The Clarence
British/French, 168 Hyndland Rd, Glasgow G12 9HZ
£96.75 for three courses each plus drinks
We finally made it to The Clarence, and we’re already talking about going back. It’s one of the newer spots in Glasgow’s West End, run by the team behind Cail Bruich and Bar Brett. Out of the three, this one might just be our favourite — it feels a bit more relaxed and easygoing, but still delivers on the food front.
Atmosphere & Service
The Clarence has a laid-back pub feel, but with enough attention to detail to feel like somewhere you’d go for a proper dinner. The décor’s smart but not overdesigned — warm lighting, nice art on the walls (including a print we’d seen elsewhere), and an easy buzz to the place. You feel comfortable as soon as you sit down.
The service matched that tone. Friendly and efficient and no fuss. We went for the early evening deal — three courses for £35 — and at no point did it feel like we were getting a pared-down experience because of it.
The Food
We started with two very different plates. One was a smoked haddock linguine in a cacio e pepe-style sauce — a mix that actually worked really well. The sauce was creamy and peppery, and the fish gave it a bit of richness. The pasta could’ve been cooked slightly less (we are very particular about our al dente pasta), and there were a few small bones in the sauce, which was a shame. But portion-wise, it was generous, and overall, it was a solid start.
The other starter was a beetroot dish with truffle — a flavour combo that was new to us but really enjoyable. The beetroot chunks were a bit too big, which made the texture slightly samey, but the flavours were nicely balanced and it felt like something a bit different.
We both had the steak frites for mains. It’s a classic for a reason, and this version hit all the right notes. The steak was cooked well, the peppercorn sauce was spot on, and the fries were properly crisp and seasoned — no complaints. Sometimes simple dishes are the easiest to get wrong, but this one was done right.
Desserts were just as satisfying. The sticky toffee pudding had a lovely sponge and a rich sauce. The ice cream didn’t quite hold its own — the vanilla flavour got a bit lost — but the dish still worked. The Armagnac-soaked prunes were punchy and went nicely with the ice cream and espresso, though a bit of crunch would’ve taken it to the next level.
Final Thoughts
There are always going to be small things you’d tweak, but overall The Clarence is doing a lot right. The food’s enjoyable, the atmosphere’s relaxed, and it feels like somewhere you could come back to without needing a big occasion. We’ll definitely be back — this one's a keeper.
Three Things to Know
- Good value: Three courses for £35 feels more than fair for the portion sizes and quality. We paid £100 for the two of us including drinks and tip.
- Relaxed but thoughtful: The space has a comfortable, pub-like feel but the menu shows real care and creativity.
- Highlights simple things: The food isn’t flashy, but it’s well put together — especially the steak and fries, which were done really well.