Stag & Thistle

Pub with sister venues in East Ayrshire, dishing up classic grub in an enticing corner spot in Strathbungo.

The 2019/20 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

With two successful village pubs in Ayrshire bearing the name already, Stag & Thistle now has a Glasgow outpost in the old Mulberry Street spot in Strathbungo. It makes sense, in so much as this corner unit has always had a homely, neighbourhood feel about it, with a cheerful buzz during the day and well into the evening as locals from the many tenement flats nearby come in for a drink and a chat. Natural wood and light coming in from two sides make it a pleasant space in which to sit, with a separate dining room that comes into play in the evening. Food is kept simple and served elegantly, in a Scottish/bistro style. A fillet of haddock is smokey and pearlescent, with potatoes beneath and a runny poached egg on top. Veg tempura is suitably light, crisp and chewy. Then they do lots of burgers as well as steaks, crepes, lasagne…it’s a big menu with no mystery, but a lot that is satisfyingly decent. And the lunch menu is great value.