Katsu is a japanese curry restaurant in Merchant City, Glasgow. Rated 4.6 stars from 575 Google reviews. Known for authentic katsu curry and generous portions at fair price. Best for solo dining and quick lunch. Price range: £10–20.
Rankings updated June 2026
Katsu
Across 554 rated reviews, 91% gave four or five stars.
| Rating | 4.6★ |
| Reviews | 575 |
| 1-star share | 4.7% |
| Best for | Lunch |
In Their Own Words
Review highlights surfaced by Google — shown in English, with the original beneath
“Lovely japanese atmosphere, perfect service and delicious food for a good price.”
“Such a cute place, great food, lovely staff, superb choice of music.”
“We ordered Tofu Katsu Curry with rice and Sweet potato Katsu Curry with rice.”
605 reviews across two platforms
Better value than the Merchant City average
Around £15 a head, below the £25 typical for Merchant City at the same 4.6★ rating as the area. Based on the 15 Merchant City venues we hold Google pricing for.
Quick Verdict
Katsu is Glasgow's go-to for authentic, affordable Japanese curry—best experienced solo or in pairs at the counter, with exceptional value and speed.
You want the best katsu curry in Glasgow at a fair price, and you're comfortable in a small, lively counter setting.
About Katsu
Katsu is a compact Japanese curry specialist in Merchant City that has earned a devoted following for its fresh, flavourful katsu—fried to order with a delicate crust—and deeply satisfying curry sauces that reviewers describe as "a warm hug in a bowl". The chicken and duck tonkatsu are standouts, arriving piping hot with generous portions that belie the modest £10–20 price point. Counter-style seating puts diners within clear view of the open kitchen, creating an intimate, lively atmosphere that feels authentic and unpretentious. Staff are consistently praised as warm, welcoming, and helpful with the menu, and the space has been thoughtfully decorated with a trendy vibe. While the venue is small and seating is tight—best suited to solo diners or pairs—the speed of service and quality of the food make it a natural draw for lunch, dinner, and late-night cravings. Free soup arrives with meals, and the kitchen accommodates off-menu requests with ease.
In the last 90 days, Katsu has drawn 22 substantial written reviews (50+ characters of genuine feedback) — recent momentum that is one of the signals behind its place on the hot list.
What Stands Out
Authentic katsu curry
Reviewers consistently call it 'the best katsu curry' in Glasgow, with curry bases described as 'one of the best I've ever had' and perfectly fried, delicate crusts on chicken and duck tonkatsu.
Generous portions at fair price
Multiple reviews highlight 'big portions', 'amazing portion sizes', and 'great price, portions and taste' for £10–20, with one reviewer calling it 'great value'.
Warm, attentive staff and welcoming vibe
Staff are repeatedly described as 'lovely', 'friendly', 'warm and welcoming', and 'professional and accommodating', with one reviewer noting a personal Valentine's Day rose.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Contact
Frequently Asked Questions about Katsu
Yes—bar-style seating is ideal for solo diners, and reviewers specifically praise the welcoming atmosphere for eating alone. Staff are warm and accommodating, and the quick service suits a solo lunch or dinner perfectly.
Service is fast; most reviews note food arrives quickly. The restaurant is busy, especially at lunch, so expect a short wait during peak times, but it moves efficiently.
The chicken and duck katsu are standouts, fried to order with a delicate crust and served with exceptional curry sauce. Pork gyoza and salt-and-chilli wings are also highly praised.
Yes—the menu includes vegetarian and vegan options, and the kitchen will make off-menu requests like tempura vegetables with care.
Reservations are accepted and required during busy periods. Counter seating is limited, so booking ahead is recommended, especially for groups.
Parking in Merchant City is usually difficult to find, so public transport or a taxi is recommended.
Also in Merchant City
View all1 venue changed rank in Merchant City this week → See full zone ranking
How We Rank Venues
Rankings are recalculated monthly from live Google Business Profile data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity (new text reviews in 90 days), recency (how fresh), baseline rating, and Google Business Profile completeness. No editorial picks, no paid placements — just what the data says this month.
How our monthly rankings work