Small Plates (Ugly Mates)

Small Plates (Ugly Mates), also known as Brutti Compadres, has established itself as one of Glasgow's most celebrated tapas-style restaurants, consistently earning exceptional praise for its bold Mediterranean flavours, cozy atmosphere, and outstanding service. The restaurant has been described as a tapas-style treasure, a nice Spanish restaurant, and a must-visit destination, with reviewers consistently awarding it high ratings and declaring it one of their best meals.

The food at Small Plates receives outstanding reviews, with dishes consistently described as amazing, awesome, great, and featuring bold Mediterranean flavours. The restaurant specializes in tapas-style small plates, and specific dishes receive particular acclaim. The Scallops with Chorizo and Black Pudding are described as a standout combination—rich, smoky, melt in your mouth, and perfectly balanced, the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-conversation and savour every bite. The Chicken Souvlaki is described as tender, juicy, and kissed with just the right hint of char, with perfectly warmed flatbread, stealing the spotlight with its satisfying simplicity and depth of flavour. Other dishes like chorizo, scallops, black pudding, garlic shrimps, nachos, pizza, paella, and shrimp all receive positive feedback, with the restaurant's ability to serve smaller portions of paella particularly appreciated.

The restaurant's wine and drink selection receives positive feedback, with wines described as great and drinks described as looking delicious. The combination of great tapas and wines creates a complete dining experience.

Service at Small Plates is consistently praised as spot-on, genuinely friendly, efficient, definitely good, and warmly welcoming. The service gives guests the feeling like they've walked into an old friend's place for dinner, demonstrating the restaurant's commitment to pure Glaswegian hospitality. The staff's ability to warmly welcome families with small children and make everyone feel at home contributes significantly to positive experiences.

The restaurant's atmosphere and decor receive consistent praise, with reviewers describing it as cosy, well decorated, and featuring the charm of a European café mixed with the soul of a local favourite. The ambience is described as definitely good, and the venue offers both sunny al fresco dining and a cosy indoor vibe. The restaurant is tucked away in the hidden courtyard of Virginia Court, adding to its charm and creating a sense of discovery for those who find it.

The restaurant is pet friendly, adding to its appeal for pet owners seeking dining options.

Value is consistently praised, with reviewers describing prices as very reasonably priced, creating good value for the quality and experience offered.

For visitors to Glasgow, Small Plates has become a destination that many feel is essential to experience, with reviewers highly recommending it and expressing their love for the place. The restaurant's ability to deliver amazing food, great service, cozy atmosphere, and reasonable prices has earned it a loyal following. Whether you're seeking a tapas-style treasure, bold Mediterranean flavours, or simply a memorable dining experience, Small Plates consistently delivers experiences that reviewers describe as wonderful, loved, and one of their best meals. The combination of quality food, excellent service, cozy atmosphere, great wines, and reasonable prices makes it a standout and highly recommended establishment in Glasgow's dining scene.