west on the green

How to spend 48 hours in Glasgow

Day One

Breakfast: Riverhill Café

(4 minute walk from Native’s aparthotel in Glasgow)
This friendly neighbourhood café just happens to have some of the best coffee and cake in town. Treat yourself to one of their sumptuous morning pastries and a creamy hot chocolate – you’ll work it all off just by strolling around the city!

After breakfast: Gallery of Modern Art

(3 minutes from breakfast)
If world-class art galleries are your bag, you’ll love GoMA. Enjoy painting, photography, sculpture and mixed media across four galleries, in a building designed by one of Glasgow’s favourite sons, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Lunch: The Pot Still

(4 minutes from the gallery)
A trip to Glasgow calls for a dram or two. Or three. That’s why lunch at the Pot Still is a must. Tuck into one of their home-made pies alongside a tot of whisky from Japan, Germany, Sweden or even India.

After lunch: The Mitchell Library

(13 minutes from the pub)
This gorgeous building just happens to be Glasgow’s largest public reference library, where you can peruse their huge collection of Burns manuscripts, attend an author event or even trace your own family history.

Dinner: The Gannet

(10 minutes from the library)
Head over to uber-cool Finnieston for an elegant dinner, Glasgow style, with seasonal Scottish produce lovingly crafted into unforgettable dishes. There’s also a wonderful wine list, with organic and biodynamic vintages, as well as single malts to round off your meal.

Drinks and music: King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut

(16 minutes from the restaurant, 10 minutes from home)
Just one of Glasgow’s legendary music hotspots, King Tut’s has long been named the best small music venue in the world. The likes of Oasis, Radiohead and Coldplay have all graced its tiny stage, and the cosy bar downstairs is the perfect place to while away an evening.

Day Two

Breakfast: Café Gandolfi

(10 minutes’ walk from Native Glasgow)
A much-loved Glasgow institution, Cafe Gandolfi serves up hearty breakfasts, from flaky croissants and comforting porridge to a full Scottish, complete with the not-to-be-missed tattie scone.

After breakfast: The People’s Palace

(13 minutes from breakfast)
Set in the historic Glasgow Green, the People’s Palace is a brilliant free museum that tells the story of the city’s social history through artefacts, paintings, photographs and films.

Lunch: West on the Green

(6 minutes from the museum)
Take a leisurely stroll across Glasgow Green and you’ll find a little corner of Bavaria. Here you can enjoy brilliant beer right where its brewed, with a side of schnitzel, currywurst and strudel. If the weather’s good, you might even snag a table outside.

After lunch: Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre

(18 minutes from the brewery)
For something cool, quirky and utterly unique to Glasgow, pop into this bizarre little hidden gem to see hundreds of tiny carved figures and pieces of old scrap perform in a show unlike any other.

Pre-dinner drinks: Tennent’s Wellpark Brewery

(16 minutes from the theatre)
Take a tasting tour of over 450 years’ brewing here in the East End, from Tennent’s classic eponymous brew to the delicious Menabrea from Italy. Perfect for working up an appetite.

Dinner: Paesano

(17 minutes from the brewery, 3 minutes from home)
When Glaswegians want an unbeatable pizza, they go to Paesano. Known and loved for bringing real Neapolitan pizza to the city, they offer light crusts and great quality toppings, all made by pizzaioli who take their craft very, very seriously.

Of course, there’s so much more to do, see and taste in glorious Glasgow that 48 hours will only whet your appetite for more…

Book your Glaswegian getaway and book your stay in our stunning aparthotel in Glasgow.

Top 10 Glasgow bars

Crafty cocktails

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A post shared by Kelvingrove Cafe Glasgow (@glasgowkelvingrovecafe) on Jun 8, 2019 at 10:19am PDT

Known for some of the best mixology in the city, The Kelvingrove Café has been serving locals and visitors since 1896. Chilled but trendy, the cocktails here are seriously creative, with clever ingredients like poppy seed liqueur, jalapeño vinegar and rose water, along with a fine list of wines, beers and spirits.

Must try: One Night in Jalisco – an irresistible concoction of mescal, grapefruit, jalapeño vinegar and all kinds of magic.

