“Anyone who still labours under the misconception that Scottish cuisine is just a huge mound of tasteless, grey mince and tatties topped off with a deep-fried Mars bar should eat here. You won’t find bland, cloying stodge at the Pipers’ Tryst. It’s a modern, candle-lit dining room, holding in abeyance the image of Scotland as a twee, tartan-draped Brigadoon-fantasy land where the whirr of the bagpipes is constantly heard. Having said this, the Pipers’ Tryst is part of the piping centre, so avoiding the sound of the pipes isn’t really an option. The wonderfully Caledonian menu includes a few dishes that can come either as a starter or a main course, such as a properly peppery haggis with neeps and tatties. It’s simple Scottish food done very well. The fish and chips is so perfectly fresh that it puts you in mind of eating a fish supper on a west coast seafront. Weekly specials include an Aberdeen Angus beef fillet with a creamily robust blue cheese glaze and a rich wild mushroom ragú, and, for dessert, fresh Scottish raspberries enveloped in cranachan beat those mythical deep-fried Mars bars any day.”
“We enjoyed a delightful romantic dinner at the Pipers’ Tryst. It was our first visit and we were pleasantly surprised by the intimate atmosphere. The food was well prepared with some excellent Scottish dishes. I would recommend the steak with black pudding and the meringue desert with the cream and strawberries was to ‘die for’. The service was first class and the waiting staff helpful and attentive but unobtrusive. I would recommend to anyone looking for excellent Scottish cuisine in a cosy environment. A lovely meal. We will be back and bring our friends”
“I stayed at The Pipers’ Tryst recently and had a wonderful time. What a nice, friendly hotel. It is small - only 8 bedrooms but really is a ‘home from home’. The staff were amazing…so friendly and couldn’t have done enough; even the general manager was serving breakfast on my last morning and then cleaning the bedrooms with the housekeeper.”
“All the Scottish favourites were on the menu - cullen skink, mince n tatties, haggis, cranachan etc. However I decide to order the Smoked Rannoch venison salad, which was drizzled with a sweet beetroot dressing. For my main course I opted for a daily special which was smoked haddock risotto which was topped with a perfectly poached egg and parmesan…yum!! Dessert was a rich chocolate fondant which came with shortbread ice cream and was delicious. All in all, great food, great prices and lovely service. I would recommend this little hotel to any one visiting Glasgow. It was an excellent stay! I will be back…. :-)”
“The staff at the Piping Centre really could not be more helpful. They are amongst the most professional I’ve come across in my many stays in the world’s hotels! The facilities at the PC are great, the hall we had the ceremony, meal and dancing in is beautiful. The building is an old church, so lots of interesting nooks and crannys and stained glass all around. The rooms themselves are spacious, light, bright and newly decorated. The shower I recall was excellent and the beds very comfortable. I stayed in the double room for 2 nights, once as a single woman and then the next night as a married one!
The location is excellent for tourists - right next to Cowcaddens Underground Station and a 5 minute walk to Buchanan Bus Station and Queen Street Station. Only a 10 minute walk to Central Station or a short cab ride. On a nice day, a pleasant 20 minute walk will take you to the sights of the West End. The restaurant at the PC is excellent, Scottish dishes with a twist are on offer. I have dined here a few times for lunch and dinner, and never been disappointed. If you’re looking for different cuisines, you are only a short walk from just about anything - Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, French, seafood, Mexican - there is a huge range to suit all. All in all, I’d recommend a stay here without a second thought!”
EatScotland’s independent assessor said:
“This welcoming café bar offers healthy traditional Scottish cuisine with a contemporary twist. Ideally situated on the fringe of Glasgow’s theatreland and city centre shopping, it is an enjoyable, relaxing brasserie for all day light lunches, snacks and sandwiches as well as for pre theatre and a la carte dining in the evening.” Highland venison terrine with a spicy pear chutney and melba toast “Very tasty venison terrine with a good depth of flavour, complemented by the sweet-sour tartness of the chutney. A well balanced dish, with contrasting textures, colours and flavours.” Cloutie Dumpling with Glayva Ice Cream “The individually prepared cloutie dumpling was bursting with sticky, spicy tastes and was most enjoyable.”
