Glasgow’s best restaurants for Valentine’s Day

What says ‘I love you’ more than a huge bowl of pasta? Not much, in our opinion! La Lanterna is Glasgow’s oldest family-run Italian restaurant and is loved by locals and visitors alike. Inside feels cosy and romantic: the dining room is decorated with fairy lights and the tables are adorned with crisp linen sheets and candles. La Lanterna is old-school, but not in a stuffy way — the staff are super friendly and the food is second to none. There are sharing platters to begin with (perfect for date night), including an antipasto plate (complete with aged Parma ham, coppa, spinata romana, speck and buffalo mozzarella), as well as a Frittura Mista platter filled with crispy fried calamari, king prawns, and more. The pasta dishes are extremely fresh, and there’s plenty of options for meat-eaters and veggies alike. Real highlights include the tagliatelle ragu and the crab-filled ravioli in a lobster claw meat sauce. Don’t leave without sampling a homemade dessert — the Delizia Di Dolci (made for two people) makes for the perfect end to a Valentine’s meal.

If you’re looking for a seriously sophisticated spot to to celebrate Valentine’s Day, head to Brett — a modern wine bar and barbecue restaurant located in the city’s West end. Brett comes highly recommended by both the Good Food Guide and the Michelin Guide, and it’s not difficult to see why. The inside is chic: all exposed walls and big sweeping windows, and the food and drink is even more impressive. Home to a unique list of low-intervention wines, Brett is the ideal spot if you want to impress a wine buff — but if you don’t know much about the subject, the in-house sommelier will gladly walk you through the options. The menu is made up of small plates, designed for sharing. Though it rotates according to the seasons, there are a couple of dishes that continue to impress all year round — not least the ham Hough and trotter croquette topped with an unctuous horseradish yoghurt and smoked anchovy. Yum! Lots of the dishes can be made vegan, and the prices are reasonable, considering the quality of the cookery and service. A Glasgow must-visit. 

Sylvan is a vegetarian and vegan restaurant specialising in seasonal cookery and natural wines. Light-filled, beautifully decorated, and home to some of the friendliest staff in the city, it’s the perfect destination for a chilled-out Valentine’s Day meal. Laid back, maybe, but the food here is serious stuff. Don’t let the lack of meat put you off meat-eaters: all the plates pack a serious punch. We love the sweet and sour aubergines (zingy, hot and moreish, you won’t find a better aubergine dish in the city) and the smoked tomatoes (coated in melted chilli butter and served alongside a perfectly soft flatbread). The dishes are designed for sharing, but be warned — you might have a hard time doing so!

No one does romance better than the French. Wee Paree is where the West End of Glasgow meets Paris. Serving up brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks seven days a week, it’s a charming and unique spot to celebrate with the person you love. With rattan chairs, tiled floors and an abundance of… je ne sais quoi, you’ll feel a million miles away from blustery Scotland. If you fancy a Valentine’s Day brunch, we can’t recommend the ‘tartines’ highly enough. Toppings include everything from avocado and wild mushroom to beef bourguignon and cheddar. For a more traditional option, the crepes are hard to beat (our favourite is the pistachio cream and strawberry number), and the filled croissants are sublimely decadent. From 4pm onwards it’s all about the sharing plates. Veggies will go mad for the baked camembert with thyme and onion chutney, as well as the warming roasted butternut squash stuffed with mushroom and wild rice. Other highlights include the king scallops (laced with garlic, chilli, and red pepper) and the steak au poivre served with a homemade peppercorn sauce. Wash it all down with a Wee Paree cocktail and soak up the très French vibes. 

Nestled away in the heart of the West End is Hanoi Bike Shop, Glasgow’s first Vietnamese canteen. Vibrant, loud and buzzing, it’s the perfect Valentine’s Day spot if you’re looking for something a bit different. The ever-changing menus here are perfect for a communal dining experience: invited to ‘share as much or as little as you want, try something new or stick to your old favourites’, there’s something to suit all taste buds. From street food dishes like Vietnamese fishcakes and Jungle Mussels, to pho, steaks, and lemongrass-flavoured curries — the flavours are bold and brilliant. The service is equally great, owing to a team of knowledgeable waiters (all of whom are happy to make recommendations and explain dishes). The dish that stole our heart? The homemade Vietnamese Coffee Tart prepared with coffee crème fraîche and hazelnut praline.

For a Valentine’s date filled with fun, look no further than The Craft Pottery in Glasgow’s city centre. It’s not your typical night out. Here, you get to choose a piece of pottery, paint it, and then leave it to the talented folk at the studio to handle the glazing and firing. After your creations have been fired, they’re totally food-safe and what’s more, it’s BYOB with no corkage fee!

If you’re up for a unique Valentine’s Day experience, consider checking out 111 By Modou, a fine dining gem that breaks away from the ordinary. The six course tasting menu, exclusively available on weekends, is a culinary journey reflecting the life of Modou, the head chef. From the ‘First Dish I learnt’ to the ‘Morning Roll,’ each course is a flavourful and distinctive chapter in his story. The menu showcases his commitment to using local produce and exhibits exceptional culinary craftsmanship. It’s a great spot for true food enthusiasts seeking something extraordinary, and despite the sophisticated atmosphere, the dining experience at 111 By Modou feels fun. The waiters are warm and friendly, and guests are even encouraged to take a guess at the ingredients in each dish and write their answers out on cards!

Tucked away in an old tenement flat between Glasgow’s vibrant city centre and the bustling west end, Hooligan Wine is a gorgeous spot for a romantic date night. The menu proudly showcases vibrant and bold flavours with a Mediterranean flair, emphasising seasonal produce and low-intervention wines. From Cumbrae oysters with ponzu and crispy potatoes with caramelised onion, to hispi cabbage with BBQ sauce and smoked almonds, the sharing plates are exciting and varied. Vegetarian options abound, and though there are only two desserts on rotation, they never fail to disappoint —especially the hazelnut crémeux with maraschino cherry ice-cream. Trust the chef’s expertise by opting for his selection of seven dishes, all for just £27, and unwind in the chic ambiance of this intimate wine bar.

Nestled near the Botanics in Glasgow, Crabshakk promises a seafood experience like no other. This cosy gem is perfect for those who appreciate fresh seafood and faultless service. From succulent crab to buttery scallops and other treasures of the sea, each dish is meticulously prepared and presented. The grilled Scottish langoustines with lemon mayo are to die for! The ambiance is unpretentious yet inviting, providing the perfect backdrop for a tasty, and romantic, meal for two.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at The Duke’s Umbrella, a snug gastropub tucked away in the heart of Glasgow. This cosy spot radiates warmth, offering an intimate setting for a memorable evening. The menu combines classic pub comfort with inventive twists, ensuring a dining experience that stands out. Real highlights include the confit short rib of beef with truffle polenta, as well as the 8oz beef burger, loaded with smoked brisket, hash browns and black garlic ketchup. Don’t leave without trying one of the after-dinner cocktails — we adore the dark chocolate negroni made with cacao and maraschino!