Glasgow is often seen as Edinburgh’s younger sister but scratch beneath the surface, and the city offers more culture, art and music than Edinburgh ever could. With a burgeoning culinary scene, buzzing nightlife, and bursting with creativity, Glasgow is the poorer sibling no more. From eating out to staying in, The Luxury Editor explores the best the city has to offer in the way of our luxury tastes…
Eat
iasg
Translated from Gaelic as “fish”, iasg is the home of spirited and sustainable seafood. It’s found within the beautiful Kimpton Blythswood Square hotel, an award-winning Georgian mansion house in Glasgow’s city centre. The centrepiece of the restaurant is its long, oval, marble-topped bar with brass-toned finishings and mermaid-scale design aquamarine tiles. Dishes such as hake Kyiv, blackened Shetland cod, Cumbrae oysters, crab and prawn squid ink ravioli and trout pastrami grace a menu that showcases the fruits of Scottish waters. There are light bites if you’re just in for a drink and nibbles (the cocktails are not to be missed!), brunch plates and a children’s menu too. It’s our favourite place to eat right now in the city.
Unalome by Graeme Cheevers
Its name is a reference to our path in life, according to Buddhist philosophy. And Unalome has certainly had an exciting path since it hit the Glasgow food scene, with the recent addition of a Michelin Star. Chef-Patron Graeme Cheevers chose his home city as the destination for his first solo venture, creating a relaxed, unpretentious and accessible setting for his fine food — guests can choose from a set lunch menu, through to a decadent tasting experience. An open kitchen, green velvet seating, statement lighting, gold accents and parquet flooring ensure the interior is very a la mode, as befitting its trendy Finnieston locale.
Cali Bruich
The 3 AA Rosettes of Cali Bruich are now matched with a shiny Michelin star. And this isn’t the restaurant’s only first; Chef Lorna McNee is so far the only female in Scotland to hold a star. Her tasting menus are distinctly Scottish, seasonal and light – full of indigenous produce like Isle of Skye langoustine, Sladesdown Farm duck, West Coast crab and Wye Valley asparagus. Accompanying herbs are grown in-house and used in the beautifully presented tasting menus. The restaurant is found on the Great Western Road, in the city’s trendy West End, with service available for lunch or dinner sittings.
Read our guide to the best restaurants in Glasgow
Do
Shopping at Princes Square and Ingram Street
Whilst Edinburgh may be the national capital, Glasgow is the capital of style. People in this city care about their appearance and so where better than to do a spot of shopping. Princes Square is a beautiful boutique mall right on the ‘style mile’ or Buchanan Street, the main shopping avenue in the city. You will be sure to notice this building thanks to its striking architecture and the giant metal peacock stretching across its frontage. Inside is a whole host of fashion-forward brands such as Kurt Geiger, Reiss, some treasure troves for the magpies among us such as Dover & Hall and Links of London, and some beauty big guns such as Space N.K. and Jo Malone.
From Princes Square, take a short walk to Ingram Street. This streets is lined by some real architectural gems, from modern towers of glass to incredible old banking halls. This is the most exclusive fashion street in Glasgow where designer, luxury and niche brands gather from Ralph Lauren to Emporio Armani. Get your high-fashion fix here.
Book to see a show in the city of culture
Glasgow was a European Capital of Culture in the 90s and was awarded UNESCO City of Music status in 2008 for its incredible music scene, so there is no doubting the city’s cultural prowess. Whilst visiting the city it’s an absolute must-do to dip your toes into this amazing cultural scene. Alongside the myriad of museums in the city, we recommend booking yourself into see a show at the Theatre Royal, home to Scotland’s resident companies, the Scottish Opera and the Scottish Ballet. If music is more your thing, the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall stands in a commanding location at the top of Buchanan Street and has seen the likes of BB King, Johnny Cash, Debbie Harry and Van Morrison grace it’s stage. Home to the National Orchestra of Scotland and with over 250 performances a year, it is definitely worth keep an eye on their programme for any visits to the city.
Bespoke Charles Rennie Mackintosh Guided Tour
Whilst Barcelona as Gaudi, Glasgow has Mackintosh. The renowned architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh has had a lasting effect on Scottish and in particular Glasgwegian culture and Glasgow is the best place to experience his work in context and learn more about the amazing creative. With over 40 years of organising tours, the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society know a thing or two. They offer a two day tour package which includes accommodation at the Carlton George Hotel, a VIP drinks reception and a guest lecture by local artist Avril Paton. We suggest contacting the experts to organise a bespoke private tour for you and your party whilst in the city – the society can allow exclusive access into some amazing Mackintosh buildings.
Stay
Blythswood Square Hotel
The Blythswood boasts an ideal city centre location overlooking a quiet private garden square. Formed from a terrace of Georgian Townhouses which used to be home to the rich merchants of Glasgow, the hotel has recently undergone a significant refurbishment. It is the only 5-star hotel in the city and is highly acclaimed for its top service. Rooms are a luxe mixture of textures and subdued tones – expect pops of lilac against contemporary marble fixtures and brown leather headboards against dark grey walls. This combo continues into The Salon and the restaurant which feature beautiful original Georgian features combined with modern sophisticated furnishings. We would highly recommend their afternoon tea!
Dakota Deluxe
The dark grey façade and black glass warehouse-style windows might be more reminiscent of a building in Brooklyn than a luxury hotel in Glasgow. The distinctiveness continues inside where a dark neutral colour palette runs throughout with lots of leather set against charcoal grey. The whole hotel has a cosy slightly masculine feeling to it and with 83 sleek rooms, it also feels suitably boutique-ey. Located just off Blythswood Square, its situation is ideally central. For refreshment, hit Jack’s Bar, the perfect place for aperitifs whilst the candlelit basement restaurant offers something a bit more intimate.
One Devonshire – Hotel du Vin
Located on a tree-lined terrace in the stylish west end of the city, Hotel du Vin Glasgow offers a little more seclusion away from the city centre whilst still being at the centre of the action in the buzzing west end as well as attractions including Kelvingrove museum and the Glasgow Botanical Gardens. The hotel has 49 bedrooms and suites, many of which retain the original Victorian features of the building. Décor is stylish but on the opulent side with many rich textures and textiles throughout rooms. The hotel also boasts a 3 AA Rosette bistro housed in an elegant if slightly lavish dining room with a focus on organic produce.
For more luxury hotels in Glasgow, read our luxury hotel guide.
