The best European restaurants to visit in Glasgow

A former tenement flat on the first floor may be an unlikely setting for a wine bar, yet with its high ceilings, parquet floors, cornicing, period features and exposed stone walls, this makes for a sophisticated venue. Its elevated setting allows light to flood in and provides a bird’s eye view of the passers-by below.

Found above The Drake gastropub in the West End, it specialises in organic, low-intervention and biodynamic wines, alongside cold meats (the staple of European diets from Germany to Spain and France). Order a platter with fennel sausage, chorizo, cured ham and dried kidney or some N’duja and pancetta terrine. Also look out for the bottomless sangria nights, for a taste of the costas.

There will be no prizes for guessing that this is a Bavarian-themed establishment. And they certainly go all out on it, with decor, food, music and beer to match, modelled on Munich’s own Hofbräuhaus. It’s Oktoberfest all year round at Bavaria Brauhaus, with a selection of bieres including the “Big Six” from München’s top breweries.

If you’re new to the range, it’s well worth ordering a paddle, which allows you to sample an original or fruity selection. This can be paired with snacks such as pretzel with Obata, currywurst, or some deep-fried pickles. And there are some one-of-a-kind cocktails on the menu, including a Beer-a-Colada, Danube and Kaptain Klaus. Book a table on the mezzanine or in the main hall and feast on a main meal, with options like flammkuchen, brathendl, goulash, schnitzel, schweinshaxe and the classic strudel on the expansive menu.

This A-listed 19th-century building was once used by customs officials to collect duties for the Crown and to register all Clyde shipping entries. Now the Clydeside location is a sophisticated spot to dine. Price fixe, a la carte and bar menus are available, with dishes that call on influences from Greece, Turkey, Italy, France and our own shores.

Individual ingredients are selected to pay homage to those, once exotic, items that would arrive through customs before being introduced to Scottish residents for the very first time. The Custom House Bar & Grill is a part of the Clayton Hotel, itself a member of a hotel chain active in Germany, the Republic of Ireland and across the UK.

A four-star boutique hotel that’s often used as a wedding venue, may not jump to mind when thinking about a meal out, but the Number 10 Hotel is somewhat of a hidden gem, not least for its gorgeous leafy, fully accessible and spacious beer garden, in which you can dine when the weather’s kind.

The venue is found beside Queen’s Park on the Southside, with an elegant Victorian dining room that specialises in timeless classics with a contemporary edge. Dishes are crafted using local produce wherever possible, such as Scottish beef, fruit and vegetables from Elliot’s and fish from Bernard Corrigan. Plus you can book for a refined afternoon tea experience.

Named after an ocean that borders the EU nations of ROI, France, Spain and Portugal, this brasserie serves predominantly French fare, with an in-house rotisserie creating authentic Parisienne flavours. Marinated and spit roast meats with all the trimmings and a Provencal flair are sure to delight those of all generations gathering for an alternative Sunday lunch.

A meal here transports you back to the continental glamour of the 1930s — the jazz era. It’s found in what used to be the original booking office of The Anchor Line, a shipping company which took Glaswegians to all parts of Europe and beyond. And the Atlantic Brasserie is the first restaurant in this country to create a Low FODMAP menu.