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Ciaran Connolly
Ciaran Connolly
Glasgow is the second largest city in Scotland and is well-known for its lively characters and less-than-ideal weather. This shouldn’t put you off paying a visit to this fantastic city, though, and if you are planning a trip, you should have a look at Great Western Road. Read on to find out why Great Western Road has so much to offer as a base for your city break in Glasgow.
Want to know more about Glasgow sites you need to see? Read our article here!
Where is Great Western Road in Glasgow?
Great Western Road lies in the West End of Glasgow, a beautiful portion of the city that holds the University Quarter and Kelvingrove Park. Both are well worth a visit to enjoy their architectural and natural beauty. This is just one of the reasons Great Western Road is a great place to stay on your trip to Glasgow.
Check out this video to have a look at the scenery of the Great Western Road:
What makes Great Western Road the ideal place to stay in Glasgow?
Great Western Road is a very long stretch of road in West Glasgow, meaning it has lots of room for amazing restaurants, cosy pubs, a relaxed café, and shops to fill you with souvenirs and gifts for a while. This city area is also less busy than the centre, allowing for a more relaxed start to your day before heading into the bustling centre.
Looking for even more shopping, drinks, and food? Byers Road is connected to the Great Western Road, which you turn on to just before Glasgow’s Botanical Gardens. Byers Road is another great street filled with pubs, cafes, restaurants, and shops you can enjoy just a short walk from a Great Western Road Hotel. If on Great Western Road, you can grab the tube from the Kelvinbridge bridge, which lies in the middle of Great Western Road, and head towards Hillhead station on Byers Road to check it out if the Glasgow weather isn’t treating you kindly.
How to get into town from Great Western Road?
If you stay on the Great Western Road, don’t worry about missing out on Glasgow’s lively city centre; a short train journey will get you amongst it all in minutes. (Two minutes, to be exact, from Georges Cross).
The Great Western Road can be accessed via three tube stations scattered on and near this long and bustling road. Georges Cross station, nearest the city centre, brings you to the bottom of the road, Kelvinbridge, the second stop, drops you nearer the middle, and Hillhead drops you on Byers Road, which connects to the top of Great Western.
Glasgow’s tube system, with its oval layout, makes travel especially easy. If you miss your stop, just wait on the train until it returns round again—foolproof!
What is there to do on Great Western Road?
Great Western Road has a variety of well-known brands and independent shops, cafes, and restaurants for you to choose from. Below are some restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars you should look out for on Great Western Road.
Great Western Road Restaurants
Te Seba
An Italian family-run restaurant offers pasta and other Italian dishes. They also offer bellinis, a custard, and almond tart for an extra treat.
Address: 393-395 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G4 9HY
Opening Hours: 5 pm – 10 pm (Tuesday – Saturday)
Serenity Now
It is a restaurant serving fantastic vegan food. The menu includes brunch and lunch options as well as hot and cold drinks.
Address: 380 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G4 9HT
Opening Hours: 11 am – 4 pm (Monday, Tuesday, Friday) 10 am – 5 pm (Saturday & Sunday)
The Bay Tree
Serving up a menu of Mediterranean food alongside Arabian, Persian, and European options.
Address: 403 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G4 9HY
Opening Hours: 11 am- 9 pm (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) 10 am – 9 pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Saffron by Paradise
Authentic Persian food and kebabs are for dining in or taking away.
Address: 411-413 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G4 9JA
Opening Hours: 12 -10 pm (Tuesday – Sunday)
Paesano Pizza
This place’s takeaway boxes are why they have to put more bins in Kelvingrove Park on sunny days in Glasgow. Delicious sourdough pizza, you can’t walk down Great Western Road without seeing someone with a takeaway to make you jealous. You may want to book ahead, as it’s super busy.
Address: 471 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8HL
Opening Hours: 12-11 pm (Friday & Saturday) and 12 – 10:30 (Sunday – Thursday)
BRGR
A modern burger joint serves excellent American classics in a relaxed atmosphere.
Address: 526 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8EL
Opening Hours: 12 – 10 pm (7 Days a week)
Non-Viet Hai
A traditional Vietnamese restaurant serves classic food from Mango Salad to Bahn Mi.
Address: 609 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8HX
Opening Hours: Hours vary throughout the week, lunch and dinner service separate on weekdays.
Loop & Scoop
Still hungry for dessert or want a mid-afternoon treat? Loop and Scoop serve up gelato and churros to treat yourself after all that walking around Great Western.
Address: 665 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8RE
Opening Hours: 12-10 pm (Weekdays) 11 am – 10 pm (Weekends)
Bread Meats Bread
It is a great place to grab a gourmet burger with vegan and gluten-free bread options.
Address: 701 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8RA
Opening Hours: 12-10 pm (every day)
Cail Bruich
Here, you can find high-quality cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy the best of local produce while visiting Glasgow.
