Where to go for a banging paella in Glasgow

With restaurants in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Newcastle, Cafe Andaluz has spread its Spanish sunshine far and wide. Here in Glasgow, the chain has two venues, one in the West End, the other in the city centre. It serves paella similar to those you’d receive in the city of Murcia in southern Spain, in a round steel paella pan.

Allow 25 minutes from order to receipt of one with either chicken, pork, Spanish morcilla, mushrooms and fresh asparagus; chicken, haddock, squid, Shetland mussels and two large shell-on king prawns; and haddock, squid and Shetland mussels with two shell-on king prawns. If your dining partner doesn’t fancy it, or you want more of a mix, you also have the option of a tapas-size paella, with king prawns, Brindisa Parilla chorizo, lemon and aioli.

The terraces of Barca tapas give an alfresco feel, while remaining sheltered from the elements, within the swish Princes Square shopping centre. This is paella done properly and designed to share, so you’ll need to allow 45 minutes for your dish to arrive, as each is made from scratch. 

Choose from Paella de Pescado (king prawns, mussels, white fish and squid, Paella de Carne (chicken, beef and chorizo), Paella de Valencia (king prawns, squid, mussels, chicken, beef and chorizo) and Paella de Verduras (Padron peppers, mushrooms, onions and peppers). Pair your paella with a glass of house white or a jug of sangria for a long boozy lunch, Spanish style.

Seafood, meaty, veggie and Valencian paellas are served at this eatery which models itself on the south coast holiday town. You’ll find it in Pollockshields, Clarkston and Bearsden, the latter being the most recent opening in September 2023.

The chefs can cater for large groups, with their huge authentic paella pans at the ready for a showstopping culinary centrepiece, packed with Iberian goodness. Malaga Tapas was recently named Spanish Restaurant of the Year at the Scottish Restaurant Awards 2023 and has an army of loyal supporters. So if you’re not resident in their locations, it’s well worth a trip across town to check one of them out.

This Finnieston favourite offers a very different type of paella, along with the more common meat, seafood and vegetable-based versions. Arroz caldoso con bogavante comes with a larger price tag, but it is something very special; a kind of lobster bisque gourmet wet rice dish, originating from Santander in the north.

Host and owner Elena is herself from Santander, so knows a thing or two about the area’s cuisine, ensuring an authentic meal. For a fully immersive Spanish night out, come along when there’s some live music or flamenco to accompany your meal. Since opening in 2016, Elena’s has been named Best Mediterranean Restaurant three times over at the Food Awards Scotland.

This Finnieston favourite offers a very different type of paella, along with the more common meat, seafood and vegetable-based versions. Arroz caldoso con bogavante comes with a larger price tag, but it is something very special; a kind of lobster bisque gourmet wet rice dish, originating from Santander in the north.

Host and owner Elena is herself from Santander, so knows a thing or two about the area’s cuisine, ensuring an authentic meal. For a fully immersive Spanish night out, come along when there’s some live music or flamenco to accompany your meal. Since opening in 2016, Elena’s has been named Best Mediterranean Restaurant three times over at the Food Awards Scotland.