Jessica's Guidebook
Food Scene
Delicious ice cream with vegan options. This place is a south side institution.
12 locals recommend
Ginesi’s Artisan Gelato
455 Victoria RoadDelicious ice cream with vegan options. This place is a south side institution.
MILK
452 Victoria RdExcellent brunch option. Local cafe which does lots for the community
Yummy South Indian grub. This place has become a south side favourite in recent years
60 locals recommend
Ranjit's Kitchen
607 Pollokshaws RdYummy South Indian grub. This place has become a south side favourite in recent years
Best traditional Scottish breakfast, in my opinion. They even make their own tattie scones
31 locals recommend
Gusto & Relish
729-731 Pollokshaws RdBest traditional Scottish breakfast, in my opinion. They even make their own tattie scones
Grocery shop with emphasis on local and organic produce. Therefore, a bit pricey, but the bread is very worth it.
47 locals recommend
Locavore CIC
349 Victoria RdGrocery shop with emphasis on local and organic produce. Therefore, a bit pricey, but the bread is very worth it.
Great range of spices, sauces, etc, but most importantly the best counter samosas I've ever tasted!
World Foods
23 Nithsdale StGreat range of spices, sauces, etc, but most importantly the best counter samosas I've ever tasted!
Kebabish Grill
323-325 Victoria RoadMy favourite for a curry. If you sit in, the decor is amazing!
A traditional fish and chip shop. To me, the best in Glasgow and very good prices. Fish fried fresh each time and the only chippy in Glasgow who still do traditional marrowfat peas!
Guido's Coronation Restaraunt
55 GallowgateA traditional fish and chip shop. To me, the best in Glasgow and very good prices. Fish fried fresh each time and the only chippy in Glasgow who still do traditional marrowfat peas!
Hands down my favourite restaurant. Just excellent Malaysian cuisine, made by Mama Lin. Sit in or sometimes they're quiet enough to deliver south
6 locals recommend
Suissi Vegan Asian Kitchen
494 Dumbarton RdHands down my favourite restaurant. Just excellent Malaysian cuisine, made by Mama Lin. Sit in or sometimes they're quiet enough to deliver south
A west end staple - huge tea selection and great atmosphere
74 locals recommend
Tchai-Ovna House of Tea
33 Otago LnA west end staple - huge tea selection and great atmosphere
Venue with great restaurant inside. Lots of interesting events and exhibitions
82 locals recommend
Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA)
350 Sauchiehall StVenue with great restaurant inside. Lots of interesting events and exhibitions
The Glad Cafe C.I.C
1006A Pollokshaws RoadGood wee venue with nice cafe
Kurdish Street Food
12-14 Allison StBest falafel wrap in the area and very affordable
Langside Cafe
33 Langside PlMore delicious Italian ice cream! I don't know which is my favourite
Pubs and bars
Great traditional pub, with a huge beer selection. Karaoke on a Saturday night.
59 locals recommend
The Allison Arms
720 Pollokshaws RdGreat traditional pub, with a huge beer selection. Karaoke on a Saturday night.
Huge selection of rum and rum-based cocktails, delicious jerk fish and chips, and dancehall downstairs with a decent selection of musicians and DJs
64 locals recommend
The Rum Shack
657-659 Pollokshaws RdHuge selection of rum and rum-based cocktails, delicious jerk fish and chips, and dancehall downstairs with a decent selection of musicians and DJs
The Bungo - Southside
Nithsdale RoadGreat cocktails and relaxed atmosphere
Heraghty's Bar
708 Pollokshaws RdTraditional pub
Sightseeing
Lovely park, with basketball court, ponds, swans, and outdoor gym. My favourite is to climb up to the flagpole where you get a magnificent view out to the hills. The poetry garden is worth a visit - try and ignore the fact that we've chosen to honour our best poets by sticking their names on bins!
54 locals recommend
Queens Park station
Queens Park StationLovely park, with basketball court, ponds, swans, and outdoor gym. My favourite is to climb up to the flagpole where you get a magnificent view out to the hills. The poetry garden is worth a visit - try and ignore the fact that we've chosen to honour our best poets by sticking their names on bins!
Huge park with Highland cows and a stately home. I like to sit by the river outside Pollok House
203 locals recommend
Pollok Country Park
2060 Pollokshaws RoadHuge park with Highland cows and a stately home. I like to sit by the river outside Pollok House
The exhibition on Glaswegian life is unparalleled. It's seen better days, but it still holds a special place in my heart! And it's free
165 locals recommend
People's Palace and Winter Gardens
The GreenThe exhibition on Glaswegian life is unparalleled. It's seen better days, but it still holds a special place in my heart! And it's free
The antiques section is worth a look and the freshly fried doughnuts are a must!
