An excellent find in Helensburgh, and one of the best tapas restaurants to be found in Scotland…read moreIMHO. There was only one server on duty, but he coped admirably with the increasing numbers who arrived during a Monday lunchtime. The portions are large enough to satisfy the appetite, the menu is quite extensive, and the prices are reasonable. Lunchtime price was £16.45 for three tapas. I had Paella Verduras, Champinones con Huevo, and Calamares a la Anadluza. Herself had Tortilla Espanola, Boquerones en Vinagre, and Vieiras (Scallops - which had a £4 supplement). All delicious, and with such a good range of dishes to choose from, I'm sure we'll be making the trip 'doon the watter' again soon.

Greated by surly Joe , shown to a table with nowhere to hang our coats , kitchen door was open…read moreassume to help cool the chef ,not so good for the freezing customers in the draft Joe and to top it all off one hour for six tapas dishes ,,come on six small plates can't be that difficult ,, in a nutshell overpriced and over rated but if you do decide to go take a jumper

LADIES' LUNCHEON My…read moretwo friends and I decided to have lunch here after wedding dress shopping (eeeeeeeek!! EXCITING!!) last Saturday. The location is great, being within the (COVERED!!) Merchant Square...so in he middle of the Merchant City in town! There's a variety of places to eat/drink in Merchant Square, but on the penultimate day of the Merchant City Festival, this was the only place with any free tables!! I hoped this wasn't a bad sign..!! ;-) Turned out after taking a seat ourselves (pretty sure there was a hostess to do the seating but it was mad busy and the table was empty!!) and looking at the menu, we were looking forward to having a good munch! They do a special lunch offer where you can get three tapas dishes for £8.95...bargain!! We decided to combine all of our choices so we could try a better variety of dishes! This turned out to be a FABULOUS idea! ;-) We ordered (you'll HAVE to forgive my spelling as I know NO Spanish, pretty much..!!) : 2 x patatas bravas, 2 x calamari, 1 x haggis nuggets, 1 x meatballs, 1 x queso croquettas, 1 x croquettas de polo and a wee tomato salad with manchego...we also got some extras of onion rings and chippies-we should have bothered with the extras!!! There was TAPAS-A-PLENTY; it seemed like the waitress just kept bringing our food out-LOL! Everything was delicious and well cooked...I was really impressed! I don't eat tapas all that often (I SHOULD!) but reckon I'll be back here again VERY soon! :-) We finished off lunch with some French Martinis which seemed strrrrrrong-NOT a complaint, by the way... I would DEFINITELY recommend this restaurant to anyone...and I'm doing MORE wedding shopping soon, so will pop back in!

Decided to have dinner here on Friday night - we were around in Merchant City and been craving for…read moreSpanish food for a while, so why not? The location is fantastic, I love Merchant Square and its atmosphere, great place to dine or have a few drinks. We started our meal by ordering Sangria, we got the big pitcher as we were four of us. We then ordered 2 tapas plus a half portion dish each and a meaty paella to share (which usually is to be shared among 2 people). By the end of it we were pretty full but i would say that's kind of the right amount of food you want to order to be fully satisfied at the end of your meal. I personally went for tortilla, chicken and ham croquette and roast pig with roast potatoes, while the others got cajun fries, deep fried aubergines with honey, broken egg with ham and chorizo and i think that was it LOL. Food was brought to the table all at once which was good, apart from the paella which required 25 minutes to be ready - but that was even better as it allowed us to eat our tapas first. We were all pretty happy about the quality of the food, my highlight of the night are for sure the ham and chicken croquettes, they were soooo good! But everything really was very tasty and we enjoyed our meal. We also had dessert (of course!) and i went for the Tarta de Santiago (almond cake) - it was so soft and almost melting in my mouth, delicious! My boyfriend had ice cream and my sister shared a slice of chocolate cake with her boyfriend. Overall, good night and great food, will surely recommend this!

Amazing. We tried about 5 dishes and they were all delicious. The grilled octopus was among my…read morefavorites. I will need to return to try the Paella.

