Crabshakk Botanics
Seafood, 201 Byres Rd, Glasgow G12 8TN
£83.55 for two, starters and mains, plus drinks
April 2025
We finally made it to Crabshakk Botanics, the West End outpost of Glasgow’s much-loved seafood institution. Having been stalwarts of the city’s seafood scene since the original Finnieston branch opened its doors in 2009, Crabshakk has a reputation that precedes it. With their second venue tucked right off bustling Byres Road, you’d be hard pressed to avoid the buzz, so we went in with high hopes and hungry stomachs.
Atmosphere & Service
If you’re partial to interiors, Crabshakk Botanics is a treat. The design is bang on: sleek tiles, bright windows, and a bit of maritime flair without veering into Captain Birdseye territory. There’s a cool, quietly grown-up energy in the space that makes it feel special;a bit like you’ve wandered into the kind of neighbourhood brasserie every city wishes it had. The crowd was a healthy mix of after-work diners and seafood fans, all elbows deep in crab claws.
Service marched along efficiently. There wasn’t the sort of standout personality you sometimes get with long-serving restaurants, but we felt well looked after. It’s the kind of place where your water glass always seems mysteriously topped up, and you’re never left stranded for a sauce.
The Food
Crabshakk has built its name on serving up some of Glasgow's freshest seafood, and that’s exactly what drew us in. Brie started with the mussels, a favourite order when out, since they’re too much faff to do at home. The portion was generous, and the shellfish themselves were fresh, but the sauce let things down: it was a bit one-note, crying out for a hit of something zingy to liven it up. Not bad, but not crave-worthy either.
Basil went with the scallops, his tried-and-true. Arriving perfectly seared and pleasingly plump, they were technically spot on. But much like the mussels, they needed a little more spark; nothing amiss, just lacking that extra-nuanced touch to make you want to return for them alone.
For mains, both of us ordered the fish supper, because sometimes, only the classics will do. This, unfortunately, is where Crabshakk Botanics misses a trick. The basics - crispy fish, fluffy chips - should be a show of confidence for any seafood restaurant, but these were...fine. The batter was decent, the fish nicely cooked, but nothing in the execution separated it from your high street chippy, let alone justified the price tag. It’s a case of the menu’s “fancy” side perhaps being the safer bet here.
A quick word about our post-dinner state: Basil had a rather unsettled stomach later that night. There’s no way to say whether this is related in any way to the meal as there are of course many potential causes, but we thought it was important to be transparent.
Final Thoughts
Crabshakk Botanics is a gorgeous place to spend an evening, even if the food didn’t always match our expectations. There’s undeniable potential here. If you stick to the more elaborate seafood offerings, the showstopper platters and extravaganza, you’re likely to be happier than if you play it safe. Still, for a restaurant with such a celebrated pedigree, we left wanting just a little bit more flair from the kitchen.
Three Things to Know
- Interiors worth visiting: Whether you’re a design nerd or just enjoy a buzzy space, the atmosphere impresses as much as the menu.
- Stick to the signatures: The classics can underwhelm, so if you’re going, splash out on the namesake seafood - crab claws, oysters, and their mixed platters.
- Solid but not spectacular: Service is swift, portions fair, and freshness unquestioned. But at these prices, we’d hoped for more across-the-board.
Will we be back? Probably, if only to try the dishes Crabshakk Botanics is famous for. There’s too much history here not to give it another go. But next time, we’ll leave the fish and chips to the chip shop and let the kitchen play to its strengths.