GLASGOW is entering a golden age of coffee. We relied on cafes for takeaway drinks and cake during lockdown. Now is your neighbour favourite’s time to shine as a spirit of collaboration and innovation drives on the local scene. Here’s some of the best places in the city, go say hello.

Morning Glory

657 Great Western Road, G12 8RE

Glasgow Times:

Sister café to Five March, they have a selection of teas and coffee roasts to complement their food menu which includes excellent brunch options including ham and poached eggs with burnt butter hollandaise.

It All Started Here

75 Deanston Drive, G41 3AQ

They began as a coffee pop-up at Partick Farmer’s Market and Bakery47 when they were on Victoria Road before settling down in a small unit on Deanston Road. They work with roasters from all over Europe and serve cakes, sandwiches and light bites Tuesday to Friday with a slightly bigger menu at weekends. They make everything in-house apart from their bread which is baked by Baikhous in Renfrew.

BAM Glasgow

44 Nithsdale Road, G41 2AN

Speciality coffee from guest roasters and homemade cake alongside vintage items and gifts. A spot with a lot of personality.

Honey & Salt

25 Carmunnock Road, G44 4TZ

Vegetarian cafe serving sourdough toasties, plant-based snacks and baking. Fresh bread daily. Try a tahini swirl and roasted pistachios brownie with a Brazilian flat white.

Dandelion Cafe

Newlands Park Pavilion, 26 Lubnaig Road, G43 2RY

Glasgow Times:

Two locals, Mairi Darroch and Suzanne Stevenson, took on an abandoned tennis pavilion and set about restoring it as an 1920s arts and crafts revival cafe. They’ve succeeded, creating a cosy cafe for cake and coffee.

Good Coffee Cartel

12 Cornwall Street, G41 1AQ

Your friendly neighbourhood environmentally conscious coffee shop. They’ve been at the forefront of zero waste packaging since they opened in 2017. You can enjoy tasty cakes from Akara Bakery sitting by the window, pick up merchandise like caps and mugs or order takeaway coffee, including iced coffees.

Riverhill Cafe

24 Gordon Street, G1 3PU

A buzzy cafe near Central Station, their coffee is supplied by Dear Green. Cake, sandwiches, savoury pastries and salads alongside daily specials.

Black Pine Coffee Co

518 Great Western Road, G12 8EL

A bright, welcoming wee coffee shop. They stock cakes from Wild Flours Bakery and will make you a toastie with bread from Freedom Bakery and cheese from near neighbour I.J. Mellis.

Andina Coffee Co.

527 Duke Street, G31 1DL

Glasgow Times:

Maria Varela moved from Colombia to Glasgow in 2017 and set out to work with Fair Trade suppliers to bring quality coffee beans from artisan farms in her home country to this small coffee bar on Duke Street. Look for Three Sisters Bake brownies at the counter.

Grain & Grind

50 Battlefield Road

They take a global approach to coffee with blends from Tanzania to Guatemala. Look for local Bungo, Marchtown and Queen’s Park roasts. Visit for substantial sandwiches and packed flatbread wraps. They have recently opened a bakery on Victoria Road.

Short Long Black

501 Victoria Road, Glasgow G42 8RL

Glasgow Times:

Come for the coffee, stay for the pies, baked fresh each morning. Flavours include ham hock, cheese and potato or vegetarian haggis. Look for lemon meringue tart, cinnamon buns, carrot loaf, and chocolate cookies straight out of the oven for dessert.

Us Vs Them

200 Gallowgate, G1 5DR

A recent arrival in the East End, this coffee bar is also a creative space for the local community. They change their coffee supplier four times a year. Owner James Aitken says: “We are buying coffee that has not been seen in the area. This is exciting for consumers but also for us”. Expect future roasts from Seattle and across Europe.

The Steamie

1024 Argyle Street, G3 8LX

Glasgow Times:

A lively Finniestion spot for a chat and an espresso, which they pull through their La Marzocco Linea Classic. A go-to place for picking up equipment for brewing coffee at home. They offer a clean eating snack menu, hearty soups and homemade bakes.

East Coffee Company

30 Hillfoot Street, G31 2LF

East Coffee Company opened on Duke Street in January 2018. They have flourished as a compact neighbourhood hub for locals and those who appreciate a strong cup of coffee, pancakes in the morning or a slice of banana and walnut loaf in the afternoon.

Ottoman Coffee House

Imran Akhtar is the co-owner of the Ottoman Coffee House on Berkeley Street, along with his brother Irfan. Their father originally bought this space intending it to be a restaurant. It sits behind the former Glasgow Society for Musicians and what was the Shah Noor Indian restaurant on Berkeley Street. A beautiful room with high ceilings, comfy sofas, chess sets, furnishings bought from the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, portraits of Sultans. After being used for private functions it emerged as a community coffeehouse serving Yemani coffee, pomegranate tea and some small dishes.