Local hospitality continues to be hit by a surprising number of circumstances. Glasgow was resilient last year, with community support isolating neighboring businesses.
There are a good number of new starters, but a spike in inflation will curb ambition next year.
There are more closures, but ambition, determination, and delicious things to celebrate remain.
Against that backdrop, here are the trends to look for in Glasgow food and drink.
1 Welcome to Margaritaville
Tequila’s progress in Glasgow has been limited by a lack of access to reliable brands and memories of tough student shots on Sauchiehall Road.
Restaurants are increasingly procuring supplies of premium tequila and its agave-based relative mezcal.
Steady progress has hit the mainstream this year, with a flourishing margarita menu and other authentic Latin cocktails. See also interesting options for both foreign and domestic rum.
Miller Street’s new restaurant and bar, El Santo, leads the way.
A medley of delightful and surprising dishes featuring lobster, crawfish and salmon roe on a Venezuelan cornmeal cake. Crispy pork tacos with apple and coriander pesto. King prawn ceviche served with tiger milk and prawn crackers, then 45-day dry-aged ribeye His steak is charcoal-cooked and served with chimichurri sauce.
It seems corny to suggest that tacos and steak were the best dishes in such an international parade of culinary prowess, but it does these staples well. We order the Tapatio Blanco Tequila Margarita, Lime Juice, Triple Sec, Orange Salt His Lim with Wasabi and Apple.
2 9pm is the new midnight
The Alchemist is proof that there is still life in the heart of the city, a new arrival ready to liven up the night at any moment. After work, the lights dim, the evocative dance-his music plays, and the food is served in an environment that resembles a sophisticated, understated nightclub overlooking George-his Square. It’s the perfect theatrical representation of a powerful and playful drink.
Tequila bubbling in test tubes, whiskey served in delicate glass pipes, and chocolate Negroni under pressure. For an early dinner in a late-night atmosphere, order tempura shrimp lollipops, pan-fried veggie dumplings, Korean-style fried chicken, and salt-and-pepper fries. Everything will stay trendy.
Glasgow city center bar hours will be extended until 1am, but the momentum is geared toward socializing during the day, with nights beginning early in the morning and ending by all means of transport, before midnight. You can go home to Taxi chaos is a determining factor in weekend planning, even for adventurous adventurers. Alchemists like Kong on Royal Exchange Square, Mosquito on Bath Street and Vega on Argyle Street are ready to keep up with this trend. Radisson Red serves pizza and cocktails while a DJ sets the mood. Take in the views of Clyde and look for what approaches the Balearic vibe. If you’re semi-retired from techno at Sub Club, consider disco he brunch and restaurant evenings. Meals and cocktails have a cheerful soundtrack. Try to finish before the last train home.
3 chains are back
After feeling like a retreat, a new franchise has arrived in town.The food and beverage brand expected to occupy the top spot on the high street, with additional names expected in the coming year. some are better than others. Beyond fast food variants, London’s high-end operators are looking at opportunities in Glasgow. No doubt it’s available on your favorite food delivery app.
4 Short menu
Nobody has enough staff. nobody It’s not a trend, it’s an enduring fact of life. Kitchens will cut the number of dishes on its menu this year. With the exception of Ho Wong, they still have novels to flick. Food is becoming more and more seasonal and only the best will survive. Expect all killers, no fillers.
5 sugar
Cake has been a growing food group for the last decade. Bakery and sugar keep us going through the tough times.
6 sides
Expect these short menus to have some eye-popping aspects as coveted items featured on TikTok. You have to pay an extra fee to take high level photos.
7 Comfort food and nostalgia
Retro desserts and nostalgic treats are making a comeback. Watch the excitement of alchemist cotton candy baked alaska, scones, custard, sticky toffee pudding and empire biscuits. 2023 is also the year Glasgow celebrates the return of comfort food.
8 Vegetarian mainstream
As we eat our emotions and sink into the warm embrace of carbs, we’ll take some comfort in the fact that vegetarian cuisine is becoming more and more accessible and indulgent. There will be a plant-based presence at the venue, and more ingredients will be used.
9 Seafood and seaweed
Seaweed is a food ingredient that is making waves around the world, and there are many of the world’s best available on nearby shores. Freshly landed West Coast seafood is increasingly becoming the starting point for new restaurants in Glasgow, as sourcing reliable ingredients with short supply chains is recognized as the preferred way to run a business. I’m here.
10 Scottish Fusion
Scottish recipes are flavored with more international influences, and Glaswegian dining staples are becoming more popular as kitchens adopt a global approach, mining cooking styles and recipes from increasingly exotic locations. Expect an exciting future ahead. Expect food and drink influences from the Middle East, North Africa, Taiwan and Southern Europe.
11 New York Style Pizza
The fluffy, moist, overproduced Neapolitan pizza that has dominated Glasgow’s market is being overtaken by a wave of American traditions of thin, crunchy, no-nonsense pizza. Check out Finnieston’s Franks.