Glasgow’s very best pasta dishes

This long-established and family-run Italian restaurant is incredibly well known to the city’s residents. With a warm and welcoming interior, La Lanterna’s pasta dishes are hard to beat – managing to be both comforting and inventive. Though there are plenty of options for vegetarians, the fish-based pasta dishes are truly superb: the ‘Spaghetti Arragosta’, filled to the brim with king prawns and lobster claw meat is at once fresh and satisfying, and the striking squid ink ravioli filled with seafood is guaranteed to cause a stir. If you decide to visit in the afternoon, make the most of their special lunch menu – only £14.95 for two courses.

Frequented by the likes of food critic A.A. Gill, Eusebi’s Deli, opened in 1954 originally as an ice cream shop is now most famous for its vast array of homemade Italian dishes (as well as delicatessen items, like salamis, olive oils and cheese). There is almost always a queue outside, but we promise it’s worth the wait: if it is flavoursome and authentic pasta you are after, Eusebi’s is the answer. ‘Yesterday’s Lasagne’ – though perhaps slightly odd sounding – is the best lasagne you’ll find in the city, intensely rich and satisfyingly cheesy. If you are looking for something less meaty, opt for the pumpkin and ricotta agnolotti with sage butter – you won’t regret it.

While, admittedly, Mora serves up a mean pizza – you’d be foolish not to sample their exquisite plates of pasta too. The place is fairly hip, wooden tables with communal seating adorn the floor space, and the atmosphere is always welcoming. Setting out to bring the authentic taste of Italy straight to the heart of Glasgow, Mora prides itself on serving fresh pasta dishes that change in accordance to what’s in season. With “two sizes to suit your appetite”, real highlights include pappardelle with slow-cooked beef shin ragu and seafood linguini with white wine, capers and chili. Smaller servings of the fresh pasta dishes all come in at under £10, which makes a plate of pasta here a real steal.

Up for some pretty serious carb action? Sugo will more than deliver. This eatery is all about celebrating fresh pasta from the various regions in Italy; including Tuscany, Lazio, Sicily and Calabria to name a few. The emphasis is on the authenticity of the dishes served, as well as the quality of the produce used to prepare them. Happily, they offer brilliant vegan options (just ask to hold the parmesan) and each plate comes in at £10 and under. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, order their cannolo with ricotta pistachio and chocolate for dessert.

Though not strictly an Italian restaurant, newcomer Eighty Eight, located in Partick, has some seriously sumptuous pasta plates on offer. The menu changes daily, but rest assured pasta always makes an appearance. Incidentally, all the pasta is made fresh on sight – if you’re lucky, spy the chef through the front window meticulously slicing strands of tagliatelle. Particular favourites have included the autumnal roast Jerusalem artichoke tortellini with pine nuts and burnt butter, as well as the lighter tomato sugo. Service is attentive, and the small and intimate interior makes for a perfect date night or catch up with friends.