Tapa branches out and strikes gold (Tapa Coffeehouse (Glasgow))

Member Name: jamesontheroad

Product:	Tapa Coffeehouse (Glasgow)
Date:	15/10/08 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fresh bread, fresh coffee and organic local menu

Disadvantages: Evening service only Thu-Sat

The Southside of Glasgow is where west end hipsters (and wannabe hipsters) go to live once they've left university and realised just how much cheaper life is south of the river. And with the bargain food and ethnic shops of Allison Street and Victoria Road, the beautiful Queens Park, the Tramway Theatre and a lively pub and bar scene right on their doorsteps, who can blame them?

Tapa, therefore, is a very natural addition to this area, on the busy Pollokshaws Road between Strathbungo and Crosshill, just north of Queen's Park. The premises were vacated by a restaurant, and seeing an opportunity Tapa pounced. This is the first sister branch to Tapa's home bakehouse in Dennistoun, in the east end of Glasgow. Tapa bake all their own bread and roast their own unique blends of coffee. If the Dennistoun Tapa is the bakehouse, then this is firmly a coffeehouse, although bread is delivered daily from the east end.

There's an entirely organic menu that changes daily with breakfast, lunch and snacks available. Expect simple but elegant dishes with tasty flavours and local ingredients. The café currently stays open until 22h Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for dinner (bring your own booze). The coffee is superb - Tapa's rich but slightly bitter blend is offered, and you can also take-away or buy beans to grind at home. Various fresh loaves are available for sale too.

Tapa's only been open here since late July 2008, but it's already a bustling Saturday morning venue for Guardian readers and young professionals. It's the perfect place to finish off a walk to the top of the hill in Queens Park, and the fresh bread and coffee will surely tempt you to take some home.

Summary: Who needs the west end of Glasgow?