Best places to eat in Glasgow

The pizza scene in Glasgow is on the rise and it looks like they’ve thought about accessibility! With Pizza Punks on Saint Vincent Street and the authentic Paesano Pizza on Miller Street, it’s never easy choosing where to go. There’s portable ramp access to Pizza Punks, but at Paesano you can roll right in.

Vegetarians should check out Mono Café Bar. Here you can buy CDs and records, and there’s an accessible loo for visitors.

If it’s seafood you’re into, you’ll probably enjoy the menu at Gandolfi Fish. There’s accessible loos inside, as well as accessible parking. One visitor said the ‘atmosphere, mindful staff, and food were excellent.’ They added that the ‘scallops and black pudding do not disappoint!’

For something a little more unusual, Pickled Ginger is an ‘authentic Japanese and Korean fusion restaurant’ where they serve cocktails to match every meal. The restaurant has ‘on street parking and level access’ but watch out for the tight spaces inside.

Big events in Glasgow

The city has many arenas and stadiums, many of which are accessible. The multi-purpose SSE Hydro indoor arena, used for music concerts and sporting events, among other activities, is ‘great for wheelchair users’ according to one visitor.

Another central indoor multi-purpose arena, Emirates Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, is used mainly as a spectating sporting venue. It’s a wheelchair accessible venue, with cycling, tennis, and basketball being played often. There are ‘plenty of disabled spaces’ according to one visitor, as well as ‘automatic doors and level access’ into the building.

If it’s football you’re into, the stadiums have been rated highly by reviewers on Euan’s Guide! Located in Parkhead, Celtic Park Stadium is one of the biggest football stadiums in Europe, being the home ground of Celtic Football Club. One disabled supporter said that the ‘staff could not be more helpful and considerate,’ with ‘fantastic flat access’ throughout.

Over at the rivals home, Ibrox Stadium has also been described as easily accessible by fans. It’s the home ground of Rangers F.C., and there’s accessible parking within the complex, and additional bays near the stadium. Inside there’s a ramp to the accessible toilets, described by one supporter as ‘clean and easily accessed.’

Glasgow’s top accessible museums and galleries

If you want to find out why Glasgow has become recognised as Scotland’s culture capital, start with its massive selection of museums! A Victorian sailing ship restored into a historic touring exhibition sits on the River Clyde, and it’s a great place to take a photo. The Tall Ship at Riverside has a large accessible car park and a regular accessible bus service if you don’t drive. There’s a lift inside the ship which goes to the different decks, as well as a ‘decently sized accessible loo.’ One visitor said it was ‘surprisingly accessible – a lot of thought has gone into making it an inclusive place to visit.’

Art enthusiasts should check out the Gallery of Modern Art, looking out for the city’s famous traffic-cone adorned statue out front. The venue has automatic double doors at the entrance for wheelchair access, with ramps and ‘signs mapping out the venue’ according to one visitor.

One of the country’s most popular free museums, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum houses some of Europe’s most loved art collections. There’s a nearby accessible car park and ‘a plentiful number of disabled toilets’ according to one visitor. They added that there’s ‘an alternative entrance at the back of the building which allows access for wheelchair users.’

Experience theatre and film in Glasgow

As Glasgow’s oldest theatre, Theatre Royal takes visitors back in time and is home to the Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet. There’s nearby accessible parking, and one visitor said that ‘staff are happy to book taxis and assist people into them if necessary.’ There are many wheelchair-allocated spaces, as well as ‘wheelchair access from all entrances, and lift access to each floor.’ The theatre also has ‘a great range of accessible performances, including audio-described, captioned, signed, and relaxed performances.’

Writing about the Glasgow Film Theatre, one cinema-goer told us: ‘I was amazed at how they’ve managed to make such an old building so accessible. Very pleasantly surprised!’

Views of the Clyde

To see the River Clyde up close, Clyde Walkway and Millennium Bridge is the place to go. One wheelchair user said it had ‘surprisingly good access,’ as well as ‘good surfaces to wheel along, with plenty of room to have a conversation rather than having to wheel in the usual train formation!’

If you want to take in all of Glasgow’s big monuments, check out the City Sightseeing tour. One visitor said the sightseeing tour is ‘a great way to visit city centre attractions without the hassle of parking.’ The buses are accessible, with one person saying ‘the bus driver folded out a ramp’ to make it a wheelchair accessible space.

Accessible family days out in Glasgow

If you’re wanting a go-karting family day out, try out The Experience. There’s an accessible go-karting track at the venue, as well as a spacious café. ‘Everything is on the ground floor’ according to one visitor, with level access throughout making it wheelchair accessible. There’s also a hoist to get in and out of the go-kart, as well as an assisted driver if you wish.

Glasgow Science Centre provides ‘such a great day out for the whole family’ according to one visitor. Overlooking the River Clyde, there’s interactive workshops, labs, and science show theatres to keep both the kids and adults entertained. There’s an accessible loo, which ‘has everything you could ask for’ according to one person, as well as ‘lots of disabled parking bays in the car park.’

Where to shop in Glasgow

Glasgow dominates the Scottish shopping scene with retro malls, independent boutiques, and huge high street shops lining the city’s Style Mile where many of the stores stay open until 7pm. Start in Buchanan Street, the busker-filled boulevard, before venturing into the ornate shopping malls and department stores.

The city’s major malls have been rated highly for disabled access, but a visit to Argyll Arcade is a must if you’re in search of jewellery. The covered street is filled with jewellers and feels wonderfully nostalgic. One shopper said it was ‘undercover with a smooth-floored easy to access arcade and plenty of shops.’

For 21st century shopping, St Enoch Centre Scotland’s largest mall and a remarkable glass building. Here you’ll find familiar high street shops and places to eat and gather with friends. One person loved the ‘accessible open fronts’ of the shops and said ‘the surface was easy to wheel on.’

Changing Places Toilets in Glasgow

Changing Places Toilets in Glasgow can be found at:

SSE Hydro
St. Enoch Centre
Glasgow Central Station
TouchBase
Tollcross International Swimming Centre

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Last updated – July 2018