The 'unusual' Glasgow restaurant that lasted a few months

“It could be Paris in 1938.”

That’s how a visit to one restaurant in Glasgow’s St Vincent Place is described. People are drawn by its quintessentially French-inspired menu, swanky cocktails, sultry jazz music humming through the speakers and the atmosphere of a Parisian brasserie.

The Atlantic Brasserie seeks to deliver this experience for customers, but the 1938 aspect is very precise and literal, as the venue is directly inspired by a specific restaurant that opened in Glasgow that year – and closed after a matter of months.

(Image: Atlantic Bar & Brasserie)

The Atlantic restaurant was a central attraction at the International Empire Exhibition, held in Glasgow in 1938.

Modelled on an ocean liner to celebrate the city’s shipbuilding heritage and the legacy of the River Clyde, the restaurant literally resembled a ship.

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With its ‘bow’ emerging from a hill in Bellahouston Park, visitors would walk up a steep path to the restaurant’s entrance. Once seated, they could enjoy some spectacular views across the city from the ‘ship’s’ full-length windows, while some outdoor seating was dotted around the ‘deck’.

(Image: Herald and Times archive)

An impressive sixteen restaurants were designated for the exhibition, and guests could choose which one to dine in based on what they could afford – with The Empire being the most expensive at a ‘deluxe’ rating.

Like the entire exhibition, the Atlantic Restaurant was not a permanent fixture in our city. The Empire Exhibition ran from May to December 1938, and when it was over, the original ship structure of the Atlantic Restaurant was demolished along with everything else built for the event.

But a stint of only seven months almost 100 years ago proved to be enough inspiration for restaurateurs to unveil their own take.

1938 Scottish Pioneers of the Empire pageant being rehearsed in front of the Atlantic Restaurant. (Image: Herald and Times archive)

Now in the original office of the Anchor Line shipping company, the Atlantic Bar and Brasserie aims to ‘continue’ the story of 1938.

A hub for the city’s thriving ship trade, the firm was known for providing luxury ocean travel between Glasgow and New York, with delicious French cuisine keeping passengers well fed.

The restaurant was launched in 2014 as a sister venue to the Anchor Line but with its very own specific identity.

(Image: Herald and Times archive)

Tony Conetta, of the DRG Group who opened the Atlantic, said at the time: “The Anchor Line Shipping Company is a huge piece of Glasgow history, as is the Atlantic restaurant.

“People are proud to be Glaswegian and are interested in its history, and the Glasgow connection is here.

“It’s been really interesting researching it all and to have people bringing things in shows how important it is to them.

“The link is there with The Anchor Line but Atlantic has its own identity. It’s luxurious and comfortable, and it’s a bit softer than upstairs.”

Mario Gizzi and Tony Conetta (Image: Newsquest archive)

The restaurant boss is one of the names behind such eateries as Di Maggio’s, Amarone and Café Andaluz – and this year they purchased the powerhouse names of Paesano and Sugo.

With the words ‘luxurious’ and ‘comfortable’ in mind, the team designed the Atlantic with soft wood panelling, mosaic tiling, plush carpets, a marble-topped bar and bistro-style chairs, emulating a typical café in Paris.

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“We think this is the venue to find in Glasgow,” Tony added. “And once people discover it, they’ll keep coming back.”

Keeping tradition in the design and classic dishes, the Atlantic has continued to keep customers at the forefront of what they do.

Meal at the Atlantic Bar & Brasserie (Image: Jamie Simpson/Herald and Times)

In 2023 they introduced a special new menu thought to be a UK first and designed to include some diners who may find eating out a challenge.

The low FODMAP menu is specially catered for customers who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or who follow a gluten and dairy-free diet.

Studies show that eating a low FODMAP diet can reduce symptoms of IBS such as bloating, constipation and stomach pain.

Fellow DRG director Mario Gizzi said: "We want our diners to feel happy, comfortable and confident ordering with us – no matter what their dietary requirements are.”