Scotland may be better known for its whisky, but its coffee scene is also alive and well, with Glasgow at the forefront. The city abounds with coffee shops and artisan roasters on a mission to prove that Glasgow knows its caffeine. Here are 10 top coffee shops to try.
One of the original pioneers of Glasgow’s coffee movement, this family-owned coffee shop now has three locations throughout the city, and the one on Ingram Street is by far the most welcoming: head upstairs and settle into a cozy leather armchair. Atmospheric, unpretentious, and serving potent and mouthwatering coffee, there’s no downside to Tinderbox.
This tasteful and stylish spot serves exemplary coffee as well as an ever-changing selection of sandwiches, baked goods, and even omelettes. Avid customers can buy beans by the bag to take home, and the shop also offers training sessions for those who are interested in learning about the roasting process.
Papercup, 603 Great Western Road, Glasgow, United Kingdom, +44 141 339 7822
Talk of coffee shops in Glasgow wouldn’t be complete without Artisan Roast, a stalwart on the caffeine scene. The good people of this coffee shop buy their beans directly from farmers, roast them in-house multiple times per week, and serve them up in their minimalist, no-frills fashion, letting the java itself take centre stage.
Using beans from Dear Green Coffee Roasters, a cult-favorite Glaswegian brand, this Thornwood café is small in size but churns out delicious and reasonably-priced beverages. The flat whites are particularly good, and on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings a plain coffee is just £1.
Meadow Road Coffee, 579 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow, United Kingdom, +44 141 782 858 7250
For an Italian-inspired espresso bar, look no further than Laboratorio Espresso, which boasts award-winning architecture and design, a bespoke coffee blend provided by Dear Green Coffee Roasters, and a weekly ‘special’ espresso option. This coffee shop takes its craft very seriously, and the attention to detail pays off.
