Sebb's
Grilled sharing plates, 68B Miller Street, Glasgow G1 1DT
£56.65 for five small plates, drinks, and tip for two
There’s always a bit of excitement in the air when a new spot opens up in Merchant City, and Sebb’s feels like one worth talking about. It’s tucked away below street level on Albion Street, just around the corner from Margot and Paesano, and instantly stands out with its cave-like, basement setting. It’s the sort of place you might miss if you weren’t looking - but we’re glad we found it.
Atmosphere & Service
Don’t come to Sebb’s if you’re claustrophobic: the whole space is underground, with low ceilings and a warren-like feel. But for everyone else, it’s got a fun energy - a bit like an underground diner crossed with a barbecue spot. The closest comparison is maybe a cooler, modern take on a classic meze joint. Booths line the walls and, if you’re just a couple or a small group, definitely ask for one.
The atmosphere can get lively, and acoustics are classic “new Glasgow restaurant” - plenty of chatter and the need to raise your voice at times, but never overwhelmingly loud. Service was hard to fault: we were seated straight away and found the team attentive and efficient, with food arriving quickly and requests handled promptly.
The Food
Sebb's leans into the city’s current obsession with small plates, but we didn’t mind since prices were a little more reasonable than some. Small plates do run the risk of making you over-order, but on this occasion, we managed to hit the right balance.
We started with the charred courgette and pea atom dip (Google did not deliver on what, exactly, this was). What matters is that it worked: the char on the courgette added smokiness and the dip was rich and creamy, with a generous amount of pillowy bread on the side - for once, enough to scoop up every last bit.
The lamb skewers looked great and had that solid, classic lamb flavour, though we both felt it was a little one dimensional and some extra seasoning or complexity wouldn’t go amiss. The accompanying garlic labneh was silky and fresh, especially when paired with the standout Sebb's salad: a bright, crunchy mix of cabbage, carrot and light vinaigrette, somewhere between an Asian-style slaw and a classic salad. We’re now in the habit of always ordering a salad, and this one justifies the tradition.
Next up, fries - dusted with a spicy rub and served with aioli. They were hot, crisp, and well seasoned, though they landed just a bit late in the meal to enjoy them fully with everything else on the table.
The jerk-spiced pork belly hit the mark: cooked perfectly (pork belly can so easily go wrong), with a sticky, well-judged jerk spice and sweet pickled apple balancing things out. The hispi cabbage on the side, though, didn’t wow us - it was spicier than expected and not as moreish as other versions we’ve had elsewhere. Grilled hispi cabbage can be such a winner, and this was a bit disappointing.
Finally, there was the grilled cauliflower with hummus and pine nuts, which divided opinion: extremely charred, taking “grilled” to the extreme - maybe a bit much for some, but definitely an interesting flavour. It’s worth a try, though we probably wouldn’t rush to order it again.
Final Thoughts
Sebb's is the sort of place that nails the things it does well: friendly staff, fun atmosphere, and punchy small plates that (mostly) deliver. Some dishes felt a bit one-note or heavy on the flame, but value for money is very fair and it’s ideal for a group catch-up or casual date night. We’ll be back, if only to ask what on earth a “pea atom” dip really is.
Three Things to Know
- Atmosphere is unique: The underground, cave-like setting is fun and different - but maybe not for the claustrophobic.
- Small plates done right: Portion sizes are decent and the pricing is fair, with a few clear standouts (the salad, the pork belly, and the courgette).
- Lively but not too loud: Acoustics are energetic but manageable, and service keeps things running smoothly.