For what occasion would you be most likely to go out on? Vote and tell me what nights (days) out are important for you!

British Breakfast at Lauders!

Want to take a break from a sweet breakfast or just oatmeal and honey in the morning? Have a hearty and British breakfast at Lauders on Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street!

Baked beans, bacon, sausages and eggs… What a delight!

Lauders which is situated diagonally down across from Walkabout offers rich breakfasts to give you a good start in the day. Not only can you enjoy a simple British breakfast (starting from only £2.99) with baked beans, sausages, bacon, tomatoes and toast, but also a few vegetarian breakfasts which consist of mushrooms, toasts, eggs and other veggie alternatives. Each decent priced breakfast comes with a tea, coffee or orange juice. Eggs are free range and the sausages real British. Different varieties of the full British breakfast (classic, ultimate, etc.) can be found on the breakfast menu. There is even a “Good Morning Beef Burger”, for all our Burger lovers who can’t wait until night to eat their first burger of the day! Lauders is a typical Glaswegian pub for me. I’ve been here several times, especially with friends from abroad who visited me, because it’s great for a typical and casual pub visit.

Enjoy an energising breakfast before starting a weekend-day full of shopping on Sauchiehall Street!

Not only do they serve a great breakfast, but also have great dinner deals on their menu or buffet menu. It is a family-friendly pub with an own kids menu, so you might bump into several families enjoying a burger for lunch or a breakfast on weekends. Also a tip for parents: Mondays you only pay £1 for your kid’s meal! It is also located next to the Pavilion Theatre, so you might end up seeing some actors or dancers with painted faces and fancy dancing dresses heading to Lauders after a show.

Lauders is also great for a lunch or dinner date out with friends. Its prices are fair for the quantity and quality you receive. On Saturdays you get a free started or dessert with each dish. Check out the different Easter special offers for the end of April. A tip before you head out to Lauders; sign up online  to receive a £5 voucher!

Have a good start into your day!

 

Address: 76 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3DE

Tel: 0141 332 9690

Opening Hours:

Monday – Saturday: 8 am – Midnight

Sunday: 10 am – Midnight

Rock and blues at The Howlin’ Wolf

Treat yourself with a hearty wolf’s meal in a comfortable atmosphere to get into the mood with a mix of rock and blues music at The Howling Wolf on Bath Street.

Cool beats and a cold German Weihenstephan Beer; what more could I ask for?

On a weekend trip to Edinburgh about a month ago, my friend and I found an advertisement in The Skinny magazine about The Howlin’ Wolf. “For lovers of Blues, Soul, Homemade Food, Rock N Roll, Cocktails & Tall Tales…” This slogan becomes a promise and sums up the atmosphere and place of The Howlin’ Wolf pretty well.

 

A bit hidden on Bath Street, the bar is on the lower level down the stairs. This makes it a bit like a wolf’s den itself; a bit hidden but still cozy on the inside. The bar itself is also very stylish with wooden and stone elements on tables and flooring. Warm small sized light bulbs cover parts of the ceiling above the big table which makes up the center of the entrance room. This big group table is a smart idea because it creates more interaction between people who don’t actually know each other. It gives the place a feeling of

The Big Bad Wolf…a masterpiece of burger!

familiarity and that everyone is jolly and friendly with each other. While the seating booths create a separation between guests, the common table brings them back together. Another important aspect of the bar is the music. Alternative rock and blues are played such as The Rolling Stones or The Animals, giving the place a shaky and loosened up but still relaxing atmosphere. I also really liked the interior of the bar; it was in the style of a classy but alternative rock bar. The staff was very helpful and friendly and well informed about the dishes and drinks. Hearty dishes such as Burgers, Pizzas and delicious meaty plates are being served as well as small plates. Combine your own meal out of three, six or nine small dishes for a good price; so you can taste a little of everything! They also serve a lot of different beers from not only Scotland and England but also from Germany, USA, Holland and other countries. Cocktails can also be found on the menu, which is unfortunately not available online. But you can check out The Holwin’ Wolf’s Facebook page to check out new groovy songs or updates and events. The opening hours are always long for Glasgow; until 3 am every day a week! And the next great thing is that the kitchen is open until 2 am, so you can always go for a late snack to The Howlin’ Wolf.

