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!
Read on Google Maps
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
- Book online
- Open booking page
- 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
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
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.
Read on Google MapsWhat 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
Read on Google MapsCalled 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.
Read on Google MapsI 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.
Read on Google MapsVisitor comments
Be the first to share your experience
No comments yet. Share your thoughts about La Lanterna below.
Leave a comment
Tell other diners what you thought of La Lanterna. Comments are reviewed before being published.
Nearby restaurants
@Tophski’s
Carmunnock Rd, Glasgow · 4.5
Shako Mako
Castlemilk Rd, Rutherglen · 5.0
Hamptons brunch
Kingsheath Ave, Rutherglen · 4.7

Cyrus Kitchen
Clarkston Rd, Glasgow · 4.8
The Riverside 1901
Clarkston Rd, Glasgow · 4.9
Caesar’s Social
Clarkston Rd, Glasgow · 4.4
Wing Wah
Aikenhead Rd, Glasgow · 3.8
Sugar Dream
Aikenhead Rd, Glasgow · 1.3