Edinburgh vegetarian institution Hendersons has expanded outside the capital for the first time in its 60-plus-year history with the opening of a new venue on Glasgow’s southside.
The first Glasgow Hendersons is in the former Seven21 site at 721 Pollokshaws Road, which was transformed into a ‘bright, welcoming neighbourhood restaurant’ ahead of the doors opening on Thursday 9 July.
The venue now features Hendersons’ distinctive yellow exterior, a spacious upstairs dining room seating between 25 and 29 guests, a welcoming bar area, and a lower ground floor space for up to 18 guests. The restaurant is also fully dog friendly.
Sustainability has also shaped the design of the new restaurant, as wherever possible, Hendersons worked with local suppliers and chose to restore rather than replace, with existing chairs reupholstered by Altered Image instead of buying new furniture, and the venue’s signage hand-painted by Bungo Signs.
The interiors were completed in partnership with designers 4by2, as well as Cupar studio Gloam, which created dried floral installations using West Coast-inspired lichen, moss and native vegetation instead of artificial flowers, giving the space a natural feel that reflects Hendersons’ ethos.
The opening marks a homecoming for owner Barrie Henderson, whose Glasgow-born grandmother Janet Henderson founded the original Hendersons restaurant in Edinburgh in 1962.
Her influence continues to shape the business today, with several of her original recipes still appearing on the menu.
Leading the kitchen is newly appointed executive chef Anna Czapiewska, who will oversee both the Edinburgh and Glasgow restaurants.
Originally from Poland, Czapiewska developed her passion for food through her two grandmothers before building her culinary career in Scotland. She is known for her creative approach to vegetarian and vegan cooking, combining seasonal Scottish produce with techniques including fermentation and foraging.
Menus in Glasgow will feature Henderson’s favourites alongside new seasonal dishes, all designed to showcase the depth and variety of modern vegetarian and vegan cooking.
Anna said: “We’ve built a really talented team in Glasgow who are genuinely excited to bring Hendersons to the city.
“Everyone has bought into what we’re trying to achieve, creating thoughtful, creative vegetarian and vegan food that’s full of flavour while giving people a warm and relaxed experience.
“Hendersons has an incredible history, but we’re also showing people just how exciting modern plant-based cooking can be. Whether someone eats vegetarian food every day or is trying it for the first time, we want them to leave feeling inspired.”
Barrie said: “Walking through the finished restaurant has made everything feel very real. My gran, who started Hendersons over 60 years ago, was from Glasgow, so bringing the business back to her home city feels incredibly special.
“We’ve been made so welcome by the local community already. Hendersons has always been about great food and sustainability, as well as making everyone feel welcome, and it feels like the perfect place to start this next chapter.”
Hendersons first announced plans for the Southside restaurant earlier this year following the successful revival of the business in Edinburgh after its original closure in 2020.
The Glasgow opening continues that next chapter, bringing the restaurant’s long-standing focus on seasonal Scottish produce, sustainability and accessible vegetarian and vegan dining to a new audience.
