Glasgow Cheat Sheet

Once celebrated as "The Second City" of the British Empire, Glasgow is in the spotlight again with its exciting culinary scene and robust art and culture offerings. Here, Indagare's Ried Stelly reveals the best places to stay, eat and visit in Scotland's charming city.

Contact Indagare for assistance planning a trip to Glasgow. Our travel specialists can match you with the right hotel for you, plan great meals and activities and arrange behind-the-scenes access. 

Where to Stay

The palatial Blythswood Square blends old-world architecture with a contemporary design in its 100 rooms and suites. The hotel also houses a trendy restaurant, gym and spa.

Where to Eat

This iconic Scottish brasserie is set inside an art-filled solarium complete with trees, vines and a fish pond.

The Gannet A lively and sophisticated hot spot, The Gannet offers refined, seasonal Scottish cuisine in sleek interiors.

Gamba A seafood mainstay that has delighted patrons for nearly 20 years, Gamba is known for its Asian-inspired French preparations made with locally soured ingredients

Mother India's Cafe This Indian restaurant features traditional fare served tapas style. Don't miss the delicious homemade naan.

Ox and Finch This fun, casual gastropub in the upscale West End neighborhood serves tapas-style Scottish cuisine.

Brian Maule The pinnacle of Glasgow dining, this restaurant serves exquisite haute cuisine in modern interiors.

Mister Singh's India For Indian food with a Scottish twist, locals and visitors alike flock to Mister Singh, where the chicken tikka masala is renowned as the best in the U.K.

What to See and Do

Glasgow's iconic museum and art gallery, Kelvingrove houses one of the best art collections in the U.K. The institution also has a diverse collection of natural specimens and historical artifacts, including a WWII Mark 21 Spitfire.

University of Glasgow The city's university is known for its extraordinary Gothic architecture and as the filming location of Harry Potter's Hogwarts.

Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis Known locally as St. Mungo's Cathedral after the patron saint of Glasgow, this cathedral is a stunning example of 12th-century Gothic architecture. Hike to the top of the adjacent necropolis and cemetery, which is lined with ornate family mausoleums, for the best views of the city.

Riverside Museum Since 2011, the Riverside Museum has housed the Glasgow Museum of Transport with a vast collection of motor vehicles, from steam train locomotives to vintage buses, cars and motorcycles. Visitors can also see the Glenlee, a steel sailing ship built in Glasgow in 1896 that went on to circumnavigate the world four times.

Rotating exhibits of modern art fill this storied building in the heart of Glasgow's city center. Originally a wealthy tobacco merchant's home, the building also served as the location of the Royal Bank of Scotland. Today, it is a center for up-and-coming artists to study and display their work.

Street Art Glasgow's gritty art scene has given rise to a prominent cast of street artists such as Rogue One and Smug, whose works draw critical praise and epitomize the city's ever-expanding cultural scene. Street murals not to miss include Hip Hop Marionettes, St. Mungo the Homeless, Four Seasons and Taxi Balloons.