Govanhill, a small but vibrant and diverse area in Glasgow's south side, has been named among the top five coolest neighbourhoods in the world by Time Out, beating locations in Chicago, Budapest, Singapore and more. The area, which is renowned for being one of Scotland's most multicultural, offers a wealth of cafes, bakeries, takeaways and gift shops from across the globe.
A coffee stop at Zennor
On a sunny afternoon, a visit to Zennor, a trendy café on the corner of Langside Road and Dixon Avenue, revealed a mocha with oat milk costing £4.60. The café, which opened last year as its second Glasgow location, features Scandi-inspired light wood and stainless steel decor, paper lanterns, and the aroma of freshly ground coffee.
The seasonal specials are a highlight, but on this day the mocha hit the spot, accompanied by a dark chocolate and sea salt cookie. The verdict: "Worth every penny." The staff are described as kind and knowledgeable, clearly caring about their craft.
More than just coffee
Victoria Road serves as the main street in Govanhill, bustling at all hours with people enjoying coffees, walking dogs, or heading towards Queen's Park at the bottom of the street. Other notable spots include a Transylvanian coffee shop with elaborate Halloween decorations, and Pistachio for traditional Turkish Börek.
Across the road from Zennor is the Rose Reilly pub, named after the iconic footballer, offering a friendly atmosphere, a wide drink selection, and outdoor seating. For more substantial fare, recommendations include Pakistani Street Food for samosas, Bar Vini for pasta, and Errol's Hot Pizza.
Gentrification concerns
While Govanhill has its problems, with gentrification a sore spot for locals, it's undeniably the mix of people and cultures that makes it such a cool place to visit.
