10 Best Restaurants with outdoor seating in Glasgow

10 Best Restaurants with outdoor seating in Glasgow

Glasgow grew from a small rural settlement on the River Clyde to become the largest seaport in Scotland. Today it is the most populous city in Scotland.

As the world adopts to the changes brought forth by COVID-19, Glasgow’s food and drink establishments are making use of their outdoor spaces, whether it be terraces, gardens or al-fresco dining on the rooftop, perfect for lounging in the sun.

Below are 10 best restaurants with outdoor seating in Glasgow;

1. Absurb Bird

Big ol bucket of wings, Absurb Bird – TripAdvisor

Inspired by the American Deep South’s comport food, Absurd Bird is known for great cocktails and tasty fried chicken. The franchise chicken shop is located in Nelson Mandela Place.

To enjoy tasty chicken and banging cocktails in an epic vibrant atmosphere, visit Absurb Bird. The restaurant is famous for its country vibe, from playing country music to having Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash plastered all over the colorful walls.

Absurb Bird serves crispy yet juicy chicken burgers, saucy plant-based buffalo wings and a bevy of breakfast plates, all of which you can enjoy alfresco style. Their menu also includes a veggie and vegan option.  

2. Church on the hill

Church on the hill – Glasgow Times

Church on the Hill describes itself as “a community bar, run by locals, for locals, intent on celebrating the Southside!” It is located in the Southside of Glasgow on the 16 Algie Street.

The restaurant prides itself on being the venue for every occasion, whether that be shakin’ up some cocktails on a Tuesday, bringing in Gran’s 80th birthday on Friday or enjoying a wholesome Roast on a Sunday.

The bar’s outdoor area out front is pretty impressive, offering views in every direction, from the old church building looming overhead and out onto Battlefield monument and Queen’s Park behind it.

Church on the hill serves the best fish and chips in Glasgow. In addition, their prawn curry and haggis bhaggi is out of this world.

3. Brel

Brel – TripAdvisor

Brel is a Belgian bar and restaurant that has a large beer garden great for outdoor and indoor meet-ups. The bar and restaurant is located at Aston Lane.

Described as a magical garden because of its beautiful canopies of fairy lights, a beautiful heated patio for year-round al fresco dining, a cosy conservatory with a roaring stove to coorie up too, delicious chocolate fondue to share around their firepits, awesome craft beers from around the world and a selection of Scottish Gins.

The restaurant prides itself on its seasonal food option that includes vegan and vegetarian options. While at the restaurant, try the vegetarian curry or the sea bass with a king prawn.

4. Ox and Finch

Ox and Finch – Flickr

Ox and Finch is one of the best new restaurants in Glasgow to offer a decent patch of outdoor space. The outdoor space has a few stylish white wooden tables and chairs round the corner on Derby street.

It opened in Glasgow’s popular Kelvingrove in May 2014 serving simple, seasonal and ingredient-led menus which combine big, bold flavours with global influences; a great wine list and friendly, attentive service.

The restaurant was awarded the Michelin Guide’s coveted Bib Gourmand within 6 months of opening and has retained the award every year since.

Ox and Finch cooking centres around old favourites but with added modern twists, and the flavours really shine through. One of their best dishes is the hummus with feta, mint plus flatbread.

5. Cranside Kitchen

Cranside Kitchen – Facebook

Cranside Kitchen is a multi-faceted dining, drinking and entertainment venue that was created as a response to the Covid crisis in the summer of 2020. It consists of Glasgow’s best restaurants that had no outdoor space of their own by creating a collective one.

This huge al fresco venue is located beside the iconic North Rotunda building in Finnieston, on the banks of the River Clyde. The venue offers cool views of the SSE Hydro and Armadillo.

Cranside Kitchen serves everything from Greek dishes by Halloumi, Japanese street food by Yuz and sweet treats by Bon Bon. Mouthwatering cocktail and drinks are also available.

6. Innis & Gunn

Innis & Gunn – Flickr

Innis & Gunn Ashton Lane is a bar and restaurant which spread over three floors. The bottom floor contains the brewing facilities to produce its masterfully crafted beer; the first floor is a restaurant and the top floor is a dedicated bar.

Its kitchen serves traditional Scottish gastro food, and also includes their beer into the cooking process, such as in their Beer Beef Curry made with IPA or beer battered fish and chips which is best enjoyed on the street side tables.

Enjoy a splash of their much-loved range of beer and scotch egg with a coating of black pudding.

7. Five March

Grilled mackerel buckwheat, Five March – TripAdvisor

Five March is a small plates restaurant describes itself as a casual & contemporary restaurant focusing on vibrant sharing plates, seasonal cocktails, and organic wines.

The restaurant is located at 140 Elderslie Street. Its outdoor area on the terrace is quite the suntrap and just a stone’s throw away from Kelvingrove Park.

Five March’s menu is short and incorporates as much seasonal produce as possible, accompanied by lots of vegetables. The meals are creative with the flavors well-blended and served in small plates.

The chilli octopus with corn, radish, pink grapefruit and puffed rice, in particular, seems to leave diners compelled to recommend the place.

8. BrewDog Merchant City

grilled mackBrewDog Merchant City – Brewdogerel buckwheat, Five March – TripAdvisor

BrewDog Merchant City is definitely one of the best Glasgow restaurants with outdoor seating. It offers a large number of sun-catching benches on its patio.

The restaurant majors in insanely good old-time barbecue food and smoked meat, alongside a fully-stocked BrewDog bar with 25 taps of the freshest craft beer around.

Apart from their Americana style meats, monster burgers and buffalo wings, they also have a plant-based option in their menu. In addition, their headliner beer range is vegan.

While at the BrewDog Merchant City get yourself some epic brisket, a house salad and a pint of Dead Pony Club.

9. Ubiquitous Chip

Ubiquitous Chip – Flickr

Ubiquitous Chip was established by Ronnie Clydesdale in January 1971 with the firm idea of bringing Scotland’s endangered cuisine out of the home and into the restaurant, asserting that Scotland had some of the finest raw materials anywhere.

The restaurant is located in Ashton Lane in Glasgow’s west end. Ubiquitous Chip’s legendary status as a pioneer of high-end Scottish cuisine becomes apparent as they serve delicious food made with the finest Scottish ingredients and served with a warm Glaswegian welcome.

A must-have while at the restaurant is the Tweed Valley fillet steak with au poivre sauce, roasted garlic purée, and chips.

10. Republic Bier Halle

Republic Bier Halle – TripAdvisor

Republic Bier Halle was opened in October 1999. Styled on traditional Bavarian beer halls Republic Bier Halle is an underground bar that serves one of the largest collections of international and craft beers that Glasgow.

Republic Bier Halle’s streetside terrace ‘bier garten’ spans all the way along Gordon Street to Buchanan Street.

The bar is known for our famous ‘2 for 1’ pizzas not only for their value but also for their unique style of thin and crispy bases with original toppings that you won’t find anywhere else.