What is in season in Glasgow. and what to order when the market changes.

Spring

  • Wild garlic: Wild garlic carpets the woods along the Kelvin and the Clyde in spring, turning up in soups and pestos on West End menus through April and May.
  • Sea trout: Scottish sea trout runs the west-coast rivers in late spring, appearing on the fish boards at Crabshakk, Gamba and The Finnieston.
  • Forced rhubarb: Early Scottish rhubarb brightens desserts and brunch plates across Glasgow from March, from Cottonrake bakes to cranachan variations.

Summer

  • Langoustine: West-coast langoustine is at its best through summer, landed from Loch Fyne and the sea lochs and grilled simply at the Finnieston seafood counters.
  • Scottish berries: Perthshire and Ayrshire strawberries and raspberries flood the markets from June, going into brunch plates, tarts and Scotland's cranachan.
  • Mackerel: Oily, cheap and abundant in summer, mackerel is grilled or smoked along the Clyde coast and shows up on Glasgow small-plates menus.

Autumn

  • Grouse and game: The grouse season opens on 12 August and runs into autumn; venison, partridge and pheasant follow onto menus at the Ubiquitous Chip and Two Fat Ladies.
  • Loch Fyne oysters: Native and rock oysters from Loch Fyne are at their prime as the water cools from September, shucked at Crabshakk, Gamba and the loch's own oyster bar.
  • Wild mushrooms: Chanterelles and ceps come out of Scottish woodland in autumn, thickening risottos and game dishes across the city's kitchens.

Winter

  • Haggis, neeps and tatties: Burns Night on 25 January puts haggis, mashed neeps and tatties on every menu; Stravaigin and the Ubiquitous Chip cook their own year-round.
  • Scallops: Hand-dived west-coast scallops are sweet and firm in winter, seared and served with black pudding at Glasgow's seafood rooms.
  • Neeps and root vegetables: Swede, kale and root vegetables anchor winter cooking, from Scotch broth to the sides that come with a proper roast.
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