The guide to Twixmas dining in Glasgow

If you’re indulging in that post-Christmas couples activity of hitting the Boxing Day sales, why not add a lunch out into your plan? Based on the mid-19th century Indian summer houses of Delhi, Namaste by Delhi Darbar is quite the surprise and not somewhere you’d necessarily expect to find in an entertainment complex and shopping centre. The decor transports you to a far-flung exotic location, while the aroma of spices hangs in the air. Indian food is the antidote to mince pies and roast meats, so come here with your love if you want a total change of scenery this Twixmas.

Needing some candlelit moments just the two of you after the busyness of family gatherings? Then get a romantic bistro table a deux at this French eatery and tuck into some small plates and cocktails, or a good bottle of Bordeaux red. Sharing is caring and well-suited to a coupley date night. The beef bourguignon here at Wee Paree is to die for, as is the baked camembert with thyme and onion chutney and toasted bread for dipping. Wash it down with some passion fruit martinis (vanilla vodka, passoa, passionfruit purée and prosecco) to reignite your passion as a pair.

Trying to work out how to keep the kids entertained for the hols? Get them out of the house for a bit without having to stray too far from home. Those in the Croftfoot vicinity can take a brief wander along to The Croft Bar and Restaurant for a family-friendly feed. It’s a pub, so the grown-ups can get a pint or a glass of wine, while kids will enjoy the menu of pies, oven-cooked spuds with cheesy beans, macaroni, wraps and pancakes with strawberries and chocolate sauce. If there’s a match on you can all watch together and soak up the local atmosphere. Breakfast is served from 9.30am, suiting early risers who want to get out and about early doors. King’s Park is close by, so you can take them there afterwards to let off some steam on the green.

When the weather outside is frightful and the shops have been shut for days, get the kids down to The Fort. They can splash their Crimbo cash and you can all spend a few hours in front of a movie. Then treat them to a pizza from this establishment, named after the leopard-like spots that appear on Neapolitan pizzas when cooked — as they are here — at very high temperatures around 500 degrees. Another secret to these lip-smacking pizzas is the use of San Marzano tomatoes. There are loads to choose from, including half and half and plant-based varieties. And of course, kids have their own menu, with a pizza, fries, drink and an ice cream for just £7. Adults and teens will enjoy the dough-based puds too, as well as desserts like torta limone della nonna and flourless chocolate torte. Because who’s counting calories at this time of year?

A funky street food restaurant with soft play? This may seem too good to be true, but in fact it’s a reality at the new Tokyo-themed eatery in the city centre. It’s attracted the attention of the likes of Jay Rayner for its satisfying Japanese fare and funky neon-lit interior. But the fact that it incorporates somewhere for the little ones to play while you eat makes it a triple threat for tired and hungry mums and dads. Dine here and you’ll keep everyone happy, while keeping yourself away from the mayhem of the city’s dedicated child’s play spaces where primary colours and ear splitting shrieking reigns. It offers an Izakaya dining experience that’s big on ramen.

After a few days stuck inside eating British food and making polite conversation with relatives, you may be ready for some continental tastes and funky vibes. Revel in the techno music and disco ball lighting as you and your pals chow down on some customised German kebabs. Build your own, with a choice of protein, base, toppings and sauces. Go healthy with options like falafel, salad, gherkins and chilli, or make it dirty with lamb, pommes frites, mozzarella and garlic mayo. Whichever you choose, all of the ingredients will be of a gourmet high-quality and locally sourced wherever possible. There’s not a turkey in sight, but there will be German beer and room for some great chat.

Make the most of your time off work by meeting your mates for a leisurely brunch. And as you probably won’t be in the office the day after either, you can order a few alcoholic beverages too. Go for a classic like the full Scottish (veggie or meaty), or an eggs benny. Or try the weiner schnitzel (breaded pork, pancetta creamed greens, sautéed potatoes and pickled red onion). Pair your brunch with a Bellini or a Garibaldi cocktail if you want to top up your winter bug-fighting vitamin C. The Kelvingrove Cafe celebrated its 10th year in operation in 2023, so if you’ve not been before, this is a great excuse to tick it off your bucket list before the year is out.

If you’re all sick of turkey and fruit cake, opt for some cuisine from the other side of the globe. This churrascaria specialises in Brazilian BBQ meats and has a festive menu that continues right up until 30th December. Experience the Rodizio, providing an unlimited quantity of eight cuts of meat during lunch and up to 14 during dinner. It’s all cooked on an authentic Brazilian grill and brought to your table along with garlic bread and cinnamon pineapple. And you can visit the salad bar as many times as you like. Vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian diners can order a la carte dishes instead of the meat, but also have access to the unlimited salad. The Christmas offer includes a pudding and a welcome drink too. Book a table for Thursday 28th to enjoy some live Brazilian dancing alongside your food. Prices range from £29.95 per head to £45.95. 

Many family Christmas meals take place during this period, as not everyone can gather on the 25th or 26th. Here at Joia you can have a Christmas dinner with a difference — Italian style. Say Buon Natale to Twixmas and enjoy a festive set menu as a belated Christmas dinner with your extended family. The menus includes Le Polpette Di Cervo (Perthshire venison meatball with San Marzano sugo and crumbled goat cheese), Gli Spaghetti Ai Gamberi (squared-cut spaghetti with king prawns, Vecchia Romagna, saron and lemon pangrattato) and Il Cannolo (cannolo filled with whipped Sicilian ricotta, dark chocolate drops and amarena cherry). Two courses at Joia Italian Restaurant start at £19.95 and as Italian food is a hit with just about everyone, it’ll be a crowd-please for your group.

Got a huge extended family? Take over the whole of this welcoming Mexican cantina at the Thornwood end of Partick, or just book a large long table for your family fiesta. Cosy and colourful with lots of Latina decorations in honour of Navidad, the independent restaurant is just the tonic for a cold northern hemisphere winter’s day. There are some great value set meal deals to be had and younger diners are ably catered for too. Grab some jugs of margarita or sangria to share as well as some non-alcoholic versions for the designated drivers. Free parking is found on the side streets steps away and there are buses passing through this thoroughfare regularly.