The Glasgow Sub Crawl.
A rite of passage for city students: those taking part are easily identifiable by wonky fancy dress costumes and giddy excitement as they discover a new bar at each of the 15 stops.
Our uni days might be far behind us, but this week we’re putting a foodie twist on the crawl, (featuring a less ambitious 10 stops) with a selection of restaurants or cafés that are well worth the price of an all-day ticket to discover.
Buchanan Street
Yiamas Greek Taverna
16 – 20 Bath Street
We’ll start bang slap in the middle of the city centre, at a subway station surrounded by the shoppers, buskers and buzz of Buchanan Street.
Make a beeline for Yiamas Greek Taverna on Bath Street for some of the best Gyros you’ll find in the city, in a choice of pork, chicken, seitan or halloumi cheese.
Other plates include souvlaki skewers, keftedes and traditional moussaka with layers of beef mince layered with aubergine and a creamy bechamel sauce.
Bridge Street
Namak Mandi
100 Norfolk Street
The Laurieston Bar is one of the most beloved stops on the traditional Sub Crawl and rightly so.
But, if you’re looking for a feast of flavour rather than a pint in an old-school boozer, venture just around the corner to Namak Mandi at its new home on Norfolk Street.
The food here is inspired by the ancient city of Peshawar, starting with familiar favourites like pakora or houmous with naan before a huge selection of grilled meats and warming curries.
Kinning Park
The Good Coffee Cartel
12 Cornwall Street
Jump off the Subway at Kinning Park for a caffeine fix from this pioneering team of Glasgow coffee roasters.
Alongside one of the best cups of coffee you’ll find in the city, the onsite café area also stocks a range of pastries and cakes sourced from local bakers.
What’s not to love?
Cessnock
Beirut star
450 Paisley Road West
Beirut Star often flies under the radar when it comes to Glasgow dining destinations, but those who have visited before know fine well what makes this Southside spot so special.
It’s all about authentic Lebanese cuisine here, prepared with fresh, vibrant ingredients and served in portion sizes that will satisfy even the largest of appetites.
Just remember to save room for a portion of deliciously sweet and sticky Baklava to finish.
Ibrox
Smokey’s Dairy
208 Copland Road
The team behind Smokey Trotters has only recently taken over this unit from Good Times Roll, but with branches across the city, you’re likely to recognise their menu of gut-busting burgers and loaded fries.
There are lighter options like breakfast rolls or bodega buns, but it's hard to look past the ‘Dirty Dipper’, a cheese and haggis topped smashed burger served with lashings of peppercorn sauce and crispy onions.
Partick
Banh Mi & Tea
401 Dumbarton Road
Onwards to the West End, where our first stop is Banh Mi & Tea near Partick station for some reasonably priced Vietnamese fare.
The sandwich which lends its name to the relaxed space is made using a crusty white baguette, filled with ribbons of pickled vegetables, a scattering of fresh coriander and pork, tofu or chicken and is a must order.
Elsewhere on the menu, you’ll find bowls of piping hot Pho, Bún chả and homemade summer rolls.
Kelvinhall
West Side Tavern
162 Dumbarton Road
Don’t fancy walking too far from your stop? Alight at Kelvinhall where the West Side Tavern sits just next door to the turnstiles and ticket booths.
This ‘watering hole and eatery’ draws from the city of New York for its interior theme and a menu of Italian-American pizzas, pastas and sharing plates.
The rigatoni alla vodka and ‘Spice Boi’ pizza topped with pepperoni and hot honey in particular have become firm favourites since the venue opened in late 2022.
Hillhead
Crabshakk Botanics
18 Vinicombe Street
Scuttle on over to the Crabshakk for some of the finest seafood Scotland has to offer.
Located not far from Hillhead Subway, this location is a big sister to the original Finnieston restaurant, with more space to stretch out and a considerably larger menu offering.
Scallops served in a red hot skillet of rich, bubbling anchovy butter are a must.
Kelvinbridge
Saffron by Paradise
411-413 Great Western Road
Great Western Road, at the mouth of Kelvinbridge Station, is one of Glasgow’s most densely populated hotbeds of top-notch restaurants and cafes such as Bar Brett, La Lanterna and Cottonrake Bakery.
For Persian food reimagined using the best of Scottish produce, visit Saffron by Paradise which is known for its small plates, fine wines and charcoal kebabs.
If you’re a Come Dine With Me: The Professionals fan – you might recall this family-run restaurant team from their appearance on the show in 2022.
St George’s Cross
Don Ya Sushi
17 W Princes Street
We’ll end this list close to where we started, a result of the beautifully uncomplicated circular route followed by the 'Clockwork Orange'.
The basement location of this Japanese restaurant might seem a little strange at first, but a walk down the stairs will reward you with a plethora of sushi sets as well as ramen, Don Buri and house specials.
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