapple! My personal favourite is number 1 with additional chillies. Due to their popularity, there can be a queue, but the service is fast and friendly. There is always the option to take away, which on sunnier days can make a fantastic picnic.

Speaking of lighter nights and warmer weather, nothing beats ice cream. A small business worth mentioning is Nowita, which opened in 2022 and is located in Partick. They offer unique flavoured, small-batch, handcrafted ice creams, as well as specials including ice cream macarons, and brioche buns. You can even get a toasted meringue as a topping. My personal favourite flavours include pistachio, cherry and mascarpone, and lemon and blueberry. If you’re an ice cream fan, this is the place to go.

A final mention goes to Bertos Brownies. Being one of my first small business discoveries in Glasgow, their brownies remain the best I have ever had. They come in a range of flavours and are rich and indulgent. They last well in the fridge or freezer – but after you have taken a bite, they won’t last long, and you’ll soon be back for more. With a permanent stand in the St Enoch Centre and a stall in the Barras, they are a must-try! My recommendation is their raspberry white chocolate.