CAFES
In association with
GLASGOW
CAFES Glasgow’s diverse collection of cafés ranges from super sandwich purveyors and deli extraordinaires to expert tea brewers and Global culinary specialists. The bind that ties them all is a dedication to good cooking and ensuring diners leave with a smile on their face. Cafés can come and go at an alarming rate but many in this section are old hands, featured in these pages for years, and are well practised in giving patrons an enjoyable feed or an uplifting brew. Of course, there are plenty of new openers, setting out stalls and competing in a marketplace that is undeniably crowded but full of passion, commitment and heaps of coffee. Reviewers: Kat Borrowdale, Sucheta Dutt, David Kirkwood, Kirsty Logan, Malcolm McGonigle, Andrea Pearson, Lewis Renton
venture from the original owners of Tribeca in Partick, who recently sold their American diner to set up this smaller but no less US-flavoured operation, signalled by shiny Vespas outside. On offer are enjoyable breakfasts, including filled croissants and pancake stacks with lashings of butter and syrup, and lunchtime sustenance such as panini melts and wraps with Transatlantic themes, as well as enticing French dip rolls of various meats for dipping in gravy. Takeaways for the local business-brains drive much of the footfall but the revamped interior, long and thin with a smattering of Americana, is a good spot for taking a little more time over a good brew, US-sized cupcake or indulgent icecream shake featuring flavours such as Orio cookies or Cherry Pie. A weekend menu offers a more leisurely approach with big brunches including the Double Double (two hits of various breakfast items) and eggs done various ways with the likes of black pudding and Loch Fyne salmon. + Chilled weekend brunch when the office folk are at home - Awkwardly laid-out venue
Artisan Roast 15–17 Gibson Street, West End (Map 9A: F3, 76) 07449325247, artisanroast.co.uk | £7 (lunch)
No matter how serious you are about coffee, the staff of Artisan Roast are more serious. Their friendly diligence is worth it, as they serve some of the best coffee in Glasgow. No fancy syrups, no 1-litre lattes: just high-quality coffee, all roasted on-site once a week. Food-wise there’s a high-quality and daily-changing selection of soup, sandwiches, brioche and cake. The caramelised onion brioche is perfectly balanced, with the sweetness coming from the onion rather than the bread dough. Also recommended are the huge fruit scones and the salted caramel and date slice. If you’ve had enough caffeine, there’s a wide choice of loose-leaf tea and hot chocolate. All the food is vegetarian and made in-house by the staff from locally sourced ingredients. However, don’t be late if you want options: the food is all prepared daily so when it’s gone, it’s gone. Everything on offer is fresh, delicious, and prepared with real care and knowledge. A delight for even the pickiest coffee-lover. + The black stuff - No sandwiches on Sundays
All That is Coffee Alba 481 Great Western Road, West End (Map 9A: F2, 66) 0141 237 7902, albacafe. wordpress.com | Closed Sun/Mon | £7 (lunch)
There’s a cosy, homely feel to Alba with an upstairs space not unlike an attic living room with sofas and chairs to enjoy whiling away on wifi or reading vintage comic and cookbooks displayed on the sideboard. What’s more, exclusive to the solo diner is a perfectly pitched bar stool and table with a heightened view of GWR. The food on offer is well above-average café offerings, so don’t be surprised to find all the baking, quiche tartlets, soups and specials all freshly prepared on site by hospitable owners Brendan and Anne, with organic bread supplied from the renowned Tapa bakery. The Italian sausage roll is generously filled with meat and could either be served with salad and coleslaw or rather differently, spicy beans – options which help define the café’s individual approach to food. An old Scottish recipe paradise cake, is sweet and fruity and couples well with the rich and smooth Lucaffe coffee. + Artisan food, cosy surroundings and hospitable service - The table space downstairs may be too small for some
