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5 Best Coffee Shops In Glasgow

5 Best Coffee Shops in Glasgow

How We Picked

Coffee

We reviewed the quality and selection of coffee available in each shop.

Staff

Since service plays a huge part in delivering a great customer experience, we also checked the responsiveness and demeanour of the cafe staff.

Price

We looked at the price range in each coffee shop to let you know which ones can provide the best value for your quid.

Ambiance

We also gauged the aesthetic of each coffee shop to let customers choose which environment they prefer to sip their cup of coffee in.

1. Caffé Calla

Caffé Calla's Homepage

Coffee Selection: Espresso, Americano, Latte, Cappuccino, Mocha, Chai Latte

Website: https://www.caffecalla.co.uk/

Address: 222 W George St, Glasgow G2 2PQ, United Kingdom

Contact Details:  +44 141 229 2222

Operating Hours: Mon-Fri: 8 AM–2:30 PM

Google reviews score4.5/5
Trip Advisor reviews score4.5/5
Score consistency5/5
Total Reviews4.66/5
Coffee4.5/5
-Quality5/5
-Selection4/5
Staff3.5/5
-Responsiveness4/5
-Demeanour3/5
Price(A higher score means better value)5/5
Ambiance4/5

Pros

  • 2018 winner of the Scottish Cafe Awards
  • Coffee supplied by Glasgow-based coffee roasters, Italian Aroma
  • Has a permanent Street Food Friday event
  • Can be booked for private dining
  • Also available for corporate catering

Cons

  • Not wheelchair-accessible
  • Closed on weekends
  • Reports of grumpy staff

We think Caffé Calla is one of the top coffee shops in Glasgow. As proof of their superior coffee quality, they even won the 2018 Scottish Cafe Awards!

What sets them apart from other cafes is that their coffee is supplied by Glasgow-based coffee roasters, Italian Aroma. This coffee is roasted locally, by hand, using traditional Italian methods.

Another unique thing about them is that they hold an ongoing Street Food Friday event. Every Friday, they offer a taste of other cultures and countries with something freshly-prepared, and you can find out which culture is being featured on their FB page.

For those planning small or large parties, you’d be happy to know that this venue can be privately booked. This booking includes a personalised menu by their chef, free WiFi, and air conditioning.

Unlike other cafes, they are even available for corporate catering. This would be helpful if you want to impress important clients or treat your hardworking employees.

Unfortunately, they are not wheelchair-accessible. Since they are situated below street level, you’d need to go down a series of steps to go in.

Also, they are closed on weekends, which is bad news for those who want to sip coffee leisurely during their rest days.

Lastly, we were dismayed to hear reports of some staff members being quite short with customers. Apparently, customers felt like they were unwelcome and were treated as an inconvenience.

2. Laboratorio Espresso

Laboratorio Espresso's Homepage

Coffee Selection: Espresso, Macchiato, Piccolo, Cappuccino, Caffè Latte, Americano, Flat White, Mocha-Hot Chocolate, Batch Brew, Iced Latte, Affogato

Website: https://labespr.tumblr.com/

Address: 93 W Nile St, Glasgow G1 2SH, United Kingdom

Contact Details:  +44 141 353 1111

Operating Hours:

  • Mon-Fri: 8 AM–5:30 PM
  • Saturday: 9 AM–5:30 PM
  • Sunday: 10:30 AM–5:30 PM
Google reviews score4.5/5
Trip Advisor reviews score4.5/5
Score consistency5/5
Total Reviews4.66/5
Coffee5/5
-Quality5/5
-Selection5/5
Staff3/5
-Responsiveness3/5
-Demeanour3/5
Price(A higher score means better value)4/5
Ambiance4/5

Pros

  • Open all week
  • Has an espresso bar
  • Space was shortlisted for the Architects Journal Small Projects Award 2014 and the Glasgow Institute of Architects Award 2014
  • Uses the best coffees from around the world
  • Known for their affogato

Cons

  • Small space
  • Comparatively pricier
  • Reports of rude and unfriendly staff

For those hankering for an espresso, we think Laboratorio Espresso is worth a visit. Unlike other cafes, this one is open all week, which is great for those who want to hang out in coffee shops during weekends.

