Local Delights
Bakery
Artisan Bakery. Nuff said!
Their baked goods can change daily/weekly as they operate on an 'open till sell out' basis. Sounds bizarre but it's understandable given that there's usually a queue from the early hours of the morning. If you're a fan of sourdough bread, Choc chip cookies, éclairs, Victoria sponge, passion fruit doughnuts.. may I suggest you pay them a visit. They also sell a wide range of other items such as olives, oils, anchovies, paprika, maldon salt, oatcakes etc.
Best to check their Instagram first to see what they have that week. Even send them a message as they were taking pre-orders during the toughest restrictions.
Sweet Jane
434 Duke StreetArtisan Bakery. Nuff said!
Their baked goods can change daily/weekly as they operate on an 'open till sell out' basis. Sounds bizarre but it's understandable given that there's usually a queue from the early hours of the morning. If you're a fan of sourdough bread, Choc chip cookies, éclairs, Victoria sponge, passion fruit doughnuts.. may I suggest you pay them a visit. They also sell a wide range of other items such as olives, oils, anchovies, paprika, maldon salt, oatcakes etc.
Best to check their Instagram first to see what they have that week. Even send them a message as they were taking pre-orders during the toughest restrictions.
Another gem selling in-house baked goods. Akara specialises in sweet treats as well as brunch buns, bureka, sausage rolls, filled brioche.... The list goes on!
If memory serves, they only serve brunch Friday to Sunday but definitely give it a shout. If it's on the menu, the sesame bread with avocado,tomato and chimichurri is incredible.
Friendly staff. Warm intimate space with cool wall tiles.
Akara Bakery
537 Duke StreetAnother gem selling in-house baked goods. Akara specialises in sweet treats as well as brunch buns, bureka, sausage rolls, filled brioche.... The list goes on!
If memory serves, they only serve brunch Friday to Sunday but definitely give it a shout. If it's on the menu, the sesame bread with avocado,tomato and chimichurri is incredible.
Friendly staff. Warm intimate space with cool wall tiles.
If you like a good gooey brownie then this is your spot! A little bit further down the road from the flat but definitely worthwhile visiting. This place is relatively new but they seem to be a very welcome addition to the east end bakery scene.
Full Circle Bakes
276 Cumbernauld RoadIf you like a good gooey brownie then this is your spot! A little bit further down the road from the flat but definitely worthwhile visiting. This place is relatively new but they seem to be a very welcome addition to the east end bakery scene.
Coffee & Brunch
Excellent place for brunch and coffee. You'll find the usual suspects on the breakfast menu such as eggs benedict, French toast, cakes etc but they also do a weekend special dish, brunch buns, toasties and fries (Nonna's or Thai Fries are firm favourites of mine!)
It has become somewhat an institute of Dennistoun and lives up to its reputation as being one of the best cafes in Glasgow. It operates on a 'first come first serve' basis and is usually always busy so I would recommend getting there early to avoid disappointment. It's open early till 3pm and it is less than a minute walk.
Ideal if you're feeling that you would prefer not to venture too far!
10 locals recommend
Scran
239 Alexandra ParadeExcellent place for brunch and coffee. You'll find the usual suspects on the breakfast menu such as eggs benedict, French toast, cakes etc but they also do a weekend special dish, brunch buns, toasties and fries (Nonna's or Thai Fries are firm favourites of mine!)
It has become somewhat an institute of Dennistoun and lives up to its reputation as being one of the best cafes in Glasgow. It operates on a 'first come first serve' basis and is usually always busy so I would recommend getting there early to avoid disappointment. It's open early till 3pm and it is less than a minute walk.
Ideal if you're feeling that you would prefer not to venture too far!
Probably one of my favourite places in the East End to 'grab and go' a bagel and coffee. Their coffee is delicious and if you like, you can buy bottles of their house roast. They are currently takeaway only but they have some big communal benches on the street which is ideal when the sun is out. They display all their amazing savoury and sweet treats at the window so it's difficult not to over indulge! (the macaroni pies are unreal).
