Glasgow's West End puts forward a good range of restaurants, cafes and bars. They do pretty well thanks to the local university population and so also the young, affluent vibe in the area. Hotbeds include the Hillhead underground station on Byres Road and the Ashton Lane and its chock-a-block restaurants nearby.

West End Expensive

La Parmigiana 443 Great Western Rd, Tel: 3340686. This sophisticated Italian restaurant is one of Glasgow's finest eating establishments. Recommended for a special occasion. Open Mon-Sat 1200-1430, 1800-2300.

Nairn's 13 Woodside Cres, Tel: 3530707. Much-hyped restaurant run by TV chef Nick Nairn, but deserving of all the praise. Exceptional cuisine and superb value. Open daily 1200-1400, 1800-2200.

Puppet Theatre 11 Ruthven La, Tel: 3398444. Very stylish, very intimate dining. Menu is Scottish with an international flavour. Good value set lunches. Open Sun and Tue-Fri 1200-1430, 1900-2230; Sat 1900-2300.

Stravaigin 28-30 Gibson St, Tel: 3342665. Hard to define but difficult to resist. An eclectic mix of exotic Asian flavours and prime Scottish ingredients to produce the most sublime results. Expensive but you won't get better value for money in this category and totally justifies its many awards. Upstairs is a café-bar where you can sample some of that fabulous food at more affordable prices. Open Mon-Thu 1200-1430, 1700-2230; Fri/Sat 1200-1430, 1700-2300; Sun 1700-2230.

The Ubiquitous Chip 12 Ashton La, Tel: 3345007. A ground-breaking, multi award-winning restaurant and still the city's favourite place for Mctastic Scottish food, especially venison and seafood. All served in a plant-filled, covered courtyard patio. Open Mon-Sat 1200-1430, 1730-2300; Sun 1230-1430, 1830-2300. Upstairs is their bistro,

Upstairs at the Chip which doesn't make you feel quite as special but is much easier on the wallet. Open daily 1200-2300.

Mid-range

Air Organic 36 Kelvingrove St, Tel: 5645200/5201. Ultra-cool bistro. The type that could only really exist in Glasgow. Styled on Miami International Airport and serving organic and orgasmic food. Try their Thai or Japanese offerings. No smoking area. Open Mon-Thu and Sun 1100-2300; Fri/Sat 1100-2400.

Ashoka Ashton Lane 19 Ashton La, Tel: 3371115. First-class Indian restaurant, part of the famous west coast chain. Very popular with students and Byres Road trendies. Open Mon-Thu 1200-2400; Fri/Sat 1200-0030; Sun 1700-2400.

Ashoka West End 1284 Argyle St, Tel: 3393371. The oldest in this ever-popular chain of excellent Indians. Great value and a vegetarian-friendly menu. Open Mon-Thu 1200-1400, 1700-0030; Fri 1200-0100; Sat 1700-0100; Sun 1700-0030.

Beetlenut 142 Dumbarton Rd, Tel: 3371145. Imaginative, international-flavour food served in a relaxed atmosphere. Good at any time of the day and child-friendly. New addition to the West End's already busy cuisine scene but manages to fill a gap. Open Mon-Sat 1100-0100; Sun 1200-0100.

Brel 39-43 Ashton La. Another stylish continental eating establishment in Glasgow's hippest culinary quarter. This time it's Belgian. Great food and great value, especially during the half price happy hour (1700-1900). Open Mon-Thu and Sun 1000-2300; Fri/Sat 1000-2400.

Café India 171 North St, Tel: 2484074. Cavernous Indian restaurant that's big on style and has a deserved reputation for fine food. Good value buffet downstairs. No smoking area. Open Mon-Thu 1200-2400; Fri/Sat 1200-0030; Sun 1500-2400.

Cottier's 93-95 Hyndland St, Tel: 3575825. Very elegant Latin American restaurant housed in a converted church. The food is heavenly and the ambience spiritually rewarding. These dear souls are also great with kids, bless them. Stylish bar and theatre downstairs on the ground floor where you can often hear live music (see 'Live music venues' below). Open Mon-Thu 1700-2230; Fri/Sat 1700-2400; Sun 1200-2230.

Cul de Sac 44-46 Ashton La, Tel: 3344749. Effortlessly fashionable, laid back and oh, so boho. A great place to sit back, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy good French-style food. Their famous crêpes are half price between 1700 and 1900, as are the tasty burgers and pasta. Good vegetarian choices, too, and it's a great place to work of last night's excesses with a hearty Sun brunch. Open Sun-Thu 1200-2300; Fri/Sat 1200-2400.

Deirfiuracha 29 Ashton La Tel: 3373636. Unusual Gaelic restaurant run by two sisters and very popular with those in the know. Puddings are particularly good. Tue-Sat 1800-2130.

the left bank, 33-35 Gibson St, Glasgow, G12 8NU. tel: 0141 339 5969. Bar & Kitchen. Serving delicious home cooking from breakfast 'til supper in a comfortable, inviting bar & kitchen. Using seasonal & local produce wherever possible our extensive menus include bar snacks, smoothies, cocktails, coffees, brunch, lunch, all day mains & an evening menu as well as a prix fixe menu & an extensive range of wines avail by the glass. Open 7 days: 9am-midnight Mon to Fri. 10 am - midnight Sat & Sun Food til 10 seven days.

Mother India 28 Westminster Terr, Sauchiehall St, Tel: 2211663. Exquisite Indian cooking at affordable prices. Friendly and informal atmosphere. Strong vegetarian selection. Cheap set lunch and pre-theatre menus. BYOB (no drinks licence). Open Mon-Thu 1200-1400, 1730-2300; Fri 1200-1400, 1700-2330; Sat 1200-2330; Sun 1700-2300.

Oblomov 372-374 Great Western Rd, Tel: 3399177. A deliciously decadent slice of Eastern Europe. The dark, sumptuous decor and classic cuisine are enhanced by an accompanying string quartet. Open Sun-Thu 1100-2300; Fri/Sat 1100-2400.

Cheap

The Canal 300 Bearsden Rd, Tel: 9545333. Stylish and upmarket American diner beside the Forth and Clyde Canal. Good grub, and beer from its very own microbrewery on the premises. Open Sun-Thu 1200-2200; Fri/Sat 1200-2300.

Grassroots Café 97 St Georges Rd, Tel: 3330534. Vegetarian and vegan food at this intimate café near St Georges Cross. Lots of soups and salads and filling main courses. Mon-Sun 1000-2200.

Otago 61 Otago St Tel: 3372282. There's a cool, minimalist look to this Mediterranean bistro that offers lots of veggie choices. Good selection of wines too. Mon-Sat 1100-2200.

Sal e Pepe 18 Gibson St, Tel: 3410999. This little Italian is one of those places you just can't stop talking about (or writing about). It is, quite simply, perfect in every sense. And as if that weren't enough, there are half price pizza and pasta offers weekdays between 1500 and 1800. What more could you want? Open Mon-Sat 0930-1100; Sun 1200-2300.