Stepping into this overly trendy caffeine haven can sometimes feel a bit like stepping into some kind of elaborate hipster parody. But sneer not, because they do java – like much else in their wonderfully simple operation – with sacks of substance and integrity.The coffee is all bought direct from farmers, selected on the basis of seasonal freshness, roasted in-house twice or three times weekly with serious skill and diligence, and served in a no-fuss manner to rival the big chains. Forget fancy syrups, toppings and suchlike, just pick your beans, your type of brew and your preferred number of shots, and voilà.
The coffee house and café revolution of the late '90s and noughties has evolved into something pretty sophisticated, with a wealth of artisan roasters and bang-on-trend independents proving just how versatile the humble bean can be. Even Glasgow's best restaurants are getting in on the act, lest they get left behind. Glasgow's very much at the forefront of this coffee movement, and it's one that has forced the city's cafés and teahouses to up their game too - great news all round for those partial to a kick or two of caffeine. We've put together a list of our favourites, so take a look, pick a spot and go get your hit. And remember, coffee isn't just for breakfast.