What better way to share Valentine’s Day with that special someone than with some of the best food and in the most romantic spots the West End has to offer? Take a wander hand-in-hand through the Botanics or Kelvingrove Park, treat each other to a gift from one of the many independent stores throughout the West End, and then settle in for a dinner at a restaurant with the perfect romantic atmosphere.
Here are four of our favourite places to go to eat – whether it is for a Valentine’s Day date, or just for a special treat!
La Lanterna West End
Ah, amore! What could be more romantic than an Italian meal with your beloved? La Lanterna West End will help you feel right at home as soon as you are welcomed through the door. Some might call it a small venue, but we will always prefer the term intimate instead – with a clean white and grey décor to tie everything together. It is located on Great Western Road, just over the bridge from Kelvinbridge subway station.
La Lanterna prides themselves on being warm and welcoming but never pretentious, and this can clearly be seen in the quality of their food. The risotto mare monti is beautiful, a delicious mix of rice, monkfish, king prawns, and vegetables. You also can’t go wrong with their ravioli – both the carne and granchio are excellent – but you might struggle to reach the mains past their selection of antipasti and brushchette!
Tiffney’s Steak House
Tucked away on Otago Street, a side street running between Great Western Road and Gibson Street, lies Tiffney’s Steakhouse. This is an all-adult restaurant and so it is the perfect option for the couple who want a Valentine’s Day date night entirely to themselves. They do require a small deposit to secure a reservation, but the food here is well worth it!
Tiffney’s is a member of the Scotch Beef Club, so the meat here will be the finest of Scotch grass-fed beef. You will find scallops and goats cheese amongst the starters, but the main event here will always be the steaks. Whether you opt for a sirloin or the cote de boeuf, or maybe even their porterhouse T-bone to share, you can be certain it will be the best steak you have ever had. Don’t forget to try their sides like the indulgent mac ‘n’ cheese or creamed leeks, and pick from a range of potato dishes and sauces for the final finishing touches to your meal. This is one of our favourite romantic spots in the west end – make sure you visit.
Cail Bruich
The name of this restaurant means “to eat well” in Gaelic, and you most certainly will do here! This is the first restaurant in Glasgow to be awarded a Michelin Star in 18 years, and was the only Scottish eatery to gain one in the 2021 guide.
For an extra special Valentine’s Day, see if you can book the Chef’s Table so you have a front-row seat to all the action of the kitchen – though you will have to be quick if you want to do so as you won’t want to miss out!
At lunch, you will be able to get the 5-course tasting menu, but we think you should splurge for the 7-course chef’s tasting menu, which is available across both services. Obviously, as a chef’s tasting menu, this can change often, but you can expect ingredients like scallops, venison, and the freshest Scottish ingredients to appear here!
Number 16
Tucked down the far end of Byres Road and just around the corner from Kelvinhall Subway Station is Number 16. This gorgeous restaurant splits its dining room between a ground floor and mezzanine level. The combination of white and red walls with deep wooden floors makes this the perfect place for you to spend a Valentine’s Day with your loved one.
With both a set menu and à la carte options, there is plenty for you to choose. Since this restaurant uses only the freshest of produce, their menus are subject to change at a moment’s notice. You can usually find tasty delights like Scotch beef fillet tartare, monkfish tail, and fillet of stone bass amongst the dishes available here.
Are you planning a blowout Valentine’s Day for your beloved? If so, you should seriously consider heading to one of these four restaurants. Each one is a fine example of how luxurious the dining experience of the West End can be, not to mention some of the most romantic spots.
Get in touch with them to make your reservations sooner rather than later. We imagine they are going to fill up quite quickly!
