Stravaigin

West End, Glasgow
28 Gibson St, Glasgow G12 8NX
<£65 for 2 drinks, 1 starter, 2 mains and 2 teas
Visited Spring 2026

We had heard a lot about Stravaigin over the years. Sitting just a stone’s throw from Glasgow University in Kelvinbridge, it’s in one of those locations that always feels busy and full of life. We’d walked past it countless times and knew it had a reputation for strong pub vibes, so we finally decided to give it a go.

We visited on a weekday evening and were genuinely surprised by how busy it was. Even though we had booked for food, we were seated in the pub section, which turned out to be no bad thing. If we were rating Stravaigin purely on atmosphere, it would be right up there. It strikes a nice balance between lively and comfortable. There’s enough space to feel relaxed while still having a proper buzz about the place. There were dogs dotted around too, which always feels like a good sign.

We were both in the mood for haggis, which isn’t necessarily what you’d immediately associate with Stravaigin, but nothing else on the menu really stood out to us. Basil went for the vegetarian version, while I opted for the traditional haggis.

For anyone unfamiliar, haggis is a classic Scottish dish made from minced offal, oats and spices, typically served with “neeps and tatties”, which are mashed turnips and potatoes. It’s a comforting, hearty plate when done well.

The haggis here was decent, but just that. It lacked a bit of depth and seasoning, and overall didn’t quite hit the mark. The neeps and tatties were fine, but together the dish felt slightly underwhelming, especially when you know how flavourful and satisfying a really good haggis can be.

Service was friendly and efficient, with no complaints, but it didn’t particularly stand out either.

Overall, Stravaigin didn’t win us over on the food front. That said, it’s very easy to see the appeal. As a place to meet friends, have a drink and soak up a great atmosphere, it absolutely delivers.

Would we go back?
Probably not for food. There are other places we’d choose to eat, but we would consider popping in for a drink purely for the atmosphere.

Three things to know:

• Go for the pub vibes rather than the food. That’s where it really shines.
• It gets busy, even on a weekday, so expect a lively atmosphere.
• It’s a great spot near the university for casual drinks with friends.