02 Oct 2024
Father's Day in Glasgow
Sunday 16th June is the day to celebrate your father. But, as with any nationally recognised special occasion, restaurants and bars get super busy during this weekend. So it’s important to book in advance if you want to take dad out for a fancy lunch, or even just a good burger and a quality pint. Whether you’re a mum who’s making plans for the family on behalf of your small children, or a grown-up kid hoping to treat him to a great meal, here are some of the best places in Glasgow dad’s sure to love.
Father’s Day may be all about dad, but if you have young kids, you’ll need to pick somewhere that caters to younger palates as well as grown-up tastes. Italian restaurants are known to be welcoming of little ones and tasty pasta dishes are a hit with the whole family — indeed Celino’s motto is ‘tutto per tutti’ (everything for everyone). Kids can choose from their own menu, while adults can feast on antipasti, pesce, carne, risotto, pizzas, calzone, freshly made pasta (gluten-free is available) and more. Established in 1982, the brand has secured a die-hard following, especially among local families. There are two branches to choose from, one in the West (Partick) and the other in the East (Dennistoun).
Where better to spend a family day than in a family-owned and family-friendly eatery. Yiamas has been ‘bringing Greece to Glasgow’ since 2012 and is open on Father’s Day from noon to 9pm on Bath Street. Buy dad a great value meal, with gyros starting at £6.95 and souvlaki starting at just £4.95. The menu includes lots of veggie and vegan plates, alongside lashings of traditional chicken and lamb dishes. And don’t miss the baklava for afters.
This freshly refurbished fine dining establishment offers a Total Trust Sunday menu — a mysterious five-course tasting experience for only £25pp. So it’s the perfect choice for a father who enjoys a surprise in sophisticated and stylish surroundings. Owner and chef Modou Diagne started out as a kitchen porter at the restaurant, working his way over the course of several years to become head chef, before finally owning the restaurant and developing his pioneering new dining concepts. The open kitchen setting allows diners to get a peek into the culinary activity, adding to the sense of experience.
Tell dad how you feel about him by taking him to a restaurant whose name means love. On Father’s Day itself, you can take advantage of a special three-course celebration meal priced at £29.95 per person. Main courses include the likes of the Pizza Pasta Amore Combo, to “share your love” with a Pizza Margherita or Pizza Pepperoni shared with Penne dell’Amore (half and half each). Or dad might like a themed Pizza Del Papá, with pepperoni and black pudding on a margherita base. Many of the cocktails and the puds come with the restaurant’s logo on top, creating that “amore” moment for your Insta-story. If multiple courses are a bit much for you, book for the lunch menu, available until 2pm on Friday and 1pm on Saturday. Or for the a la carte menu on the Friday or the Saturday night. The traditional, family-run restaurant is found in Merchant City.
Is dad a Rangers fan? If so, there can be no greater way to spoil him than with a trip to the club’s iconic home of Ibrox. Did you know that you can even dine overlooking the stadium, at the club’s new state-of-the-art restaurant? It’s located in the Blue Sky Lounge and is open from noon until 6pm on Sundays, although the last reservation time that’s bookable is 4pm. And you will need to book. Or you could pre-empt the special day with a slap-up Saturday night meal. You’ll find gourmet pies, burgers, fish and chips, haggis, neeps and tatties, grilled meats and fish on the menu, along with Glasgow Mess as one of the dessert options. Treat him to three courses then present him with a season ticket as his Father’s Day gift and you’ll be the offspring of the year.
Choose a swish Scottish steakhouse to honour the big man. Leather-clad booths, wood herringbone flooring and orb lighting create a sophisticated atmosphere evocative of the roaring 20s. The meat (including T-bone, ribeye, chateaubriand, sirloin, rump picanha and prime rib) takes centre stage; it comes from grass-fed, purebred Angus beef and former dairy cattle within the UK, making it the ethical choice. And on Sunday you can get your beef roasted over charcoal, with trimmings of bone marrow gravy, duck fat tatties, veg and Yorkshire puds. The roast dinners are served from noon until they’re gone, so we recommend booking your table early doors, as this will be a popular spot with foodie fathers. Gōst is brought to us from the proprietors of Glaschu and The Duke’s Umbrella — the latter also being a good shout for Daddy’s Day, if you want classy and supremely tasty gastropub fare in a slightly less formal setting.
Small in size but big on flavour, The Wee Curry Shop serves up Indian dishes with a gourmet twist. Perfect for fathers with a discerning palate, the menu here eschews the usual fare for innovative options like the squash and coconut sambar, a dish that infuses South Indian flavours into Scottish produce. The ambiance is intimate and unpretentious, making it an ideal spot for a leisurely Father’s Day meal.
Set in a meticulously restored Grade B listed former parish church near Glasgow’s Merchant City, Saint Luke’s & The Winged Ox impresses with its historical grandeur and modern flair. The venue’s pretty interiors, complete with original stained-glass windows and a historic pipe organ, sets a unique stage for its culinary creations. The menu at The Winged Ox bar & kitchen is eclectic and comforting, featuring dishes like the slow-cooked pork belly served over a bed of savoury apple compote and crispy black pudding mash. Dads are guaranteed to love this one!
Rab Ha’s, a hidden gem in the bustling city centre, is known for its warm hospitality and exquisite Scottish cuisine. This historic pub, named after Glasgow’s legendary glutton, Robert Hall, offers a menu that’s both hearty and refined. Dads can savour the rich, hearty flavours of the traditional Cullen Skink or the perfectly cooked venison steak. With its old-world charm and friendly staff, Rab Ha’s makes every guest feel like part of the family!
This Father’s Day, dive into the bold heart of The Amsterdam, where the vibe is all about whisky, beer, and unapologetic rock ‘n’ roll. It’s the perfect spot for dads who cherish authenticity and a good time. Here, the portions are generous, and the flavours are robust. From Philly cheesesteak burgers and ‘baconaise’ loaded fries, to crispy king prawn tacos and cheese toasties, there’s something to suit all tastes.