Located on Houston Square in the centre of Johnstone, Papamacs Gourmet Kitchen is a family affair. From the restaurant’s name, to the chef proprietor in the kitchen via the pics on the wall, this is a family-run business and that ethos shines through in the friendly and committed service. Brick walls and scrubbed wooden tables give Papamacs a fashionably stripped back feel but this is very much a welcoming neighbourhood concern.
The dishes at Papamacs Gourmet Kitchen use fresh, locally sourced ingredients, cooked using classic French techniques with a Scottish influence. Papamacs also holds steak nights on the last Thursday of each month. The chef proprietor has a starry CV that features many of Scotland’s most notable restaurants. While the dishes are thoughtful, carefully crafted and beautifully presented, they are also accessible.
The brunch menu is packed with breakfast options, several gourmet sandwich variations, pastas and popular lunch main courses such as bangers and mash or chilli beef nachos. The kitchen kicks up a gear with the evening menu. This might feature high end Scottish produce such as Tarbet-landed scallops or simpler ingredients which have been cleverly worked into appealing options like the tenderloin of Clyde valley pork served with chorizo mousse, a spinach and broccoli pavé, thyme infused rosti and a clove reduction.
Papamacs Gourmet Kitchen is on Houston Square in central Johnstone. There is free parking, accessible via William Street, just behind the restaurant. Johnstone train station is a five minute walk and the A737 provides fast access to and from Glasgow.