Wolfy Cheers!

 

Address: 100 Bath Street, G2 2EN Glasgow, United Kingdom

Tel: 0141 332 3224

Opening Hours:
Monday – Sunday : 11 am – 3 am

 

 

Enjoy a cold Aussie beer and great student deals at Walkabout

Being the official student’s union bar of Glasgow Caledonian University, Walkabout offers great student deals on drinks and dishes and broadcasts major sport events on big screens. The Australian themed bar is great for a friend’s night out – whether it’s for drinks or for a casual dinner night out.

Most meals come with chips, sauces and other crunchy and delicious side dishes!

The bar is a place that I would really describe as a college-like bar, with comfy seating booths and high tables that serves good food for a reasonable price. I’ve been to Walkabout for plenty occasions, whether it was just for a drink, a football game or an event. If you are a GCU student and have a valid student card, you receive a good amount of discounts on different beverages. When football games are screened, Walkabout is super full and you got to be lucky to find seating. The best deal I found in the last week was Nachos and a beer for only 5£. You also have offers such as a free desert if you buy a meal. If you’re interested in a smaller snack to share with someone, you have plenty of yummy offers on the “dare to share” menu. On the food menu you find a big variety of dishes to choose from, from a healthy salad to wraps or burgers. Australian cocktails, wines and beers can be found on the drinks menu along with sparkling and soft drinks . I think the prices are fair for the quality and quantity you get; you won’t be leaving Walkabout with an empty stomach!

The bar is very spacious, but fills up quickly on sport nights. Reserve your seats at Walkabout!

Walkabout is a good and cheaper alternative to a fancy and expensive bar. It is situated on the corner of Renfrew and Renfield Street in the very center of Glasgow and is also great for an after or before drink when going out for a movie at Cineworld. It is well visited, especially in the afternoon and night. I also like grabbing a snack or drink after a long shopping afternoon with my girlfriends, just to relax and sit comfortably and enjoy some good food.  Walkabout is also situated in other cities across the United Kingdom, so if you’re not in Glasgow at the moment, why not try out your local Walkabout. To find the nearest Walkabout in your area, click here. My last little tip (valid until April 30^th): get 25% off your next meal with this online voucher!

Cheers big ears!

 

Address: 128 Renfield Street, Glasgow, G2 3AL

Tel: 01413328209

Opening Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 11am – Midnight
Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 2 am
Sunday: Noon – Midnight

 

An afternoon at the coffee (and gift) world Felix and Oscar in Glasgow West End

Felix and Oscar is a lovely and unique coffee shop in Glasgow West end that serves homemade tartes, cakes and even ice-cream, but also offers a range of fancy and cute gift (ideas)!

Located near River Kelvin on the Great Western Road, I found this little gem on my stroll around the West end in my first month of living in Glasgow in October 2013. Not only does it offer coffee and delicious cakes and sweets but also amazing Croque Monsieur, and a sweet little gift shop area! It is a coffee and gift shop combined. With a few fashion items, accessories and cute little retro articles, Felix and Oscar is not just a coffee shop, but a little gift world where you might just find the next gift for your friend’s birthday or for mother’s day.

A pug bag? Or maybe just a cat pouch? You can let your desires for cute kitsch run free here!

Try out their delicious home made tartes and cakes…Yummy!

I have to say it is a wee little comfortable hotspot in Glasgow West End.When my mother visited we relaxed in the comfy sofas after a long day around town and treated ourselves with a cup of coffee and a piece of their delicious cake (which you can find on display at the counter). The service was very good and the staff lovely and friendly. Again (since I really like cute coffee shops like this) this café was very homely and unique. With different seating arrangements, a lot of fancy and different items standing in the display cabinets and nice music in the background, you can enjoy a lovely cup of coffee. You can find small accessories from mugs, home-made (!) jams, coffee accessories and postcards to bath and jewelry accessories, little bags and kids’ toys. I really suggest visiting Felix and Oscar, because I think it represents Glasgow much better than just any chain and mainstream coffee shop (which you can find at every corner!).  This unique café on the other hand will give you a memorable afternoon full of cuteness and tastiness!

