Occupying a discreetly restored Robert Adam house (circa 1790), Babbity Bowster combines the virtues of a boutique hotel, pubby bar and restaurant. Opened in 1985 and now a Glasgow institution, it was one of the first pubs in the city to take modern food seriously – although it still has the feel of a down-home boozer complete with Scottish real ales, live music and alfresco barbecues. The downstairs bar adds some continental vibes to the mix, with a menu of patriotic classics and bistro favourites – think Cullen skink, stovies, haggis and sweet clootie dumplings alongside moules marinière and croque monsieur. The airy upstairs restaurant (Tues-Sat evenings only) offers a similar range, plus fish specials and some more ambitious dishes such as herb-crusted rack of lamb. As for the name, it references a mildly cheeky Scottish bagpipe tune from the Lowlands.