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Timeless family run Italian restaurant set in basement with intricate ceiling and dark wood beams.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 35 Hope St, Glasgow G2 6AE, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 141 221 9160
Website: https://lalanterna-glasgow.co.uk/
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La Lanterna is Glasgow’s oldest family run Italian restaurant still in the hands of the original owners. … G2 6AE. T: 0141 221 9160. E: lalanterna …
Glasgow City Centre – La Lanterna
… La Lanterna City Centre 35 Hope St Glasgow G2 6AE. T: 0141 221 9160. E: [email protected] · BOOK NOW. City Centre Opening Times. Mon: 12pm – 10pm. Tue: …
Menu – Glasgow – La Lanterna
La Lanterna is Glasgow’s oldest family run Italian restaurant still in the hands of the original owners. Opened in 1970 by Valerio Martinolli & Antonio Fassone.
Reviews
C Khan
La Lanterna is a family-run Glasgow institution known for its characteristic basement setting and dark wood beams. Given its reputation as one of the city’s oldest Italian restaurants, I arrived with high expectations. Unfortunately, the experience was quite lackluster.
We started with the fried calamari, followed by mains of Crab Ravioli, Penne Broccoli e Pollo, Pasta Carbonara, and Sausage Risotto. The portions were inconsistent; the Carbonara was significantly smaller than the other dishes. Furthermore, the chicken in the penne was bland and tough—seemingly boiled—which was very disappointing. The dessert platter also missed the mark. The “50-year-old recipe” Tiramisu was surprisingly dry, while the Crème Brûlée was watery, though the cheesecake and mousse were acceptable.
The most sour note, however, was the service and billing. An automatic service charge was added, which felt disingenuous given the inattentive service; we had to find a different waiter just to order dessert and hunt down our original server for the bill. When I questioned a “No Tax” line item on the receipt, the waitress was defensive and provided conflicting information before abruptly offering to remove the service charge as if doing us a favor. Her demeanor was stern, and she left without a word of thanks or a goodbye. While the risotto was good, the unprofessionalism and poor “aftertaste” of the service mean we won’t be returning. We still left a tip, but her rude departure ensured we won’t be back. A legendary name doesn’t excuse poor hospitality.
Despite the high praise La Lanterna often receives, my recent visit was disappointing. While the basement setting is charming, the food and service failed to live up to the legacy.
The meal was a mixed bag. While the risotto was enjoyable, the Carbonara portion was tiny compared to the other mains, and the chicken in the penne was tough and tasteless. Dessert was equally hit-or-miss; the Tiramisu was oddly dry and the Crème Brûlée was watery.
The real issue was the unprofessional service. After struggling to get our server’s attention all night, we were met with a defensive attitude when questioning the bill—specifically an “optional” service charge and a confusing “No Tax” label. The waitress became visibly frustrated when we asked for the service charge to be removed, despite her lack of attentiveness.
… moreWe started with the fried calamari, followed by mains of Crab Ravioli, Penne Broccoli e Pollo, Pasta Carbonara, and Sausage Risotto. The portions were inconsistent; the Carbonara was significantly smaller than the other dishes. Furthermore, the chicken in the penne was bland and tough—seemingly boiled—which was very disappointing. The dessert platter also missed the mark. The “50-year-old recipe” Tiramisu was surprisingly dry, while the Crème Brûlée was watery, though the cheesecake and mousse were acceptable.
The most sour note, however, was the service and billing. An automatic service charge was added, which felt disingenuous given the inattentive service; we had to find a different waiter just to order dessert and hunt down our original server for the bill. When I questioned a “No Tax” line item on the receipt, the waitress was defensive and provided conflicting information before abruptly offering to remove the service charge as if doing us a favor. Her demeanor was stern, and she left without a word of thanks or a goodbye. While the risotto was good, the unprofessionalism and poor “aftertaste” of the service mean we won’t be returning. We still left a tip, but her rude departure ensured we won’t be back. A legendary name doesn’t excuse poor hospitality.
Despite the high praise La Lanterna often receives, my recent visit was disappointing. While the basement setting is charming, the food and service failed to live up to the legacy.
