Glasgow’s Indian food scene is, without exaggeration, some of the best in Britain. The city has a large South Asian community, a long history of Indian restaurants, and a food culture that expects serious cooking rather than safe compromise. The following restaurants represent the best of what Glasgow does with Indian cuisine – which is to say, a lot.
Mother India, Gibson Street
The Glasgow Indian restaurant that food writers return to. Mother India has been doing intelligent, carefully sourced Indian cooking since 1990 and has never let success reduce its standards. The tapas-style sharing menu in the main restaurant rewards groups – multiple small plates of precisely spiced, properly made dishes that cover several regional Indian traditions simultaneously. The slow-cooked lamb is a benchmark dish. Booking essential; always full.
Dakhin, Candleriggs
South Indian and coastal cooking in a city that historically defaults to Punjabi-influenced dishes. Dakhin does dosa, Kerala fish curry, coastal chicken preparations, and Tamil Nadu street food with genuine authenticity. The difference in flavour profile from north Indian cooking is immediately evident and revelatory if you haven’t explored this territory. One of the most distinctive restaurants in Glasgow.
Mother India’s Cafe, Infirmary Street
The smaller, more casual iteration of the Mother India operation. Tapas portions, lower prices, no booking (previously). The cooking maintains the same quality standards as the main restaurant but in a setting where you can eat a brilliant Indian meal on a student budget. Glasgow is not a city that makes you choose between quality and affordability and this cafe is proof.
Calcutta Yard, Bath Street
A more modern approach to Indian cooking – the menu takes liberties that classical Indian restaurants wouldn’t allow themselves and gets away with it because the base technique is strong. The cocktail programme is also genuinely good, with Indian spice profiles applied to drinks with the same seriousness as the food.
The Dhabba, Candleriggs
North Indian cooking executed with precision and elegance. The Dhabba has been a Merchant City anchor for years and the consistency is notable. The kebabs – seekh, tikka, shammi – are exceptional. A reliable choice when you want Indian food that won’t surprise you but will definitely impress.
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