Finding somewhere to take your parents for dinner sounds simple enough.
Until you actually have to choose.
You want somewhere that feels special without being overly formal. Good food, comfortable surroundings, friendly service and, ideally, somewhere you can actually sit and have a conversation.
Glasgow has no shortage of restaurants, but not every restaurant works for every occasion.
If you’re looking for somewhere to take your parents for dinner in Glasgow, The Buttery is the sort of place that ticks a lot of those boxes.
What makes a good restaurant for dinner with your parents?
There are a few things that tend to matter when you’re choosing somewhere for a family meal.
The food, obviously.
But there’s more to it than that.
You want somewhere where you can take your time. Somewhere comfortable enough to settle in for a couple of hours. Somewhere with a menu that gives everyone something to choose from, without being so complicated that you’re still trying to work out what you’re ordering ten minutes later.
Good service matters too.
When you’re taking your parents out for dinner, you want them to feel looked after. You shouldn’t have to spend the evening trying to get someone’s attention or wondering where your next course is.
It’s those little things that can make a meal feel like an occasion.
A Glasgow restaurant with a bit of history
The Buttery has been part of Glasgow’s dining scene since 1870.
The building itself has plenty of character, with its traditional interiors and distinctive surroundings on Argyle Street.
It’s the sort of restaurant that feels established without feeling stuffy.
And that makes it particularly well suited to a meal with your parents.
Perhaps you’re treating them to dinner for their anniversary. Maybe it’s a birthday. Perhaps you’ve simply decided it’s been far too long since you all sat down for a proper meal together.
You don’t necessarily need an excuse.
Sometimes dinner is the occasion.
Somewhere you can actually talk
One of the best things about going out for dinner with your parents is having the time to catch up properly.
That can be surprisingly difficult these days.
Everyone is busy. Work gets in the way. Weekends disappear. Before you know it, months have passed since you’ve all sat around the same table.
A good restaurant gives you the chance to slow down for a while.
At The Buttery, the traditional dining room provides a relaxed setting for exactly that.
There is no need to rush through your meal.
Order a starter. Have a glass of wine. Take your time over the main course. Maybe finish with dessert and coffee.
The evening can be as much about the conversation as the food.
A menu with something for everyone
When you’re choosing a restaurant for your family, a menu needs to have enough variety to keep everyone happy.
The Buttery’s menu brings together Scottish ingredients and classic cooking alongside seasonal dishes, with options across meat, fish and vegetarian choices.
That means you don’t have to worry about finding something for one person while everyone else settles on their dinner.
And if your parents are the sort who like a proper pudding after dinner, there is usually plenty of reason to leave room for dessert.
Some things are better when you don’t overthink them.
The Snug for something more private
If you’re planning something a little more special, The Buttery also has The Snug.
The intimate private dining space seats up to eight people, making it ideal for a smaller family gathering.
It gives you a little more privacy while still enjoying the food and service of the main restaurant.
It could work particularly well for a milestone birthday, anniversary or family celebration where you want everyone around the same table.
For a larger gathering, The Belles downstairs offers another private space for events and celebrations.
A great choice for a Glasgow family dinner
There are plenty of reasons to take your parents out for dinner.
A birthday.
An anniversary.
A thank you.
A catch-up.
Or simply because you haven’t seen enough of each other lately.
The important thing is choosing somewhere that makes the occasion feel worth making the effort for.
The Buttery offers good food, a comfortable setting, attentive service and a little piece of Glasgow history all under one roof.
It’s the kind of place where you can sit down for dinner without feeling like you need to be somewhere else five minutes later.
And sometimes that’s exactly what you want from a meal with your parents.
Good food.
Good conversation.
And a few hours around the same table. So let’s get that long overdue catch up booked, eh?
