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Before you go

Chef / owner
Christopher Martinolli and Luca Conreno (founded by Valerio Martinolli and Antonio Fassone)
Opened
1970
Style
Classic family-run Italian trattoria; Glasgow’s oldest still with original owners’ family
Setting
Hope Street near Central Station; expanded from ~40 to about 100 covers
Awards
Best Italian Restaurant — Glasgow Restaurant Awards 2012; Scotland’s Best Restaurant Over 50 Seats — Scottish Italian Awards 2021
Known for
long-running family Italian, pasta and classic mains, regulars across generations
Signature dishes
pasta and risotto classics, seafood and steaks
Good for
pre-theatre, celebrations, business lunch, regular Italian dining
Prices
2-course lunch £19.95; 3-course lunch £25.95; 2-course pre-theatre £24.95; 3-course pre-theatre £30.95; group 3-course £39
Typical spend
£25–45pp depending on set menu vs à la carte and wine
Lunch
Set lunch Mon–Sat 12–2:30pm; pre-theatre Mon–Thu 3–5:30pm (max 2 hours from reservation on set menus)
Reservations
Walk-ins often fine
Booking
Book online; parties over six often better by phone
Dietary tags
vegetarian options, gluten-free options
Dietary
Vegetarian dishes; gluten-free pasta on request; advise allergies (nut traces possible)
Groups
Group set menus and private dining enquiry available; West End has a dedicated private dining room
Dress code
Smart casual
Drinks
Italian wine list (Best Wine List noted at 2016 Italian Awards in secondary coverage)
Service charge
10% service charge on tables of 5+ (set menus); also noted on group menu
Closed
Sunday (city centre)
Getting there
Glasgow Central a few minutes’ walk on Hope Street; buses along Hope Street / Central
Parking
City-centre multi-storey / street parking nearby
Also by them
La Lanterna West End, 447 Great Western Road
Also
Phone: 0141 221 9160; lalanterna@btconnect.com; Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2026 listed on site

Glasgow restaurant

La Lanterna

4.6(1,673 reviews)
££Opens in 16 hours

Address

35 Hope St, Glasgow G2 6AE, UK

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Menu

Dishes and prices for La Lanterna.

View full menu

Opening hours

  • Monday: 12:00 – 9:30 PM
  • Tuesday: 12:00 – 9:30 PM
  • Wednesday: 12:00 – 9:30 PM
  • Thursday: 12:00 – 9:30 PM
  • Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Saturday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Overview

La Lanterna on Hope Street is Glasgow’s longest-running Italian still in the founding family’s hands. Valerio Martinolli and Antonio Fassone opened it in September 1970; Valerio’s son Christopher and partner Luca Conreno have run it since 1998 (official story; Glasgow World). It started as a ~40-cover room and now seats about 100, a short walk from Central Station. Expect classic Italian pasta, risotto, seafood and steaks with set lunch and pre-theatre menus (two-course lunch from about £20; three-course pre-theatre about £31) and a £39 three-course group menu. Gluten-free pasta on request. City centre is closed Sundays; open noon–10pm most weekdays, later Friday and Saturday. Book online or call 0141 221 9160. Awards include Best Italian Restaurant at the 2012 Glasgow Restaurant Awards and Scotland’s Best Restaurant Over 50 Seats at the 2021 Scottish Italian Awards. Sister site: La Lanterna West End on Great Western Road.

Reviews

5.0H KIM

It was truly an enjoyable meal. We didn’t have a reservation, but thanks to arriving early we were able to get a table. When we asked for a wine recommendation, they kindly let us taste it first. The food and wine were excellent, the staff was very friendly, and the atmosphere was great. The tiramisu was amazing. Highly recommended!

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5.0Alex Luk

Undoubtedly 5-star! This restaurant is by far the best Italian restaurant I’ve been to in the UK. Every dish was full of flavor and beautifully prepared. The place was buzzing with people, so making a reservation is highly recommended.

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5.0A J

What a great find hidden just a few steps from the station. Buzz through the door and down the stairs into an extraordinary restaurant. Great staff good food excellent dining .make it a stop when you visit Glasgow

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4.0Richard McLuckie

Called in for an off the cuff lunch date requested by my wife. They were able seat us with no issue and we ordered from the lunch menu which was a starter & main for £20 each. The restaurant is very artfully decorated with an Italian theme throughout. Starters were Pate & Bruschetta Mains Chicken Escalope & pasta with pancetta Unfortunately my chicken was overcooked but was replaced with Fettuccine with salmon wh8ch was superb. Overall, 2 lunches with 2 rounds of drink came to just under £70.

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3.0Rebecca Johnny

I had heard so many great things about this place, and I was excited to finally try it. Let me start by saying—the food was spectacular. Beautifully seasoned with a light, creamy sauce Ravioli, the dish was rich in flavour yet light. I finished it quickly—not because I was rushing, but because it simply wasn’t very filling. The atmosphere of the restaurant is elegant and aesthetically pleasing, which made me look forward to a cosy solo dining experience. However, I was disappointed to be seated alone at the very back of the restaurant, in a tight spot right next to what looked like wine storage or rubbish boxes. It felt out of place, especially given the restaurant was nearly empty when I arrived around 7pm. It took away from the experience a little. After my meal, I had to wait around 10 minutes for the bill, which added to the sense that solo diners aren’t quite prioritised here. That said, the food really was a highlight, and I would return—but I hope next time the service and seating arrangement will better match the standard of the kitchen. A place with such excellent dishes deserves to offer an equally thoughtful experience.

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