I give 5* because 10 or even 15 is not available!…read more Best Spanish meal in Glasgow by far!!! OMG! I can't describe here how good and real it is. Let's start from the beggining, the restaurant deco is similar to my favourite restaurants in Madrid, modern, a little dark at night and full of typical products (cheese, wine, garlic, ham's leg). We were invited to wait at the bar to wait for a better table , and a super nice Spanish guy gave us recommendations about the wine and the ham. Just 5 minutes later we had our table ready. We ordered a verdejo wine, d.o rueda, a porron pot. As starter we ordered the Presa de lomo iberico and bread with olive oil. All of them was amaZing, the wine was perfect and the lomo was super tasty!! After that we ordered the tapas, difficult choice! The selection was: black rice with alioli, aubergine with honey, chorizo lolipops with alioli and ham croquetas. I can't say which one was the best, absolutely incredible, but the croquetas was same as the best in Spain!! Even the rice... To be honest it was like beign in Spain! Furthermore the Staff invited us to try the 3 hams selections and cheese with mojama. No words!! After that for sure it was dessert time: tarta de la abuela (chocolate, crumble...) another 5* The staff and service was excellent as well. To be honest, and not because I'm Spanish is the best restaurant I've tried in Glasgow! And the price was only £52 !!!! I want to go every single month!!!!!!!!

My rating of this experience has went up as I had such a brilliant time. I've still not been here…read morefor food but I hope I will do in the near future. I came here with friends, after attending a film screening at GMAC (Glasgow Media Access Centre), across the road. Fortunately my friend had reserved a table for fifteen. We had three tables pushed together but it was high stools. It was quite tight and some folk couldn't use the stools, but we managed to get a normal chairs and table and we made it work. I unfortunately was driving. Boo!!! I know, right?! So I stuck with the soft drinks. Unfortunately their draft Pepsi was a bit watery but they had cans available. The cocktails looked amazing and some of my friends were really enjoying them. Definitely, next time!!! The band got themselves ready and then they had the place jumping. It already is quite a lively place, so don't come here looking for a quiet date night. The band played pop classics with a Brazilian twist. There was a small area for dancing. So this time, rather dodging it on the way out, I was one of those flang, flung persons, flinging themselves about the place. Remember, I was completely sober. Haha!! It was so much fun. Later on we had a male and a female dancer come out in full traditional Brazilian bling and feathers. It was brilliant to watch and we just joined in, dancing along with them. Overall it was a brilliant atmosphere, lively and a guaranteed fun night out. I do hope I get the chance to try the menu the next time.

Worst New Years 2023 experience ever. We didn't have any drugs on us and yet they falsely accused…read moreus, they body searched us, two people from Black, Asian, and minority ethnicity (BAME) , without have any substantial evidence. Due to our intersectional identities, we believe we were racially profiled and then searched during their Hogmanay Party- Latin Connection 2023. The body search was ineffective as we were two international students from two prominent university in Scotland and have nothing to hide. I guess we were taken aback as we did not expect to experience institutional racism and bias from a place like Boteco Glasgow. I was also touched inappropriately by the female security guard while searching .

Our first restaurant visit in over a year, thanks to Covid. We wanted a place to meet with a friend…read morethat had outdoor seating, as we're still a bit nervous about being inside with others. However, the weather forecast was for rain! After a bit of head-scratching, we realised that Princes Square offered the perfect solution; we could sit 'outside' the restaurant but still be 'inside' the vast atrium of Princes Square and protected from the rain. Perfect! Sadly, we weren't allowed any alcohol as current restrictions prohibit drinking outside. I know, I know... we were still technically 'inside', but I wasn't prepared to argue the point. I'm not usually a huge fan of tapas eating - I prefer a more conventional starter/main course style of ordering, but with three of us we were able to order a good selection of dishes - their recommended three each - providing a good smorgasbord for us to choose from. The dishes were all very tasty, I particularly liked the Cocido de Judias Blancas (aka bean stew), and Patatas Bravas are always a favourite. I was a little disappointed with the Dorada a la Parilla (sea bass); given that it was one of the more expensive items on the menu, the portion size was a bit measly. It was, however, cooked just right. Clean plates all round and we were all satisfyingly full afterwards. Apart from a minor glitch on the drinks order - they forgot to bring one and I had to go and remind them - everything else was fine. So a thumbs up from us, and I'll happily return here in future.

Quite tasty. The tapas portions are very respectable and the price is good as well…read more The Goat Cheese is by far the best I've ever had, and I've eaten a lot of goat cheese. Mussels in saffron was enjoyable and light while the chicken skewers were heavier and also delicious. Dessert was not wasted with a plate of churros though I probably would order something else next time just to diversify. Of all three types of sangria we had I would order the cava again. Sweet and light, it was easily the best choice.

