Glasgow venues round-up: November 2023

Bar Basquiat

Named after famed New York artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, Bar Basquiat is located at the M8 end of Finnieston and is really beginning to hit its stride after opening in summer 2023. This straightforward, cosy pub has an affordable selection of drinks, with pints from £3.50 and cocktails at just £6. The bar’s proximity to the Mitchell Library means it is not unusual to find the tables busy from late afternoon with writers, freelancers and procrastinators of all descriptions who have finally admitted defeat and swapped their laptop for a pint. The menu is a simple bar-snacky affair: sandwiches, charcuterie boards, crisps, that sort of thing. While the place still feels like something of a work-in-progress, with occasional music nights and hints of more to come, an early-evening quiz on a Monday evening has recently become a permanent fixture. Bar Basquiat is a promising addition to an otherwise slightly barren stretch of the Finnieston strip. 21a Kent Rd, G3 7EH

TheDorkyFrench

TheDorkyFrench sits on Parnie Street in the Trongate area of the city. The glass-fronted French bakery is minimalist in style, with wooden floors, white walls and wooden bench seating; with small signage and just a few plants in the window, it would be easy to mistake it for an exhibition space from the street. Venture in, however, and you'll find the best selection of vegan patisserie that the city has to offer. Their menu of baked goods is 100% plant-based and although the options vary, their extremely popular pain au chocolat, croissants and cinnamon swirls are always on the team sheet. They do savoury bakes too, with a particularly good gluten-free selection. Open Thursday-Sunday from 8am, TheDorkyFrench has quickly become a destination for vegan foodies from across Scotland. 39 Parnie St, G1 5RJ

Shawarma King

For a long time, it has been an accepted fact that the best place for kebabs in Glasgow is the famous Shawarma King. Based under the arches of a railway bridge in the Briggait area of the city centre, the small takeaway spot is easily identifiable by its long lunchtime queues. Recently named Scotland’s Best Kebab Shop for the second year running, the team have expanded their operation with their first ever sit-in establishment just south of the river. Based in the downstairs area of King’s Lounge Shisha Bar at Springfield Quay, it is terrific to see the legendary wraps and meal deal combos plated up and served in a restaurant setting. The large dining space is open every day from lunchtime until midnight. Adopting the "if it’s not broke, don’t fix it" model, the team have kept much of the menu consistent with their takeaway spot: all the classics are here, from donner kebabs and falafel to mixed grill and houmous plates. And the prices haven’t taken the huge jump you might expect with the move to dining in – most dishes come in at around a tenner. 232 Paisley Rd, Springfield Quay, G5 8NG

Civerinos

Edinburgh pizza place Civerinos has finally set up shop in Glasgow. The ever-popular restaurant has been operating in the capital since 2014, with a growing number of restaurants and a loyal fanbase across the city. The Glasgow branch opened its doors in September 2023 on Finnieston’s Radnor Street, and is the first of two Glasgow locations (a Southside slice bar is also on the cards). Civerinos' menu is predominantly pizza, served New York style, by the slice, in fun and colourful surroundings. This incarnation is a particularly nice space, roomy and full of natural light, and the small Glasgow details in the decor and graffiti art are a nice touch. The place is popular for a reason – the menu is reliably good; service is friendly and efficient. 9-13 Radnor St, G3 7UA