Eating Out Guide: Glasgow
BREAKFAST
Roaster’s Deli
192 St Vincent Street. Roastersdeli.com
OMFG. My reaction when this plate of pancakes was placed in
front of me. A trio of Oreo, raspberry white chocolate and New York
cheesecake...pancake heaven. Best
pancakes in town. Also try out their
grilled cheese sandwiches (including a Mac N Cheese one) and the massive veggie
brekkies. Yum yum.
Riverhill Café
3 West Nile Street. Riverhillcafe.com
Via Riverhill Cafe
They do a top notch tattie scone brioche roll here. Coupled with great hot choc, it was my go-to
brekkie catchup of choice when I worked in the city centre. And did someone mention cake? As they have it here. In ample supply.
LUNCH
Café Strange Brew
Pollockshaws Road. Facebook.com/cafestrangebrew
Located in the heart of Shawlands (they’re just about to
move across the road from their old venue FYI), rock up to this place at the
weekend for one of the best brunches in town.
They do one hell of an almighty fine soup and sandwich deal. My recommendation would be the halloumi,
chilli jam, spring onion and leaves on their bloomer bread. Divine.
Topolabamba
89 St Vincent Street. Topolabamba.com
Via Topolabamba
As soon as you walk through the door you’ll get hit with the
Mexican street food vibe this place is famous for. Tapas style Mexican food that get your taste
buds dancing – holy guacamole (sorry!). You’ll
find classic Mexican dishes like burritos and enchiladas on the menu as well as
sharing options of items like taquitos, quesidillas, huevos ranchero etc. For the bargain hunters out there, if you
fancy a late lunch, head there mid-week between 3-6pm to try out their £1
tacos.
Big Feed Glasgow
Govan. Facebook.com/bigfeedgla
Via BigFeedGla
This street food market launched earlier this month and now
looks set to be a regular occurrence at its Govan warehouse location. If you’re looking for food, drinks, live
music, entertainment and something a little bit different, then this place is
for you. Last weekend’s outing saw
vendors such as Chompsky, Nomad Pizza, Street Food Putter Club, Julie’s Street
Kitchen, mobile prosecco bar Fizz Buz and more.
DINNER
Opium
191 Hope Street.
Opiumrestaurant.co.uk
Via Opium
For me, this one is one of the best date night venues in
town. Absolutely stunning décor, beautiful food (try the spring rolls – OMG the
sauce – and the macau vegetables curry), beautiful wine, everything about this
place is just damn beautiful. It’s more
upmarket with its prices but worth it for a treat night.
Lebowskis
67 Nithsdale Street, Lebowskis.co.uk
If it’s burgers you’re after, then you need to check this
place out. The veggie burger was one of
the best I’ve had and trust me on this one....get the devil tats, they are out
of this world amazing. They also have an
extensive cocktail menu and board games, making it the perfect foodie night
out. I’ll be checking out their sister location in Finnieston asap.
Church on the Hill
16 Algie Street. Churchonthehill.co.uk
For me, this one’s a winner for its relaxed atmosphere, food
that makes you not want to stop eating and great cocktails and beer to wash it
all down with. Hit them up during the
week for the pub quiz night or just chill there for a few hours at the weekend
and relax.
Balbirs
7 Church Street.
Balbirs.co.uk
Via Balbirs
It seems crazy that I’m saying this, but until last year, I
had never had an Indian meal. I know,
crazy right!? The best Indian I’ve had
(since this phenomenal culinary discovery) was here at Balbirs. The restaurant interior is stunning, you feel
like you’ve been swept away to New York in the 1920s which sounds crazy to say
about an Indian restaurant but this is fine dining Indian at its best. Get the chickpea starter.
DRINKS
Black Dove
67 Kilmarnock Road. Blackdovedining.com
Via Black Dove Dining
I don’t know where to start with this one. Mainly as I just love the damn cocktails in
this place. The drumstick cocktail was a flashback to my youth. Then there’s the Brockmans Bramble. My advice is to grab a seat at the front of
the restaurant, order a few cocktails, order a slice of the salted caramel tart
and watch the world go by. Another one
with a beautiful interior also. A
welcome addition to the southside. I’m
just praying to the cheese Gods that they add a Mac n Cheese to the menu
because I think it would pretty much jump to my number 1 Mac spot.
Howlin’ Wolf
100 Bath Street.
Thehowlinwolf.co.uk
Via Howlin' Wolf
Intimate feel, live music, great service...when I step
inside this place I feel like I’ve rocked up in Beale Street, Memphis. Definitely one to add to your ‘date night’
list. That includes mates as well, many
a night has been spent with my friend Karen and a bottle of wine in here. Just watch out for the creepy red lighting
when you’re taking pictures...
Swing LTD
183 Hope Street.
Swingltd.co.uk
Via SwingLTD
Head underground and be treated to a scene right out the
roaring 1920s. Live jazz, blues, soul
and funk bands, aerial acrobats, performance acts....just sit back, sip a
cocktail and some champagne and enjoy this unique venue. Make sure you let your hair down and get up
and dance too.
Malones
57-59 Sauchiehall Lane.
Malonesbarglasgow.com
Via Malones Glasgow
Okay, this one is here because every single time I’ve been,
I have had an insanely fun night. Good
craic (ahem), fantastic live Irish music and good banter with the crowds. This place just has it. Although please please stop playing Kings of
Leon. Gimmie Galway Girl and the Hills
of Donegal and I’m off jigging like I’m Michael Flatley...which I’m not. So thank you to the punters for being most
kind during my dodgy Irish reel ‘perfomances’.
FURTHER AFIELD...
If you fancy a short day trip to foodie heaven outside
Glasgow, get these places on your list stat!
The George Hotel, Inverary – head here for the best Mac n
Cheese ever. Seriously, it’s the best Mac I’ve ever had. Hands down.
I’ve heard it does the best fish & chips too.
La Barca, Helensburgh – I was completely blown away with
this place on a recent visit. Mouthwatering tapas dishes, plenty of veggie
options, decent prices and great hearty portion sizes. I’ll be back here as soon as possible.
Duck Bay Hotel, Loch Lomond – beautiful food in a stunning
setting on the banks of Loch Lomond.
Watch the boats speed by through the floor to ceiling windows while
dining on the tasty dishes on the menu (I recommend the fajitas and the
sundaes). Great for lunch on a hot
summers day.
Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha – the Mac n Cheese in this place is
bomb. Perfect coupled with a hike up
nearby Conic Hill. You will crawl into
this place with sheer glee and demolish the mac in about 3 seconds flat. No seriously, I pretty much achieved that last
time...
The Mill House, Stewarton – I stumbled across this
restaurant a few weeks ago and WOW. Beautiful décor inside with cute little
booths, food was great with the set menu providing really good value for a
mid-week meal.
Anstruther Fish & Chips – the Mac n Cheese I got here
could pretty much have served the 5000. Coupled
with a side of chips, bread & butter and a can of juice, all for only
around £8 and I was truly impressed by this place.
Leanne x