Fish Plaice

The Fish Plaice on the corner of St Andrews Sq and Saltmarket is a bit of an institution in Glasgow, it’s normally a fishmongers with a cracking range of fish, shellfish, and game. So I was super excited to hear they were turning the lane into a pop up for the games, cooking up all their delicious fish on the premises.
The lane has been transformed into a really cool bar area with an big canopy to protect us from the Glasgow weather and tables for dining towards the back. Loads of wood, mismatched furniture, picnic benches, ambient lighting. I like it.
Now, it is really busy due to it’s pop up nature and it’s already gained a loyal crowd of fish lovers so expect to wait for a table as no bookings are taken. The soundtrack has been provided by well known Glasgow djs so even if the wait is over and hour it’s a cool place to hang out, sipping on sea themed cocktails, decent beers and wines.
The menu is divided up by small plates, large plates, shellfish, sandwiches, market menu plus loads of things can be shared which I like doing. Classics like fish and chips sit alongside fresh lobsters and fruit de mer, unusual things like lobster dogs (a staple in Boston, USA) plus burgers for non fish eaters. I’ve eaten here a few times now so won’t review each dish. But they are all pretty good, especially the lobster and the monkfish curry. I’ll just add some pics and the menu and see for yourself. It’s not the cheapest place to eat in Glasgow but I think good fish is worth the money and the vibe is so good I’m pretty sure you’ll have a good night.
So glad to hear it’s got a 10 day extension after the games. Im gonna make the most of it cause when it’s gone, it’s gone. Definitely worth checking out if your out and about this week!

I shop in the fish plaice regularly and was excited to hear they were opening a pop up! I attempted to go the first Saturday they were open however was told it was closed when we got there with no explanation why, even though they place was packed! So went back the following Friday at 5:30pm and was told it would be an hour an a half wait for a table. We were expecting this so we ordered drinks and sat at the bar which was mobbed! The prices for drinks were quite expensive but the prosecco was lovely. After 2 hours we were finally taken to our seat. We had the choice of sharing a table of sitting at a table for 2 even though there was 3 of us. We sat at the table for 2 and ordered food straight away. Unfortunately I think our order was lost as we waited about an hour for our food. I ordered the lobster dog which was good but was £15 and it had about 2 pieces of lobster in it. I would be happy to pay half the price for this. Others ordered fish and chips which was tasty and reasonably priced. My friend ordered the hall lobster which I though was quite small for £16.50 and we also ordered a pint of prawns which took ages to de shell. The bloody mary mayo that came with them was good. The chips were average. some to crispy.
It then took about half an hour to get out bill after we had asked for it.
Overall the food could have been better and I hope it will be better if they open a permanent restaurant. I staff were lovely and the place has a great vibe and looks impressive (luckily it was sunny when we went. might be different if it was raining!).
I understand it was extremely busy as its only open for 2 weeks so I will forgive the slow service and I look forward to them stepping it up if they open up a place for good!

Heard about this place and loved the idea of a pop up fish plaice and thought we better check it out quick before it disappeared this weekend.
Loved the setting, a famous Glasgow fish mongers in a part of town you would not normally go for food. The décor was right on theme. Very bohemian and basic. Old mismatched chairs and rickety tables.
Why so low in terms off stars?
The wait was awful, 1.5 hours. I can handle it being busy and popular. It’s during the commonwealth games so it should be busy. But you soon realise it’s because it seems to be organised chaos! A bit of organisation and all would have been much smoother and far far quicker!
Food was average. Monkfish curry was good. The nicest dish by far. Everything else was a bit tasteless. So the goujons were really bland, the fish soup/​stew was tasteless and the calamari was ok, but looked a but forlorn.
All a bit disappointing and pretty expensive to boot. Great idea, looks the part but could be far better executed in terms of the food.
Sadly 3 stars. Wanted so much for it to be 5.
P.s they do some decent beers, but keep running out and serving them warm or never getting them back in stock:

It’s quirky, Doon a lane and tables made out of old pallets and crates! We hung out in the bar are whilst we waited on out table as the vibe cool, the weather was warm and the place was jumping. Plenty of people watching!
After a lengthy wait (just shy of 2 hours) it’s our turn. Under pressure from the staff to choose our dishes — they didn’t understand why we had not chosen our dished, maybe because nobody gave us a menu? We choose a few dishes to share. First up the Monkfish tikka masala! Well all four stars go to this dish! Calamari was nice along with the fish goujons which in fact were the biggest Goujons I had ever seen and a side of fries! We also got some form of chowder which was absolutely disgusting. Very bland an a wee bit on the watery side and not much of a chowder more like a stock cube in water with no seasoning! They had a good selection of beers but had sold out of most of them!
This had the potential to be amazing but the staff were a riot, nobody knew who’s bill was who’s, the poor host guy was run ragged. On top of all of that we waited ages for our bill! When you wait this length of time your expectations a very high and this was overpriced boarder line average! All four stars are for the monkfish curry!