Where to Eat in Glasgow During the Commonwealth Games

I lived in Glasgow for 5 years of my life and it feels like home to me. I'll be visiting for the first weekend of the Commonwealth Games and I can't wait to see the city packed with new visitors and experience the buzzing atmosphere. Here are my recommendations of fantastic places to eat - there are some amazing eateries in Glasgow-- I always end up eating out every day when I go back. I lived in the West End so all my suggestions are around there and the city centre.

1. Bo Vine - Byres Road, West End

Amazing steak and a fantastic market menu priced at a very reasonable £17.95 for 3 courses. If you're looking for a special place to eat, this is it. The staff are friendly and the food is excellent. This is where I'm eating on my first night in Glasgow and I cannot wait.

Bo Vine (image from Huffington Post)

2. The Left Bank, Gibson Street

Delicious breakfast (which i've blogged about previously) and delicious a la carte menu. A restaurant which has something for everyone including some rather tasty thai-style curries. 

The Left Bank

3. Ubiquitous Chip, Ashton Lane

This is probably my favourite restaurant in Glasgow mainly because i've got great memories from there and it's completely set back from the hustle and bustle. Once inside it feels like you could be somewhere in the med - lush greenery and cobbled flooring. The food is pretty excellent - the menu always has a touch of Scottishness about it. It's a special place and well worth a visit. 

Image from glasgowfoodgeek

4. Naked Soup, Kersland Street

A little cafe, with, yes you guessed it, lovely soup. Go for the favourite - sweet potato, lentil and coconut - delicious. They do a lunch deal which includes a sandwich, soup, fruit and drink for around £5. Be warned, it's popular and rather small but if you're lucky with the weather you could take-away and eat your lunch in the Botanics. Closes at 5pm.

5. The Shish Mahal, Park Road

My favourite curry house in Glasgow. A huge selection of curries to choose from and my favourite peshwari naan ever. Be sure to book - this place is incredibly popular with the locals. 

Image from Herald Scotland

6. Il Cappucino, Great Western Road

Quite frankly, the best sandwiches I've ever had. Have one of their specialities from the blackboard or make your own from the huge array of fillings on offer. Take-away only.

7. Stravaigin, Gibson Street

Delicious breakfasts with some unusual options including Nasi Goreng. The perfect place to fill up before a stroll around the West End. The main menu is also great with a focus on Scottish fare- lovely fish and chips! 

Image from Kapper22.blogspot

8. Burger Meats Bun, West Regent Street

Not one I've tried personally, but i've got it on good authority that this place is excellent. If you want a burger look no further than Burger meats bun. I'm desperate to try it - hopefully i'll get a chance whilst i'm up there!

Image from Herald Scotland

9. The Wee Curry Shop, Ashton Lane

Another curry house favourite on Ashton Lane. Literally very 'wee', you will also need to book this up for dinner. They have a limited menu which changes regularly but I can guarantee no dish will disappoint.

10. Kember and Jones

If you want coffee and cake Kember and Jones is the place to go. They have a different selection every day and also a pretty awesome food menu. Try the sharing platters - they're SO good. My favourite is the Italian platter. 

A Few Glasgow Foodie Favourites

Gin and Tonic at Epicures

A trip to my old University stomping ground and 2^nd home before Christmas was the perfect opportunity for a completely indulgent weekend of feasting at every mealtime. I went back for a wee bit of shopping and catching up with some friends and I thought it would be a missed opportunity, dear reader, if I did not share with you just a few of the culinary delights Glasgow has to offer. It is a brilliant city, not least for its food but also the people and the culture and the amazingly cheap drink prices (£3 for a mojito on a Saturday, whaaaaaaat?!) Well worth a visit, forget any preconceived ideas you have - like most cities, it has changed since the 80s.

Cooked breakfast at The Left Bank

We arrived at 11, so obviously, brunch was needed. One of my favourite breakfast venues in the city is The Left Bank, an unassuming place, which offers wonderful food at reasonable rates. I went for the cooked breakfast – how can one resist? Sausage, bacon, poached egg, tomato, potato scone (or ‘tattie scone’ if we want to be proper) and homemade baked beans (also black pudding and mushrooms but those were palmed-off to my dining companions). In our student days this place and Stravaigin across the road used to be the place for hangover breakfasts (probably because we lived in the flat above and wouldn’t have been able to venture any further without collapsing in hungover self-pity). They also do other delicious dishes involving eggs and the like but my advice? If you’re coming here for breakfast go for the cooked breakfast, if you want eggs – eggs Benedict, eggs royale etc go to Stravaigin across the road. The best eggs I’ve ever had, their Nasi Goreng isn’t half bad either.

Agnalotti Pasta at Epicures

Epicures of Hyndland is another brunch favourite, but we went for dinner. First things first, and possible most importantly, their gin and tonics are epic and delicious and are a must to start the evening. To start I had the Hand Rolled Agnalotti Pasta filled with Sweet Potato and walnuts and topped with cherry tomatoes, Parmesan shavings and truffle oil. Although small, it was delicious and light – the perfect starter in my opinion. For main I opted for the Steak Frite accompanied by onion rings and béarnaise – cooked medium, just how I like it, succulent and delicious. These folk certainly know how to cook. 

Steak Frite at Epicures

 Pudding – hell, let’s go all out – was chocolate fondant with a berry compote. Probably one of the best fondants I’ve ever had. Perfect and gooey and wonderful. The berries made it deliciously rich and extra indulgent. This meal was excellent and I couldn’t find fault in any course. The restaurant itself is relaxed and cosy and a lovely place for an intimate meal with friends. 

Chocolate Fondant at Epicures

That’s it for now folks but I will be sure to update on great places to eat in this fantastic city with each visit I make.