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Best Coffee Shops in Glasgow
Let's get to know the top 10 best cafés in Glasgow.
Published February 28, 2022
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Yker Valerio
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Bear with me if you're visiting Glasgow and want to start a café-hopping adventure.
Indeed, Glasgow is an exciting place to be and one of the most vibrant cities in the United Kingdom. And the specialty coffee scene has been catching up with the rich culture and diversity the city offered already.
Glasgow is well known for its unique places for a pleasant walk, pubs, and music scene. But now, Glasgow has lovely coffee shops with top-notch coffee to offer as well.
The coffee scene in Glasgow has exploded in recent years, with new cafés and roasters popping up here and there.
So, without further ado, let's get to know the top 10 best cafés in Glasgow.
Andina Coffee
Maria Varela opened Andina in 2017 after moving to Scotland from Colombia, her home country. She knew that people would enjoy Colombian specialty coffee beans in Glasgow. And she got that right!
Andina is a small, independent café that gets coffee beans roasted in Colombia, at the origin. Their coffee is excellent, and you'll find freshly baked goods, pastries, and even some good options for breakfast or a casual meal.
I love that the company has a unique approach to coffee sourcing to provide more value to its providers. They buy coffee from fair trade coffee companies, and all their coffee beans come from Colombia.
Additionally, you can get freshly baked goods, handmade ceramics, and traditional Wayuu and Arhuacos mochilas.
Andina Coffee is on a semi-pedestrianized street in Dennistoun, in the East End of Glasgow.
Laboratorio Espresso
Inspired by Milan's espresso bars, Laboratorio Espresso is a cafe, bar, Italian restaurant, and coffee shop all in one.
This coffee shop takes its craft seriously. And you'll notice it!
From the shop design to the coffee itself, everything is excellent here. The coffee shop has more seats outside than inside, making it a proper spot to chat safely nowadays.
Laboratorio Espresso is a block away from Glasgow's Queen Street Station, and it's one of the highest-rated coffee shops in the city.
Laboratorio Espresso serves some of the best European coffee beans on espresso and filter. The coffee shop is taller than wide, and the combination of concrete and wood gives it a unique look.
Artisan Roast
You can find Artisan Roast at Gibson Street, where you'll find a good cup of coffee, as fresh as it can be. The café prides itself on sourcing and roasting its coffee, which is one of the things I always look at when trying a cup of coffee.
Praised by coffee hipsters and regulars, it's definitely worth giving it a shot if you're in the city.
Besides espresso drinks, it's one of the few coffee shops offering filter brews, with Chemex, V60, Aeropress, and cafetiére services available.
Papercup Coffee Company
The Papercup is a Glasgow favorite, thanks to its unique atmosphere and high-quality offerings.
Peeling walls, high ceilings, and dangling lanterns sum up quite an ambiance for this West End Glasgow icon.
Papercup Coffee Company has been around for more than a decade. They have built a reputation for their excellent coffees and service. The coffee shop specializes in single origins from Africa, Central, and South America.
Additionally, regulars love their food, and you won't want to miss it if you get there.
If you're serious about coffee, Papercup is an excellent place to learn about the craft as well. They regularly offer training sessions on latte art and basic barista skills.
Gordon Street Coffee
Gordon Street Coffee is not to miss if you get to Glasgow city center. The aesthetics of the coffee shop remember a traditional Glaswegian pub with a modern and sleek touch.
One of the best things about Gordon Street Coffee is that it roasts its own beans on-site. Furthermore, it was the first place to make it in Central Glasgow in 2014. Since then, you can choose between their single origins and delicious signature blends.
Tinderbox Espresso
Tinderbox has several locations across Glasgow, with premium coffee from Colombia and Brazil.
The first Tinderbox opened in Glasgow's West End in 1998, and now they have several shops in Glasgow Central and the West End.
The espresso bars have a sleek look, and you'll find good music and entertainment now and then. Unlike most coffee shops in Glasgow, Tinderbox is part of the evening landscape, with an appealing menu to pop in occasionally.
Black Pine Coffee Company
Black Pine Coffee Company is a specialty coffee shop in Glasgow's West End. Here, you'll find the classic espresso menu, and they have a delicious assortment of vegan desserts and light meals.
The café is cozy and stylish, with a minimalistic aesthetic. The interior plants and large windows infuse the place with life. It's a great place to stop by, chat, or even sit to read a book while sipping a frothy cappuccino.
Cafe Strange Brew
The Cafe Strange Brew is on Pollokshaws Road in Glasgow Central.
The coffee shop has a unique offering of brunch dishes, with enough variety to visit them several times.
Prices are affordable, and you may not want to go every day, having so many options in Glasgow Central. But, if you're walking by Queen's Park, you can't miss the chance to stop by Cafe Strange Brew. And, as delicious as their brunches are, they have pretty fine coffee too.
Final thoughts: Are you ready to have a cup of coffee in Glasgow?
It doesn't matter where you're staying in Glasgow. It's always great to enjoy the city to its fullest. Be it at the West End, where the specialty coffee shops started to sprout two decades ago, or Glasgow Central, where coffee shops have grown year after year.
Glasgow is a beautiful city with lots of history and culture, with many things to do. I can only recommend you try a good cup of coffee at one of these coffee shops and tell us about your experience.
Have you visited any of these coffee shops? Isn't your favorite on our list? Let us know in the comments below!
About the author
Yker Valerio
Yker Valerio (he/him) is a freelance content creator. After more than 10 years of working as a management consultant, he started his blog Bon Vivant Caffè to share his passion for specialty coffee.
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