Hello, welcome to Day 2 of our launch weekend!

Yesterday we kicked things off with our big Christmas venue guide under Best Of. Today, we’re dipping into our Experiences section for the first time. This is where we shine a light on single spots across the city - giving you the full, first-hand picture of what a place is like, what to order, and why it’s worth your time.

First up is Malocchio, an Italian small-plates joint on Ingram Street in Merchant City that’s been making some serious noise...

Malocchio has fast become a favourite fixture on Ingram Street, drawing in plenty of well-deserved attention from the city’s food scene. We recently headed along to put version 2.2 of their contemporary small-plates menu to the test for a full evening dinner.

The Visit

Having previously stopped by Malocchio for a quick lunch, we were eager to see how the experience was a little later in the day. Situated in a massive, beautifully designed space in the heart of the Merchant City, the restaurant was absolutely buzzing when we arrived.

The service was excellent from start to finish. Despite how busy the dining room was, our servers were incredibly attentive, checking in on us multiple times throughout the night to ensure we were completely happy with our meal. The team recommends ordering 2–3 small plates per person, designed to arrive fresh at the table as soon as they are ready. To get a true taste of menu version 2.2, we decided to choose a dish from every section.

We kicked things off with a pint of Moretti, a crisp bottle of Pinot Grigio, some sourdough bread, and their signature trio of dips. This proved to be the ideal way to start, as the fresh bread and flavourful dips arrived first to nibble on while the rest of our order followed in incredibly quick succession. Next up was the honey-glazed roasted carrots from the cicchetti section-and frankly, I’ve never tasted a carrot like it. They were absolutely stunning.

From the fresh pasta selection, we ordered the nduja sausage pasta, which was beautifully rich and offered the perfect kick of spice, alongside an extra helping of their incredible fresh ravioli. We also couldn’t resist a selection from the pizzette menu, opting for the fried pizzette. It was unbelievably light and fluffy, boasting a batter-like texture that was entirely delicious. To finish, we indulged our sweet tooth. My partner went for the equally stunning baked New York cheesecake, while I opted for the “make your own” bespoke sundae-loaded with marshmallow, Flake, crushed meringue, and salted caramel sauce, it was honestly out of this world.

What we thought

We thoroughly enjoyed Malocchio from start to finish. The service was excellent, the food was absolutely delicious, and menu 2.2 completely delivers on its promise of fresh, authentic Italian cuisine. The restaurant is huge inside, radiating good vibes and a lively atmosphere that perfectly captures a great night out in the city center. It was busy for a reason, and we can definitely see why it has captured Glasgow’s attention. We will definitely be back, and we thoroughly recommend you check it out if you haven’t been.

If you’re a fan of quality Italian food done right without any pretension, Malocchio is well worth a visit - just make sure you get a booking in, as space fills up quickly.

The Details

• Address: 159 Ingram Street, Glasgow, G1 1DW

• Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday, 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm

• Price: Mid-range (Approx. £35–£50 per person for 3 small plates and a drink)

• Booking: Book via Malocchio’s website

• Getting there: Centrally located in the Merchant City, it’s a short 5-minute walk from Argyle Street station, a 7-minute walk from Queen Street station, and easily accessible via local city centre bus routes.

• Good to know: The menu is structured around a relaxed sharing concept where plates come out as soon as they are freshly cooked, rather than a traditional starter-and-main course system.

Got a favourite Italian joint or a hidden gem in Merchant City we should try next? Hit reply and let us know!

Tomorrow morning we wrap up our 3-day launch blitz with our very first Off-Menu post - a lighter, casual drop covering some fast-moving updates, new openings, and local bits from around the city.

Keep an eye on your inbox tomorrow at 7:30 AM!

Cheers,

Glasgow IRL