Margo
European small plates, 68 Miller St, Glasgow G1 1DT
£78.10 for 8 small plates plus drinks
We finally made it to Margo — one of the newer additions to the city centre’s dining scene. It’s not exactly fresh out of the gate anymore (probably opened within the last six months or so), but it was our first visit. Like a lot of places lately, it’s all about small plates. We were struck by how few new restaurants are offering traditional mains these days — everything seems to be shareable, seasonal, and neatly portioned. Margo fits squarely into that category, with a menu full of interesting combinations and plenty to pick from.
Atmosphere & Service
The atmosphere was one of Margo’s strongest suits. The space has a clear design identity — a blend of industrial and mid-century influences, softened by warm colours and thoughtful details. It managed to feel stylish without being overly trendy. Even the crockery stood out — we genuinely liked the glasses and the tableware, which says something about the level of attention that’s gone into the space.
Service wasn’t a big focus of our conversation, but that in itself is telling — nothing went wrong, no complaints. The food arrived at a good pace, and the evening moved along without feeling rushed or delayed. Quiet efficiency, which is often the best kind.
The Food
We started with the focaccia. The flavour was great — we both liked the taste — but the texture was a bit confusing. It was denser than expected, and we weren’t entirely sure whether it was meant to be that way. It felt like a take on focaccia, but not quite the real deal. That said, the tapenade it came with was really tasty, even if it wasn’t especially pleasing to look at.
Next up were the croquettes, which we’d heard good things about. These were very smooth in texture — so much so that it was hard to tell what was in them. One of us guessed ham hough, which turned out to be correct, but the flavours weren’t immediately identifiable. Still, they were enjoyable and definitely moreish.
Then came the prawn and fennel agnolotti, which we chose based on a recommendation from someone we’d seen online. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite land. The dish felt flat — one-dimensional — and we both agreed it needed something extra. The sauce wasn’t bad, but it lacked the depth or contrast to lift the dish. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it wasn’t memorable either.
Things picked up considerably with the final savoury dishes. The lamb faggots were excellent — essentially a richly flavoured patty, a bit like a deconstructed burger, served on a bed of creamy polenta. The meat was tender and fell apart easily, and the whole plate had that warm, comforting feel you hope for in a slow-cooked dish.
The Swiss chard with goat’s cheese and pistachio might have been the best plate of the night. It had a great combination of textures and flavours — bright, fresh, and balanced — and it stood out as one of those dishes where everything on the plate had a purpose.
We don’t usually go for dessert, but this time we did — and we were glad. The brown butter almond tart with crème fraîche was excellent. The texture was spot on, and the flavour was rich without being heavy. We also had the salted chocolate ice cream, which was properly good — smooth, intense, and something we’d definitely order again. The rhubarb sorbet, on the other hand, needed a bit more punch. It was fine, but lacked the sharpness we were hoping for.
There was one real low point: the Crossmopolitan mocktail. At £7, the portion was absurdly small, and the drink just didn’t feel like good value. A clear miss.
Conclusion
Margo delivered a well-rounded evening, even if not everything on the menu hit the mark. The atmosphere is lovely, the location central and convenient, and the best dishes genuinely impressed. The meal had its dips — the pasta, the mocktail — but nothing that would put us off returning. For a relaxed night with friends and a few standout plates, it’s a place we’d come back to. Just maybe skip the influencer picks next time.
Three Things to Know
- Strong visual identity – from the lighting to the crockery, the space feels well-designed and cohesive.
- Order selectively – some dishes were excellent (lamb, chard, desserts), others felt flat or underdeveloped.
- Mocktails aren’t worth it – at least based on our experience; small pour, high price, not something we’d recommend.