49 locals recommend
The Barras Market
244 GallowgateThe antiques section is worth a look and the freshly fried doughnuts are a must!
Mindblowing kinetic sculptures. Check out their website to book a show. Combine with a whirl around the vintage shops on Kings Street.
23 locals recommend
Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre
TrongateMindblowing kinetic sculptures. Check out their website to book a show. Combine with a whirl around the vintage shops on Kings Street.
Another big park with an interesting history. This is where the West Highland Way begins
36 locals recommend
Mugdock Country Park
Another big park with an interesting history. This is where the West Highland Way begins
Traditional hutting community. Makes an interesting walk. For more about their history, check out my mum's book Mavis's Shoe
Carbeth Huts
Traditional hutting community. Makes an interesting walk. For more about their history, check out my mum's book Mavis's Shoe
A window onto Scotland's past - loads of fun for kids.
49 locals recommend
Scotland Street School Museum
225 Scotland StA window onto Scotland's past - loads of fun for kids.
The Govan Stones
866 Govan RoadA must for anyone interested in medieval history.
Exhibition space which often hosts events in the evening (theatre, dance, music). Access the Hidden Gardens through the back
104 locals recommend
Tramway
25 Albert DrExhibition space which often hosts events in the evening (theatre, dance, music). Access the Hidden Gardens through the back
Day trips
Wee but steep hill not far from Glasgow. You can get a bus to the bottom and there's a distillery nearby if you fancy a tour
Dumgoyne
Wee but steep hill not far from Glasgow. You can get a bus to the bottom and there's a distillery nearby if you fancy a tour
Probably my favourite walk within a drive of Glasgow. Great wee climb with fab view at the top
33 locals recommend
Conic Hill
West Highland WayProbably my favourite walk within a drive of Glasgow. Great wee climb with fab view at the top
The seat of Scotland's kings for centuries, this castle has been restored in recent years and has some excellent and accessible displays. Possible as a day trip from Glasgow.
321 locals recommend
Stirling Castle
Castle WyndThe seat of Scotland's kings for centuries, this castle has been restored in recent years and has some excellent and accessible displays. Possible as a day trip from Glasgow.
Ben A'an
A very popular wee hill not far from Glasgow
Great spot for wild swimming. If you keep going to the end of the road at Inversnaid, there's a hotel with a restaurant looking onto Loch Lomond.
Loch Chon
Great spot for wild swimming. If you keep going to the end of the road at Inversnaid, there's a hotel with a restaurant looking onto Loch Lomond.
Fabulous hillwalk. Get the train to Arrochar and walk to the base. If you're driving, continue along and over the Rest and Be Thankful to Inveraray for lunch and visit the castle or the old jail.
28 locals recommend
The Cobbler
Fabulous hillwalk. Get the train to Arrochar and walk to the base. If you're driving, continue along and over the Rest and Be Thankful to Inveraray for lunch and visit the castle or the old jail.
Fantastic views from this hill on the Isle of Arran, with the added bonus of a trip on the ferry.
16 locals recommend
Goatfell
Fantastic views from this hill on the Isle of Arran, with the added bonus of a trip on the ferry.
Get the early train to Newtonmore and then cycle to Aviemore, via Loch an Eilein. This is one for confident cyclists with moderate fitness, though it is national cycle network all the way.
9 locals recommend
Newtonmore
Get the early train to Newtonmore and then cycle to Aviemore, via Loch an Eilein. This is one for confident cyclists with moderate fitness, though it is national cycle network all the way.
Interesting window into life in 18th century Scotland. This beautiful and well-preserved town was built by Robert Owen to house workers at his mill. There is a wee museum, a cafe, and access to a nice walk by the Falls of Clyde.
38 locals recommend
New Lanark
New Lanark RoadInteresting window into life in 18th century Scotland. This beautiful and well-preserved town was built by Robert Owen to house workers at his mill. There is a wee museum, a cafe, and access to a nice walk by the Falls of Clyde.
Another great bike ride, with a cycle path the whole way
39 locals recommend
Balloch Castle Country Park
Drymen RoadAnother great bike ride, with a cycle path the whole way
Gourock Pool
Albert RoadOutdoor pool accessible by train
Traveler advice
Getting around
Always check the driver is going where you want to go
Glasgow buses are privately run, so we have a number of competing companies, who often use the same numbers for different routes. The 4 and 6 are usually a safe bet, but be particularly wary of anything beginning 38 - these go all over the place!
Ways to save
Many of Glasgow's museums and art galleries are free entry
Google before you go, but those run by Glasgow Life are generally free