 

Address: 459 Great Western Rd, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G12 8HH

Tel: 0141 339 5870

Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm
Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Sunday: 11am – 5pm

 

Café gem McCune Smith on Duke Street!

(Always) Coffee time! Located near the Glasgow Necropolis on Duke Street lies one of my favorite little coffee shops in Glasgow; the McCune Smith Cafe. It offers breakfast, brunch and tea, along with a soup of the day and freshly made sandwiches. This is a great escape from chain cafes, to enjoy a friendly atmosphere with great staff and (of course) great coffee!

McCune Smith Cafe on Duke Street

Even though I don’t live very far from Duke Street it was never prominently noticeable to me before, up until the day my friend and I needed a warm up from the cold Scottish weather. The windows were a bit damp from the heat inside (a freezing breeze howled around the corners of the building on this winter day!), but as soon as we entered the café we were in a cozy and homely environment.

Home made dishes are offered daily

The design is kept simple; high grey toned walls with a light wooden floor and a few (but not too many) flowers placed on each table. Pictures of Glasgow are displayed on the walls and the light painted doors and doorframe give the little detail to make it look more personalized and homely. You almost have the feeling of being in a big, two roomed, living room with an en-suite kitchen. The café is very clean and has an open space. Big windows cover the whole front of the café, giving the rooms a lot of light, which is I think a pretty important factor for a Glaswegian Café! You can find the menu written on a chalkboard behind the counter, which holds all the delicious and home-made food.

Sandwiches are all freshly served with a home made sauce to keep the freshness. Bread is freshly baked every morning!

The different dishes are carefully chosen by the owner and are designed to be good to your body, with some organic food and home-made sauces and salsas. The café is very supportive of local resources and therefore receives its freshly baked bread from a local bakery every morning and its coffee is roasted locally as well. The tea is fair-trade and the price for a (great) coffee is very reasonable for the quality and service you receive. The sandwiches are also generously served and why not try some of the sausage rolls or porridge with blueberries for breakfast? Yum!

The staff members are also very kind and friendly. We got talking for a bit and my friend and I introduced ourselves, since we were new to McCune Smith and the atmosphere felt so personal and familiar. Before leaving they gave us the last two cakes, because it was late in the afternoon and they were about to close for the day. What a nice gesture! About the two cakes: they were delicious! I don’t know what they were called, but it tasted like a Crème Brûlée Cake – a delight for the tongue and the senses! All cakes and sweets are home-made and vary, depending on the day. Just ask the staff about the cakes and sweets available.

Enjoy an afternoon with your friends over coffee and a piece of home-made cake! With great service you will receive fresh and tasty dishes at McCune Smith. And if you have an afternoon where you don’t feel like leaving the house, you can even bring great coffee into your own home. Coffee can be purchased in the café, along with other small little pleasures such as a French Press or Chutneys.

French dinner night: mint and honey dressed fruit salad along with lemon posset! Oh la la…

Parlez-vous français ?

Last cool tip: if you’re looking for a place to improve your French you can sign up for the monthly French cooking evening, which takes place every second Tuesday of the month. In a casual and colloquial environment you not only get to meet new people and improve your French language skills, but also cook a two course dinner. C’est magnifique!

Bon Appétit et à bientôt!

 

 

 

 

Address: 3-5 Duke Street, G4 0UL, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 548 1114

Opening Hours:
Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm

Visit McCune Smiths Facebook website here!

Sushi night out at Nanakusa on Sauchihall Street!

Are you a Sushi Lover? So am I! As a “Sushi-Lover” I have (of course) had to check out most of the Sushi Restaurants and Take-Aways since I moved to Glasgow in September 2013. From my experiences I have to say that I’ve had my best Sushi experience at the Scottish Restaurant Award Winning 2010 Restaurant in the category Best Oriental Restaurant; Nanakusa!

Nanakusa is on 441 Sauchiehall Street; the nearest subway station is Charing Cross.