Bold brews with a view

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A post shared by WEST On The Green (@westonthegreen) on Aug 14, 2019 at 8:51am PDT

Fast becoming a Glasgow institution, WEST On The Green is the German-style beer hall run by the West Brewery. Innovative lagers, ales and pilsners abound, with a side of Bavarian bar snacks and barbecue in the summery dining garden.

Must try: The Heidi-Weisse is a cheeky little brew, named after the brewery’s dog. We love the top notes of clove and banana.

Clever cocktails with a difference

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A post shared by The Bungo Bar & Kitchen (@thebungo) on May 27, 2019 at 12:29pm PDT

Tucked away in Strathbungo, one of Glasgow’s best loved areas for a night out, Bungo Bar is a cosy, laid back and friendly place to spend an evening. Alongside the classics, there are some seriously special cocktails that have been barrel aged to bring out the depth in their flavours.

Must try: Brooklyn – a barrel aged, lovingly matured mix of Wild Turkey, maraschino cherry liqueur and sweet vermouth.

Classy modern cocktails

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A post shared by The Spiritualist (@the_spiritualist_glasgow) on Jul 11, 2019 at 4:03am PDT

If variety is your style, head to The Spiritualist for an unrivalled menu of spirits, liqueurs, cocktails, wines and craft beers inspired by old Scottish legends of the fey folk (fairies, to you and me). Whimsy meets good taste and beautiful presentation, all in elegant, jovial surroundings in the buzzy Merchant City area. Check out the wall on the right hand side that’s completely filled with spirits.

Must try: The Salted Caramel Espresso Martini – perfect if you’ve got a sweet tooth and like a caffeine kick to your cocktail.

A wee dram or two. Or three…

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A post shared by The Pot Still, Glasgow (@thepotstill) on Jul 20, 2019 at 11:57am PDT

Aficionados need look no further than The Pot Still for the whisky list of their dreams. If you’re new to the wonderful world of Scotland’s most famous export, talk to Frank – what this man doesn’t know about whisky isn’t worth knowing.

Must try: The Kilchoman 100% Islay, which combines citrusy notes and vanilla sweetness to balance out the Islay peat smoke.

Bespoke mixology

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A post shared by Wheesht (@wheeshtbar) on Sep 4, 2019 at 10:11am PDT

Speakeasy-style bars are all the rage, but few retain that authentic secrecy that make them so special. Until Wheesht (Scottish for “shh”). Here there’s no cocktail menu – just tell the bartender what you like and they’ll whip something up for you. Weekly themes add an extra layer of intrigue and, since the talent behind the concept are two former Kelvingrove Café bartenders, you know the quality is well above par.

Must try: Your bartender’s current favourite.

Something a little bit different

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A post shared by Tabac Glasgow (@tabacbarglasgow) on Aug 23, 2019 at 6:21am PDT

Just around the corner on Mitchell Lane is Tabac, a chic and cosy bar that has a tantalising secret. Head to the back and you’ll find Panther Milk – a tiny speakeasy in an old elevator shaft that serves variations on the Spanish Catalonian cocktail Leche de Pantera. It’s an infamous blend of condensed milk, rum, gin, Cointreau, peppermint and cinnamon – not for the faint of heart.

Must try: The classic mint flavour. Or the pink. Or the white. Or all three…

Fine wines and a bubbly or two

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A post shared by The Citizen (@citizenglasgow) on Aug 9, 2019 at 4:45am PDT

Once home to one of Glasgow’s newspapers, first published in August 1864, this glorious building now plays host to The Citizen, a simply brilliant bar and restaurant. The wine list here deals in quality, not quantity, with every bottle carefully chosen by a sommelier who knows their stuff.

Must try: If you’re in the mood for a good red, go for the Angel Tears. It’s an easy-drinking wine full of ripe plums and blackcurrants and delightfully moreish.

A G&T to write home about

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A post shared by The Horseshoe Bar Glasgow (@thehorseshoebar) on May 17, 2017 at 6:08am PDT

If it’s a quintessentially Glaswegian pub you’re after, you’ve found it. The Horseshoe, named for its 104ft Victorian bar (the longest in Europe, no less), offers a warm welcome, with sports on the telly, a great selection of beers, wines and spirits, and even a gin parlour.

