te Seba
Italian, 393-395 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G4 9HY
£52 for 1 sharing platter and 2 mains
Overpriced and Underwhelming
When an Italian restaurant bills itself as a haven for “pasta and prosecco,” you’d expect a memorable dining experience—rich, flavorful dishes that justify the buzz. Unfortunately, te Seba left us feeling disappointed and questioning the hype.
The Atmosphere: A Promising Start
Let’s start with the positives. The restaurant’s decor is undeniably stylish. With exposed brick walls, wooden floors, and warm, well-thought-out lighting, the space has a cozy yet modern charm. We especially appreciated the curtain at the entrance, which kept the winter chill from sweeping through the room. The soundtrack was another highlight—so good that we found ourselves adding it to our Spotify playlists.
Service: Efficient but Limited Options
The service was friendly and efficient, which was a plus. However, one of the first red flags was the restricted menu—a small selection isn’t necessarily a problem, but in this case, it worked against them. Te Seba offers just two styles of pasta dishes, and to our surprise, both were flat pasta varieties on the day we visited. Given the incredible diversity of Italian pasta, that felt like an odd and uninspired choice.
The Antipasti: High-Quality Ingredients, but Lacking Substance
We started with an antipasti platter, which featured oat cakes, olives, salami, cheese, and tomatoes. The ingredients were high-quality, but the portion was underwhelming. We each received just one piece of cheese, and the selection felt dry and incomplete. For the price, we expected something a little more generous and balanced—perhaps a drizzle of olive oil, fresh bread, or something to elevate the experience.
The Pasta: A Flop
And now for the biggest letdown—the pasta.
One dish featured pappardelle with mushroom and leek, while the other was fettuccine with chicken and spinach. The flavours were bland and indistinguishable, with the cream-based sauces offering little depth. We had to add salt to bring out some taste, and shockingly, we could barely differentiate between the two dishes. It felt like no onions, garlic, or herbs had been used—ingredients that could have given the sauces much-needed body and character.
The chicken presentation was another odd choice. It was sliced so thinly—almost as if prepared for a sandwich—that it was awkward to eat alongside the wide pappardelle. The lack of cohesion in both dishes made for a frustrating meal, and neither of us finished our plates (which is saying something when it comes to pasta).
The Verdict: Overhyped and Not Worth the Price
With a total bill of £52 (including tip) for an unsatisfying meal, we left feeling that te Seba is more about style than substance. The ambiance and playlist might impress, but the food fails to deliver. Given the wealth of Italian restaurants in the city, this one isn’t worth the price.
We won’t be returning and wouldn’t recommend it to others, especially when there are far better places for pasta at the same price point.
Three Things to Know About te Seba (Glasgow):
- Great decor, disappointing food – The space is warm and stylish, with a brilliant playlist, but the dishes don’t match the setting.
- A limited, uninspired menu – Only two pasta options, both flat varieties, and both lacked flavour and character.
- Not worth the price – At £52 for a small antipasti and two mains, it felt overpriced and underwhelming. Better Italian meals can be had elsewhere in Glasgow.