The area in the south side of Glasgow has been named one of the most hip neighbourhoods in the world by Time Out, and it’s not hard to see its appeal.
What’s better than your area being named as one of the coolest in the world?
The one immediately beside you receiving that identical recognition, two years later.
Time Out knows what’s trendy, and their yearly ranking of the planet’s most hip neighbourhoods included a location extremely close to where I live in the top five. Govanhill on Glasgow’s south side is multicultural, lively and offers countless things to do – naturally featuring numerous spots to eat and drink.
During a bright afternoon this week, I picked up a coffee at one of its coolest cafes to see how much it would cost me, and whether it lived up to expectations.
Govanhill is famous for being amongst Scotland’s most diverse communities, and strolling through its streets, that influence is immediately apparent. Coffee shops, bakeries, takeaways and gift shops from every corner of the globe can be discovered here, and you could genuinely spend hours wandering around while shopping, eating and drinking to your heart’s desire.
Victoria Road is probably what you’d describe as Govanhill’s main street. Regardless of when you visit, it’s bustling with folk wandering about clutching coffees, walking dogs, meeting friends or making their way towards the very green Queen’s Park at the street’s far end.
Whether you fancy a flat white from a Transylvanian coffee shop – complete with the most extra Halloween decorations outside – or some authentic Turkish Börek from Pistachio, Govanhill truly offers everything. Choosing a favourite is no easy feat, but if pressed, Zennor would have to take the top spot – which is exactly where I found myself headed on this gloriously bright day.
Zennor launched on the corner of Langside Road and Dixon Avenue last year, establishing its second Glasgow location. Quite frankly, I cannot picture my weekends without it anymore.
I’m not the first to sing its praises, and I won’t be the last. The moment you step inside, you’re welcomed by soft Scandi-inspired light wood and stainless steel furnishings, paper lanterns, and the irresistible scent of freshly ground coffee.
Zennor’s seasonal specials are undoubtedly where they truly shine, though nothing on the board caught my eye on this particular visit, so I opted for a mocha. And no trip here is complete without indulging in one of their delicious sweet treats – their dark chocolate and sea salt cookie being utter bliss.
With oat milk, my coffee came to £4.60. That doesn’t even feel steep these days, particularly when the quality is this outstanding.
It was my first mocha from here, as I’m ordinarily a flat white lover, but I fancied something a little indulgent and it absolutely delivered. Three words? Worth every penny.
The staff deserve a mention too – warm, knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about their craft, which always makes for a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Directly opposite Zennor sits my personal favourite pub in Govanhill, the Rose Reilly.
Named after the iconic footballer, this welcoming pub boasts a fantastic range of drinks and plenty of outdoor seating for when the Scottish weather decides to cooperate.
Should you find yourself in need of something more filling, Pakistani Street Food comes highly recommended for a samosa, Bar Vini for a generously sized plate of pasta, and Errol’s Hot Pizza for precisely what it says on the tin.
Naturally, like any neighbourhood across the globe, Govanhill has its share of challenges. There are numerous differing views on how the area has transformed in recent years, with gentrification proving to be a particularly contentious issue amongst residents.
But it’s undeniably the rich blend of people and cultures that makes it such a vibrant and compelling destination to explore.
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