Must try: The JJ Whitley Violet gin is a deliciously aromatic floral blend – ideal with a good tonic and garnished with lemon.

A bottle of something special

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A post shared by Rogano (@roganoglasgow) on Jan 11, 2017 at 8:40am PST

Serving since the 1930s, Rogano is known for its seafood, but don’t get distracted by the oysters and miss the bar. All the wines here are firm favourites, guaranteed to please, and the elegant surroundings add a sense of occasion without being stuffy.

Must try: Like a dessert wine now and then? Try the Monbazillac Domaine du Haut-Rauly – it’s on the pricey side but well worth it.

Base yourself in our luxury holiday apartments in Glasgow ready for the ultimate Glasgow bar crawl.

Glasgow’s top 10 restaurants

I’m in the mood for…all things Scottish.

If you want to experience traditional Scottish cuisine, Café Gandolfini is your first stop. From cullen skink and haggis to smoked venison, the menu is a veritable culinary voyage across the country. It’s also just one of a growing local restaurant empire, with Bar Gandolfi, Gandolfi Fish and takeaway Gandolfi Fish to Go all flying the flag for seasonal Scottish cuisine.

I’m in the mood for…something hearty.

Germanic meets Glaswegian at West on the Green. Drink brilliant beer where its brewed, all alongside big, bold Bavarian barbecue, bar snacks and more. Think schnitzel, currywurst, and strudel for dessert. It’s also great for breakfast and brunch – try the West Full Breakfast or the Eggs Portobello – and there’s al fresco dining space too.

I’m in the mood for…fancy Scottish fare.

Inspired by the famously greedy bird that gave this place its name, The Gannet is a wonderfully elegant Three Rosette restaurant. The menus here are both delicious and seasonal, using lovingly sourced Scottish produce from across the country. The wine list is excellent, too – the organic and biodynamic vintages are well worth a try.

I’m in the mood for…sizzle and spice.

Julie Macleod, MasterChef contestant and resident Glaswegian, has opened one of the city’s favourite foodie spots. Serving vibrant, lovingly prepared Malaysian dishes passed down from her mother, Julie’s Kopitiam is the place to go for a proper culinary adventure. It’s a tiny place and there’s no booking, so be ready to join the waiting list, or turn up for an early dinner when it opens at 5pm.

I’m in the mood for…a big, juicy burger.

El Perro Negro is the home of Scotland’s best burger, according to scores of reviews and regular queues. Using carefully sourced beef from small farms and ingenious garnishes like bone marrow butter, truffle mayo and black pudding, these are more than just something to soak up the booze on a night out.

I’m in the mood for…something fresh and authentic.

Bibimbap is simply Korean comfort food – a warm and cosy rice dish that’s just one delicious option on the menu here. Bibimbap in the heart of town is the perfect place to experience authentic Korean cuisine, from bulgogi (barbecue beef) and japchae (sweet potato noodles) to saeu (prawn katsu curry) and the ultimate KFC – Korean fried chicken.

I’m in the mood for…a kebab.

No, not a sweaty pile of questionable meat in a microwaved flatbread. We’re talking real kebabs, as their Greek, Turkish and Levantine heritage intended. At ‘Babs, great quality lamb, chicken, swordfish and vegan steak is grilled over proper charcoal fires, all served on freshly baked pita bread, with hummus and a tangy shredded salad. There’s also plenty of moreish mezze and artisanal baklava for dessert.

I’m in the mood for…fine French food.

You needn’t venture far for Glasgow’s best French cooking. In fact, all you need to do is trot downstairs! Atlantic Bar & Brasserie at Native Glasgow offers a fresh take on Gallic classics. Think escargots, French onion soup and moules frîtes, along with a brilliant rotisserie for the juiciest roast chicken you’ve ever had. There’s also live jazz at the weekends, and a delicious low FODMAP menu.

I’m in the mood for…the best pizza in town.

Credited with bringing real Neapolitan pizza to Glasgow, Paesano now has two restaurants in the city and shows no signs of slowing down. Here the pizzas are made with moist, light and soft crust, simple but brilliant quality ingredients, and are made by pizzaioli who are truly passionate about what they do.

Book your stay in one of Native’s Art Deco holiday apartments in Glasgow and take a food-lover’s tour of the city.