8 locals recommend
East Coffee Company
30 Hillfoot StProbably one of my favourite places in the East End to 'grab and go' a bagel and coffee. Their coffee is delicious and if you like, you can buy bottles of their house roast. They are currently takeaway only but they have some big communal benches on the street which is ideal when the sun is out. They display all their amazing savoury and sweet treats at the window so it's difficult not to over indulge! (the macaroni pies are unreal).
relatively new place but worthwhile visiting. excellent coffee, cake and sandwiches in a compact but very cool space. Great staff.
Zennor
354 Duke Streetrelatively new place but worthwhile visiting. excellent coffee, cake and sandwiches in a compact but very cool space. Great staff.
another favourite brunch place in the area. I thoroughly recommend the shakshuka eggs. their toasted sourdough open sandwiches are unreal. (bread made across the road at their own bakery Sweet Jane)
6 locals recommend
Mesa
567 Duke Stanother favourite brunch place in the area. I thoroughly recommend the shakshuka eggs. their toasted sourdough open sandwiches are unreal. (bread made across the road at their own bakery Sweet Jane)
Food Scene
Great local Italian restaurant that has been an institution of the East End. It also hosts a Deli full of meats, cheeses, antipastis, side dishes, wine, liqueur cannoli, tiramisu.. You name it! There's also the option to order food for takeaway. They have on-street covered outdoor seating all year round too.
42 locals recommend
Celino's
620 Alexandra ParadeGreat local Italian restaurant that has been an institution of the East End. It also hosts a Deli full of meats, cheeses, antipastis, side dishes, wine, liqueur cannoli, tiramisu.. You name it! There's also the option to order food for takeaway. They have on-street covered outdoor seating all year round too.
It goes without saying that this place was a game changer for Glasgow when the nation was going through the great burger craze a few years ago. Described as a 'no frills Texan-inspired diner', Dennistoun BBQ went up a notch and brought something different to the scene. If you're feeling adventurously hungry, there's plenty to choose from to accompany your already enormous burger (sticky ribs, to cajun fries, Pit beef brisket, to chicken wings, campfire beans to mac and cheese). To go that extra mile, they import a large selection of sodas and beers from the states (yep - root beer, Mountain Dew, grape Fanta, polar Soda, PBR. Good for our US visitors having withdrawal symptoms!)
As described, it is very much a 'no-frills' informal environment but with an open kitchen and good music, the place is always buzzing and is probably the closest you'll get to Texas! It's hands down one of my favourite burgers in the city and comes as no surprise that it's always busy. (personal favourite is the 'Kinney' burger with garlic fries)
23 locals recommend
Dennistoun Bar-B-Que
585 Duke StIt goes without saying that this place was a game changer for Glasgow when the nation was going through the great burger craze a few years ago. Described as a 'no frills Texan-inspired diner', Dennistoun BBQ went up a notch and brought something different to the scene. If you're feeling adventurously hungry, there's plenty to choose from to accompany your already enormous burger (sticky ribs, to cajun fries, Pit beef brisket, to chicken wings, campfire beans to mac and cheese). To go that extra mile, they import a large selection of sodas and beers from the states (yep - root beer, Mountain Dew, grape Fanta, polar Soda, PBR. Good for our US visitors having withdrawal symptoms!)
As described, it is very much a 'no-frills' informal environment but with an open kitchen and good music, the place is always buzzing and is probably the closest you'll get to Texas! It's hands down one of my favourite burgers in the city and comes as no surprise that it's always busy. (personal favourite is the 'Kinney' burger with garlic fries)
delicious pizza slices at very reasonable prices! not your average pizza place. the pizza is Roman style, which is basically focaccia base. Baked specialise in some amazing and unusual toppings which makes this place very unique (blue cheese and pear / potato and rosemary for example!) to get the best experience, I would recommend ordering 3 different slices per person.
8 locals recommend
BAKED pizza al taglio
120 Duke Stdelicious pizza slices at very reasonable prices! not your average pizza place. the pizza is Roman style, which is basically focaccia base. Baked specialise in some amazing and unusual toppings which makes this place very unique (blue cheese and pear / potato and rosemary for example!) to get the best experience, I would recommend ordering 3 different slices per person.
