Who is the head chef at El Santo Glasgow?

The head chef at El Santo is Brazilian-born chef Juliana Kipper.

El Santo Glasgow launches new summer menu ahead of Scotland vs Brazil World Cup clash

Looking for vibrant South American food in Glasgow? We visited El Santo to try their new summer menu packed with charcoal grilled dishes, colourful cocktails and Brazilian-inspired flavours ahead of the Scotland vs Brazil World Cup clash.

The new menu has been created by Brazilian-born head chef Juliana Kipper, who has refreshed both the food and drinks offer at the three-year-old Merchant City restaurant.

Expect bold flavours, colourful cocktails and dishes cooked over the restaurant’s Parilla charcoal grill, with the menu bringing together South American inspiration and quality Scottish produce.

What’s on the new El Santo summer menu?

Highlights from the new food menu include Peruvian chicken anticucho and charcoal-grilled sea bream served with pickled fennel and a mezcal-infused coriander bisque.

Small plates include Brazilian pastries filled with Atlantic shrimps and a refreshing heirloom watermelon tiradito.

The drinks menu has also been refreshed for summer, with new cocktails including the Yuzu Gimlet, made with Shipyard Gin, Chartreuse and lime, and Tropic Like It’s Hot, a mix of Tapatio, Passoã, passionfruit and Chartreuse finished with a vanilla Prosecco foam.

“We are thrilled at El Santo to launch this new menu, which once again provides a delicious culinary journey through South America, enhanced with incredible Scottish produce. This new menu, which coincides with a refresh of our wide-ranging drinks menu at El Santo, will take us through the summer, a highlight of which, of course, will be Scotland vs Brazil at the FIFA World Cup in June.”

Juliana Kipper, Head Chef at El Santo

World Cup celebrations in Glasgow

Alongside her work at El Santo, Juliana is also involved in the Brazilian Street Food Challenge, which could see winning dishes prepared in Miami for an official event ahead of the Brazil vs Scotland World Cup match.

She is also advising the Honorary Consul for Brazil on the official World Cup fan zone at Arta in Glasgow, where winning fusion dishes may feature during the tournament celebrations.

“It’s going to be a very busy time between now and June. As ever, I am committed to doing Brazilian cuisine proud!”

Juliana Kipper

Foodie Explorers review

Menu at El Santo Glasgow

A couple of cocktails to help us along the way of choosing our dishes for the night. A banoffee pie – discarded banana, banana liquer, Pedro Ximenez, toffee and cream. The PX was a sign to order this one and it worked beautifully giving depth to what could have been, in theory, an overly creamy drink.

One of the standout cocktails from the new menu was the Yuzu Gimlet, a sharp and refreshing combination of Shipyard Gin, Chartreuse and lime. The citrus flavours were bright and punchy with just enough herbal depth from the Chartreuse to balance the sweetness.

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What we tried

We love some padron peppers, so these had to be ordered. These were straight off the grill, burning hot in that they taste amazing yet burn the mouth off you but it is worth it kind of way. These have the usual salt flourish with some added ponzu glaze for sweetness.

Yellowfin tuna tostada, sashimi-grade tuna, salsa negra, whipped avocado and kimchi emulsion. We shared one of these, and would happily order a couple for ourselves next time. Tender tuna with layers of flavours from the salsa and kimchi.

Pastel del camaro – Brazilian pastry filled with shrimp and citric aioli. Looking like the cousin of the McDonald’s pie. Don’t let that put you off. This wasn’t a tasteless molten pie. This was a sharp mayo-coated shrimp with lots of flavour. Think of it more like an empanada with tasty chunks.

Heirloom watermelon teradito was our final small plate. Compressed watermelon, citrus ponzu, velvet cashew cream and toasted sesame seeds. A twist on the usual teradito with it being watermelon instead of fish. Fresh heirloom watermelon paired with sharp citrus and delicate seasoning made this one of the lighter dishes on the menu and a good contrast to the richer grilled options.

Here are our main courses, served with a side of yucca chips. The yucca chips are crispy and similar to a sweet potato wedge. Easy to munch away on and very filling.

Peruvian chicken anticucho – skewered thigh meat marinated in Latin spices, grilled with charred peppers and onions and served with farofa on the side. Farofa is toasted casava flour, so it’s like a toasted breadcrumb texture. We are sure there is a dollop of two of garlic in there, which made it even better. The chicken thigh was moist, flavoursome and moreish. The chicken anticuchio delivered smoky charred edges with tender meat underneath. Packed with spice and grilled flavour, this dish is ideal for sharing alongside cocktails.

Picanha steak – or rump as you will probably know it more as. We ordered this medium rare, and it delivered. Moist, tender and flavoursome. There are a choice of sauces available, we had some chimichurri alongside this as it is a fave of ours. As expected herby, garlicky and vinegary.

By this point we were full, however, we also have a dessert stomach! So we had a look at the El Santo dessert menu.

Last time we visited El Santo we shared the trio of desserts, this time Mark wanted the chocolate cigar. A chocolate cigar, passionfruit mousse with smoked tea ash. The cigar is served inside a box, so you get the theatre of opening your cigar box after your meal.

A warm pina colada for me – corn cake, pineapple confit, coconut and lime ice cream, and tonka bean custard. A delicious crossover of a British-style dessert with Latin American flavours. Warning, that corn cake is HUGE and filling.

Would we return?

Yes, we have been impressed with El Santo on all the trips we have made, both invited and on our own. We tried their Rodizio and wrote about it on Glasgow Foodie, we have pencilled in a further visit with friends to have some more.

Foodie Explorers tips

Book ahead if visiting around the Scotland vs Brazil World Cup fixture.
Try something from the Parilla charcoal grill for the full El Santo experience.
The new cocktail menu sounds ideal for a summer night out in Merchant City.
El Santo is well placed for a wider Merchant City food and drink crawl.

Book a table at El Santo Glasgow

Address: 84 Miller Street, Glasgow G1 1DT
Nearest station: Argyle Street Station / Glasgow Queen Street
🍴Cuisine: South American-inspired small plates and grill
Known for: Cocktails, sharing plates and Merchant City dining

You can find more information and book a table via the official El Santo website.

FAQs about El Santo Glasgow’s new summer menu

Where is El Santo in Glasgow?

El Santo Bar & Restaurant is located on Miller Street in Glasgow’s Merchant City.

What kind of food does El Santo serve?

El Santo serves South American-inspired food, with dishes influenced by Brazilian, Peruvian and wider Latin American cooking.

Is El Santo worth visiting?

If you enjoy colourful cocktails, smoky grilled dishes and lively restaurants with atmosphere, then El Santo is well worth adding to your Glasgow dining list.

The new summer menu feels playful and seasonal while still retaining the bold flavours the restaurant is known for. The cocktails alone make it worth visiting, however the grilled dishes and sharing plates ensure there is plenty to keep diners coming back.

For visitors exploring Glasgow city centre, El Santo is also ideally located near Merchant Square, Trongate and the Gallery of Modern Art, making it a good stop during a day or evening exploring the city.

What are the highlights of the new El Santo summer menu?

New dishes include Peruvian chicken anticucho, charcoal-grilled sea bream, Brazilian pastries filled with Atlantic shrimps and heirloom watermelon tiradito.