Battlefield Rest
££
Key
- (£) budget friendly
- (££) mid-range
- (£££) high-end eateries
– Vegan friendly.
What’s it all about?
A bustling family run Italian bistro, serving high-quality dishes loved by generations of locals.
Taste the Place - don’t miss:
Top and tail your main with Haggis Polpette to start and Tiramisu to finish.
What's the inspiration behind Battlefield Rest?
Born in Glasgow to first generation Italian immigrants, Glasgow hospitality legend, Marco Giannasi, founded Battlefield Rest in 1994. Although retired, Marco is still involved with the business under the new ownership of long-term employees, Alex Matheson and Jen Doherty.
Marco was forced to return to Tuscany, aged just six, when Italy declared war in the 1940s and riots against Glasgow’s Italian establishments became commonplace. After graduating, Marco returned to Glasgow to manage his parents’ restaurant, L’Ariosto. After honing his skills, Marco opened his own restaurant, housed within the Southside’s former tram shelter in Battlefield.
Built in 1915, Battlefield was once a popular resting place for travellers. As trams gradually went out of use, so too did the building, until Marco saw its potential and transformed it into the restaurant it is today. And it is here that he gained the expertise that saw him go on to win a number of coveted prizes and mark an impressive 50 years within the hospitality sector.
What role does Battlefield Rest play in creating a sense of community and belonging?
Despite qualifying as a B-listed building in 1981, this popular local landmark was condemned for demolition in the 1990s. With the support of the local community, 1,500 people signed a petition to save the building, and Marco bought the plot from Glasgow City Council for £1. With this, he embarked on an ambitious restoration project, sensitively transforming the tram shelter – while working carefully to maintain and restore some of its heritage architectural features.
Fun fact – did you know?
The original tram lines can still be found under the neighbouring roads in and around the Battlefield Rest.
Where to find them:
55 Battlefield Road, Langside, Glasgow G42 9JL