We Checked Out The Famed Glasgow Brasserie With Elegant Interiors And Sophisticated Fare

First launching in the early 70s, Browns Brasserie & Bar has now made a name for itself all across the UK, including in Brighton, London, Birmingham and, of course, Glasgow. I’d been past this restaurant numerous times, peaking through the windows at the swish interiors, stomach rumbling for its elevated take on classic British fare. So, when the opportunity to visit came up, I honestly couldn’t say no.

If you're on the hunt for a classy brasserie, this one should be at the top of your list.

Positioned on the corner of George Square in an impressive sandstone building, the eatery made an elegant first impression - and the interiors didn't disappoint either. The glamour of the central tiled bar offered an ideal spot to sip cocktails, while the restaurant itself was perfect for date nights, weekend lunches and special occasions alike.

We started our meal by knocking back an aperitif - a refreshing and admittedly strong strawberry mojito (£11) for me, while my friend decided on one of Browns’ limited-edition 50th anniversary cocktails. A delicate mix of Bombay Sapphire gin, apricot, apple, lemon and cherry, the Lady Cherry Blossom (£10.50) was an absolute treat. We then dived into our starters, both falling for the pan-seared scallops with broad beans, peas and pancetta (£12.50). Golden, tender scallops were piled on top of a broad bean and pea purée, scattered with yet more of the verdant pulses, plus elevated by the saltiness of the samphire and pancetta.

Browns restaurant is the place to go for sophisticated dining.

The main course menu showcased plenty of crowd-pleasers too, but it was the seafood section that really sang to us. My friend devoured the pan-seared salmon and lovage pesto (£18.95), which sat on a medley of heirloom tomatoes, caramelised shallots and heritage potatoes, dressed in a fragrant lovage pesto with a sprinkling of samphire. They declared it delicious, full of flavour and beautifully cooked.

I chose the roast cod, wild garlic and asparagus (£19.95), which was similarly decadent in its presentation; a platter of greenery (peas, leeks, broad beans and watercress), topped with a hunk of bronzed fish and delightfully buttery yet crunchy pommes Anna. A pungent wild garlic salsa verde pulled everything together into a cacophony of summery freshness, while a scattering of allium flowers made everything look oh-so-Instagrammable. We ordered from Browns Glasgow's wine list to complement our feast - a Luisella Inzolia pinot grigio (£8) and a Vidal sauvignon blanc (£13.35). Both were light and thirst-quenching, plus suited the dishes well without being overpowering.

There's something for everyone on Browns' menu.

Of course, we couldn’t finish the meal without dessert and our charming server Gabriel (who looked after us so well the entire time) told us that his favourites were the home-baked chocolate brownie (£7.75) and the salted caramel profiteroles (£7.95) - so you can guess which two dishes we ordered. The brownie was sumptuous, gooey and rich, served alongside honeycomb ice cream and dark chocolate bark to cut through the sweetness. On the other side of the table, the profiteroles had been coated in chocolate and salted caramel, with a healthy helping of extra toffee sauce and ice cream on the side. Indulgent? Certainly, but an excellent way to end what was an all-round excellent meal.

The DesignMyNight Digest

The glittering yet super-comfortable atmosphere of Browns Brasserie & Bar makes it a great option for a host of occasions, from a pitstop lunch during your weekend shopping trip to a special meal accompanied by the whole family. Plus, its menu packed with crowd-pleasers means everyone will find something they’ll love to eat here, and super-friendly, attentive service is the cherry on top.

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