Best affordable lunch spots in Glasgow city centre 2024

To top it off, the cost of living crisis has seen menu prices soar.

Mid-budget restaurants seem to have disappeared and spending upwards of £4 on a side of chips feels like daylight robbery.

Whether you're hitting the January sales or meeting up with friends you missed over the holidays, these are our top picks for a budget bite in the city centre (in no particular order).

Ting Thai Caravan

19 W Nile St

A relaxed and surprisingly quick Thai spot close to Central Station, Ting Thai offers a "Sun-Up" menu daily from 12pm to 5pm.

For just £7.80 you'll find classics like Pad Thai or Massaman curry.

Our pick is the khao mun gai tod, a bed of jasmine rice topped with crispy shallow-fried chicken and two brothers sauce (£7.80).

Vegan and gluten-free options are available.

Paesano

94 Miller Street

Yes, Paesano. Arguably the most popular restaurant in the city is also pocketbook-friendly.

Serving up some of the best Napoletana pizza in the world, this Miller Street gem serves pies ranging from £7.50 to £12.

It's quick, only takes walk-ins and is a firm favourite with Glaswegian shoppers.

Vegan options are available.

Sugo

70 Mitchell Street

A five-minute walk from Paseano is sister restaurant Sugo.

Fresh pasta is made every day in the kitchen and dishes are inspired by various regions in Italy.

Prices range from around £8 to £13 a dish with rotating specials.

Vegan options are available.

Il Pastaio

80 St Vincent Street

For fans of Sugo who prefer a more chilled-out restaurant, Il Pastaio serves a curated menu of fresh pasta dishes priced between £8 and £13.

The fettuccine with nduja, lemon and mascarpone (£12.50) was a favourite in our newsroom. Another recommendation is the rigatoni with tomato and basil (£8.50).

Vegan-friendly options are available.

Bloc+

117 Bath Street

The self-professed "weird and wacky" restaurant is split 50/50 between a vegan and regular menu.

Deal days during the week give punters a chance to order a meal for between £4 and £6 depending on the day.

These include Pasta Monday (£4), Burger Tuesday (£4), Steak Wednesday (£6), Kentucky Thursday (£5) and Bloc+dog Friday (£5).

Planning to visit over the weekend? Two-topping pizzas are two for £9.95 from 11am to 9pm.

Banana Leaf

192 St Vincent Street

Stock image (Image: Pexels)

Formerly the West End Banana Leaf on Old Dumbarton Road, this South Indian restaurant is the definition of a hidden gem.

A mini set meal includes a portion of rice, two chappatis, a poppadum, a veg curry, one soft drink and a choice of either chicken, lamb or fish curry for between £10 and £12.

It's excellent as a carry-out if you don't feel like dining in and the service is fantastic.

Damasquino

94 Saltmarket

Specialising in classic Lebanese and Syrian dishes, Damasquino serves the best chicken Shawarma (£5) and falafel (£4) wraps in the city - sorry Shawarma King.

There are several mixed grill options for families and friends dining in and the hummus Beirutty with spicy green chilli is a must (£5.30).

Vegan options are available.

Mosob Bar and Restaurant

56 Dundas Street

You will be expected to eat with your hands at this authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant hidden behind Queen Street station.

One for the adventurous, Mosob has main dishes for around £10 and starters around £4.

Forgoing cutlery, diners eat the traditional way by scooping food into Injera bread (£1.50), a spongy flatbread.

Vegan options are available.

All prices were accurate at the time of reporting.