Top 5 places for Middle Eastern food in Glasgow

Byblos boasts an extensive menu filled with authentic Lebanese dishes. This restaurant was one of the very first Lebanese eateries in Glasgow, and as such, it has built up quite the reputation within the city. And with good reason: the food and service here is a true delight. At lunchtime expect wraps filled to the brim with freshly fried falafel and marinated chicken or Fatayer (Lebanese pizza) baked with thyme and cheese or spinach. For dinner you’ll find more elaborate dishes, like stews and Fattoush salads. Round everything off with some warm Kanafeh or Baklava.

Almost everyone loves the food at Lazord. Their Shawarmas are legendary, with many customers reporting that they are the finest in the city. Another highlight includes their rotisserie chicken, and given that it’s in such high demand, there’s always a small wait if you want to get your hands on it. The service is generally slick, however, and the prices are exceptional given the quality of the ingredients. Perfect for a takeaway, or a quick bite of lunch on the run.

Can’t decide what type of Middle Eastern food you’d like to eat? Happily, ‘Babs offers up an eclectic mix of dishes: from Turkish Shish and Gyros wraps, to Egyptian-style vegan Shawarma, artisan Baklava and everything in between. The atmosphere is both refined and relaxed, and is particularly good for large parties looking to celebrate. The range of small plates encourages sharing, and the very central location makes ‘Babs a brilliant ‘all-rounder’ restaurant in our opinion.

No Middle Eastern food guide is complete without reference to Glasgow’s Damasqino! Hugely popular among locals and tourists alike, this restaurant specialises in both Lebanese and Syrian food. As you’d expect, the menu is broad: highlights include Fuul Moudamas (broad beans seasoned with a lemon and olive oil dressing) and lamb Kafta. Perfect for families, portion sizes are generous, and the prices are reasonable – not least considering the beautiful presentation of each dish. There’s plenty of vegan and veggie options and the homemade pastry selection is second to none.

Sholeh is a family-run Persian restaurant serving up diverse and tasty food in the heart of the city. Begin by ordering a sharing platter to start, like the Kashk-e Bademjam (baked crushed aubergine, slow cooked with garlic, and topped with walnuts, sautéed chopped mint and a splash of Kashk – traditional Persian preserved yoghurt whey). Follow this with a couple of their barbecued main-courses (we like the Jujeh, tender pieces of poussin, marinated In olive oil, lime juice, saffron and sliced onion) and relax into the pretty surroundings. Prices are reasonable and the waiters are super friendly – not one to miss!