Food and Drink
Rough Guides hailed Glasgow as "one of the best places to head for culinary experimentation" thanks to the city's ever-evolving food scene driven by innovative use of the best food and drink produced in Scotland.
Over 2000 restaurants and cafés give delegates a vast choice of culinary delight. Street food markets, Michelin-accredited restaurants, fusion cuisine, traditional cooking with a modern twist and high teas in exquisite, historic surroundings are only some of what Glasgow’s food scene has to offer.
Best and most eclectic dining city in Europe.
Additionally, Glasgow is known for its plant based, healthy – and sustainable – options with a wide range of vegan and vegetarian friendly restaurants. In 2021, Glasgow was named one of the top 5 best vegetarian friendly cities in the world by Nestpick’s The Vegetarian Cities Index.
Glasgow is also the perfect city to visit if you're a lover of whisky, beer or gin and perhaps enjoy discovering what goes on behind the scenes of your favourite distilleries and breweries. Enjoy guided tours, tastings or just a “wee dram” from the extensive selection of one of Glasgow’s 700 cosy pubs and bars. Alternatively, take a tour of Glasgow's must-visit traditional pubs and the best 'off the beaten track' bars while listening to fantastic stories and curious facts behind our world famous distilleries, brands and whisky makers.
One of the top 5 foodie cities for a staycation in the UK.
Sustainable Food Initiatives
Glasgow is aiming to make its food and drink offering healthier and more sustainable to tackle some of today’s social, economic and environmental issues.
In 2018 Glasgow established a Food Charter to encourage local businesses to use locally sourced, sustainable products.
The city is also part of the Sustainable Food Places network, which brings together pioneering UK food partnerships that are driving innovation and best practice on all aspects of healthy and sustainable food. In 2021, Glasgow was awarded Sustainable Food Places Bronze Award recognising the success of taking a joined up, holistic approach to food.
Glasgow Food Policy Partnership - a group of public, private and voluntary sector organisations aiming to create a fairer, healthier, more sustainable and resilient food system – have created the ‘Good Food For All’ initiative and the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has been recognised globally for its pioneering project to drive the circular economy in the city.
Many Glasgow based restaurants have also received VisitScotland's 'Taste Our Best Accreditation', which recognises businesses that provide locally sourced, quality food and drink. One of the criteria is that a minimum of 40% of the produce used and promoted is Scottish, with the use of seasonal menus.
