Glasgow’s 2023 food trends

It started as a lockdown hobby, but turned into a full-blown cafe in March 2022. Owner Jennifer Walls had never so much as baked a biccie when she began her journey toward a 100 per cent vegan bakery. But now she receives custom from the likes of Glaswegian comedy icon Kevin Bridges, who stopped by for some plant-based Empire biscuits with his family. Beautifully presented sweet treats are offered alongside dairy-free drinks, all served in pretty pastel pink and mint-coloured surroundings, with cool artwork and hot pink neon signage.

There are more and more restaurants operating sustainably in the city these days. But when it comes to low-intervention wines, this one is top of our list. The team at Brett supports product-focused winemakers; those who harvest farm grapes using regenerative working practices, which is not only better for the planet, but creates a more natural vino without all the nasties. So if you’re a wine buff, you can enjoy glass after glass of your favourite tipple, guilt-free. Plus the food is made from seasonal and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible, cooked on a custom elevation ox-grill.

Proving that you can have an international outlook but using ethically-sourced, local and seasonal ingredients, Stravaigin goes by the strapline; ‘Think Global, Eat Local’. It has been leading the West End’s culinary scene since 1994, earning the Bib Gourmand on multiple occasions. Since the pandemic, you’ll often find the team foraging for exciting and unexpected additions to its dishes and they’re always serving up lesser-eaten delicacies from close by, such as squirrel, rook, goose and barnacles. It’s a showcase for Scotland’s own larder and the restaurant’s award-winning homemade haggis has been on the menu since its opening. 

Found in a little village just outside the city centre, The Old Mill specialises in foraged and uber-local food, taking advantage of the bountiful countryside on its doorstep. The menus change regularly according to what’s available, but alongside the range of Scottish-reared meats, we’ve spotted one-off dishes such as tempura battered foraged chanterelles with garlic broth and garden-grown nasturtium leaves. Owners Alice and Mark Silverwood have created a relaxed vibe at this quaint venue, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating.

Sit outside and soak up some sunshine or cosy up in an armchair beside the fire, as you tuck into vegan meals at The 78. The kitchen operates on a 100 per cent plant-based basis, so there are no worries about cross-contamination. Food and drink are served from noon till late; from lunchtime (dairy-free) lattes and decadent vegan cakes to brunches, lunches, light evening meals and full-on hearty plates. And the menu represents good value, ensuring eco-conscious eating needn’t cost the earth. It’s found in Finnieston and provides live music at the weekend as well as vegan meatloaf roast dinners cooked up every Sunday.

Found in an unassuming address in Kelvindale, this superb fine dining neighbourhood restaurant has been creating six and ten course tasting menus since mid-2020 — and everyone’s talking about them. Partnering with local farms in Ayrshire, bakers in the city’s West End and honey from the treetops and rooftops of Glasgow, 111 creates an array of deeply inspiring and sustainable dishes. Unlike some chefs in the city, Modou Diagne is very happy to cater to your individual tastes, so if you don’t like something in particular, he’ll find something you do as a substitute.