Spotlight on the West End of Glasgow – Part 2


A MUCH sought-after area of Glasgow for buyers and renters, the West End of Glasgow is known for its beautiful homes, stunning architecture, popular attractions and is also one of the best places for a night out.

Popular also for students for its close proximity to the University of Glasgow and Anniesland College.

Last week we started our spotlight on the West End with our guide through Hillhead, Dowanhill, Hyndland and Broomhill, but for the second part of our guide, we’re hitting Kelvinbridge, Finnieston and Partick.

So, if you’re considering a move to the West End of Glasgow, then come along with us on a spotlight tour of the best places to eat, drink, visit and live.

We know many of these businesses are temporarily closed or offering limited services at the moment, but hopefully this will give you something to look forward to when things get back to normal soon.

Kelvinbridge

Named by Time Out as one of Glasgow’s coolest neighbourhoods, Kelvinbridge is bustling with great restaurants, bars and things to do. The leafy university district is the home of Kelvingrove Park, Kelvingrove Art Museum, and of course, the University itself. You won’t be without things to do, from glorious walks and summertime gigs in the park, immersing yourself in culture and beauty at the museum and taking in the historic architecture strolling through the University campus.

Not only does Kelvinbridge have some of the best things to see in Glasgow, as with the rest of the West End, it also has a plethora of cafes, bars, restaurants and shops.

Just a short walk from the museum, you’ll find some of the best food places Glasgow has to offer. From The Butchershop Bar & Grill for the best steaks, Ox and Finch for contemporary style tapas dishes and Mother India’s Cafe. Heading further north, if you’re looking for something a bit different then head to Stravaigin, specialising in experimental flavours, or Eusebi Deli for great tasting Italian food and wine.

For those sunnier days when you fancy a cold drink in the sunshine, head to Inn Deep located on the River Kelvin. There’s even more choice as you head along Great Western Road, packed with pubs, restaurants and cafes.

In the heart of Kelvinbridge, you’ll find Park Circus, one of the most prestigious locations for property in Glasgow – known for attracting celebs and sports players over the years. Don’t expect to pay less than £500,000 for a property here, with prices leading up to and over £1 million.

For the rest of Kelvinbridge, like most areas in the West End, properties are mainly tenement flats, townhouses and some modern flat developments too. You can expect to pay around £150,000 for a 1 bedroom flat, and upwards of £200,000 for a 2 bedroom.

Partick

Heading west, away from Kelvinbridge, you’ll come to Partick and Thornwood. Popular again for students and young professionals, it also has great places to eat and drink and offers great transport links to the motorway.

Running along Dumbarton Road, there are subway and mainline train links, meaning that nipping into the City Centre and further is pretty easy. It’s also really close to Govan, across the water from the Glasgow Science Centre and near Finnieston for gigs at the Hydro.

For food, you’ve got plenty of options, from tasty Mexican food from Bibi’s to modern Scottish cuisine from Roastit Bubbly Jocks. For drinks, why not head to Six Degrees North and sample their huge variety of beers from around the world or The Sparkle Horse for a more hipster vibe – be sure to check out their quiz night too!

Partick is known for its welcoming, neighbourhood spirit so it’s unsurprising that it’s a really popular area for buyers and renters, as well as being one of the less expensive areas of the West End too.

Flats in Partick can be more affordable, with 1 bedroom flats listed between £110,00 and £120,000. You may also find rentals are between £700 and £850 for a 1 bedroom flat.

Finnieston

Close to the City Centre, this area of the West End has become even more popular in the past few years with more places to eat and drink opening, along with the SSE Hydro which opened in 2013 and has become one of the biggest music and entertainment venues in the UK and becoming a new addition to Glasgow’s skyline.

Voted by The Times as one of the “hippest places to live in the UK”, it has become somewhat of a culinary hub in Glasgow. For steak lovers there is Porter & Rye, if you love seafood then Crabshakk is a must-visit and The Gannet for stylish, contemporary Scottish fine dining. Make a visit to Rioja for some tasty tapas and Fanny Trollopes for Scottish cuisine. It’s also worth making a date with Six by Nico, one of Glasgow’s hottest restaurants with a unique concept of changing its themed menu every 6 weeks. For something more casual then visit Dockyard Social street food market – it’s dog friendly too! For the best White Russians in town, stop off at Lebowski’s and place an order for their amazing sliders to line your stomach.

There’s more than just food in Finnieston, why not visit the Riverside Museum and the Tall Ship or take a tour of the Clydeside Whisky Distillery. Take a wander down the colourful Hidden Lane, a community of artists, designers, musicians and more! There’s also the Hidden Lane Tearoom too for a slice of cake and cup of tea.

Finnieston is known for its nightlife, the Hydro of course, but also worth checking out is SWG3 for the best gigs and events.

For properties, there is a mixed bag, some traditional tenement flats but as you get closer to the riverfront, you’ll find more modern apartments with amazing views over the River Clyde and the rest of the city. 2 bedroom apartments on the riverside can go for upwards of £240,000.

For the latest properties for sale and rent in the West of Glasgow, visit s1homes.com

Some businesses mentioned in this article may be temporary closed or offering limited services due to current lockdown restrictions.