La Lanterna

Italian, City Centre

35 Hope St, Glasgow G2 6AE

<£70 for 2 drinks, 1 starter, 2 mains and 2 dessert

Visited Winter 2026

La Laterna is everything you expect from a Glaswegian Italian restaurant. It is centrally located, as central as you could possibly get, sitting directly across from Central Station. You descend down the stairs and are whisked away to a place that could be in Italy, bar the vast number of Scottish people eating around you.

There are no windows, but it gives very la cave vibes. I grew up in the Mediterranean, and it reminded me of older restaurants hewn into the rock. So, if you get easily claustrophobic, I would take a pass, but otherwise, the interior has all the charm you would expect from an Italian bistro.

The menu is predictable, but in a comforting, familiar way, and the service is exceptionally quick. While I would not necessarily complain about that, it is one of the few ways you know you are not in Italy. The disappointing bit was that the bread arrived with the pasta. I do not know about you, but I like to dive into the bread basket without the guilt of my main meal looming, so I found myself eating much less than usual. The focaccia was ok, but not something I would order again.

When it came to our mains, there was a clear split in how we enjoyed our pasta dishes. Basil loved his, and I mean really loved it. He went for the Maniche alla Barese (£17.95). Short pasta with Tuscan sausage, stem broccoli, tomato, and chilli. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente, and he enjoyed it so much he practically licked the plate.

I, on the other hand, went for the Penne Broccoli e Pollo (£15.95). While Basil was raving, the only way I could describe my plate was “meh.” To be fair, I really, really love good pasta, and while I do not expect much from penne broccoli e pollo, this did not quite deliver. There was too much chicken, so much so that it overwhelmed the dish. I finished my pasta and felt like I had a breast to spare.

Do not get me wrong, it was better than most pasta dishes you get in Scotland, but the chicken was bland, the cream was just cream, and I was left wanting more. Maybe I am expecting too much from penne broccoli e pollo. Maybe that is my fault. Either way, it does not change the fact that I will not be rushing back to La Laterna, although Basil enjoyed it so much that we may have to return. Sigh.

That said, if you are in the city and want an easy Italian spot close to the train station, you would not go wrong with lunch or dinner at La Laterna. Just set your expectations.

Three Things to Know

• Location is king. You cannot beat it for convenience, ideal before or after a train.
• Classic, not creative. Stick to the heartier, sausage-based pasta dishes for the safest bet.
• Atmosphere matters. Cosy and charming for some, claustrophobic for others