They pride themselves in being a top-notch espresso bar. They only use top-notch coffees from around the world – from the best growers, farms, cooperatives, and roasters in the UK and abroad.

They also have a very striking black and wood-themed interior, which we think is quite cool. In fact, their space was shortlisted for the 2014 Architects Journal Small Projects Award and the 2014 Glasgow Institute of Architects Award.

In addition, they are proud of having up to four single origin blends in their menu. These blends are roasted in-house and internationally, which we think hardcore coffee connoisseurs would appreciate.

This shop is also famous for their affogato with Colpi Italian ice-cream. This drink is popular all year, and it is made using their own blend of espresso.

Unfortunately, the place is tinier compared to other coffee shops, with only a few seats available inside, while the rest are placed on the sidewalk.

Due to their international labels and blends, they are also a bit pricier as well. For instance, an Americano costs £2.80, while this drink is priced lower in other coffee shops.

Sadly, we heard from customers that they encountered some very rude and unfriendly staff. Apparently, they were not accommodating and spoke impolitely to customers.

3.  Riverhill Coffee Bar

Riverhill Coffee Bar's Homepage

Coffee Selection: Espresso, Long Black, Latte, Cappuccino, Flat White, Macchiato, Piccolo, Mocha, Iced Latte

Website: https://www.riverhillcoffee.co.uk/

Address: 24 Gordon St, Glasgow G1 3PU, United Kingdom

Contact Details:  +44 141 204 4762

Operating Hours:

  • Mon-Fri: 8 AM–4 PM
  • Saturday: 9 AM–4 PM
Google reviews score4.6/5
Trip Advisor reviews score4.5/5
Score consistency5/5
Total Reviews4.7/5
Coffee3.75/5
-Quality3.5/5
-Selection4/5
Staff4/5
-Responsiveness4/5
-Demeanour4/5
Value for Money(A higher score means better value)4/5
Ambiance4/5

Pros

  • Awarded a Certificate of Excellence in 2019 by Trip Advisor
  • Coffee beans are ground to order
  • Coffee is supplied by local coffee roasters, Dear Green
  • Offers office catering that can be customised
  • Online gift vouchers available

Cons

  • Inconsistent customer service
  • Closed on Sundays

Riverhill Coffee Bar is another top coffee shop in Glasgow. This popular hot spot was actually awarded a Certificate of Excellence in 2019 by Trip Advisor, which implies that they’ve managed to consistently achieve great traveller reviews.

We are not surprised, seeing that their coffee beans are ground to order, ensuring freshness. This is great for coffee addicts who can be quite discerning in terms of flavor.

We also like the fact that their coffee is supplied by local coffee roasters, Dear Green. Dear Green ensures that every coffee they source meets their ethical policies and quality control measures for an amazing sensory experience. 

Unlike other cafes, they offer customised office catering, which is great for those planning corporate events or just need the caffeine boost for a long meeting. 

They have add-on packages including drinks and sweet treats, and they also have vegan/vegetarian options, which we like.

If you are planning to give a gift to a coffee-obsessed loved one, then you’re in luck. They have a range of gift vouchers online which you can choose from, priced from £10 to £100.

One downside is that we heard reports of customers receiving inconsistent customer service. Apparently, the staff were sometimes a bit snippy.

Do note that this cafe is closed on Sundays, so plan your trip accordingly.

