Snacks

Dinner at Cafe Source is always a treat. Even though I love trying new places, this is somewhere I return to again and again and have never been disappointed! If you are looking for great quality modern Scottish food, this is the place to go.

The restaurant is hidden beneath the beautiful 18th Century St Andrews Church, which is located between the Saltmarket and the Barras. Cafe Source, a former auditorium has been dramatically renovated to a sleek and contemporary finish which complements its historic surroundings.

As the name suggests, Cafe Source’s focus is to serve first-class fayre using only the finest local ingredients. Notable suppliers on their menu include Ramsay’s of Carluke & Taylor’s of Strathaven which means the basis of their cooking is Scottish.

On the menu you will find homely favourites such as scotch pies and stovies (just like your granny used to make) but you will also notice some dishes with an international influence like the croque monsieur and haggis pakora, which is to die for!

This picturesque little bistro, neighboured by newsagents and bookmakers on Dumbarton Road, looks almost out of place in its surroundings – like a little piece of Italy, lifted straight from a cosmopolitan strada and blended with the rough and tumble of Glasgow.

The pretty lights and hanging baskets outside combined with the candlelit tables and soft background music inside give this place an air of class and the atmosphere inside is always buzzing.

I first discovered this place on a walk with my boyfriend one night around the West End and it was not only the charming exterior but the mouth watering smell which enticed us inside.

It is best to visit the bistro at weekends as they always have a number of delectable specials in addition to their reasonably priced a la carte menu, which has a decidedly Italian influence with a generous selection of pizza’s and pastas. I have yet to find a carbonara which compares to the one I was served here, top class!

I discovered this gem in my previous job and visited it on an almost daily basis for a yummy lunch. Downstairs in the basement of an office building the cafe’s menu offers something a bit more exciting and refined in comparison to your usual greasy spoon type cafes.

They use the most amazing ‘Little Doone’ sweet balsamic dressing on all of their salads which makes eating healthier so much easier and luckily it is available to buy at the counter! But if you are looking for something sweet, Cafe Wander also has a range of irresistible homemade cakes available everyday which are great with a mug of their delicious coffee.

The walls are adorned with the work of local artists as well as post cards from across the world, sent from ‘wanderers’ who are fans of the cosy cafe.

Despite moving offices, I still try and pop into this place when I can, their all day breakfast on a Saturday can be a great hangover cure. It has a sister cafe with the same name in the West End, I’ve not had a chance to try this one yet but if it is as good as this you won’t be disappointed!

Bibi’s is a charming little cantina on Dumbarton Road in the West End. Whilst not located in the most idyllic location in the world, the short taxi journey from Byres Road is certainly worth it for what I think is the best Mexican food in Glasgow.

The exterior is decorated with lovely terracotta tiles while inside the pretty prints and Aztec decorations on the walls give the place a real sense of authenticity. This combined with the friendly welcome of a iced margarita shot and tortilla chips at your candlelit table, is a great teaser of what the place has to offer.

Their pre-theatre menu is a bargain with 2 courses for £ 10 and 3 courses for only £ 12.50. The a la carte is also available but there is so much choice on the pre-theatre menu, you would have to be a very picky eater to even need to look at it.

The food at Bibi’s is mouth-wateringly delicious – I could eat there every day! The homemade dishes can be made spicy enough to tickle your taste buds or requested milder for those with a delicate palate. My favourite dishes include the spicy chilli tacquitos and the pork taco served with a yummy sweet chilli jam. As well as amazing food, the service is always sharp. A firm favourite of mine – I highly recommend it!

This great little market is held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month in Mansfield Park, in the West End of Glasgow.

It runs from 10:00 until 14:00 but I would advise you to go early so you can get the best pick of the fresh produce on the stalls. The produce available ranges from fresh fruit and vegetables, to fresh fish and the best cuts of meat from local butchers.

In addition to this, you will find stalls selling artisan breads and cakes in amongst others selling homemade jams, marinades and dressings. There is just so much on offer I find it impossible to walk away empty handed.

If you are not in the mood for shopping, this is a great place to stop for a bite to eat. Many of the stalls sell warm food such as steak burgers, paella and homemade soups. On my last visit I had a fresh warm roll with pulled pork with stuffing & apple chutney…delicious! It is worth going back for that alone!