Address: 725 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8QX
Opening Hours: Closed Sunday & Monday; opening hours vary during the week.
Great Western Road Shops
Glasgow is a great city to shop in, and Great Western Road is no different. There are shops for anything you want, from homewares to vintage fashion. Lovers of homewares should check out Noma Living or Galletly Tubbs. If you’re looking for a gift for someone special, there are several jewellers, including Gogna Jewelers and Blair & Sheridan.
Want some Scotch or other local tipples? Check out The Cave or Valhalla’s Goat for off-license goods.
Those interested in vintage fashion in Glasgow must visit Great Western to see gems such as The Glasgow Vintage, West Vintage, and Dudds Vintage.
This isn’t an exhaustive list. There’s much to explore on the Great Western Road; you could spend a whole afternoon shopping up and down the road.
Great Western Road Café’s
- Great Western Café – great for no-frills, classic lunch options.
- Broken Clock – ideal for someone seeking a patisserie bun with morning coffee or afternoon tea.
- Roots, Fruits, and Flowers -packed full of local organic produce, an exciting grocery store with a café inside. You may even end up taking a new house plant home.
- Cottonrake Bakery – A lovely bakery serving great breads, cakes, and desserts.
- Sips and Baker – Want brunch and an ice cream? Get all of the above here!
- Kothel – Amazing coffees, and they’re dog-friendly too!
- Papercup Coffee Co. – beautifully presented brunches galore at this coffee spot.
- Urban West – The spot for a relaxed brunch in a pleasant atmosphere.
Great Western Road Bars
Hug & Pint
It’s not just your average pub; Hug & Pint offers vegan food and live music performances, but hugs are not included.
Address: 171 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G4 9AW
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 5 pm–12 am |
| Tuesday | 5 pm–12 am |
| Wednesday | 5 pm–12 am |
| Thursday | 12 pm–12 am |
| Friday | 12 pm–12 am |
| Saturday | 12 pm–12 am |
| Sunday | 12 pm–12am |
The Scallion
A Glasgow gastropub serving up fantastic food and drinks.
Address: 185 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G4 9EB
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 12–11 pm | |
| Tuesday | 12–11pm |
| Wednesday | 12–11 pm | |
| Thursday | 12 pm–1 am | |
| Friday | 12–11 pm | |
| Saturday | 12 pm–1 am | |
| Sunday | 12–11pm |
Brett
A modern and sleek wine bar offering cocktails and seafood.
Address: 321 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G4 9HR
Opening Hours:
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5–11 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–11 pm |
| Thursday | 5–11 pm |
| Friday | 1–11 pm |
| Saturday | 1–11pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Banana Moon
This tremendously small bar has a fun and quirky vibe and great drinks and cocktails.
Address: 360 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G4 9HT
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 12 pm–12 am |
| Tuesday | 5 pm–12 am |
| Wednesday | 12 pm–12 am |
| Thursday | 12 pm–12 am |
| Friday | 12pm–12 am |
| Saturday | 12 pm–12 am |
| Sunday | 12 pm–12 am |
Machair Bar
Offering up a great selection of drinks, modern interiors, and a great atmosphere.
Address: 372 374 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G4 9HT
Opening Hours: 12 pm – 12 am (Everyday)
Inn Deep
Nestled below street level under Kelvinbridge is this cosy bar with excellent beers on tap and a great location by the river. Sit outside on a sunny day or nestle under the bar’s arched roof to escape the cold. Find this place via steps down from the main road.
Address: 445 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8HH
Opening Hours: 12 pm-12 am (Every day except Sunday, when they close at 11 pm).
Coopers
A spacious pub perfect for big groups, showing live sports.
Address: 499 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8HN
Opening Hours: 12 pm – 12 am (Everyday)
Kity O’Shea’s
A bit of Irish charm for your trip to Glasgow, experience a warm Irish welcome, and maybe even listen to some traditional music.
Address: 500 Great Western Rd, Glasgow G12 8EN
Opening Hours:
| Monday | 5 pm–2 am |
| Tuesday | 12 pm–2 am |
| Wednesday | 5 pm–2 am |
| Thursday | 5 pm–2 am |
| Friday | 5 pm–2 am |
| Saturday | 12pm–2 am |
| Sunday | 12 pm–2 am |
This is just a selection of the great bars available on Great Western Road; you can find hidden gems on and around Great Western when visiting.
Hotels on Great Western Road in Glasgow
Great Western Road have a great range of accommodation for you to stay in while visiting Glasgow; check out a few below:
- Albion Hotel
- Argyll Western
- The Clifton
- Glasgow Grosvenor
- The Alfred Hotel
- Kelvin Hotel
- Heritage Hotel
- The Bellhaven
Glasgow is a fantastic city well worth a visit if you are in Scotland. Make sure to see more of what Glasgow has to offer by staying in and visiting the Great Western Road area. Want more travel advice for a trip to Glasgow? Check out our Glasgow guide!
