BRG
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Before you go

Chef / owner
Christopher Hutchison (executive chef)
Opened
2022
Style
Sustainable Scottish seafood small plates, with vegetables and meat alongside
Setting
Cowcaddens near Theatre Royal; modern airy room with open kitchen plus outdoor terrace
Awards
AA Rosette 2023/2024
Known for
Scottish seafood small plates, outdoor terrace, pre-theatre dining, market menu value
Signature dishes
Orkney crab doughnut, Isle of Skye langoustines, Hand-dived Barra scallops, Shetland mussels (tikka masala)
Good for
date night, pre-theatre, outdoor dining, special occasions, seafood lovers
Prices
À la carte small plates roughly £12–£18; market menu 2 dishes + side £25.95 (noon–5:45pm, dessert +£8); OpenTable typical spend £26–£40
Typical spend
£26–£40pp
Lunch
Market menu £25.95 for 2 dishes and a side, available 12–5:45pm
Reservations
Walk-ins often fine
Booking
Book via website widget, OpenTable, phone 0141 332 4032, or email info@kelp-restaurant.com; sister Ardnamurchan if slots are full
Dietary tags
vegetarian options, vegan options, gluten-free options
Dietary
Vegetarian and vegan dishes (e.g. Kelp fried celeriac); gluten-free options marked; kitchen can adapt for allergies where possible
Dress code
Casual dress
Outdoor seating
Yes — Bookable terrace/beer garden with picnic benches, tables for two and high stools; praised as one of Glasgow’s best al fresco spots
Drinks
Wine, cocktails, beer, spirits and whisky selection; licensed until 11pm
Payment
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Noise / pace
Energetic buzz at peak; small plates arrive as ready
Closed
Monday
Getting there
Cowcaddens subway close by; buses outside Royal Conservatoire and Theatre Royal; walkable from Buchanan Bus Station
Parking
On-street parking behind the restaurant (max 3 hours); Cambridge Street car park within view
Also by them
Ardnamurchan Restaurant and Bar
Also
Closed 25 and 26 December; Gift vouchers available on the website; Wheelchair access listed on OpenTable

Glasgow restaurant

Kelp

4.7(446 reviews)
Opens in 16 hours

Address

114 Cowcaddens Rd, Glasgow G4 0HL, UK

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Menu

Dishes and prices for Kelp.

View full menu

Opening hours

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM
  • Thursday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM
  • Friday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM
  • Saturday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM
  • Sunday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM

Overview

Kelp is a sustainable Scottish seafood restaurant on Cowcaddens Road, a short walk from the Theatre Royal and Cowcaddens subway. It opened in March 2022 in the former Evoo site and is the sister restaurant of Ardnamurchan around the corner. Executive chef Christopher Hutchison runs a small-plates menu built around Scottish coastal produce — Tobermory trout, Barra scallops, Skye langoustines, Shetland mussels — with vegetarian and vegan options too. The restaurant holds an AA Rosette for 2023/2024. The signature Orkney crab doughnut appears on the à la carte alongside dishes typically priced around £12–£18. A market menu of two dishes and a side is £25.95 (dessert +£8), available noon–5:45pm. OpenTable lists a typical spend of £26–£40. Diners often praise the fresh seafood and the value of the market menu; the Herald noted that when the kitchen keeps it simple the dishes shine, while some more elaborate plates divide opinion. The dining room is modern and airy with an open kitchen; there is also a bookable outdoor terrace with picnic benches and high stools, which the Herald called one of Glasgow’s best al fresco spots. Reservations are taken Tuesday–Saturday noon–9pm and Sunday 3–9pm (closed Monday); licensed until 11pm. Book via the website widget, OpenTable, or 0141 332 4032 — useful for a pre-theatre meal.

Updates from the restaurant

Instagram

@scotland_scottish & @kelpglasgow

Sat, 8 Aug 2026, 08:53

Summary

Based on the Instagram caption and OCR text: Penne pasta with chicken and green beans, garnished with basil, served with a side of seasonal foraged Scottish mushrooms, polenta, yolk, and lovage pesto at a Glasgow vegetarian restaurant.

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Reviews

5.0Yeo Jun Khai Nicholas

Had my birthday celebration here last week. Customer service was great and food was good. Had a small issue with an order but Michelle was quick to get back to us to rectify the issue. Atmosphere was lovely and warm. Very satisfied overall with the professionalism of the team, presentation, environment and honesty of the team

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5.0Tim Kirk

I ate at Kelp on 22 October 2025, after reading the reviews - and wasn't disappointed. The staff were welcoming and friendly and offered good advice on the menu options. I ordered the hand dived Barra scallops, Orkney crab doughnut and pickled samphire slaw. As a former scallop diver I feel confident in being able make an assessment on the standard of the scallops, which were of the very highest quality. The seasoning was perfect, bringing out the subtle flavour of the beautifully fresh scallops. The crab doughnut was sensational. Again the seasoning and flavours were absolutely on point with the emulsion adding a different layer of flavour. The flavours in slaw were really clean and punchy and the perfect compliment to the crab doughnut. I have eaten seafood from some of the best places in the North of Scotland and I can honestly say that the food at Kelp was the finest seafood I have ever had. It was a joy to eat at Kelp, where the kitchen staff are confident in using bold flavours and the dishes are seasoned to perfection. The whole experience was fantastic and I can't wait to return.

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5.0Alex Yeung

My second venture into Glasgow's seafood scene led me to Kelp, and once again, the city delivered an absolutely amazing culinary experience! The restaurant is wonderfully relaxed yet sophisticated, making it the perfect spot for enjoyable conversations without feeling rushed or crowded. The staff at Kelp deserve a special mention. Their service was nothing short of excellent – always accompanied by a genuine smile and a professional demeanor that made us feel incredibly welcome and well-cared for throughout the evening. The lady mentioned she's a new staff, I think she really did a great job. Regarding the food, the Squid Tostada was an absolute highlight; bursting with fresh flavours and perfectly prepared. Equally impressive were the Shetland Mussels, plump, juicy, and swimming in a delightful broth. I'm not a seafood lover, but I think both dishes were truly memorable! Moreover, this was also my second time dining at a restaurant proudly bearing the AA Rosette award, and Kelp has truly solidified my confidence in its significance. The quality here was outstanding, and I now feel much more assured and excited to explore other establishments recognised with this prestigious award.

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5.0Wayne

Had a great meal here. It’s just a 5-minute walk from where I live. The seafood is very fresh, especially the oysters. The dishes are delicious though the portions are on the smaller side and a bit pricey. You'll probably need to order at least 3 to 4 plates for 1 person.

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5.0Scott C

Love! Great food, as in truly great cooking and unique flavours. Also, delicious range of cocktails expertly made. The decor is perfectly suited to the vibe and staff all great. Market menu of two courses and a side for £25 is ludicrously good value for the standard of food you’re eating here. Though we did also get a few oysters to start and added dessert too because it was that good. As well as the food we had cocktails and a few wines so we ended up as a group of six spending around £70 each (including tip) which I think is amazing value but you could stop in for a quicker lunch and less booze and still have a brilliant experience.

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