Dishoom Glasgow opened on August 29, 2025, and is located at 6–11 Nelson Mandela Place, within the historic Glasgow Stock Exchange building. It serves a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food, including the location-exclusive Haggis Pau, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM (midnight on weekends).
Glasgow has always been a city of stories, industry, and a deep affection for spice. It is fitting, then, that Dishoom—the UK’s most revered homage to the Irani cafés of Bombay—chose the historic Glasgow Stock Exchange at Nelson Mandela Place as its Scottish home.
This is not just a restaurant; it is a piece of immersive theatre, a culinary time capsule, and a love letter to two great industrial cities. Whether you are a local “Glaswegian” looking for your new favourite breakfast spot or a visitor seeking the legendary House Black Daal, this comprehensive guide covers every square inch of the experience.
From the secret fictional narrative of “Miss X” that shaped the architecture to the best time to visit to avoid the queues,here is everything you need to know about Dishoom Glasgow.
The Concept: What is Dishoom?
To understand Dishoom Glasgow, you must first understand the dying culture it seeks to preserve.
The Legend of the Irani Café
In the early 20th century, Zoroastrian immigrants from Iran arrived in British India. Seeking new lives in Bombay (now Mumbai), they opened cafés that became the city’s social spine. Unlike other establishments that were segregated by caste, class, or religion, Irani cafés were famously democratic. A millionaire merchant would sit next to a taxi wallah; a student would debate politics with a professor. They were places of “faded elegance,” characterized by bentwood chairs,marble tables, slow-turning ceiling fans, and a specific menu of bun maska (buttered buns) and chai.
At their peak in the 1960s, there were over 400 Irani cafés in Bombay. Today, fewer than 30 remain. Dishoom was founded to preserve this heritage, not just in food, but in spirit.
The “Miss X” Narrative
Every Dishoom location is built around a specific, fictional founding myth that informs every design choice. For Glasgow,the story centres on Miss X.
The narrative imagines a character in 1950s Bombay—a glamorous, sharp-witted covert agent who worked for the Indian independence movement. Following a mysterious turn of events involving espionage and a lost love named “G”, Miss X flees Bombay and resurfaces in Glasgow in 1959.
She buys the old Stock Exchange building and opens an Irani café to lay low. The interior design reflects this story:
- The Codes: If you look closely at the sign-writing and menus, you will find hidden Morse code and cryptic messages, a nod to Miss X’s spy past.
- The Aesthetic: The décor is a fusion of Mid-Century Modern (reflecting the 1950s era) and Bombay Progressiveart, creating a space that feels both vintage and dangerously sophisticated.
- The Colours: Verdant greens, soft pinks, and polished plaster evoke the tropical humidity of Bombay, clashing beautifully with the grey granite determination of Glasgow.
Location and Architecture
The Building: Glasgow Stock Exchange
Dishoom Glasgow occupies one of the city’s most prestigious addresses: 6–11 Nelson Mandela Place.
- History: Built between 1875 and 1877, this Venetian Gothic masterpiece was designed by John Burnet. It was the hub of Scotland’s financial power during the height of the British Empire.
- Restoration: The design team, Macaulay Sinclair, has meticulously restored the building. They merged two units to create a sprawling 6,720 sq ft space.
- Key Features:
- The Clock: A custom double-sided clock hangs in a glazed screen, separating the bar from the dining room—a nod to the importance of time in both stock trading and spycraft.
- The Flooring: A mixture of geometric terrazzo (classic Bombay) and vintage parquet (classic Glasgow).
- The Ceiling: Exposed concrete ceilings reveal the industrial bones of the building, juxtaposed against elegant, vintage Bombay light fittings.
The Menu: A Culinary Tour of Bombay
Dishoom’s menu is an all-day affair, moving seamlessly from breakfast to late-night snacking. Below is a deep dive into the must-order dishes.
1. Breakfast (8am – 11:45am)
Glasgow is the only Dishoom in the world where you can order the Haggis Pau.
- Haggis Pau (£10.70): A collision of Scottish and Indian culture. Rich, spicy haggis (made with pork and Indian spices) is served on a soft, buttered pau bun, topped with a fried egg. It is arguably the best hangover cure in the city.
