If you’re thinking about spending 48 hours in Glasgow, let me help you with where to eat in the city.
This quirky, fun city is a firm favourite for me and after our most recent visit I can now add a few more reasons to that list.
Usually I make a list as long as my arm of things to do but this time nothing. Our plan was to spend 48 hours just mooching about and taking things as they come.
Turns out pretty much everything ended up revolving around food. Choosing where to have brunch and dinner were tough choices.
So, I’m here to share our foodie finds with you.
Let’s tuck in straight away
The Ember (electric) bus from Perth dropped us at Buchanan Street where we headed to our hotel for an early (midday) check in. Literally dumping our bags and heading out toward Merchant City.
Indian street food lunch offer
Dakhin – Candleriggs, Merchant City, G1 1NP
Almost hidden in plain sight from street level with a discrete doorway inviting you up stairs to a light, airy, open plan seating area.
Seated by one of the large windows over looking the street below (perfect for people watching) we were left to peruse the lunch menu.
A small selection of authentic South Indian dishes – choose traditional curry, Dosa or Thali dishes.
We had trouble picking just one thing but both chose Dosa. These light crepes are made from batter, rice and lentils then filled with a variety of fillings. I opted for Koli dosa – a homemade cottage cheese sauteed with onions and tomatoes. Jamie chose a beautifully spiced chicken filled dosa. Both served with a chutney and sambhar.
Followed by a small bowl of Paal Paysam; a traditional cardamom flavoured pudding of warm rice and sweetened milk. Absolutely delicious.
This was excellent value at £11.95pp. We left comfortably full and happy with our first ever dosa experience. Dakhin pride themselves on being 100% Gluten Free (accredited by Coeliac UK) and 100% Nut Free cuisine. Some reassurance for those with intolerances and allergies.
Highly recommended.
City centre beer garden
Then after a walk around and a visit to the Police Museum (free entry) we stopped off for a beer at Sloans.
Sloans – Argyle Street, G2 8BG
Blink and you could easily miss the entrances to “Glasgow’s Best City Centre Beer Garden.” Colourful closes (alleyways) invite the weary shopper, tourist and locals alike to this initially understated, friendly bar.
Full of history this 3 storey building has been serving ale and good grub since 1797. Now famous for it’s mac ‘n’ cheese, they also hold weddings in their Grand Ballroom!
Although we didn’t eat anything here the food coming out to other tables did look cracking. It’s on the list for the next time.
A first for me though was trying a pineapple and raspberry non-alcoholic cider. Just like juice.
Cherry blossom heaven
Maki & Ramen – Renfield Street, G2 1NH
Dinner time. We made a reservation (whilst sitting in the beer garden at Sloans) for the new Maki & Ramen on Renfield Street. Not to be mistaken for it’s sister branch over on Bath Street.
Instantly hit by pink cherry blossom vibes as we walked through the door we were transported to Japan. A real statement piece hanging from the ceiling all around the bar.
An extensive menu of Ramen, Bao Buns, Yakisoba, Maki and Sushi. Plenty of vegan options too. I also have an allergy to molluscs – so clams, scallops and any other hard shell seafood make me quite ill. I was given an allergy sheet with all the menu options and any relevant allergens in each meal. Perfect.
After a thorough read of the menu we opted to share Kaisou Salad (Seaweed salad) and Takoyaki (fried octopus dough balls with a homemade sauce and sprinkled with bonito flakes. Both were absolutely incredible. Packed full of flavour and very more-ish.
For mains Jamie chose the Black Garlic Tonkotsu. Traditional tonkotsu (braised chashu, half ramen egg and noodles) with a twist – 8 hour broth infused with black garlic oil creating a really intense flavour.
My main was a bowl of chicken yakisoba. Stir fried noodles with crispy chicken karaage with a sweet yakisoba sauce.
All totally mouth watering and most enjoyable.
The overall atmosphere in here was cool and for a Monday evening it was busy. It felt like we’d crashed the party where all the cool cats hang out but we had a great time.
The next day, still full from the night before we skipped breakfast and had a walk along the river Clyde and out to the West End. I’d forgotten just how many diverse options there are out along this part of the city too. What a delight!
Best wraps in Britain? You decide
Soula Cafe – 1083 Argyle Street, Finnieston, G3 8ND
I spotted one A frame board on the pavement with a bold claim to the “Best Wraps in Britain.” I totally scoffed at this but reminded myself if we don’t blow our own trumpets, who else will? Anyway, it kinda worked because we stopped to see exactly what was so special about these offerings from a hole in the wall.
