Strathbungo is a neighbourhood defined by other neighbourhoods: no one can seem to settle on where it begins or ends. But for gastronomic purposes, if we can agree it’s ‘just up from Govanhill’, ‘before you get to Shawlands’ and ‘not quite Pollokshields’, then we can also agree it’s a packed little pocket of the Southside where you’re rarely more than a few units away from the next eating and drinking destination. Let’s start with Ranjit’s Kitchen, unassumingly serving Punjabi home-style veggie delights since 2015. The dhal of the day always has a remarkable depth of flavour, and dishes show all sorts of skillful uses of paneer, potato and chickpea. Across the road, under the archway and into The Cooperage courtyard reveals Boca, doing hefty artisan sandwiches bursting with colour and flavour. 

Just off Pollokshaws Road on Allison Street, there’s Kurdish Street Food, one of the handful of places vying for best shawarma in Glasgow status, and just beyond, there’s laid-back BYOB Vietnamese cuisine on wooden stools at Little Hoi An. Get anything with pork and anything involving a fried egg.

Back on the main stretch, and whether for nourishment, libation or a bit of both, The Rum Shack is the only real party in town for all things Caribbean. Go for the jerk fish and chips, stay for the rum menu. A few steps up, there’s complimentary pickled cucumbers and everything is made fresh at friendly neighbourhood Japanese spot Wasabi (don’t confuse with the chain in London). Directly over from that, Lobo, from the same folk as Boca, is a knowing combo of neighborhood eatery and trendy Mediterranean small plates that tends to book out most nights.

For pubs and bars, we’ve mentioned Koelschip Yard in our craft beer section, where it pretty much reigns supreme. But not all good beer is craft beer, as exemplified by The Alison Arms and its honesty fridges at the back, with all manner of bottled delight from Germany in a boisterous Glasgow pub setting. Right beside is MJ Heraghty, another old boy. Rumour has it they go through 40 kegs of Guinness a week, such is its quality: it’s certainly up there.

If it’s not booze you seek, the edge of Strathbungo offers up Gusto & Relish which continues to hold its own in the increasingly competitive and gimmicky brunch scene through good old-fashioned combinations and great quality bread. Nearby, Burnfield Bakery’s window will entice you in with all manner of shiny, glossy bakes, like a chilli-jam cheese swirl or whipped mascarpone and cherry pastry.

This TipList is taken from 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.