Small Plates (Ugly Mates)
Opening Hours
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Friday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Overview
Small Plates (Ugly Mates) is a vibrant tapas restaurant nestled in Virginia Court in Glasgow's vibrant Merchant City, formerly known as Brutti Compadres. This welcoming venue delivers some of Glasgow's best tapas alongside incredible cocktails in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. With their cheeky tagline "Because life's too short for bad food (ugly mates optional)," the restaurant embraces authenticity, great food, and good times. Tucked away in this intimate Merchant City location, Small Plates prides itself on delivering exceptional quality food and outstanding cocktails. The knowledgeable and friendly staff are always ready to share recommendations or simply chat, creating a warm, community-focused dining experience. The restaurant's philosophy is simple: enjoy incredible food, fantastic drinks, and great company. The menu follows traditional tapas style, where dishes are served as they're ready rather than all at once, creating an authentic Spanish dining experience. They recommend ordering two to three plates per person, allowing diners to explore multiple flavours and share the joy of small plates dining. This approach encourages conversation, sharing, and discovery. Adding to their charm, Small Plates is dog-friendly and genuinely welcomes four-legged friends with treats available. This commitment to inclusivity extends throughout the restaurant, creating a space where everyone—two-legged and four-legged—feels genuinely welcome. The restaurant also offers bookings through OpenTable, with the team ready to accommodate larger parties of more than five people.
Reviews
I loved everything about this place! The atmosphere, the decor, the service, the food! It was just wonderful. We just stumbled upon it on the way through Glasgow and so pleased we did. The food was amazing and very reasonably priced! Definitely recommend.
Read on Google MapsI stumbled upon this place while trying to escape the rain and what a pleasant surprise it was. I had the chorizo, scallops and black pudding along with the garlic shrimps, it was good. The ambience and service are definitely good.
Read on Google MapsFound this nice Spanish restaurant in the middle of Glasgow. The ambience is cosy and well decorated. Great tapas and wines. Pet friendly too.
Read on Google MapsBrutti Compadres – Where Flavour Meets Heart in Merchant City Tucked away in the hidden courtyard of Virginia Court, Brutti Compadres is a tapas-style treasure that blends bold Mediterranean flavours with pure Glaswegian hospitality. It has the charm of a European café mixed with the soul of a local favourite. Let’s talk showstoppers: the Scallops with Chorizo and Black Pudding were a standout combination—rich, smoky, melt in your mouth and perfectly balanced. It’s the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-conversation and savour every bite. Equally unforgettable was the Chicken Souvlaki: tender, juicy, and kissed with just the right hint of char, and perfectly warmed flatbread, it stole the spotlight with its satisfying simplicity and depth of flavour, washed it all down with a pint of Menabrea. The service was spot-on: genuinely friendly and efficient, giving you the feeling like you’d walked into an old friend’s place for dinner. Whether it’s sunny al fresco dining or a cosy indoor vibe, this spot hits the mark. If you're wandering through Glasgow city centre, Brutti Compadres is a must. It's the kind of place that turns a casual meal into a memorable experience.
Read on Google MapsLoved this place! We didn't have any drinks (which looked delicious) but my family and I (including two small children) were warmly welcomed and the food was awesome. My kids really liked the nachos and pizza, and I really appreciated how they served smaller portions of paella. Shrimp were also really nice, but not as good as the other dishes (more a compliment of the others, than a slam on the shrimp). This was one of our best meals during our two week trip to the UK/Scotland.
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