GLASGOW has established a reputation as a vegan-friendly city with a collection of interesting food places offering creative dishes. If you are tempted to delve into the vegan and vegetarian scene this month, here’s where to start.
Saramago Cafe
350 Sauchiehall St, G2 3JD
0141 352 4920
www.cca-glasgow.com/programme
SERVING colourful, wholesome food every day – including home-baked bread and cakes each morning – Saramago is one of the city’s top food places for vegetarians and vegans.
The team works with ethical suppliers, with the menu being shaped by the best ingredients available on the day. Located within the Centre for Contemporary Arts in a repurposed courtyard complete with colourful festoon lights, the cafe also serves a range of beers, ciders, wines and juices, which can be enjoyed inside the upstairs bar or on the outdoor terrace.
We like their sourdough pizza topped with cashew parmesan and rocket artichokes, olives, kale and chilli on tomato sugo.
Saramago attracts a cultured crowd, regularly hosting guest DJs, exhibitions and small gigs.
Durty Vegan Burger Club
994 Argyle St, G3 8LU
07377 911773
fb.com/dvbcglasgow
SELF-STYLED “mad chef” Danny McLaren has joined the food scene on Argyle Street. He regularly talks about waking up in the morning with all kinds of ideas for recipes.
For the last two years or so he’s been refining an outstanding vegan burger and other dishes. Now these creations have a permanent home. The team work to break down preconceptions about plant based food and create a buzz at lunchtimes. They’ve recently expanded their opening times to include evenings.
“You need to put all your skills, your experiences and your passions into one place. That’s exactly what we are doing with Durty Vegan Burger Club,” Danny says. Go help save the planet while enjoying a coco and vanilla chocolate, jam-filled donut.
The Hug and Pint
171 Great Western Rd, G4 9AW
0141 331 1901
thehugandpint.com
THE name comes from an Arab Strap song. Aidan Moffat from the band designed the logo. They won the Glasgow Chilli Cook-off with a pumpkin chilli, beating nine other bars’ carnivorous versions in the public vote.
Expect a modern take on plant-based cooking, where Asian influences define the daily-changing menu and all manner of roasting, browning, slicing and garnishing is utilised to add umami and texture to the food.
The mushroom and cashew curry is a great example: coconut milk providing a base from which a chilli-flake heat slowly rises and the ingredients crunch and slurp around sticky rice. Also a live music venue for left-field and alternative acts, and bar that buzzes along every night with a hip demeanour.
The Flying Duck
142 Renfield Street, G2 3AU
0141 564 1450
theflyingduck.org
A BASEMENT bar, underground music venue and vegan diner in the city centre. A surprising, at times odd, soul food inspired menu, healthy drinks selection, pool table, gigs, clubs, quizzes, film screenings, drag karaoke and what can only be described as vibrant decor.
The 78
10-14 Kelvinhaugh St, G3 8NU
0141 576 5018
the78barandkitchen.com
CHUNKY wooden table, an open kitchen at one end of the room and an open fire at the other. The
78 is your friendly neighbourhood vegan bar built for comfort. Sensibly priced dishes. Their vegan breakfast plate features tofu scramble, tomato, mushroom, avocado, sweet potato, seeds and Sgaia vegan bacon on toasted Freedom Bakery sourdough.
The 13th Note
50-60 King Street, G1 5QT
0141 553 1638
13thnote.co.uk
THE independent bar, restaurant and music venue in the Merchant City caters for a vegan diet with ethically sourced ingredients and a stock of vegan beers, lagers and wines. A dog-friendly pub, they make an excellent Bloody Mary.
Stereo
22 Renfield Ln, G2 5AR
0141 222 2254
stereocafebar.com
A DEDICATED vegan bar and kitchen with a performance space downstairs.
Part of the city centre food scene since 2007. Dishes include pear and pickled pecan salad, smokey black bean chilli and their homemade falafel.
Rawnchy
58 Maryhill Rd, G20 7QB
07478 993883
rawnchy.co.uk
PLANT-BASED raw cake and savoury cafe. Products are dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free, plant based and organic. Their cakes are tasty, quirky and colourful.
Something for the weekend...
Friday
The Old Toll Bar on Paisley Road West presents the latest installment of Friday Flava with DJs Paul and Nick who will be serving up funk, soul and disco hits from 8 pm til late. Join in the fun at this hip neighbourhood spot.
Saturday
Glasgow Warriors face off against Exeter Chiefs in round five of the Heineken Champions Cup at Scotstoun Stadium. Secure a ticket to cheer on the local team and enjoy the big game atmosphere.
Sunday
Snow Patrol return to Glasgow to play an intimate album launch show for Assai Records at SWG3. The early evening gig in the west end will mark the release of their new record Reworked.
See the full list here
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