As we start the next phase of lockdown easing, here’s some of the best ways you can enjoy local food and drink as Glasgow hospitality returns.

Top Tables

Bookings are now open for some of the city’s best restaurants as we emerge from isolation, blinking in the sunlight, to take our social distancing place in redesigned dining rooms.

I’m booked in for my first indoors meal of the new era at The Spanish Butcher this weekend – they opened yesterday.

The Ivy on Buchanan Street revive their outside terrace and open the doors tomorrow. Operations manager Jon Pinner says: “All of the staff are extremely excited to be opening once again on Friday, July 17.

We can’t wait to welcome back our regular guests and members of the community who we have greatly missed over the last few months.

The team are also looking forward to being united again on the restaurant floor and in the kitchen, whilst maintaining a safe distance at all times.”

Brian Maule is back in the kitchen at Le Chardon d’Or getting ready for the first service this evening, with the reservation book starting to fill up for the weeks ahead.

Smaller venues face the biggest challenges. Many will sit things out until restrictions are further eased. Cail Bruich told me earlier in lockdown that reopening would be difficult.

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Encouraged by the response to their home dining offering, they have decided to return with a reduced capacity from Wednesday, August 5.

The Drake have fixed up a new area outside and are also ready to welcome folk indoors. Meanwhile, The Sparkle Horse are reimagining the neighbourhood local with table bookings for folk meeting up for a Partick pint.

If you are ready for your first foray back into local bars, restaurants and cafes, remember it’s been a long few months for everyone. Be kind to staff and do what’s asked of you.

The Great Outdoors

SWG3 have successfully created their own outdoor picnic space with table service and four menus to choose from. Staff ferry food and drinks to your table after you order on the venue’s app.

Set to be one of the most in-demand spaces for the rest of the summer. We order chicken satay from Julie’s Kopitiam, falafel from Shawarmarama and double pints of Moritz.

Lewis Capaldi is a fan. Saint Luke's has created an expanded beer garden outside the venue with plenty of space and the chance to take in the last of the sun in the evening.

A self-contained food and drink option beside The Barras.

The Cranside Kitchen is off to a fantastic start as the outside space provides a way to enjoy some great local restaurants while sitting out in the open with the Finnieston Crane in the background.

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Rioja and Halloumi have the stand-out menus.

Enterprisingly, Bibi's Cantina has figured out a way to return, setting up picnic benches and a Margarita truck behind their restaurant so burritos are back on the menu. 

Back in the Kitchen

With doors closed at local bars and restaurants, businesses responded by creating dining at home and cocktail delivery services that have found an audience.

The trend is set to continue. Local restaurants have teamed up with itison to create special menus for delivery. This week, you can choose from Mother India, Five March, Partick Duck Club, Ox and Finch and Epicures.