The Italian Caffè
- Telephone 0141 552 3186
- Food served Sun–Thu noon–10pm; Fri/Sat noon–11pm.
- Pre-theatre times Sun–Fri noon–6.30pm
- Average price £11.95 (set lunch); £20 (evening meal)
- Pre-theatre price £13.95
- Website www.theitaliancaffe.co.uk
Jump to comments (9)
The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.
Being distinctive in Glasgow’s Italian scene isn’t easy, but The Italian Caffe has etched out a reputation that continues to serve it well. There’s an impressive wine collection on display as a focal point and the restaurant perhaps feels a little more formal than it should. Its take on Italian tapas is sublime, each dish prepared with skill and care. The menu is huge but easy to navigate – with antipasti and breads leading the way with vegetables, fish, meat and pizzettes following. As with many sharing menus, knowing what to pick proves tricky, but staff are on hand to lend a knowledgeable voice to proceedings. A must is the bruschetta with mascarpone and figs, while from the pastas, steak fillet with spaghetti provides a juicy chunk of meat in a delicate sauce. When dessert comes round – and the likelihood is that it will – anything involving the incredible ice cream will round off this epitome of modern Italian dining well.
- High point: Beautiful bruschettas
- Low point: Limited 'big' plate mains
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 37
- Provides: Gluten-free options, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu, Outdoor tables, Free wi-fi
- Music on stereo: instrumental jazz
- Capacity: 80
- Largest group: 16, Sun–Thu; 8, Fri/Sat
- Open since: 2007
- House wine: £16.95 per bottle
Comments & ratings
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9.
Hopeful Fox – 16 Apr 2012, 9:46pm
The Italian Caffè
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Good food and fine wine. The service is not bad... it's rude.
A mixture of waitresses removing plates when we were still eating, being totally uninterested in our table at all times, asking questions at a speed of noughts while clearly having no interest in the answers and gathering to loudly laugh rather than give us our bill so we could leave.
Front of house ruined it for the kitchen team. We won't be returning.
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8.
Roberto – 26 May 2011, 4:23pm
The Italian Caffè
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I have eaten here dozens of times. Food is good, wine expensive but good. Service can be variable depending just how busy it is. For a slightly unusual Italian meal it is well worth the visit.
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7.
R Fernandez – 3 Jan 2011, 11:13pm
The Italian Caffè
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I have been here about 5 times in the last 12 months or so. On all five occasions the food has been very good. Unfortunately, on two of those occasions the service has not been so good.
My last visit was during a busy afternoon, the restaurant was nearly full and there appeared to be three staff working the tables and sorting out drinks. Once we had sat down we had to wait for close to 15 minutes before we were asked for our orders. Our food took 35 minutes to arrive. As mentioned earlier the food is very good but because of the long wait I was unwilling to chance ordering a pudding.
The staff at this restaurant have always been helpful and friendly but there does seem to be a recurring problem when it's busy.
It's one of my favourite Italian places in Glasgow but I'm not sure I'd recommend visiting on a Friday or Saturday night when it's likely to be extremely popular.
- 6. kernikki – 1 Mar 2010, 9:03pm Report
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lunch one sunday recently.
Trout bruschetta delish and the sardines excellent.
Really enjoyed the wine and felt really welcomed by the staff. It was just nicely busy so maybe they were keen to make it look busy but we sat there for 2 and a half hours.Pricey though if you want to really enjoy it especially with small glasses of wine about £6 a glass and each plate of a similar price.
Would still go back in a heart beat and dying to try the italian jitchen up the road
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5.
salalex – 3 Feb 2010, 9:50pm
The Italian Caffè
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My boyfriend and I have been looking at this restaurant for ages and thinking we must get around to going. Monday night we actually got round to it - and wished we hadn't bothered. Service was not good, the staff didn't seem to be interested and couldn't even raise a smile in greeting us. They seemed unimpressed when we didn't order wine or water. The food came and was unremarkable to say the least. The mixed bean and chick pea and red pepper stew tasted like a tin of mixed beans from Asda warmed through with a tiny bit of cheese on and the meatballs and spicy italian sausage didn't taste of much. The daube of beef was by far the best thing and for that, a decent pint of Moretti and good bread and olives they get 2 points. Difficult to see what all the fuss is about but we won't be going back to see if our bad experience was just a one off. Very disappointing.
- 4. The Belly – 7 Dec 2008, 5:38pm Report
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Tapas style food was excellent (especially spicy king prawns and Italian sausage mini-pizza), busy atmosphere, good wine selection, friendly service but running out of mozzarella cheese and bread on a Saturday night was a big let down.
- 3. Carine – 31 Jul 2008, 3:33pm Report
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One of the best meals I have had for some time - highly recommeneded for excellent food, fabulous wine, great service and atmosphere. I will be paying this place a visit everytime I'm in Glasgow, without a doubt. Loved it.
Average rating /5 from 4 reviews of The Italian Caffè.
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