It pricked our interest but we decided to check out what else was on offer between here and Kelvingrove Museum. Everywhere we looked there was something on a menu that drew us in, but how could we not go back to check out the “best wraps in Britain.”
Soula Cafe is a cute wee place with offerings of Tunisian vibes – chickpeas in various guises – falafel, lablabi, hummus in salads, soups and wraps.
We opted to sit in, good job because in true Scottish weather style it poured down! After having to Google what lablabi was, both Jamie and I chose the lablabi (chickpeas coated in garlic and cumin). The gentleman behind the counter steered us into sharing a wrap and having one lablabi and one of something else from the menu. We couldn’t make a decision, so asked him to surprise us.
The most incredible, warm, toasted wraps were placed in front of us. The lablabi and the surprise one was mozzarella with sun dried tomato salsa and pesto. The flavours were amazing and the silence between us as we sat in the huge window people watching was deafening.
Most enjoyable. By the time we were finished, so was the rain. Perfect timing.
Onward, back up to Kelvingrove.
Getting a hole in one
Then what else do you get up to on a Tuesday afternoon in the centre of Glasgow? Anyone for crazy golf?
One Under, Albion Street, Glasgow
This basement bar offers more than beer and cocktails. With two 9 hole crazy golf courses to choose from.
I wouldn’t say I’m competitive but I really wanted to beat my golf loving favourite human. I settled for just the one hole in one and I’m grateful I didn’t break my neck in my celebration dance!
Enough of that. Back to the hotel. Shower, change and straight back out for a few (zero alcohol) drinks before dinner.
Thanks to a search (read rabbit hole) of TikTok videos I stumbled upon some recommendations for an Indian street food restaurant.
A little piece of India
Chaakoo Bombay Café, 79 Vincent Street
Following in the humble beginnings of the early 19th century Persian and Irani cafes brought to India by immigrants.
I’ve never been to India (it’s on my list) but the restaurant is full of nostalgia and resembles a train station waiting room and carriages. Authentic looking signs and all carefully put together.
There are no rules here. You choose several dishes from the menu to share (alien concept for us). It’s an excellent way to sample several dishes that take your fancy.
We ordered:
Machali – fish pakora in a coriander and green chilli batter.
Shakahari – crispy fried vegetable pakora.
Afghani tikka (Irani kebabs)
Flame grilled chicken pieces in a yoghurt, garam masala, chilli powder, garlic, cashew nuts and ginger marinade.
Tandoori chaat (Irani kebabs)
Paneer on a skewer with pineapple,and green pepper. Dipped in garam masala and cumin before grilling.
Garlic naan and lemon rice.
It was all pretty much served together, not in any particular order, as is such with street food.
This charming place was filled with great atmosphere and the smell as soon as you walk through the door was truly intoxicating.
We loved it.
Whether you just want chai or to stuff your faces (like we did), you will not be disappointed.
Wednesday morning
That feeling when you’re still stuffed from the night before. Yeah, that was us.
It was due to chuck it down with rain later that afternoon so we decided brunch and changing our bus to an earlier time was the way forward.
A hearty Scottish breakfast
Not far from our hotel near the GoMA we’d seen a wee spot called Gandolfi.
Cafe Ganolfi, 64 Albion Street, G1 1NY
One of Glasgow’s oldest family run restaurants, established in 1979. It has a warm family feel to it as soon as you walk through the door. Black and white photographs of other Glasgow cafés (mostly dated from the ’70’s) all around which I found fascinating.
Hot chocolate for me with the eggs Hebridean – breakfast muffin with poached eggs and Stornoway black pudding.
Coffee and eggs Alba for Jamie. That’s a breakfast muffin with poached eggs, smoked salmon and hollandaise.
Delicious. The lunch and dinner menu looks tempting too, so we’ll definitely be back.
We then had to roll ourselves back up the hill to the bus station. Stuffed but with ear to ear grins at yet another superb trip to this quirky, cool city.
48 hours in Glasgow, where to eat
If you are visiting Scotland, don’t dismiss this west coast city for the capital. You won’t be disappointed. Now that we have the electric bus service which takes just over an hour from Perth and costs very little, we spend 48 hours in Glasgow more frequently. The multi-cultural vibe that Glasgow is known for definitely shows through it’s eateries; traditional Scottish, Vietnamese, Japanese and Greek (to name but a few). There’s options galore of fine dining, hearty pub grub and the chippy for fish suppers and deep friend pizza (no, I’m not joking). A real foodie heaven. You can check out my Instagram for the drool inducing reel.
