11 tasty places to eat and drink in and around Calton
A vibrant mix of food, drink and live music brings fresh energy to Glasgow’s East End
BAaD
54 Calton Entry
Gigantic events space that borders the Barras, with an indoor-outdoor set-up that can adapt to Taylor Swift daytime dance parties or Scotland football games, and, even more importantly, Scotland’s weather. Food from in-house brands evolves during the year but it’s likely you’ll be able to choose from pizza, shawarma, burgers and trashy toasties. Check their socials for details.
Fook Mei
239 London Road
The bricks-and-mortar sibling of the street food stand around the corner (Ho Lee Fook) is a tad more grounded while still having the same exciting pulse. Rice and noodle bowls dominate mains, such as Szechuan hot honey chicken or their kinda famous biang biang ribbon ‘noodz’ (fat, thick hand-cut numbers doused in signature chilli oil).
The Gate
251 Gallowgate
Elite cocktail bar, one of the best whisky joints in town and also, proudly, a bit of a charming East End boozer, all rolled into one. There’s a gallus playfulness to their cocktails, like their list that honoured different regulars and characters from the neighborhood. The next night they might be doing a food pop-up with a fine dining restaurant or a brand activation with a major spirit brand. The Gate wears many hats with panache.
Outlier
38 London Road
A beautiful space with stellar brunch offerings, this trendy bakery is popular for its artful sandwiches (fried chicken, beef shin), delicate pastries and formidable sourdough loaves, as well as its popular weekend running club.
Saint Luke & The Winged Ox
17 Bain Street
It’s only rock’n’roll, but we like it. An onslaught of neon and trashy American food that also embraces the gig culture of their own music venue and the Barras down the road. Watch sport, see bands, get smoked brisket, smash burgers or their preposterously large plate of nachos.
Thomson's Coffee
200 Gallowgate
It’s incredible to think Thomson’s have been roasting in Glasgow since 1841. This sleek, slick and spacious coffee bar serves the Barras (they’ve got other shops at Candleriggs and Giffnock) with rotating filter coffees and top tier pastries from Burnfield Bakery.
Also try… WEST Brewery for German-style beer and food and a massive beer garden, Smokey Trotters for the filthiest burgers in the East End (or anywhere), Family Cafe and Ghinda for standout East African cuisine or Van Winkle for the biggest bourbon range in the city; main picture: The gate.
This TipList is taken from the 2026 edition of Eat & Drink 365 Glasgow, our sister mag recommending the best in restaurants, bars, cafés and more. Want a copy? It’s available online or across all good stockists in Glasgow.