Scone Spy: Singl-end's relaxed, rustic charm in the heart of Glasgow city centre

I often feel there are too many choices in life – especially when it comes to deciding on where to eat.

Countless times, I have found myself on a street corner, weary, hungry and slipping closer towards irritability, while a group debate ensues over the virtues of pizza versus curry.

And often I can’t even hear the respective arguments over the sound of my rumbling belly.

So, to avoid any wasted time and energy, which could otherwise be spent wolfing down baked goods, this week I decided to revisit a favourite spot in Glasgow.

I first visited the Singl-end Cafe & Bakehouse in 2016, and since then the relaxed eatery has branched out, opening another location in Merchant City just a 10-minute walk from Queen Street Station.

Much like the original restaurant at Garnethill, this charming café is full of rustic charm – bright, purple walls, exposed brickwork, mismatched furniture and sky-high ceilings create a truly welcoming space that’s buzzing with atmosphere.

What’s more, there is even an outdoor seating area for those rare days when glorious sunshine calls for dining al fresco.

The café is open daily until 5pm and I’m quite sure the friendly staff must be rushed off their feet from the first ticket right through to the last – we called by at brunch time and had to wait a good 20-minutes for a table.

So, book ahead if you can!

The smell wafting from the open kitchen and the fully-laden table of treats displayed near the entrance was enough to assure us our meal would be worth the wait.

Once we were settled, it was coffees all round while we decided on our order.

The menu has a little bit of everything, from egg-based breakfasts to hearty sandwiches, and there is a daily specials menu with a few extra dishes, too. Fancying something a little bit different, I chose the marinated tofu salad, served with fresh bread from the in-house bakery, while my dining partner opted for a full cooked breakfast.

Despite the café being packed to the rafters with hungry patrons, our waitress was attentive and efficient, bringing our food over just as we were ready for another round of flat whites.

Tiny portions of fancy frou-frou food have their place, but when it comes to breakfast and brunch, I’m sure you will agree more is often better.

So, when our plates arrived piled high and bursting full of flavour, we could not have been happier.

We only just managed to finish our delicious mains, so we decided to share a raspberry scone for afters. Perfectly baked and just the right amount of sweet, our bulging waistbands didn’t stop us polishing off every last crumb.

All in all, you’ll never be able to make just a single visit to this lovely cafe – the service, food and location ensure you’ll want to visit time and time again.

Welcome

Warm and welcoming, the staff couldn’t be faulted. 9/10

Location

Close to Glasgow’s city centre, the cafe is easy to find by public transport. Limited parking nearby. 8/10

Scones

Packed with flavour, both traditional and quirky options are available. 8/10