Bland food is so out. This city is full of food with a kick, so whether you're more of a sweet chilli person or you like your eyes to be watering while you eat, there's bound to be something you love. There are tasty East Asian plates, dreamy Indian curries and authentic Mexican meals galore to be found - so if you're a fan of the fiery things in life, then take a look at our list of the very best restaurants serving spicy food in Glasgow.
Last edited by Scarlett Welch
Wondering where to eat spicy food in Glasgow city centre? YO! is serving all sorts of tasty bites, from Korean fried chicken in chilli sauce to spicy pepper squid and veggie volcano rolls, all of which are whipped up right in front of your eyes in their open kitchen. This laidback sushi spot is pretty affordable too, with small plates starting at just £2.95.
With venues on Mitchell Lane and in Merchant City, Bar Soba is a top choice for pan-Asian bites with a bit of a kick to them. They've got all the favourites like Thai red curry, Singaporean noodles and spicy chicken bao buns, with a £7 lunch deal on weekdays. The cocktails here are excellent too, from the fruity Um Bongo to a Drumstick Caipirovska, all coming in at £9.50 a pop.
Situated on Buchanan Street, Chaophraya Glasgow is the largest Thai restaurant in Europe, spread across four floors. The interiors are red, gold and all round opulent, with a picturesque Buddha balcony that overlooks the street. There's plenty of spice on the menu here, from tom yum soup to spicy southern chicken and classic pad Thai.
One of the best places to eat spicy food in Glasgow city centre, Mowgli is a haven of Indian cuisine. The interiors here are absolutely stunning - think indoor trees decked out in fairy lights and rustic wooden furniture, with a menu that includes gunpowder chicken, Goan fish curry or spiced chickpeas with potato.
Sitting pretty in Silverburn shopping centre, Thaikhun houses an eclectic mix of furniture and ornaments to create a market feel. Their authentic Thai menu features dishes with a mild kick and plates that will put even the biggest spice fans to the test - think green curries, southern style chicken or seafood and chilli noodles, with a killer cocktail list to match. Frozen bubblegum daquiri anyone?
For tasty sushi with a little heat to it, make your way to Temaki in the city centre. This relaxed spot offers up all kinds of plates for under a tenner, including spicy salmon or tuna maki, chilli beef curries and delicious sushi burritos. All of the food here is hand-prepared on the day, using only the freshest ingredients.
With plenty of margaritas on the cards, Bibi's Cantina in the West End is always a winner for affordable and authentic Mexican grub. The dishes are all freshly prepared using high-quality ingredients, promising the likes of tequila-marinated chicken fajitas, vegetable chilli bowls and spicy meatball soup to choose from.
Tucked away off of Argyle Street is Rafa's, an intimate nine-seater eatery that's bringing traditional Mexican food to Glasgow. This spot is BYOB, with a menu of burritos, tacos, quesadillas, nachos. This destination has been nominated for best Mexican by the Scottish Restaurant Awards for 2024, so it's one that you don't want to miss.
A lively bar and taqueria in the city centre, Mezcal is a top choice for spicy Mexican eats. You'll find live DJs playing from Thursday to Saturday, and there's always a cracking selection of dishes available - we're talking braised pork leg tacos, chorizo and beef burritos or spinach and potato enchiladas.
Sapporo Teppanyaki is a Japanese restaurant with a fiery twist, flaunting chefs cooking on an open flame right in front of your table. On a shared or individual table, you can enjoy a series of set menus to suit every budget or the a la carte offerings, featuring spicy tuna rolls, teriyaki chicken, salmon coated in chilli and much more.
If you're trying to find out where to eat spicy food in Glasgow's West End, why not give Ka Pao a try? Found in the basement of the Botanic Gardens Garage on Vinicombe Street, their menu is inspired by travels across Southeast Asia, with tasty plates like yellow hake curry, beef tartare with chilli and peppercorns or salted coconut corn ribs.
The best place for eating, drinking and dancing all in one, Mango is a vibrant restaurant and bar located on Sauchiehall Street. Even the margaritas are spicy here, and you can pair them with a variety of tasty tapas plates and tantalising tacos. And when you're done? Hit the dancefloor for Latin beats, or you can even take part in a salsa class.
The canteen-style Hanoi Bike Shop flaunts bicycles and pretty lanterns hanging from the ceiling, while serving up some of the best spicy food in Glasgow. They've got five levels of spice to choose from, ranging from Nobody's Judging to Shall We Call An Ambulance Now?, and you can expect succulent plates such as seafood pho, ginger caramel chicken or sticky glazed tofu.
Though it's best known for being a fantastic live music venue full of neon signs and cool artwork, Bloc+ on Bath Street is also home to an enticing menu of international meals. Dive into loaded chilli nachos, spicy ramen noodles with kimchi mayo and fiery Thai beef strips while listening to some great new artists.
This unique Ingram Street spot mixes Eastern recipes with high quality Scottish ingredients, to create tasty fusion fare. Sink into their elegant leather booths and take in the botanical decor, before devouring dishes like pad kra pao noodles, beef short rib massaman curry or crispy barbecue squid, with a lychee-flavoured lotus cocktail to wash it all down.
Known up and down the country for its party atmosphere, cocktail-heavy brunches and Latin cuisine, Revolucion De Cuba has got more than a few fiery items on its menu. Dig into tapas plates like grilled hake with sticky chorizo or black bean empanadas, with loaded chilli nachos and spicy fried chicken burgers for mains.
Lansdowne By Mother India is bringing you authentic Indian flavours with Middle Eastern influences, complete with simplistic decor and wicker chairs. On the menu? You can expect ginger chilli fish pakora, salt 'n' pepper chicken and vegetable biryani, with refreshing cocktails on the side.
