Yelp, the online urban city guide and app, helps people find great places to eat, shop, drink, relax and play, and has put together a guide for the best places to visit in Glasgow.
If you’re visiting for the commonwealth games or heading to the city for a weekend break, this is the perfect selection to ensure your exploring isn’t done on an empty stomach.
Healthy Options
Martha's - 4.5 stars: 142A St Vincent Street, G2 5LQ
If you've just finished a race and you're craving takeaway food but really need to keep it fresh and healthy, then Martha's is just the place. Don't worry though, you don't have to be an athlete to treat yourself to some light yet filling takeaway goodness. Martha's is very vegetarian-friendly but carnivores will appreciate the red dragon pork. It's a great spot for either a lunch or a breakfast, with a wide selection of hot rolls, porridge and yoghurt on offer.
Siempre- 4 stars: 162 Dumbarton Road, G11 6XE.
Siempre is a cafe heaven for bike fans and food lovers alike. Conveniently located right next to the Kelvinhall subway station, Siempre is a bike shop that also serves food and drinks, or a cafe that also sells bikes and bike parts - whichever way you prefer it. The food is not only healthy and locally sourced where possible but also very delicious. And who knows, you might even bump into one of the Commonwealth Games' cyclists!
Social Bite - 4.5 stars: 103 St Vincent Street, G2 5EA
Social Bite offers good food for a good cause, spreading the spirit of the Commonwealth Games. The food is fresh, healthy, tasty and created by a Michelin Star Chef. We would recommend a £4.95 meal deal consisting of any soup, sandwich and piece of fruit, but there's plenty of other freshly prepared lunch, brunch and breakfast options, with 100% of profits donated to good causes. The cafe also offers suspended coffees and meals, which means that users can pre-pay for a meal or a drink and a homeless person can come in and claim it.
Saramago at the CCA - 4 stars: 350 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD
Saramago at the CCA is a great vegan spot, perfect for a quick soya latte or a delicious and filling lunch. The place has a very nice vibe to it with friendly service and good music. If you're up for a lunch then we would recommend vegan haggis fritters with chips. The chips are cooked just right and the meal comes with balsamic pickles and tartar sauce. So if you're a veggie visiting Glasgow for Commonwealth Games, make sure you check out Saramago at the CCA for some classic haggis.
Naked Soup - 4 stars: 6 Kersland Street, G12 8B
This small cafe is a soup lover's heaven. The soups are delicious, freshly made at the cafe and also very reasonably priced. We would recommend trying the lentil, sweet potato and coconut soup, but if you're craving something else, the veggie breakfast and American pancakes are also top notch, perfect for getting your pre-Games food fix.
Go Slow Cafe - 4.5 stars: 452 Victoria Road, G42 8YU
Go Slow has a relaxed vibe with its mix-matched furniture and candles. The Dutch style cafe has a very varied and healthy menu, including plenty of vegetarian options as well as Panini’s and sandwiches for those in a rush. Art lovers will also appreciate Go Slow Cafe - both its interior and exterior have some great modern art to feast your eyes on.
Firebird - 4 stars: 1321 Argyle Street, G3 8TL
This gastropub has been around for a while but if you haven't had a chance to visit it yet, we suggest popping in for some of their highly praised food. Firebird offers a number of delicious gluten-free options, from pizzas to pastas, but you can also opt for a regular pizza, which is just as good. The pub has a laid back vibe, making it a great spot for catching up with friends and discussing the latest results of the Commonwealth Games over a tasty meal.
Babu Bombay Street Kitchen - 5 stars: 186 W Regent Street, G2 4RU
Babu Bombay is one of Glasgow's favourite Indian food sports. If you're after authentic and outstanding Indian food then this small restaurant is just the place. The fresh, light and healthy food is served by friendly staff, so why not reward yourself with some great Indian food after a day of sports.
Woodland Herbs - 4.5 stars: 100 Woodlands Road, G3 6HB
Woodland Herbs is a massage and acupuncture clinic, perfect for sorting out sport injuries and any pain and discomfort you might be experiencing as well as just a little pamper session. The specialists as the clinic are professional and friendly, offering a wide range of therapies. We'd recommend going for the pleasant and professional hour-long massage.