Nightlife
Fun local bar which is a 10 minute walk down to Duke Street. They specialise in local/ world beers but they also have a wide range of spirits, wine and usually have a weekly cocktail menu. They also have a bottle shop at the door if you would rather have your beers here!
I would recommend going on a Wednesday as there is usually a quiz on from 9pm which is a lot of fun(book a table or get down for 8.30pm). The first round is usually Current Affairs related so I would suggest rifling UK news articles if you want to score high!
Service is very friendly and the music is usually quite varied (staff usually play vinyl and would probably not mind any requests from their collection!)
Quite a mixed age crowd so the place usually has a great buzz.
31 locals recommend
Redmond's
304 Duke StFun local bar which is a 10 minute walk down to Duke Street. They specialise in local/ world beers but they also have a wide range of spirits, wine and usually have a weekly cocktail menu. They also have a bottle shop at the door if you would rather have your beers here!
I would recommend going on a Wednesday as there is usually a quiz on from 9pm which is a lot of fun(book a table or get down for 8.30pm). The first round is usually Current Affairs related so I would suggest rifling UK news articles if you want to score high!
Service is very friendly and the music is usually quite varied (staff usually play vinyl and would probably not mind any requests from their collection!)
Quite a mixed age crowd so the place usually has a great buzz.
craft microbrewery a stones throw away from the Necropolis. Great place for a pint in Spring/ Summer as they have a large outdoor terrace (yes, it doesn't always rain in Glasgow). recommend booking or getting down early during the warmer seasons to guarantee a seat in the sunshine.
Drygate is also a gastropub serving lunch and dinner for when you're feeling peckish after sampling many of their delightful brews on tap. they often have a line of specialty ales, lagers, sours, IPAs which change regularly.
Drygate also do group tours of the brewery which can be booked online or in person. there's also a bottle shop inside if you would rather bring back something and drink it on the sofa at home!
92 locals recommend
Drygate Brewery
85 Drygatecraft microbrewery a stones throw away from the Necropolis. Great place for a pint in Spring/ Summer as they have a large outdoor terrace (yes, it doesn't always rain in Glasgow). recommend booking or getting down early during the warmer seasons to guarantee a seat in the sunshine.
Drygate is also a gastropub serving lunch and dinner for when you're feeling peckish after sampling many of their delightful brews on tap. they often have a line of specialty ales, lagers, sours, IPAs which change regularly.
Drygate also do group tours of the brewery which can be booked online or in person. there's also a bottle shop inside if you would rather bring back something and drink it on the sofa at home!
the venue is a converted church used mostly by local talent for gigs. The bar area has decent fried foods and American style BBQ fare in the outdoor area.
21 locals recommend
Saint Luke's & The Winged Ox
17 Bain Streetthe venue is a converted church used mostly by local talent for gigs. The bar area has decent fried foods and American style BBQ fare in the outdoor area.
Sightseeing
located just off High Street (oldest street in Glasgow).
Recently featured in The Batman film 2022.
203 locals recommend
Glasgow Cathedral
Castle Streetlocated just off High Street (oldest street in Glasgow).
Recently featured in The Batman film 2022.
Tennent's is considered to be Glasgow's most well known local lager and has been brewing for hundreds of years. it's difficult to find a bar in the city that doesn't serve it in some capacity. look for the big red T while walking around town.
the brewery does tours which I've heard is really interesting and fun.
34 locals recommend
Tennent Caledonian Breweries
161 Duke StTennent's is considered to be Glasgow's most well known local lager and has been brewing for hundreds of years. it's difficult to find a bar in the city that doesn't serve it in some capacity. look for the big red T while walking around town.
the brewery does tours which I've heard is really interesting and fun.
Cool outdoor and indoor spaces with djs, drinks, food stalls and pop up markets at the weekend.
8 locals recommend
Barras Art and Design
54 Calton EntryCool outdoor and indoor spaces with djs, drinks, food stalls and pop up markets at the weekend.