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The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow

Glamorous Glasgow brasserie with art deco charm, reliable British cooking, and cocktails in a converted bank.

4.5

A glamorous brasserie housed in a converted bank building on Glasgow's premier shopping street, The Ivy Buchanan Street brings sophisticated dining to the city centre. With art deco interiors, vibrant artwork, and a menu spanning British classics and creative international dishes, it offers an upscale yet approachable atmosphere. The restaurant features two floors with casual dining below and a cocktail bar above, making it ideal for everything from lunch to evening celebrations.

A brief summary to The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow

  • 106 Buchanan St, Glasgow, G1 2NB, GB
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
  • Luxury
  • Environment icon Indoor
  • Mobile reception: 5 out of 5
  • Monday 8:30 am-10:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am-10:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am-10:30 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am-10:30 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am-11 pm
  • Saturday 8:30 am-11 pm
  • Sunday 8:30 am-10 pm

Local tips

  • Opt for seafood dishes—scallops, cod, and fishcakes are consistently well-executed and showcase the kitchen's strengths better than some meat options.
  • Book in advance if visiting during peak hours (lunch 12–2pm, dinner 7–9pm) to secure a good table and avoid extended waits.
  • Explore the wine list for value—most bottles are reasonably priced with excellent half-bottle options, and Scottish gins offer distinctive alternatives to cocktails.
  • Note the automatic 12.5 per cent service charge added to bills; factor this into your budget when reviewing menu prices.
  • If dining with mobility considerations, call ahead to confirm table placement and accessibility arrangements—staff are accommodating with advance notice.
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Discover more about The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow

A Converted Banking Hall Reimagined

The Ivy Buchanan Street occupies a former Nationwide bank building on Glasgow's most prestigious shopping thoroughfare, transforming the historic space into a glamorous dining destination. Spread across two floors, the restaurant showcases art deco architectural elements—bevelled mirrors, polished marble, and ornamental columns—alongside contemporary artworks and vibrant botanical displays. The design walks a fine line between theatrical and tasteful, with bubblegum-pink bathrooms and jungle-print soft furnishings creating moments of visual drama without overwhelming the refined atmosphere. The ground floor offers casual dining, while the upper level houses a cocktail bar and private function spaces, allowing the venue to serve multiple occasions and moods.

British Classics Meet Global Influences

The menu reflects The Ivy's signature approach: straightforward, unpretentious cooking executed with care. Seafood receives particular attention, with fresh scallops, delicately cooked cod fillets, and crispy fishcakes appearing regularly. The traditional fish and chips, prepared with North Sea cod in The Ivy's signature 1917 batter, represents the restaurant's commitment to British comfort food elevated through quality ingredients and technique. Beyond classics, the kitchen incorporates global flavours—Korean glazed chicken, Keralan curries, and gochujang-glazed aubergine demonstrate culinary range. Vegetarian and vegan diners find genuine options rather than afterthoughts, with dishes like jackfruit peanut bang bang salad and plant-based curries receiving the same attention as meat-based plates. The wine list favours accessibility over pretension, with most bottles under £50 and a strong selection of half-bottles. Cocktails and Scottish gins provide additional drinking options.

Service and Atmosphere

Staff professionalism and warmth consistently emerge as strengths, with servers described as attentive, efficient, and genuinely welcoming. The restaurant cultivates an atmosphere that feels both special and unpretentious—appropriate for celebrations yet comfortable for casual dining. The venue maintains high cleanliness standards and manages noise levels effectively, creating an environment where conversation remains possible even during busy service. However, the restaurant operates on tight table turnarounds during peak periods, with some diners noting time restrictions that prioritise throughput over leisurely dining.

Pricing and Value Proposition

The Ivy Buchanan Street positions itself as expensive but not extortionate—main courses range from approximately £18 to £27, with starters between £10 and £17. A 12.5 per cent service charge is automatically added to bills. While the quality of execution justifies premium pricing for most dishes, some diners feel the cost-to-quality ratio occasionally misses the mark, particularly when dishes arrive overcooked or incomplete. The restaurant succeeds in filling a genuine gap in Glasgow's dining landscape: offering glamorous, well-designed surroundings and reliable cooking at prices below true fine dining establishments.

Location and Accessibility

Situated at 106 Buchanan Street in Glasgow's city centre, the restaurant benefits from excellent public transport connections, with buses, trains, and the subway all nearby. Disabled parking bays are available approximately 100 metres away on St Vincent Place. The entrance doors require assistance for wheelchair users, and interior table spacing presents challenges for mobility devices, though staff accommodate advance bookings with suitable seating. The ground floor toilet is spacious and immaculately maintained. The smart-casual dress code reflects the restaurant's positioning without enforcing excessive formality.

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