Best Coffee shops in Glasgow

One of my favourite past times is going for coffee, with friends, my boyfriend or my family. I try my best to try as many different coffee shops in and around Glasgow and avoid the chains where possible, I'm going to share the best coffee shops in Glasgow with you...

1. Gizzi Espresso Bar

pictures from @Gizzi.espresso

Gizzi has been one of my families favourites for a few years now, serving up both takeaway coffees from the hatch outside or sit in coffees in their cosy shop. Located in Southside of Glasgow, in Shawlands it makes for the perfect Sunday morning coffee stop in my opinion. I love to grab a coffee and go a wander around the Shawlands area, with loads of new shops to browse and Queens Park close by for a walk. 

The staff in Gizzi are always so welcoming, it isn't too expensive for a coffee that is much nicer than any chain coffee shop and it is dog friendly... always a bonus. 

They offer alternative milks: oat and coconut for any non dairy drinkers. My personal favourite is a coconut latte or is I am fancying something sweet I will have an iced vanilla latte. 

As a side note, I know this is all about coffee, however, Gizzi also serves up some banging food. They offer brunch and sandwiches as well as a few specials and cakes. I will go into more detail about this in another post :)

2. Lab Espresso 

Located in the city centre of Glasgow, behind the H&M on Buchanan Street.  Lab Espresso is a modern coffee shop, serving up 'proper coffee' in the city centre.  Lab makes for a perfect pit stop whilst out enjoying the shops in the centre. 

The staff know how to make a good coffee in here, that's for sure - being part of the 50 best coffee shops in the world in 2019. Last time I visited I got a mocha that was so nice and my boyfriend had a flat white. I don't think they do any syrups for your coffee, so only go here if you do like a 'proper coffee'. 

They offer oat milk as a dairy alternative, this is probably my only downside is I wish they did more alternative milks.  I am also not too sure if they are dog friendly so if you are thinking of visiting with your wee fluff I would phone and double check you can bring them :)

They offer a small selection of cakes in store, the cannolis are a must if they have them when you visit.  Overall, a fab wee coffee shop to visit rather than the chains that take over the city centre. 

3. Grain and Grind 

With a few locations around Glasgow, Grain and Grind is another favourite of mine. My favourite store to visit in on Victoria Road, a short walk from Queens Park train station and the park itself. 

The staff in Grain and Grind are always so lovely, and the coffee is great. They use their own beans in store which I think is pretty cool, you can also purchase them in store if you fancy making some coffees at home. I love the decor of the stores, it makes a great spot for a catch up with friends.

They offer gluten free and vegan alternatives, if this interests you and they do a range of different alternative milks in store. All the stores are dog friendly, which is perfect as they are mostly based in areas perfect for a walk. 

My favourite from here is a mocha, they have a machine in store that stores the chocolate they use and the mochas are so good. 

Also a side note, they do offer sandwiches and cakes here if you wish, my recommendation is if they have the pain au chocolates get one, they're unreal. 

4. Thomsons HQ

Thomsons have been supplying shops in Glasgow with coffee for a while now and they finally decided to open a store of their own. The store opened in August 2022 and is located in Giffnock, Glasgow Southside. 

The store is modern and sleek inside, with bar stools available to sit in if you wish, one thing I liked about here is each seat has access to charging outlets, perfect for if you want to study or work in store. 

The staff were very helpful when I visited, we got some cakes which were so nice as well as an iced americano and my mum getting her staple, extra hot latte. 

The shop has a small menu, they don't have any syrups that I am aware of but the coffee is the star of the show. They offer oat milk as an alternative, which again as I said before I wish they offered more alternative milks.

Overall, Thomsons is a great wee coffee shop in the Southside, perfect for studying, grabbing a coffee to takeaway or just sitting in and enjoying. 

If you take a trip to any of the coffee shops mentioned let me know in the comments what you thought, or if you have been to any leave a review for others. As always recommendations are welcome in the comments of new places to try. See you in my next post :)