- Bacon Naan Roll (£11.50): The dish that made Dishoom famous. Smoked streaky bacon from Ramsay of Carluke (a legendary Scottish butcher) is matured in the traditional Ayrshire way, then baked inside a fresh naan with cream cheese, chilli tomato jam, and fresh herbs.
- The Big Bombay (£16.90): A full English via Mumbai. Akuri (spiced scrambled eggs), smoked bacon, peppery pork sausages, masala baked beans, grilled mushrooms, and buttered pau buns.
- House Chai (£3.90, bottomless): You cannot visit without trying the chai. It is brewed for hours with fresh ginger,cardamom, and peppercorns. At breakfast, refills are free and frequent.
2. The All-Day Menu (12pm – Late)
The main menu is designed for sharing. The kitchen recommends 2-3 dishes per person.
The Small Plates
- Okra Fries (£7.50): Fine lady’s fingers (okra) battered in gram flour and spices, then fried until impossibly crispy.They are addictive—order one bowl for the table, but you will likely need two.
- Keema Pau (£10.70): Spiced minced lamb cooked with peas and liver (for richness), served with buttered buns.This is the quintessential Irani café snack—cheap, hearty, and deeply savoury.
- Pau Bhaji (£8.40): A bowl of mashed vegetables (cauliflower, potatoes, peas) cooked with a mountain of butter and spices. It is served with hot, buttered buns.
The Grills
- Murgh Malai (£14.50): Chicken thighs marinated overnight in garlic, ginger, coriander stems, and cream. The result is meat so tender it can be cut with a spoon.
- Spicy Lamb Chops (£19.90): Marinated in lime, yoghurt, and dark spices, then charred on the grill. These are widely considered some of the best lamb chops in the UK.
The Curries & Biryani
- Chicken Ruby (£18.50): Dishoom’s version of a Butter Chicken or Chicken Makhani. Tender pieces of chicken in a rich, silky “makhani” sauce made with tomatoes, cream, and butter. It is sweet, spicy, and incredibly comforting.
- Jackfruit Biryani (£16.50): A fantastic vegetarian option. Jackfruit is marinated and cooked with saffron rice,mint, and caramelized onions under a pastry crust (purdah) to seal in the steam.
3. The Signature Dish: House Black Daal
If you order nothing else, you must order the House Black Daal (£10.90).
- The Process: It is cooked over 24 hours.
- The Taste: Dark, rich, and deeply flavoured. It is not like the yellow lentil dhal you may be used to; this is a creamy, buttery Urad Dal that tastes almost like chocolate or coffee due to the depth of the simmer.
- Pro Tip: It is a side dish, not a main. Share one bowl between two people alongside a naan.
4. The Glasgow Exclusive: Lamb Chettinad
Every Dishoom has a “Chef’s Special.” For Glasgow, it is Lamb Chettinad.
- The Dish: A tender lamb curry inspired by the Chettinad region of Tamil Nadu.
- The Profile: It is heavily spiced with black pepper, curry leaves, and coconut. It carries a significant heat that warms you against the Scottish rain.
The Permit Room: Drinks & Cocktails
In Bombay, alcohol laws were historically strict, leading to “Permit Rooms”—designated areas where one could drink if they held a government permit “for the preservation of health.”
The “Rob Roy” Exclusive
The Glasgow Permit Room serves a unique twist on the classic Rob Roy cocktail.
- Ingredients: Butter-oat fat-washed whisky (a nod to porridge), sweet vermouth, and a house-made currant & sultana liqueur.
- Taste: Silky, rich, and dangerously drinkable.
Teetotal Tipples
Dishoom takes non-alcoholic drinks seriously.
- Sober Negroni: Uses non-alcoholic spirits to recreate the bitterness of Campari without the booze.
- Lassis: The Mango & Fennel Lassi is a staple, but the Rose & Cardamom Lassi is a fragrant alternative that pairs beautifully with spicy food.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
- Monday – Thursday: 08:00 – 23:00
- Friday: 08:00 – 00:00 (Midnight)
- Saturday: 09:00 – 00:00 (Midnight)
- Sunday: 09:00 – 23:00
Booking Policy (Important!)
Dishoom operates a unique booking system that you must understand to avoid disappointment.
- Breakfast & Lunch: You can book for groups of any size.
- Dinner (After 5:45pm): You
