Central Belt
Dear green plates, wee prices
Good food, small bill
Updated
Glasgow is a great city for eating well on a small budget. In town, Paesano does wood-fired pizza in the Merchant City and its sister Sugo does fresh pasta off Argyle Street, while Bread Meats Bread is the burger stop before a gig and Mono serves vegan food in a record shop. Finnieston has Mother India’s Cafe across from Kelvingrove, vegan pub food by the fire at The 78 and a weekend street-food yard at Dockyard Social. On the Southside, Ranjit’s Kitchen cooks Punjabi vegetarian food a few minutes from Queen’s Park.
Our picks
Paesano Pizza
Miller Street, Merchant City
Address: Paesano Pizza, 94 Miller Street, Glasgow G1 1DT- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas at long tables in a busy, buzzy Merchant City pizzeria.
Why it's a good date: Quick, lively and one of the best-value dinners in the city centre. It's walk-in, so expect a short queue at busy times.
Sugo Pasta
Mitchell Street, City Centre
Address: Sugo Pasta, 70 Mitchell Street, Glasgow G1 3LX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Twirl bowls of fresh pasta at a busy, good-value pasta bar just off Argyle Street.
Why it's a good date: From the Paesano team, with the same quick, lively feel. Order a couple of plates to share. It's walk-in, so go early or late at weekends.
Ranjit's Kitchen
Pollokshaws Road, Strathbungo
Address: Ranjit's Kitchen, 607 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow G41 2QG- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Share home-style Punjabi vegetarian cooking at a family-run canteen on Pollokshaws Road.
Why it's a good date: Simple, warm and very good value, run by a family who cook like they would at home. Pair it with a walk in Queen's Park, a few minutes up the road.
Mono
King's Court, Merchant City
Address: Mono, 12 Kings Court, Glasgow G1 5RB- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
Eat vegan comfort food at a laid-back cafe bar that's also a record shop, tucked into King's Court.
Why it's a good date: Relaxed and a bit offbeat, with records to flick through after you eat. Good for a slow lunch or an easy weeknight dinner near the Barras.
Mother India's Cafe
Argyle Street, Finnieston
Address: Mother India's Cafe, 1355 Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AD- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Order a spread of Indian small plates to share at Mother India's casual cafe across from Kelvingrove.
Why it's a good date: Small plates mean you can try lots between you without spending much. It's right by Kelvingrove Art Gallery, so make an afternoon of it.
Dockyard Social
Haugh Road, Finnieston
Address: Dockyard Social, 95-107 Haugh Road, Glasgow G3 8TX- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Foodie
Graze your way round a weekend street-food yard in Finnieston, with independent traders, a bar and events most weekends.
Why it's a good date: Each of you picks a different kitchen and you share at the long tables. It's open at weekends with a small entry ticket, so buy ahead on busy nights.
The 78
Kelvinhaugh Street, Finnieston
Address: The 78, 14 Kelvinhaugh Street, Glasgow G3 8NU- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
- Best in Autumn, Winter, Spring
- Cosy
Tuck into vegan comfort food at a cosy, easy-going cafe bar just off Argyle Street.
Why it's a good date: Relaxed and friendly, with a homely, lived-in feel that suits a cold night. Handy for Kelvingrove and the Hydro.
Bread Meats Bread
St Vincent Street, City Centre
Address: Bread Meats Bread, 65 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5TF- Restaurant
- Rain-proof ☔
- Cheap and cheerful
Share burgers and loaded fries at a busy, no-fuss burger joint in the city centre.
Why it's a good date: Loud, quick and filling, with vegetarian and vegan options too. Handy before a gig or the cinema in town.
Quick answers
Can we book at Paesano or Sugo?
No. Both are walk-in only, so expect a short queue at peak times, or go a little early or late at weekends.
Is there a cheap dinner near Kelvingrove?
Mother India's Cafe is on Argyle Street across from Kelvingrove Art Gallery, and its small plates are made for sharing. The 78 on Kelvinhaugh Street is a few minutes away, with a real fire.
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