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The Gannet

Ambitious Scottish fine dining where industrial chic meets culinary precision and zero-waste philosophy.

4.8

The Gannet is an ambitious fine dining restaurant in Glasgow's Finnieston neighbourhood, celebrated for its modern Scottish cuisine and impeccable service. Chef Peter McKenna leads a close-knit team in crafting seasonally inspired dishes featuring sustainably sourced seafood, heritage-breed meats, and wild Scottish game. The dining room blends industrial elements—exposed metal ducts and bare bulbs—with handmade wooden panelling and round tables, creating an informal yet refined atmosphere. Known for its field-to-fork ethos and zero-waste commitment, the restaurant offers both tasting menus and à la carte options with carefully curated wine pairings and artisanal cocktails.

A brief summary to The Gannet

  • 1155 Argyle St, Glasgow, Finnieston, G3 8TB, GB
  • +441412042081
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 2 to 3.5 hours
  • Luxury
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Wednesday 5:30 pm-9:30 pm
  • Thursday 12 pm-2 pm
  • Friday 12 pm-2 pm
  • Saturday 12 pm-2 pm

Local tips

  • Book well in advance, especially for weekend dinner service. The restaurant operates on a limited schedule (Wednesday to Saturday only) and maintains high demand.
  • Consider the lunch or early evening set menu for excellent value and a more relaxed pace than the full à la carte dinner experience.
  • Arrive with an open mind regarding portion sizes. Fine dining here prioritises flavour intensity and artistic presentation over volume; expect to finish satisfied but not overstuffed.
  • Explore the cocktail programme at the bar if you're not dining; the house-made syrups and artisanal approach offer excellent value and theatre.
  • Request wine pairings if uncertain about selections; the team's knowledge of the menu and global wine list ensures thoughtful matches.
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Discover more about The Gannet

A Neighbourhood Gem with Serious Culinary Ambition

The Gannet occupies a distinctive place in Glasgow's increasingly vibrant food scene. Founded by three friends inspired by a research trip to the Outer Hebrides—where they became captivated by the gannet's diving prowess and voracious appetite—the restaurant embodies the spirit of its namesake: bold, purposeful, and uncompromising in its pursuit of excellence. Situated on Argyle Street in Finnieston, it has become a destination for diners seeking contemporary Scottish cuisine executed with precision and creativity. Chef Peter McKenna and his close-knit team approach cooking with playful ambition, treating each dish as an opportunity to showcase Scotland's exceptional larder. The kitchen sources sustainably caught fish, meats from heritage breeds, and wild game, allowing seasonal availability to drive the menu. This commitment to provenance extends beyond the plate: the restaurant operates with a zero-waste philosophy, ensuring that every element of an ingredient is utilised thoughtfully.

Design That Balances Industrial and Warmth

The dining room reflects a deliberate aesthetic choice—one that rejects stuffy formality in favour of accessible sophistication. Shiny metal ducts run overhead, rugged stonework anchors the space, and bare light bulbs provide utilitarian illumination. Yet these industrial bones are softened considerably by handmade wooden panelling and round tables that encourage conversation and connection. The result is a space that feels both contemporary and inviting, neither pretentious nor casual. A separate bar area serves as a hub for mixologists who craft fragrant, floral cocktails and bottle homemade syrups, adding theatre and craft to the drinking experience.

The Evolution of the Menu

The Gannet has undergone a significant evolution in recent years. The restaurant moved away from a fixed tasting menu format to embrace a more flexible approach: a comprehensive à la carte menu for dinner service, complemented by a pared-back set menu at lunch and early evening seatings. This shift reflects the kitchen's desire to make fine dining more accessible without compromising standards. Diners might order a bowl of wild garlic soup with cultivated mushrooms, a rack of hogget, or a whole lobster, each prepared to the restaurant's exacting standards. Dishes showcase unexpected flavour combinations—Hebridean squid with celeriac and sparassis fungus, red deer with spruce and smoked crumb, desserts balancing buckwheat, caramelised white chocolate, and blood orange.

Service and Hospitality

Service at The Gannet is characterised by attentiveness without intrusiveness. Restaurant manager Kevin Dow and his team create an atmosphere of genuine warmth, with staff demonstrating extensive knowledge of the menu and wine list. Courses arrive thoughtfully paced, allowing diners to savour each element. Complimentary touches—house-made bread, pre-dessert palate cleansers, amuse-bouches—reflect the kitchen's generosity of spirit and attention to detail.

Wine, Cocktails, and Pairings

The beverage programme is equally considered. The wine list draws from modern global producers, with selections cherry-picked to complement the seasonal menu. For those seeking a curated experience, wine pairings are available. The bar programme offers an alternative entry point: artisanal cocktails crafted with house-made ingredients provide a sophisticated prelude to dinner or a destination in themselves.

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