4. Willow Grove Coffee

Willow Grove Coffee's Homepage

Coffee Selection: Espresso, Americano, Piccolo, Flat White, Cortado, Mocha, Dirty Chai, Special – Dirty Pumpkin, Batch Brew, Chemex, V60, Cold Brew, Iced Latte, Iced Dirty Chai, Iced Dirty Pumpkin

Website: https://www.willowgrovecoffee.com/

Address: 531 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow G3 7PQ, United Kingdom

Contact Details:  +44 141 237 3490

Operating Hours:

  • Mon-Fri: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM
  • Saturday: 9 AM–4 PM
Google reviews score4.7/5
Trip Advisor reviews score5/5
Score consistency4.9/5
Total Reviews4.8/5
Coffee5/5
-Quality5/5
-Selection5/5
Staff4.75/5
-Responsiveness4.5/5
-Demeanour5/5
Price(A higher score means better value)4.5/5
Ambiance4/5

Pros

  • Independent coffee shop that has been open for 8 years
  • Multi-roaster coffee shop
  • Famous for their flat whites
  • Serves unique types of coffee drinks
  • Has online gift vouchers

Cons

  • Somewhat pricey
  • Not wheelchair-friendly
  • Closed on Sundays

Willow Grove Coffee is a hip and thriving independent coffee shop that has been open for 8 years. Its owner, Adele, has been working primarily in the speciality coffee scene since 2010 before deciding to set up shop.

Unlike other coffee shops who depend only on one coffee supplier, they pride themselves in being a multi-roaster coffee shop. They also always use independent specialty roasters which include Gatehouse Coffee, Tin Donkey, Dear Green, and more.

They are quite well-known for their amazing flat whites. Most of their customers raved about it, which we think is a testament to their skilled baristas.

They also serve coffee drinks that are not being served elsewhere. Some of these include Cortado, Dirty Chai, and Dirty Pumpkin, as well as Chemex and V60-filtered coffees.

One can also buy their family and friends gift vouchers from this shop online.

Their coffees are priced a bit higher compared to other coffee shops. But, it seems most of their customers do not mind, given the quality of the beans being used here.

Also, the cafe is a bit on the tiny side, so those with wheelchairs might find it hard to move about.

Lastly, those dreaming of sipping flat whites leisurely during their Sunday off would need to go elsewhere since this shop is closed on Sundays.

5. Spitfire Espresso

Spitfire Espresso's Homepage

Coffee Selection: Espresso, Long Black, Flat White, Latte, Cappuccino, Mochaccino, Macchiato, Piccolo, Cortado

Website: https://www.spitfireespresso.com/

Address: 127 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1NP, United Kingdom

Contact Details:  +44 7578 250105

Operating Hours: Mon-Sun: 8 AM–5 PM

Google reviews score4.6/5
Trip Advisor reviews score4.5/5
Score consistency5/5
Total Reviews4.7/5
Coffee4/5
-Quality4.5/5
-Selection3.5/5
Staff3.5/5
-Responsiveness4/5
-Demeanour3/5
Price(A higher score means better value)5/5
Ambiance4/5

Pros

  • Laid back vibe 
  • Open all week
  • Has their own exclusive blend of Spitfire Gunnerbean coffee
  • Has decaf coffee and gluten-free options
  • Serves all-day breakfast
  • Sells their own coffee bag and merchandise

Cons

  • Reports of unfriendly staff
  • Not wheelchair-friendly

If you prefer drinking your coffee in a laid-back space, then Spitfire Espresso might be a good choice. This cafe is open all week, so one can spend their weekends here unwinding or catching up with loved ones.

Unlike other coffee shops that have coffee suppliers, they actually have their own exclusive brand – Spitfire Gunnerbean coffee. It is a special blend of Colombian and Brazilian beans, which are roasted to bring out the chocolate notes.

For those avoiding caffeine, they also offer decaf coffee and gluten-free options such as oat and soy milks.

Nothing says leisure than spending all day sipping coffee and eating breakfast, and they offer exactly that. Customers we interviewed raved about their all-day breakfast menu which includes sandwiches, bagels, cakes, and vegan options.

If you are a fan of their in-house coffee blend, you can actually buy bags of Spitfire Gunnerbeans in their shop, ground to your specification. Other store-brand items they sell are their reusable to-go cups, vintage-style ceramic cups, and even trucker caps.

Sadly, we heard reports of some staff members being unfriendly even after messing up the orders. Apparently, some customers were disappointed with how they were treated, which isn’t surprising.

Also, while this place is charming, it is also quite tiny with very narrow aisles. For those in wheelchairs, this might not be a good option.

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