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June 24, 2014

“I love Partick. It’s quirky and weird. You will find every kind of person walking up Dumbarton Road,” says Lauren Mathers, General Manager of Roastit Bubbly Jocks.

Partick has seen a number of restaurants arrive in recent years, particularly in what is increasingly becoming known as the “hip” Broomhill end of Dumbarton Road.

However, despite its location in the heart of Glasgow’s stylish West End, Partick has kept a community feel thanks to its mish mash of old man pubs, charity shops and independent neighbourhood restaurants.

“All the business support each other. We know the guys who own Velvet Elvis, the people next door, the pub across the road… it has a Coronation Street feeling about it,” Lauren says.

“You get people sitting outside all day just people watching. Last week we had two tables who didn’t know each other joining into a big table, then people walking past joined too. It’s a real community.”

“I love it, and our customers reflect it.”

With that in mind, here’s our guide to dining out in Partick, starting from the “hip” Broomhill end of Dumbarton Road.

St Louis Cafe Bar

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Craft beers, live music, mismatched furniture, all the hip credentials are ticked off in St Louis Cafe Bar which is located at the very beginning of the Partick end of Dumbarton Road at Thornwood roundabout. Describing itself as a “cool and friendly neighbourhood joint” the menu focuses on American classics such as gumbo and pulled pork.

£10 For 2 Courses from St Louis Cafe Bar when booked on 5pm Dining.

Velvet Elvis

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A five minute walk along from St Louis Cafe bar is Velvet Elvis. Once a 1910 butchershop, the meat hooks and Edwardian tiling remain but the rest of the space has been transformed into a cool neighbourhood bar complete with a real vinyl jukebox and menus printed on old LP covers. The menu focuses on pub dishes and bistro classics such as fish and chips, mac n cheese, and the much lauded house burger.

20% a la carte discount at Velvet Elvis when booked on 5pm Dining.

The Pacific

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Next door to Velvet Elvis is The Pacific, sister bar to Bath Street’s Tiki Bar and Kitsch Inn. Featuring a bamboo clad bar, an inventive rum cocktail list, and lampshades made from real blowfishes, The Pacific brings a taste of paradise to Partick. The menu features Thai, Indonesian and Hawaiian influences, as well as some tasty tacos included for good measure.

£12.95 for 2 courses from dinner menu at The Pacific when booked on 5pm Dining.

Bibi’s

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Across the road from Velvet Elvis and The Pacific is Bibi’s, a snug Mexican restaurant serving a range of dishes bursting with flavour such as Mexican meatball soup and cod marinated in tequila. Bibi’s is small but hugely popular so book in advance to ensure a seat.

£5.95 soup & wrap offer at Bibi’s when booked on 5pm Dining.

Roastit Bubbly Jocks

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Further along Dumbarton Road and right in the heart of Partick is Roastit Bubbly Jocks. A homely restaurant named after the old Scots for a roasted turkey, Roastits serves traditional Scottish dishes influenced by local produce, with a seasonally changing menu. Make sure to check out the gin menu which features some inventive pairings with Scottish gins.

£12 for 2 courses on market menu + glass of wine at Roastit Bubbly Jocks when booked on 5pm Dining.

279 Cafe Bistro

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A minutes along from Roastits, you may walk right past 279 Cafe Bistro, a cosy but hugely popular family owned restaurant on the opposite side of Dumbarton Road. With a regularly changing menu, and dishes cooked from scratch as they are ordered, previous favourites include the loin of cod wrapped in Parma ham, the sirloin steak with sautéed potatoes and a pepper sauce, as well as the regularly changing cheesecake.

£12.95 for 2 courses on dine with wine menu + glass of wine at 279 Cafe Bistro when booked on 5pm Dining.

Two Fat Ladies – West End

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Opened in 1989, two Fat Ladies West End at the bottom of Byres Road is firmly established as a Partick staple. The first restaurant from the Two Fat Ladies group, it is widely considered to be one of the best seafood restaurants in Glasgow if not one of the best restaurants in Glasgow. An intimate space which is always busy, the menu features mostly local seafood which changes depending on season and supplier.

£15.95 for 2 courses on lunch/pre-theatre menu + glass of wine at Two Fat Ladies – West End when booked on 5pm Dining.