Bellahouston Leisure Centre - 4 stars: Bellahouston Drive, G52 1HH
If you want to test your skills and see if they compare to the Commonwealth Games athletes' abilities, Bellahouston Leisure Centre is worth a visit. The centre has plenty to offer with a great cycling track, squash court, classes and swimming pools. The pools are especially great as there's a pool for adults, a pool for children, an outdoor pool and even a small splash pool for babies. The health suite boasts a sauna, a steam room and a spa bath. In a nutshell, Bellahouston is a wellness and sport heaven of Glasgow.
Naughty Treats
Two Fat Ladies at the Buttery - 4 stars: 652-654 Argyle St, G3 8UF
These ladies are famed for their fantastic dessert menu. Only a few minutes away from the Athletes Village, athletes will have to resist this delightful temptation on their way to the games. £££
Blythswood Square - 4.5 stars: 11 Blythswood Square, G2 4AD
A fantastic hotel that can draw any athlete in with fine dining and a beautiful spa experience but kill their speed with decadent cocktails. One to try is the Black Pearl, which features Gosling’s Black Seal with Wild Turkey Bourbon, Fee Brothers Whisky Barrel-Aged Bitters and sugar syrup, and then served in a carafe.
Chocolate Boutique - 5 stars: 164 Great Western Road, G4 9AE
This shop specialising in indulgent sweets, tempts the healthy athletes in with the sugar-free, vegan and organic chocolates. However, they'll be in trouble as soon as they spot the display counter with over 250 type of loose chocolates. All available to buy by the kilo, which no health nut can resist.
Wild Cabaret - 4.5 stars: 18 Candleriggs, G1 1LD
The name says it all. This 'Wild' venue has live music or comedians every weekend. This is sure to keep athletes and their fans out laughing and enjoying themselves till the early hours of the morning.
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut - 4 stars: 272 St Vincent Street, G2 5RL
With live music on almost every single night, King Tut's is a dangerous place for a competing athlete. The hut is known for its late nights with popular music artists, great food and full bar, which is sure to keep any thrill seeking athlete out of their bed.
Hippo Beers - 5 stars: 128 Queen Margaret Drive, G20 8NY
With over 350 types of different beers, this speciality beer shop draws drinks and customers from all over the world. This means that athletes from around the world are able to enjoy the beers from their home countries as well as explore the rest of the world's beer all in just one bar.
Kings Cafe - 4 stars: 71 Elmbank Street, G2 4PQ
Some may call it the breakfast of champions, however, to an athlete this may cut their chances. The cafe's menu features mountains of bacon, square sausage and potato filled rolls that can be a side for your full Scottish breakfast goodness, which will send you into a full food coma.
Burger Meats Bun - 4 stars: 48A W Regent Street, G2 2RA
This burger place offers delicious burgers, cheese-laden chips and doughnuts. It also specialises in deep-fried mac and cheese nuggets and haggis popcorn, which may not be on the typical commonwealth athlete’s diet.
Cottonrake - 4.5 stars: 497 Great Western Road, G128HL
A doughnut and cake shop that sports a big sign flashing 'DOUGHNUT REPAIRS’ that could no doubt banish the sorrow from losing a race, with a doughnut. Their desserts are just as delicious as they look and will tantalise any athlete or walker-by.
The Richmond - 4 stars
The bistro is famous for all-round good food, but the true gem is its fattening yet fantastic chocolate & mascarpone samosa with Nutella, maple syrup, and ice cream. This samosa will slow down any commonwealth athlete that comes through its doors.
Elliot Adams, Senior European Communications Manager at Yelp comments: "Glasgow has some amazing things to offer visitors coming to the city for the Commonwealth Games later this month, whether they be participating or simply spectating. Local treasures to visit as well as a wide range of culinary delights to sample. While some may want to stick to an athletes regime, others will want to indulge as much as possible, which is where this list of highly rated businesses comes in very handy, whatever your fitness regime."
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