The meal was a mixed bag. While the risotto was enjoyable, the Carbonara portion was tiny compared to the other mains, and the chicken in the penne was tough and tasteless. Dessert was equally hit-or-miss; the Tiramisu was oddly dry and the Crème Brûlée was watery.
The real issue was the unprofessional service. After struggling to get our server’s attention all night, we were met with a defensive attitude when questioning the bill—specifically an “optional” service charge and a confusing “No Tax” label. The waitress became visibly frustrated when we asked for the service charge to be removed, despite her lack of attentiveness.
C Hill
One of the oldest Italian Restaurants in Glasgow. Generous portions, cocktails are great and the Chianti wine was light too. The sausage and bean stew starter was excellent. The crab and lobster ravioli was sublime. The Tia Maria coffee was the best ever. The rice balls were good and the branzino was excellent. The lasagna was good too. All were large portions, so split an appetizer with your friends or partner. The desserts were superb.
… moreJames Flannigan
As part of a deal with my friends we are visiting new places for dinner every month this year. This was our first visit to La Lanterna. And we were amazed how a place ao good had passed us by. We highly recommend the arancini pesto salmon and the chocolate brownie. We will certainly be back. We could not recommend this place highly enough.
… moreAlex Luk
Undoubtedly 5-star!
This restaurant is by far the best Italian restaurant I’ve been to in the UK. Every dish was full of flavor and beautifully prepared. The place was buzzing with people, so making a reservation is highly recommended.
… moreThis restaurant is by far the best Italian restaurant I’ve been to in the UK. Every dish was full of flavor and beautifully prepared. The place was buzzing with people, so making a reservation is highly recommended.
Buck
Service was mixed. Unfortunately got off to a bad start when the woman checking reservations when you enter just left us hanging for a couple of minutes. She was 2 feet away but wouldn’t look up from folding napkins, my wife had to persuade me to not walk away at this point. The waiting staff were however all very professional.
Food was mixed. My crostini starter was I presume left over from the lunchtime sitting as it was chewy and was definitely not crisp. The mains were tasty as was the tiramisu.
So a mixed bag, but I prefer their west end restaurant.
… moreFood was mixed. My crostini starter was I presume left over from the lunchtime sitting as it was chewy and was definitely not crisp. The mains were tasty as was the tiramisu.
So a mixed bag, but I prefer their west end restaurant.
Linah H.
A perfect restaurant experience! Delicious food and amazing staff. The Pasta fagioli soup was so good! The staff surprised me with a birthday candle with some delicious icecream!
… moreClaire Stewart
A brilliant spot for a festive meal, the decor is gorgeous, like Nancy Meyers Christmas. And the service was wonderful start to finish. Highly recommend for all year round.
… moreH KIM
It was truly an enjoyable meal. We didn’t have a reservation, but thanks to arriving early we were able to get a table. When we asked for a wine recommendation, they kindly let us taste it first.
The food and wine were excellent, the staff was very friendly, and the atmosphere was great. The tiramisu was amazing. Highly recommended!
… moreThe food and wine were excellent, the staff was very friendly, and the atmosphere was great. The tiramisu was amazing. Highly recommended!
A J
What a great find hidden just a few steps from the station. Buzz through the door and down the stairs into an extraordinary restaurant. Great staff good food excellent dining .make it a stop when you visit Glasgow
… moreRichard McLuckie
Called in for an off the cuff lunch date requested by my wife.
They were able seat us with no issue and we ordered from the lunch menu which was a starter & main for £20 each.
The restaurant is very artfully decorated with an Italian theme throughout.
Starters were Pate & Bruschetta
Mains Chicken Escalope & pasta with pancetta
Unfortunately my chicken was overcooked but was replaced with Fettuccine with salmon wh8ch was superb.
Overall, 2 lunches with 2 rounds of drink came to just under £70.
… moreThey were able seat us with no issue and we ordered from the lunch menu which was a starter & main for £20 each.
The restaurant is very artfully decorated with an Italian theme throughout.
Starters were Pate & Bruschetta
Mains Chicken Escalope & pasta with pancetta
Unfortunately my chicken was overcooked but was replaced with Fettuccine with salmon wh8ch was superb.
Overall, 2 lunches with 2 rounds of drink came to just under £70.