Glasgow might not be Scotland’s capital city, but it is the biggest – and as a Weegie myself I have to say, we know how to have a good time. This fun-loving, down-to-earth attitude is what makes the city so special.
They say people make Glasgow, and that much is definitely true. It’s Scotland’s most diverse city, and with that wealth of culture comes an amazing food scene and the most welcoming people in the country. Glasgow is also home to around 90 parks and gardens, making it one of the leafiest cities in the UK and more than deserving of its affectionate nickname the ‘dear green place.’
Independent Shops & Makers
In the centre of town is a delightful little micro-batch chocolate shop called Bare Bones, run by local couple Lara and Cameron Dixon. From their charming pink shop they create the most delicious chocolate bars with minimal ingredients – hence the name – letting the natural flavour of the cocoa beans do the talking.
I’ll let you guess what Roots, Fruits & Flowers sell… this West End institution has been around for decades, providing locals with the best of Scottish produce – all organic, of course.
Just along the street is East End Press, which is the very definition of whimsical. Entering this gift shop is like stepping through a portal into a more cheerful, colourful version of the world. Owner (and Glasgow School of Art graduate) Ellie Hodesdon has created somewhere magical in the city.
By far my favourite florist in Glasgow is Blooms in Partick. Popping in here on Christmas Eve to select stems for my Christmas table is a tradition I look forward to every year.
But it’s not all in the West – Glasgow’s trendy southside has plenty to shout about too, not least the wonderful Flowers Vermillion just opposite Queens Park. If you’re looking for a lovely card, an unusual print or a child’s birthday present, you’ll find everything you need (and even things you never knew you needed) in this fabulous treasure trove of a shop.
If you’re looking for a wee treat for yourself to mark your time in Glasgow, or indeed a gift for someone special, do pop in to Stevenson’s on Byres Road. It’s a real old-school gem. Robert, who runs the shop, is so kind and will help you find something perfect (at a very reasonable price!)
Restaurants & Cafés
Hands down the best coffee in the city can be found at Zennor, and it’s a seriously cool spot, too, in the heart of the southside.
For Scandi-chic brunch in the city, Cottonrake can’t be beaten. Order the cheese toastie, which comes with house-made seasonal mayo and an obnoxiously large pickle, and thank me later.
For a casual dinner with friends, Gloriosa is excellent. Head chef Rosie Healey relies on local ingredients, so all the dishes are seasonal. This is simple food served without flair, done sowell. Think slicingly-soft hake, trussed up with a zingy salsa verde and a side of springy focaccia, doused in olive oil. What more could you want?
Margo is a very stylish inner-city spot for European-inspired sharing plates – don’t skip the skate wing. Once you’ve had your fill, head downstairs to Sebbs, Margo’s cool younger brother, for outstanding cocktails – the sherry one is my favourite. Yes really, it’s not just a granny’s tipple.
If Zennor does the best coffee in the city, Outlier does the best baked goods. Their cardamom custard bun is delectable, and I can’t say enough good things about their beef shin and fennel jam toastie.
If you like good seafood, head to Crabshakk. Once the reserve of trendy Finnieston, they now have a bigger location next to the Botanic Gardens.
Naked Soup sells just that – soup. I’m not sure about the naked part (it’s not a prerequisite for entering, don’t worry) but I do know that you won’t get a better bowl in Glasgow. The butternut squash variety is particularly delicious. In the evening, the café transforms into a neighbourhood wine bar.
Last but not least is Burnfield Bakery on the southside, which does the perfect cinnamon bun – there is no competition.
Drinks
Tabac is arguably one of the best date spots in Glasgow – there’s no phone reception, so you have to really engage, which is ideal if you’re just getting to know someone. The drinks are well priced, the atmosphere is moody (in a good way) and you’re right in the centre of town, so who knows where the night could take you.
Henry’s on the southside is a stylish little cocktail and small plates spot to while away the hours, and there’s even an outdoor garden if the weather permits. I’d describe the wood-panelled interior design as chalet-cool.
1841 is technically a coffee shop (built on the legacy of Thomson’s, the city’s oldest roasters), but their Hyndland outpost turns into a brilliant cocktail spot come evening, and even hosts the occasional chef takeover in their tiny kitchen. Go for the Cherry Manhattan alone (and come back for coffee in the morning to nurse your inevitable hangover).
Places & Activities
The Modern Institute is one of Glasgow’s leading contemporary art galleries, showing works from 58 international artists, both emerging and established, including Glasgow’s very own Martin Boyce. You might as well be in New York.
Renowned Scottish artist, architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a visionary of the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau movements and a leading figure of the Glasgow Style, and we’re lucky to have a few examples of his work in the city today. House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park is well worth a visit – marvel at the panelling, the spaciousness, and Mackintosh’s signature style.
For the wellness girlies, Soul Pilates is unparalleled. Their chic space is right off George Square, and offers reformer, mat, chair and ladder barrel pilates. They’ve also just launched infrared pilates, and there the option to sauna and cold plunge included with every class. A sanctuary in the city.
What better way to capture your trip to Glasgow than on a roll of film? Get busy snapping and then drop your roll off at Gulabi, a dedicated film lab founded by two photographers. They develop and scan colour and black-and-white film, with a remarkably quick turnaround time. You can pop into their shopfront, use one of their drop points, or post it in.
A walk around Glasgow Green is always worth it – it’s the city’s oldest public park, dating back to the 1400s, with wide riverside paths and plenty of space to wander. Look out for landmarks like the People’s Palace and the striking Templeton building (and pop in for a pint while you’re at it – it’s home to West Brewery now).
Glasgow Women’s Library is the UK’s only accredited women’s museum, home to a fabulous archive of women’s stories, art and activism. With exhibitions and events running year-round, it’s well worth popping into.
Last but not least, you simply cannot come to Glasgow without visiting the Duke of Wellington. Not to learn about his military history, but to marvel at the traffic cone perched jauntily on his head. This long-running joke is less an act of vandalism and more a symbol for what Glasgow is all about – not taking yourself too seriously, and having a good time.