Located on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow Central, Nanakusa is surrounded by a lively neighborhood, with a lot of pubs, restaurants and clubs around the corners. Even though it’s on Sauchiehall Street, it took me circa 15 minutes to actually find the restaurant the first I went to check it out. It looks a bit inconsiderable from the outside, due to its wooden design, which made me walk past it about three times (even though it’s written Nanakusa in big letters on top!). Even though the outside is quiet small, you are surprised by a backward stretching modernized room when entering the restaurant. The clean and simple interior design, with a high ceiling and colorful lighting up the walls, give it a futuristic and modern touch. The restaurant is two stories, with an extra seating space upstairs. If you’re just dropping in to get a take-away or just grabbing lunch, you can also sit in the very front seating area, which is not very fancy, but more casual.

Nanakusas downstairs and upstairs seating. Loving the ceiling stucco!

Nanakusa offers a range of different sushi dishes but also a selection of japanese barbecue grill dishes. Check out the mouthwatering menu here!

As you probably already know as a Sushi-Fan it is not the cheapest night out, so expect to spend between £16 and £30 per person when going to Nanakusa (it’s worth it though!). I’ve tried different kinds of Sushi such as California Rolls, simply Makis, Sashimi and other varieties of Sushi. I have to say that the Sashimi with raw salmon was one of the most delicious things I’ve had there. What is really great about the menu is that it includes photos of the dishes, making it much easier to choose what and how much to order and eat (especially when you don’t know what all the Japanese words mean)! But Nanakusa is not all about Sushi; they also offer a range of starters and main dishes including noodles, rice, Yakitori and meat from the Barbecue grill. If you’re interested in choosing a meat dish over Sushi I really recommend the Chicken Teriyaki and the Kamo Teriyaki; great in taste! All dishes are served with edible leaves and herbs, which are traditionally there to cleanse your body and promote your health and vitality. And if you’re already at a Japanese restaurant you can also try out some of the alcohol beverage “Sake” (starting from £3.50 per glass on the drinks menu), which is made from rice fermented alcohol.  Alternatively they also offer Japanese Whiskey and Plum Wine. For those of you who don’t want to experiment with Japanese beverages: usual soft drinks, beer and water can of course also be purchased.

I highly recommend Nanakusa, not only because of its delicious food, but also because of the calm ambience in the restaurant. I also have to add that the waiters were very congenial, friendly and helpful. You can also check out the visual tour of the restaurant or simply check it out yourself 😉

Address:
441 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3LG

Tel: 0141332 6303

Opening Hours:
Monday: Thursday: 12 noon – 2:30 pm, 5pm – 12 midnight
Friday: Saturday: 12 noon – 12 midnight
Sunday: 5pm – 12 midnight

Stereo: a Vegan night out in Glasgow Centre!

Looking for a vegan night out in an alive and alternative atmosphere? Then Stereo is right for you! With a bar and restaurant upstairs and a venue place downstairs, Stereo is not only a great place for a lunch or dinner date, but also a place to shake out your hips and get dancing!

Visit their website to check out their upcoming events and gigs!

Stereo hosts different club nights and gigs and is open up until 3 a.m. on these nights. The upstairs is a simple but cosy place to eat or have a coffee or cider. The interior design is very much based on wood and makes the place very warm and snug.  What makes Stereo so special to me is its location and its specialty in vegan and vegetarian food. Stereo is located in Renfield Lane, a small side street just around the corner from Central Station Glasgow. The first time I went there it took me a while to find it and I got lost (this was in my first month in Glasgow;) ). But once I entered the Lane and the café/bar I had a homely and comfortable feeling.

Posters on the wall, calm music and a wooden interior design; stereo is very cosy and comfortable. The perfect place to grab an organic beer or taste a vegan Burger! Bon apetit!

Apart from the atmosphere I like the statement of the café; only vegan food, without any animal products. I’m not a vegan or vegetarian, but even to try it out was an experience itself and showed that vegan food can taste excellent without any meat or animal products. The food menu is not too pricey with Tapas for 3.75£ only and main dishes starting from 6.50£. Even though it’s a vegan restaurant, usual dishes such as Pizza Margherita, Nachos and Burgers are still served; just differently! For only 1£ you have the option of choosing a dish gluten free. The menu adapts to your culinary wishes; awesome! They also offer organic beers and wines and their coffee is fair-trade. On top of all this they even bake their own bread and cakes. Coming from Germany where freshly baked whole grain bread and cakes are essentials, I really like this about Stereo. You know what you are eating and where it comes from!

