Where to go for a business meal in Glasgow

Are you planning a lunch with your team to celebrate the end of the week? Or do you want to take a client somewhere to seal a deal before close of play? Book a table here for express lunch, on a Friday served from noon till 3 pm (which still leaves you time to get back to the office and tie up any necessary paperwork before you leave for the weekend).

You’ll get a choice of four curries or a sweet basil dish, served with oiled jasmine rice, at Thairiffic’s Express Lunch. There are veggie and meaty options, all with a warming hint of spice (the kitchen will happily adjust the heat to suit you, and your guests’ preferences). Best of all, you won’t make a dent into the company budget, because it’s an absolute steal at just £6.95 per person — perfect if you need to entertain a group.

This Greek eatery has two locations, one in the city centre and the other on the South Side. The latter offers a marginally cheaper lunch menu at £12.95, with Hope Street’s coming in at £13.95. And for that you can select three dishes, including a dip with toasted pitta bread, and either gyros, keftedes, Greek-style mac and cheese topped with the restaurant’s namesake halloumi, souvlaki, bruschetta, or king prawns. Halloumi has a laid-back feel, so it’s perfect if you want a low-key, low-pressure environment with optional cocktails. In summer you can sit outside, and there’s a private dining room, for a boardroom experience, or top-secret work chats.

Want to really impress your clients? Book a table at Glaschu. It’s especially good for out-of-towners who’ll love the authentic, high-end Glaswegian experience, with plenty of home-grown and locally farmed ingredients. The Market Menu comes in at £25 for two courses and £30 for three, which given the elevated level of service, refined environment, elegant presentation of dishes and quality of food, is superb. The dining room has a calm, composed ambience that’s well-suited to sophisticated meetings with VIPs — diners are buzzed into the locked entrance and greeted on arrival. For a business lunch with class, choose Glaschu.

If you’d like a business lunch with elan, try out this new kid on the block. It’s easily spied from Glaschu’s windows, occupying a prime spot in a majestic period building on Royal Exchange Square. In warmer weather, tables with crisp white tablecloths are set on the stone-pillared terrace, giving the sense you could be in Rome or Milan.

The interior has a bright and airy feel with high ceilings canopied with lemons, a buzzing atmosphere and a wall of wines. Italian fare is always a safe bet if you’re unsure of your guests’ tastes. And Santa Lucia has a huge menu, with something to suit everyone, including gluten-free pasta. Opt for one course (£9.90), two courses (£13.90) or the full three (£16.90) between noon and 5 pm. Should your party be larger, the Group Menu (£25.90 per person), caters for eight or more.

From the tartan uniforms to the wood-panelled interior and Scottish fare, The Buttery exudes traditional Scottishness. As such, it’s another winner for entertaining colleagues or clients who’re visiting this country, or city, for the first time. The Buttery envelopes its diners and befits executive types. It’s a piece of local history too, dating back to 1870, and providing a talking point for when you’d rather veer away from the topic of work.

At the Finnieston end of the city, it’s close to many of the high-rise HQs and Clydeside development. Reserved a table from Monday to Friday, 12 to 2.30 pm. Two courses are priced at £28, with three at £35. Some examples of menu items include Cullen skink, Scotch beef, chicken with Macsween haggis and a selection of I.J Mellis Cheeses with Arran oatcakes.