So let us take you a wander round the Kelvinbridge area of Glasgow West End. Lorna maintains it’s the new trendy area for those in the know. So to kick us off in style we head for a mainstay of the West End, Stravaigin on Gibson Street. This bar/restaurant particularly comes alive over the festive period. Great for food at any time but we recently went for breakfast and the full Scottish was eating quality. This is a perfect spot for a drink on Saturday/Sunday afternoons.
The food needs walked off and no better place than up the hill at Kelvingrove park, my second favourite park in Glasgow. One of the best views over the West of the city is from here, also perfect for sunsets. Head up to the Lord Roberts monument for the view, The park will be busy, it always is, but has a great feel to the place. It’s all ages and many different activities. We have even seen kids play quidditch on the red blaze the other day…….honest, brooms the lot!
The park also benefits from the magnificent Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. I still can’t get over the number of Scots I have met who have never been inside, I mean it’s free!? Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is by far one of Glasgow’s most popular attractions. With 22 themed, state of the art galleries displaying an astonishing 8000 objects, with lots of interactive displays aimed at engaging younger minds, this is somewhere you can easily while away several hours, if not longer! If you are around at 1 pm or weekdays make sure to go hear the free organ recital. Alternatively its 3 pm on a Sunday. It’s a great sound in the perfect surroundings.
This architectural masterpiece opened its doors in 1901 and many spend as much time appreciating the building as they do on one of Europe's great art collections. Here you'll find a Rembrandt alongside Renoir, as well as armour and ancient Egypt. The museum is a great day out for the family and has it’s own cafe and shops, particularly recommended on a Sunday afternoon.
Time for coffee and it has to be Papercup. Hands down Paper cup serves the best coffee in Glasgow. There are many many others in the West end, some real top drawer, however, time and time again Papercup serves the perfect flat white. Super cool place to hang out and watch the trendsetters.
To accompany any good coffee you need a good pastry. Lorna is a huge fan of Cotton Rake so we head over there. It’s hard not to get carried away with the selection.
And now for a wander around Glasgow University and the Hunterian Museum. Founded in 1807, the Hunterian is Scotland's oldest public museum and home to one of the largest collections outside the National Museum in Edinburgh.
The Hunterian is one of the leading university museums in the world and its collections have been Recognised as a collection of National Significance. It’s one of Scotland's most important cultural assets and highly recommended for a visit. I bet you haven’t been? In fact, have you wandered around the University grounds and seen the Cloisters? A perfect wee haven of peace and quiet. Make the effort.
Heading for a wee refreshment and over to our favourite wee pub, The Belle. It doesn’t look anything from the outside and probably won’t catch the eye of our Saturday night tourists which is a great thing. Always friendly and welcoming. I just can’t imagine this wee gem with social distancing.
Now serving the best noodles in the West End for over 10 years there is no better Asian Fusion place around than Wudon. The sisters who own this place are super friendly and will make you very welcome. There is always a fantastic fresh sushi selection and a brilliant atmosphere in the place. An alternative up the road would be Non-Viet, my favourite Vietnamese restaurant in Glasgow.
If you are going for a dressy up dinner I should mention Brett and Lovable Rogue. We do particularly love Brett. Great wine and so far the food has been exceptional.
Heading home there are two pillars of our kitchen, Valhalla’s Goat for some fine wines and a huge selection of craft beers and Roots and Fruits for just about everything organic and good for you. Both have really helpful staff who are happy to help assist with advice.
Just up the road and around the corner is the Doublet Bar. Again this is not for the dressed up, more for the dressed down. Super bar downstairs for the oldies and a jukebox and bar upstairs for the students. We are caught somewhere in-between - at least we think we are.
As we wander home I do love a nightcap in Bananamoon. Very young, very trendy but such a great atmosphere and usually top retro tunes we would never have listened too back in the day but now uber-trendy.
So that’s a wee day around our hood. It’s a great part of the West and seems to be getting better all the time. Remember with so many of these places the owners will have had a real tough time, the staff worried about their jobs and it really is down to us, the customers to keep them going. Remember, use it or lose it. Its time to give a wee bit back.