Whether you’re eating out or just having a drink; Stereo is a cozy and comfy place to be!

Not only can you eat out or grab a drink at Stereo, but you can also turn a dinner night into a dancing night by just going downstairs and enjoying the club to dance! You can even host your own venue and hire the room downstairs!

Hope you’ll like this special vegan restaurant as much as I did!

 

 

Address:
22-28 Renfield Lane, Glasgow, G2 5AR

Tel: 0141 222 2254

Opening Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 11am – 1am (club: 3am)

Date night out at The Social!

Looking for a great place for a date night out?  Want to take out your girl-/boyfriend out for a drink and don’t know where to go? The Social is the place to be in Glasgow City Center!

Enjoy a drink outside on the terrace under the chain of lights in the sky and next to the Gallery of Modern Arts

Located right next to the Gallery of Modern Art at the Royal Exchange Square The Social offers great cocktails at night but also offers delicious meals during the day. I’ve been to The Social many times and it has even gotten more stylish and fancy after the refurbishment in winter, making it more modern and new. The place is hip and full of young people who enjoy a drink out at night (pre-date before going out to dance!).

It’s ideal for a date night out as you can eat out if you desire or just grab a cocktail in a relaxed but still alive atmosphere. Fresh fruit cocktails are mixed at the bar and it’s not too pricey (although you can expect to pay more than at your student union; Cocktails from 5,50 £). Personally my favorite cocktail is Rasperrylicious (6£) from their drinks menu – very fruity with a hint of lemon and sugar in it.

Enjoy a walk with your loved one under a blanket of lights at night!

The food is also very good, with special day meals throughout the whole week, making it for affordable for us students to go out too. The latest offer on the food menu is the “Half Prize Pizza Pasta” from Monday to Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. The music is more upbeat not making your date night out too cheesy and romantic! During the day or even at night you have the possibility to sit outside, surrounded by heaters. This is another reason why I like The Social so much; the location. The Royal Exchange Square is such a beautiful pedestrian way. Little hint: check out the chain of lights around the Gallery of Modern Arts; it looks very dreamy and cozy at night. Another great fact about the Social is the opening hours; while other Pubs close at midnight, the social is open until 3 a.m. every day and you don’t even have to pay entrance!

I hope you’ll enjoy the cocktails! As we say in German: “Prost!”

 

Address:
27 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow G1 3AJ

Tel.: 0845 166 6016

Opening Hours:
Monday – Sunday: 12 noon – 3 am

Lunch at George Square: The Counting House!

The “The Counting House” is a very central situated pub/restaurant, making it easy to go to whether you have to catch your train the next hour or just while passing by George Square.

The Counting House at George Square. Perfect for a stop over in Glasgow Queen Street or just a sunday lunch out.

The Counting House at George Square is very well situated, only a few minutes’ walk from Glasgow Queen Station and close to Glasgow’s Shopping Mile Buchanan Street and Sauchihall Street. It offers a range of beers from different countries, along with a variety of different ales which are on sale every day. There are many meal deals, depending on the day. On Sunday they do have different meal deals combining a dish with a soft drink or a beer and ale or a glass of wine. Any other deals and meals can be found on the food menu of Wetherspoon. The interior is very comfortable, homely but still fancy with a dome shaped ceiling, making the interior design pompous, while all the beers are listed on a wall, marked with the flag of its origins. The service is very good and food is always being served quickly (without influencing its good quality!). Prices are average, but there are some deals on different days, making this pub/restaurant not very pricey.

The beautifully decorated dome creates an open and hall like feeling, with the different types of beer types written on a big board on the wall.

Always remember to drink responsibly! 😉

Cheers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:
The Counting House
2 St Vincent Place
Glasgow, City of Glasgow
G1 2DH

Tel: 0141 225 0160

Opening Hours:
Monday to Sunday: 7 am – 12am