Happened upon this accidentally and quite pleased I did…read more The fresh paint odour was at first a little strong, but we got used to it. A very friendly welcome from the staff, and the owner I assume, in his Spanish hat. I like an authentic feel to a restaurant and the mostly Spanish staff helped create that. No problems with the interior either, although the 80's Spanish music was a little off-putting at times. I've never heard the Damned's "Elouise" sang in quite that way before. The only menu available at the moment is the pre-theatre, but I had no problem with that, it had some of my favourite dishes on it, and two taps to choose from, San Miguel and Estrella, again I had no problem with that either. Between the two of us we had bread and olives, estofado (beef stew), albondigas (meatballs in tomato sauce), chicken wings in a beer and orange sauce, and chicken in a creamy pepper sauce. My partner had crema catalana to finish. Quick service and large portions, so far so good. The albondigas were pretty nice, tight and the sauce was seasoned just so. The beef in the estofado was lovely and soft as it should be, and the chicken in both dishes was cooked just right too, still moist and tasty. My only problem with it was that the stew and the chicken sauces were just a bit too thin and really had not impregnated the meat in any way. That was why I was so thankful for my large portion of albondigas sauce, I could use it for my beef and chicken too. Most people may have thought the sauces were rich and thick enough, it's my preference for lots of flavour perhaps, but there is my honest appraisal. Apparently the crema catalana was about the best my partner has had, there was certainly enough of it. It would have been nice if she'd known that her tea was herbal before she put milk in it though!

A wee review update and still a very strong 5 stars from me!…read more Cubatas is definitely one of my favourite restaurants in Glasgow, I've now had countless meals here and enjoyed exceptional food and friendly, attentive service each time. We often take our little boy with us and they are so lovely to him, I order him a couple of dishes as soon as we arrive and these are brought out not long after we have him settled in his highchair and our drinks have arrived. It's brilliant as food keeps him occupied and we can relax and enjoy our food too. I force myself to order some dishes I haven't tried before - it's so easy to stick with the ones I have tried and I LOVE - and each time I discover another mouth watering dish. One of my new favourites is the pork cheek, melt in the mouth, jam packed full of flavour and so moreish. Added to some regular favourites such as the spicy prawns, paella, patatas bravas and their delicious salad dishes and you get a wonderfully varied meal. My top tip is to order a basket of bread for the table, the sauces and oils that accompany the dishes are divine and I love mopping them up with a chunk of soft fluffy bread. It's great going to Cubatas in a big group, with people who are happy sharing. My ideal would be to go and order one of everything off the menu, heaven :) These guys also do gift vouchers, I know as I bought my mum and dad some for Christmas. We've taken them for dinner here a few times and they love it!

Well what do you do after working out? Stuff your face uncontrollably until it hurts to breathe! I…read morelove this feeling, I am full equals happiness. Let's start with Bread which couldn't be any fresher. Roasted almonds and nachos. The nachos were different served up with BBQ rather than salsa, this might actually be a new thing for me. The great thing about tapas is that you can order everything and everyone just shares. Pataas Bravas, marrocon kebabs, fired cheese, chorizo in pastry..... Yes pastry! Prawns in garlic, fajitas, A pork dish, chicken with a batter and colorful sauce, meatballs and a massive paella, I'm sure there has been a few dishes I've missed. Feeling full yet? A tapas of deserts oh my goodness. A baileys cheese cake, check! Creme brûlée....check something that tastes of butterscotch. Tiramisu ooofffft! Some other spongy thing and a walnut cake. Man I've just re lived this experience....so good! Staff friendly and great food make this my perfect match!!

