Stravaigin

International, Scottish·
££££
·
Silver Award
·

SquareMeal Review of Stravaigin

Silver Award

‘Think global, buy local’ says the slogan on the waiters’ T-shirts, and this eclectic venue has always prided itself on having lots of stamps in its well-travelled, foodie passport. After a few nods to the home country with haggis ‘n’ neeps or venison and gingerbread stew, it sets off in search of Korean braised ox cheek, Iranian barberry and pine nut frittata, Indonesian nasi goreng or pan-seared sea bream with roast fennel, pickled apple, pumpkin seed salad and dill labneh. The kitchen also dishes up renowned burgers topped with kimchi and serves seared featherblade of beef with chunky chips and chimichurri sauce, while dessert might bring coconut sponge with black-sesame ice cream, passion fruit curd and chilli-spiked pineapple salsa. Without trying too hard, this place has become one of Glasgow’s most inventive restaurants and is regularly packed.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
International, Scottish
Ambience
Cool, Dark and moody, Fun, Lively, Quirky, Unique
Food Occasions
All day dining, Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch
Special Features
Gluten-free options, Vegan options, Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celebrations, Dates, Group dining [8+], Special occasions

About

Found in Glasgow’s West End, Stravaigin is an intimate and casual restaurant which serves a globally inspired menu that is underpinned by sustainably sourced Scottish produce.

The subterranean dining room follows an inviting shabby chic aesthetic, which sees hanging pendant lighting, bare wooden tables and a focal wall wrapped in a nautically inspired mural designed by artist Murray Robertson, which celebrates the key pillars of Stravaigin’s identity - wild ingredients, travel, nature, culture and history. You will also be able to spot a whole host of interesting and eye-catching artworks adorning the walls, all of which are salvaged art pieces sourced all around Scotland.

As for the food menu, well rather intriguingly, Stravaigin describes its offering as ‘exotically Scottish’, which means you can expect to find internationally inspired dishes, but ones which make use of produce sourced locally. The menu kicks off with small plates such as haggis with neeps and tatties or heritage beetroot with smoked labneh, pine nuts and pickled bramble. Next, you can move on to bigger plates, which include a 7oz beef burger served with hand cut chips, a ‘curry of the moment’ (either chicken, prawn or veg) and skate wing with brown shrimp laksa.

Desserts are tempting too, with sweet-toothed diners able to tuck into the likes of lemongrass panna cotta with a tamarind caramel sauce, or plum and almond tart with milk ice cream. If you prefer liquid afters, you can enjoy red and white wine, or explore Stravaigin’s selection of Scottish gins.

On the weekends, Stravaigin opens its doors for a popular weekend brunch, which features all of the usual brunch favourites such as buttermilk waffles and eggs benedict, alongside a few more internationally influenced brunch items including Turkish-style eggs and baked carrots with salsa verde, toasted seeds and carrot and chilli baba ganoush.


FAQs

Are there gluten-free options on the menu at Stravaigin?

Yes there are gluten-free options on the menu at Stravaigin.

Helpful? 0

Stravaigin is featured in

Location

28 Gibson Street, Glasgow, G12 8NX

0141 3342665 0141 3342665

Website

Opening Times

All day
Mon 11:00-01:00
Tue 11:00-01:00
Wed 11:00-01:00
Thu 11:00-01:00
Fri 11:00-01:00
Sat 11:00-01:00
Sun 11:00-01:00

Reviews

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2 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

patrick D

21 February 2010  
Food & Drink 4.5
Service 4
Atmosphere 4.5
Value 4.5
living in Glasgow offers a sometimes frustrating experience with eating out, and in the same way as a menu in a little chef, a selection so large that the fine intentions of choice are lost in confusion. More often than not i will try to rely on other peoples opinions, and a friend who had worked in Stravaigin for a year or so, had strong, if fairly biased, feelings towards it, and strongly suggested visiting the restaurant for a special occasion. At first I was a bit confused when walking into the busy bar area, and then being ushered down the stairs where my booking had been allocated, but relief as waking past the professional kitchen, being greeted with not only polite, smiling staff, but a teasing smell of what was waiting when we took our seats. Also by being downstairs we were not submitted to the attention craving bar staff! The menu was thankfully short but varied, offering a wide range of styles and cuisine, but also, the date at the top showed the chefs effort to adjust the menu according to the week, and offering seasonal ingredients for the taste, not the title. The food is always beautiful, my pork cheek melted in the mouth and a starter of quail was stunning, with a red wine sauce that will always bring back memories of Stravagin. The wine list is good value and the bin end selection offered a perfect malbec, great value and an appropriate recommendation from the friendly and efficient waitress. The atmosphere is lively even if quite but when it is busy the buzz from the tables creates such a relaxing yet exiting vibe. If in glasgow and require some exceptional food then Stravagin can always be relied on and will always deliver, and one of few places where the service charge actually feels justified, so long as not shared with the upstairs bar.

tamzin M

11 February 2009  
Food & Drink 5
Service 5
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
This would have to be one of my favourite restaurants in the world – big call i've been a lot of places and i love my food. But consistently good food with consistently good service at a decent price in a buzzing environment – you just cant beat it. I was almost reticent writing this as I don’t want too many more people discovering this place. On my first visit I was concerned. I am very dubious about restaurants with too long a menu. However I rarely find a dish here that isnt at least good and some are great. This place has a buzz about it. The décor is comfortable and friendly but quirky and interesting. It does get crowded and if you want a quiet meal then youre best booking a table downstairs in the al a carte. Although generally you can order from either menu if you ask. You cant book for ground level which means you can generally get in but you might have to wait a wee while having a drink at the bar and to get their sooner offer to share the counter table. The cocktails are good and even have some unusual ones such as pisco sours. The wine list is more than decent with a range of styles, countries and prices. The waiting staff generally know their wine stuff, there is also wines of the month and if you still cant find something there is the al a carte wine list. There is a huge variety of dishes and the menu changes regularly from bar style cheapies fish and chips, haggis neeps and tats (which has won awards) to more sophisticated dishes such as rabbit loin & duck liver fricassée with truffled brioche and mains Slow cooked Smitton’s pork belly & cheek, pan-fried cabbage, celeriac & apple purée, cider gravy. The Steamed West Coast mussels with sweet chilli & coriander are one of my favourites and a huge serve for £6.45 starter. Please bring back the scallops with pea souffle! The food makes this place but the staff keep it going. They are spot on, very friendly with good knowledge about the dishes and the wines and willing to offer opinions. They also do special nights – burns nights, thali etc My only negative is that it is sometimes really hot in the mezzazine level. May the chef never leave – Daniel youre never allowed to go back home. May who ever trains the staff keep up the absolutely brilliant job – and may not too many people find out about this brilliant restaurant so I can always get a table. Keep up the great job guys and no doubt I will see you soon!
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0141 3342665 0141 3342665

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