The Merchant Steakhouse
Steakhouse, 56 Ingram Street, Glasgow G1 1EX
£125.62 for two dry aged steaks, one side, drinks and tip
First Impressions
We finally made it to the Merchant Steakhouse, perfectly perched on Ingram Street in the lively Merchant City. From the outside, it looked sleek and promising. And inside? Think moody elegance with a splash of colour, buttoned leather booths, and a cosy atmosphere upstairs. A glamorous yet inviting backdrop for any meal.
Atmosphere & Service
We were shown to our table upstairs without a fuss—our hostess nailed it with that spot-on dash of attentiveness. Joe, our server, struck the Goldilocks balance: chatty enough to be friendly, not so much that you feel pinned to your seat. We were cool and comfortable despite the heat outside (air conditioning heroics for the win!).
The Food
Starters
- Sourdough with black‑garlic and truffle butter – flawless; the bread was lovely, the butter was lush and savoury with punch.
- Monkfish & scampi with homemade kimchi – inventive and fresh, and you could taste the craft in the kimchi. Only glitch: seasoning was a bit off, and the salt cellar was busted, which you only noticed when you actually wanted it.
Mains
- The salt‑age selection moment was a fun bit of theatre. Joe showed us the dry‑aged cuts (up to 45 days on the menu, although the restaurant ages special cuts for even longer). We both went for 45‑day dry‑aged; Basil had sirloin, Brie had fillet—and both were bang on. Juicy, flavourful, perfectly done.
- Came with mushroom, tomato, crispy onions, perfectly paired sides. Mushrooms were earthy, tomatoes full‑flavoured, onions satisfyingly crisp.
- And yes, the chips were absolutely necessary. Skinny fries for Basil, hand‑cut for Brie - both divine.
Vegetable side
- Salt & chilli stem broccoli, a delicious surprise. Crunchy, seasoned in a way we’d never tried before.
Sauces
- Basil doesn’t usually veer from peppercorn, but the red‑wine steak jus? Properly “slapping,” as the new generation would say.
Final Thoughts
This might just be one of our new go‑to steakhouses in Glasgow. Great location, excellent service, brilliantly executed steaks, creative little touches, the kind of place you leave feeling quietly smug. And, the cherry on top? If you dine Monday-Thursday evenings or Friday-Saturday lunchtimes, you get 20% off the A‑la‑Carte menu, which is a seriously smart deal.
Three Things to Know
- Smart deal alert – 20% off A‑la‑Carte menu on Monday-Thursday evenings, and Friday-Saturday lunchtimes. Big flavour, better value.
- Dry‑aging devotion - Steaks aged up to 80 days, bringing depth and tenderness that’s well worth the hype.
- Atmospheric yet approachable - Stylish, moody dining with warm service, perfect for celebrations or just a really good mid-week steak fix.
We’ll definitely be back. Basil & Brie.