Restaurant Glasgow

Italian

12pm till late

Average price of one course meal (inc. drinks): £15

I think that Royal Exchange Square is becoming a fast favourite of mine for a drink and a bite to eat. I really enjoy the use of the public space and the way it connects the bustling Buchannan Street to the über cool designer boutiques. There is a wide range of eateries and cafes to choose from; and if the weather is in your favour you can grab a bite to eat in one of the many outdoor eating areas that line the square.

Being a warm(ish) and dry day I opted to dine outside for my visit to Di Maggio’s, given the fierce competition for a good table under the canopy (should the heavens open as it always seems to do in Glasgow) I did not have the opportunity to see the interiors of the restaurant.

I have two issues that make me weary of eating al fresco; the weather- being Scotland it can be unpredictable wind, rain and chill can all spoil a good meal and animals, i.e. flies (not technically an animal but you know what I mean) and birds, particularly seagulls- coming from Aberdeen where the seagulls outnumber the people and having been attacked by one that resembled a flying cow for my chips (these stories are rife in Aberdeen I warn you) I am almost scared of anything that has wings. My visit to Di Maggio’s managed to avoid all these issues; as like all the outside restaurant eating areas in the Royal Exchange Square are there was a canopy and outdoor heaters that kept us warm and dry, as for any flying rodents I did not see one at all which kept me happy.

As the name suggests Di Maggio’s is Italian through and through, the menu offering a wide range of Italian favourites such as pastas and pizzas but also combining the Scottish and Italian with the Scottish Seafood section. I believe that Di Maggio’s is famed for their pizza’s and although they were very appetizing I did resist, another at my table however did have one and it was sublime, very fresh and topped with rocket salad and shaved parmesan. It was so good that when it couldn’t be finished we requested it to be boxed up to be devoured later which the staff were more than happy to do.

For myself I ordered the Fusilli El Greco, a pasta dish consisting of chargrilled chicken, spring vegetables and feta cheese; I am not much of a pasta fan but this was very nice indeed, the vegetables still had a slight crunch to them and with the feta cheese melting in it was the perfect combination, I feel hungry just even remembering it…

The service was very good, and given that it was a busy Sunday we were served in a timely manner and our food was prompt. I really really enjoyed Di Maggio’s, as did everyone else at my table and it was very affordable with the pizza and pasta dishes coming in at around £9, the grill and fish dishes were around £12-14, and I will definitely be going back!

Other Di Maggio’s can be found in the Shawlands, Renfrew Street (City Centre), West End, Pollockshields, Braehead Shopping Centre, Aidrie and East Kilbride.