Glasgow’s busy roster of Italian restaurants just got busier with the arrival of Assaggini on Byres Road, in the heart of the city’s west end.
Officially opening its doors today (Friday 9th February) at 227 Byres Road, in a 195 sq ft space that was formerly a Pizza Express, this is the second Assaggini location, following a successful launch in Edinburgh’s Rose Street in 2023.
Specialising in small plates designed for sharing, from a menu of fresh pasta and gourmet ‘Pinsa’ style pizzas, Assaggini also leans towards artisan craft beers, offering a ‘contemporary twist on traditional Italian dining’.
The new 180-cover restaurant’s opening is accompanied by a partnership with Glasgow’s West Brewery, which has created eight exclusive beers for the venue.
General manager Neil Johnstone said: “We have been looking at this site for quite some time and we knew it was the perfect location for our second Assaggini.
“The large format of the restaurant has allowed us to create a really exciting and flexible restaurant that we are confident will complement the already bustling West End dining scene,” said Johnstone.
“Vibrant interiors, flexible dining areas suitable for large parties and an in-house microbrewery designed in collaboration with West Brewery will appeal to a wide demographic of customers from families and discerning locals to the ever-growing student population of the west end.”
Menu highlights include fresh Paccheri Gamberi e Limone, Bucatini Amatriciana, Cacio e Pepe and Regienette Lamb Ragu. Pinsa-style pizzas, which are served smaller in size, come with a variety of toppings sourced from Italy, including fresh Fior di Latte mozzarella, Datterini tomatoes and sardinian sausage. Each pasta and pizza on the menu has a suggested beer pairing.
