This Glasgow restaurant in a ‘tiny’ basement serves Celtic and Rangers stars

Step through the gate and walk down the stairs to the basement of a townhouse just off Charing Cross, and you will find a tiny oasis of Italian charm. Red chequered tablecloths draped over the tables and vintage posters and photographs of customers adorn the walls.

Caprese Don Costanzo was born from an idea to bring authentic Italian food from the baking hot isle of Capri surrounded by glittering blue waters to the centre of Glasgow.

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Its patriarch, Costanzo, was born on Capri in 1950. He moved to Glasgow in 1971 with his Scottish wife and began working in Italian restaurants, working his way up to manager.

Molly-Mae Hague visits CapreseMolly-Mae Hague visits Caprese (Image: Instagram)

When the time was right, Costanzo embarked on his own adventure and founded The Caprese in a basement on Buchanan Street in 1982.

Soon guests from all walks of life started piling in for a plate of pasta, and many were famous faces. From actors to singers and footballers, ‘Costanzo’s’ was like coming home to family – quite literally as Costanzo’s all worked with him.

Brendan Fraser at Caprese Don CostanzoBrendan Fraser at Caprese Don Costanzo (Image: Instagram)

The other thing about Costanzo’s is that opportunistic diners would become regulars. It was said that because he had so many guests return again and again, Costanzo grew to know them by their favourite dish, referring to them as ‘beef stroganoff’ or ‘penne arrabbiata’.

Times change, and it seems like our city changes constantly. When Caprese first opened, there was no Glasgow Royal Concert Hall or Buchanan Galleries, and the restaurant was surrounded by tenement buildings.

Brendan Rodgers visits CapreseBrendan Rodgers visits Caprese (Image: Instagram)

As new plans were underway to modernise the city, the restaurant closed in February 2011 as the area would become a new shopping development.

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Costanzo with Jota and Boli Bolingoli in 2021 when they both played for CelticCostanzo with Jota and Boli Bolingoli in 2021 when they both played for Celtic (Image: Instagram)

It was an incredible 28 years, but not the end for Caprese. Caprese Don Constanzo moved into the basement at 13 Woodside Crescent in November 2011, and due to the restaurant’s loyal clientele, it was a simple case of venturing slightly west for that fix of pasta.

In its decades in operation, celebrity guests always made a point of returning despite probably having their choice of the best restaurants in the world.

Rupert Everett, for example, has been making a point of visiting Caprese every time he is in Glasgow for the past 40 years, from when he was a struggling actor to a Hollywood star, forging a ‘friendship’ with the restaurant as they put it.

READ MORE: Celtic stars Jota and Boli Bolingoli spotted dining at popular Glasgow restaurant

Locals including famous faces still pop in whenever they get the chance. Between training, some of our Celtic and Rangers footballing stars have dined there over the years. Jota, Joe Hart, former Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou and current boss Brendan Rodgers have all enjoyed the food there.

Philippe Clement at CapresePhilippe Clement at Caprese (Image: Instagram)

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard, Ally McCoist, Graeme Souness and Philippe Clement are among those on the Rangers ‘side’ who have been pictured with the team at Caprese.

Hollywood star Brendan Fraser made sure to stop by for a bite when he was in Glasgow filming the sadly scrapped comic film Batgirl, while Love Island legend Molly-Mae Hague also paid them a visit.

Caprese Don Costanzo has kept Glasgow customers happy for over 40 years with a pinch of charming décor, a measure of authentic Italian food and a generous helping of friendly service.