What a wee hidden gem of a place this is. I have driven past it dozens of times and thought is was…read morejust a workers' caff serving the many industrial units along South Street. It wasn't until I read the reviews on Yelp that I realised what I'd been missing, so we booked a table and made a special trip down there for lunch today. First impressions - we were the only people there and the chef came out of the kitchen to meet us, which didn't bode well I thought. The decor is unassuming and definitely a 'work in progress', but it is clear that they have already put a great deal of effort into getting the place functioning. The bar is near the entrance and there's a line of tables along the window wall, with a larger central area that looks like it could double as a dance floor, and finally there's a stage area at the far end. It all looks delightfully 'hand-knitted' and I loved it immediately. Once the owner returned from upstairs and realised that we were his booking, things picked up. In short order some music was played, menus appeared, and soon we were tucking in to the first of our tapas. As neither of us are carnivores, we picked fishy choices, olives, tortilla, and some papas arrugadas. The boquerones (anchovies) and olives were the first to arrive, and we both wolfed them down like the ravenous dogs we were. Delicious. Then came the tortilla and papas arrugadas. The tortilla is definitely something special, and I wished I'd ordered two portions, it was so tasty. The papas arrugadas turned out to be baby new potatoes with a separate dish of pepper sauce and another of coriander sauce. A fantastic combination of tastes, and the pepper sauce was just right - not too hot at all. Finally, the boquerones frito (whitebait) and the calamares a la romana appeared. The menu jokingly describes the whitebait as 'fishchips', but actually that's a great description of them. They're crispy and full of flavour - yum! I'm not generally a great fan of tapas as a primary meal choice, as I always feel that they're more of an appetizer option whilst sitting at the bar with a drink; but I might be won over by this place. The portions aren't huge, but with the 3 for £9 special offer, it's pretty good value. I will definitely return when the place is a bit more lively and they have some entertainment on. They may not be in a prime location, but it's definitely worth making the pilgrimage to this place. But let's not tell everyone about it - we don't want it to become too popular. Let's just keep it between ourselves, OK?

I have been meaning to visit La Bodega for a while . The combination of tapas , music and dancing…read moresounded very alluring . What can I say bar the fact that this was a real fun night , great staff , food and music . Linda Jaxson is a real character and was on stage with a new band . She entertained us the whole evening and the crowd really appreciated it . Staff were not flustered by the influx of clients and managed to keep everyone fed and watered throughout the night . There is a good entertainment programme here including salsa and tango classes so get your glad rags on and come down and dance.

We stumbled into the one in Merchant City in Glasgow and then went to this one a few nights later…read more Both are excellent. Beat Italian I've had since I was in Rome. Great options for smaller portions and lots to choose from. The pizzas are good, the pasta was great and the Burrata was amazing. Cocktails are good, service was good, not super polished, but attentive. Great family place.

This place was recommended to us by a local. We were so impressed! We got a sampler option. Oh my…read moregosh! Everything was so delicious!!! The crust on the pizza was spot on. The spaghetti bolognase was spectacular and thr arincini...my Italian husband said it was like his grandmother used to make. (I can't recall the exact name of it but it was the one with the meat in it. They have the rice only one and one with meat.) We sat out on the patio and enjoyed the views and the weather while enjoying the amazing food. Definitely eat here!

Small pub, massive whisky selection -- and I mean massive. We're talking over 1,000 whiskies on the…read moreshelves, plus a solid lineup of beers on tap. It's cozy, crowded, and buzzing with life -- often standing room only and packed shoulder-to-shoulder with locals and travelers alike. If you're a whisky fan (or even just whisky-curious), do yourself a favor and try one of their Scotland whisky flights. It's like taking a mini tour of the country's whisky regions without ever leaving your barstool -- and without worrying about driving. The bartenders really know their stuff and are happy to guide you toward something you'll love. A quick heads-up: no football colors allowed, which keeps the atmosphere friendly and relaxed no matter who you support. And speaking of friendly -- the locals here are as welcoming as they come. This is exactly the kind of place where Scotland's famous pub culture shines. Prices are surprisingly reasonable too, so you can sample a few drams without feeling guilty. Whether you're a seasoned whisky nerd or just looking to experience the local vibe, this is the spot. Pull up a stool (if you can find one) and enjoy a proper Scottish night out

Even if you are not a whiskey fan, this place is worth visiting if you're in town. Just to see…read moretheir ginormous, or hmm, whiskey-normous, selection of bottles lining the wall, and the bartenders going up and down the ladders to fetch them. This may prompt you to feel like ordering a drink. You are in good hands and they can totally recommend something that you may like. Their selection is so huge they don't have a menu, you just have to ask for your label or take their recommendations. Naturally, most of the selection is Scottish whiskey, but if you somehow prefer otherwise, (say you are a local tired of Scotch... or just want to reaffirm nothing beats a Scotch?) they do offer whiskey from other countries, as well as beer and ciders, as well as gin, rum and the like. They do offer pies and other bar food, but we went after dinner and just couldn't stomach more food, tempting as they may sound.