South Block, 60 Osborne Street, City Centre See Arts Venues
4 Avenue G
An Clachan
‘We Enjoy Serving Great Coffee,’ proudly declares the Avenue G website, and their very skilled barista staff certainly do not fail to live up to their billing. Coffee comes in all shades and forms – and for those who do not consider themselves connoisseurs, the staff are on hand to discuss the wide array of options. Better still, each coffee is served with accompanying tasting note, including details of the geographical origin of the beans and what flavours should be expected, ensuring that after a brief visit you will wander back out on to Byres Road feeling like an expert. The food menu is extensive, covering everything from breakfast and light dishes, to altogether more hearty offerings, such as the bowl of chilli served with fresh bread. Saturdays and Sundays are home to ‘The Weekender’ – a humongous platter of breakfast treats that is sure to satisfy even the largest appetite. + Tasting notes with coffee improve customer knowledge - Upstairs seating is a little cramped
Off La Belle Place, West End (Map 9B: E1, 42) 07846 463614, kelvingroveparkcafe.co.uk | £8 (lunch)
Still a little bit of a secret located in the corner of Kelvingrove park, this café has much to recommend it: scenic setting, local and seasonal ingredients, solid cooking, imaginative recipes and great veggie and gluten-free choices. With a name meaning ’the village’ in Gaelic, it’s appropriately full of families and park-goers alike. Daily specials like red pesto, leek and onion sausage rolls and seasonal selections of vegetables in stew, chilli or wraps means regulars don’t get bored, while good kitchen choices – such as pairing chorizo and tomato with a fruity butternut squash in the chorizo wrap – ensure a tasty experience. Gluten-free cardamom and lemon cake is beautifully balanced, while carrot cake is sweet but wholesome. An Clachan also plays host to creative writing workshops and craft activities during the summer months. + Great variety of attentively created lunch dishes - Cakes can be a little too expensive
All Star Brunch Bar 531 Sauchiehall Street, West End (Map 9B: G2, 48) 0141 222 2848 | £8 (lunch)
This Charing Cross café is the latest
[Another] Piece 387 Great Western Road, West End See Cafés: Wee Places
291 Byres Road, West End (Map 9A: C1, 46) 0141 339 5336, avenue-g.com | £6.25 (set lunch)
Avenue G Speciality Coffee House 321 Great Western Road, West End (Map 9A: G2, 86) 0141 339 1334, avenue-g.com | £7 (lunch)
4 HITLIST
CAFÉS 4 Avenue G Great coffee, top-quality food and welcoming, knowledgeable service – all the components of a great café, and more. 4 Delizique A West End favourite where dedication to detail and deft delivery are hallmarks that keep diners returning for more. 4 The Glad Café A creative hub for arts and music in the Southside, with a diverse lunch menu and seductively comfortable sofas.
4 Kember & Jones Fresh deli food coupled with homemade bread and great coffee – what more could anyone want?
4 Martha’s Healthy, tasty food done with style in the city centre, plus it is fast yet uncompromisingly good quality for takeaways. 4 McCune Smith Café A cultured newcomer that celebrates the Scottish Enlightenment, Glasgow’s history and the best local suppliers in a bright and airy spot on the East End’s periphery. 4 Siempre Bicycle Café This relaxed and friendly West End café takes its commitment to ethical, nutritious and delicious food seriously. 4 Sonny & Vito’s Great food and deli items bring a touch of the Mediterranean to the West End – especially when the sun is out. 4 The Tearooms at the Butterfly & the Pig Quirky décor and a stuffed-to-bursting cake cabinet make this the perfect spot for an indulgent afternoon tea.
A brand new addition to the West End’s
4 TED HITTHLIS E LIST’S
IN NG & DRINKI EATINGGU IDE 2013/14
SMILE CAFÉ
BSA COFF AWAR EE D 2013/1 S 4
102 QUEEN MARGARET DRIVE | GLASGOW | G20 8NZ TEL: 07528661275 | smilecafe@live.com
The List Eating & Drinking Guide 137