November 9, 2024

The Best Cafes in Glasgow, Scotland

I’ve found myself missing Glasgow more and more these days, thinking nonstop about the hours I’d wile away working on my dissertation, drinking more coffee than anyone should and frequenting every cafe I could walk to. In the interest of reminiscing, I thought that today I would share the best cafes in Glasgow with you. As a coffee addict, I feel reasonably confident in the soundness of my judgement, so hopefully these places give you the caffeine fix and the vibes that you’re looking for!

iCafe (70-72 Ingram St, Glasgow G1 1EX, United Kingdom)

picture courtesy of Viktoria Alipatova

I have spent more money and more time in iCafe than is seemly. I would say as a conservative estimate that of the real meals I consumed during my Master’s degree, 98.7% of them came out of this kitchen. So I’m not exaggerating when I say that this place has truly been my life’s blood. Their coffee is INCREDIBLE, and they have an awesome array of alternative milk options (and tons of vegetarian, vegan, and halal options). The vegetarian breakfast burrito is all the substance you could need. If there’s only one place you eat while in Glasgow, I can’t recommend this place enough. 

Purr-ple Cat Cafe (2 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5ES, United Kingdom)

That’s right, I said cat cafe. I had never been to one before, and my first trip left me in love and ready to adopt every one of the thirty-plus cats that live here. They have amazing coffee and cakes, and the most beautiful interior with a cat playground that will give you second-hand joy just from watching the cats use it. 

The Root of Magic (110 Hope St, Glasgow G2 6PH, United Kingdom)

picture courtesy of Helena Lopes

A Harry Potter themed cafe? Right next to the train station? With impeccable vibes and nothing but the best of food and drink? I think absolutely so. I only went to this cafe once, but it was one of the most magical experiences I’ve ever had, and one of my favorite Glasgow memories. If you love Harry Potter or have always wanted to live in a fantasy world, this is a must-visit. Upon stepping inside I literally shed a tear with joy. 

Tinderbox (118 Ingram St, Glasgow G1 1EJ, United Kingdom)

picture courtesy of Lisa Fotios

If we’re being upfront about things, this isn’t the best coffee in Glasgow. I spent an inordinate amount of time here before I discovered iCafe, and then only went back a handful of times thereafter. Despite this, at Tinderbox I have bought a cup of coffee or two and then stayed for roughly twelve hours. It opens early and stays open late, and sometimes when you’re working to a deadline that’s exactly what you need from a coffee shop.

AN HONORARY MENTION – Pink Peacock (451 Victoria Rd, Govanhill, Glasgow G42 8RW, United Kingdom)

I will not lie to you. The coffee here is undrinkable. However bad you’re imagining it to be, triple it, and you’ll have the coffee that my friend and I were served here. However, the vibes of this place are impeccable, and it is a Govanhill staple. This is a pay-what-you-can, Yiddish, anarchist cafe, and is such a cool place to be that you won’t even care that there is nothing edible to be found.

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