Been twice to this establishment and both times disappointed with service. First time my daughter and I ordered their soup of the day - tomato. When the order arrived it was lentil - when I said we ordered tomato the waitress said they were out and it was now lentil and walked off, no apology. To add insult to injury it was tepid at best. We decided to give Kothel another try thinking it might have been an off day. On our second visit we ordered coffee and sandwiches. Coffee came immediately but the sandwich didn't arrive until 25 minutes later and one of them wasn't what we ordered. So another long wait ensued. Well I can say we gave them the benefit of the doubt but I won't be in a hurry to return. read more

Wonderful little café Got there about 11:30am and it was choc full with an eclectic mix of customers. Hipsters, posh old couple, students, mothers with their babies and me There is seating outside which I wasn't brave enough to use with no sun shining, inside gave me the feeling of being in the store room of a great hall or castle, small but packed full of great big chairs or dark wood furniture. I could only get a seat at the window breakfast bar on the high stools, not the most comfortable but gave a great view for my people watching hobby. The menu isn't very substantial with choice, however their cake selection is. My lunch came and for the price and the location I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't a tiny little plate, a ciabatta that easily filled me. Flat white coffee was pure velvety gold in a cup, best coffee I have had in some time. Served at the perfect drinking temperature and just sublime For me it lost a star on the general layout and some of the seating, as cool as it looks, it hinders the space for getting around, big chairs that people had to pull in to let me past and hard stools that don't encourage staying for another coffee Oh I almost forgot ..... Loved the collection of classic motorbikes and a little tractor outside! read more

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We stopped by Kothel for a quick breakfast last week and were really pleasantly surprised! I hadn't even realized it was open as I usually venture down Dumbarton Road rather than Crow Road for my breakfast treats. The atmosphere is lovely, although perhaps trying just a tiny tiny bit too hard (ie. harris tweed cushions!) They have clearly put a lot of thought into the decor and it does create a very comfortable environment with lots to look at. The staff were extremely helpful and attentive. We ordered two croissants (one chocolate, one almond), which were HUGE! We were asked straight away if we wanted them warmed, which made them even more delicious. My only gripe was that the almond one didn't have marzipan running through it, just sugary almond deliciousness on top. The coffee was distinctively italian, quite acidic and intense, which I really liked. The bill came to just under a tenner for two croissants and two coffees- that seems a bit steep when I think of my days in the south of France where the same bill might have cost half as much, but I think for the West End it's probably comparable to other similar places (ie Kember and Jones) and has a much nicer vibe. I had a wee look at the food menu and there wasn't an awful lot available for veggies, which is to be expected in most continental-style delis I think, but the cakes looked amaaaaazing! Definitely want to go back for a slice of their red velvet cake soon, or even dinner as they're open until ten! read more

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This was my second time in Kothel. My friend hadn't tried & I said I would go & I regretted it. Bizarrely one of the staff said we weren't allowed to take photos. Which is extremely odd & just doesn't make sense considering how important social media is in this day & age. Needless to say I took photos anyway. The place looks quirky but is so overloaded with nik-naks I wonder how they find the time to clean it all. The cakes look delicious & my caramel shortbread was nice but at £3.25 (almost £1 more because we sat in) it wasn't really worth it. £12 for 2 coffees, a cake & a croissant. Even at west end prices that's a bit much. I think basically this place is all style over substance & capitalises on the spot it's in. read more

Was excited to try when I entered - was disappointed when I left. Staff aprons filthy. Was told no photos allowed. Was told some amazing funky coffee - tasted instant & was far hotter than the 94% coffee should be. Asked if I wanted my croissant heated I asked how was it done - she advised grill & not microwave she however did not advise it was a panini machine & my croissant was served like a pancake with packaged jam & butter would have been nicer served fresh on the side & a bit expensive at £3.50. My plate was swiftly removed when I put my knife down although my friend was still eating - then her plate was whipped away whilst she still had food in her mouth. The dust in the books and shelves round about is dreadful and the tiles round the sink in the loo were disgusting. All cakes looked like they had been on steroids & didn't look fresh & home baked as described. read more

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Decor = great, location = great, menu = interesting, tea = delicious. But only three stars for me and I have to say it's mostly because of the service. I needed an hour to get some work done so headed here. It's a lovely cafe space with really interesting decor, but when I entered it was a little hard to see if there was any tables free due to the layout of the space. I ended up sitting at a table of 4 even as it was the only table free (one guy on a laptop was taking up a whole bench). I wanted to order food, but when I ordered a peppermint tea the waitress whipped the menu away so then I couldn't order any food... ah, ok. My tea was lovely and served in nice crockery, and the place has a nice atmosphere. I eventually ended up packing up early and leaving because I didn't like hogging that whole table on my own, and the table I was sitting at was really uncomfortable as it was uneven and I couldn't cross my legs under it. I went up to the counter to pay and was ignored for a while before someone finally took my money. I have to say, I really want to love this place as it is beautiful but the service really let them down so I won't be rushing back, especially when there's so many nice places on Crow Road. read more

Kothel - Peppermint tea - Cafes Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

This place is always packed and it's no question why... They offer an array of pastries and fresh made sandwiches. I ordered a cappuccino that hit the spot. I tried a Caprese sandwich and my boyfriend ordered a Ploughmans sandwich. They heated them up for is and I happily polished off the entire thing. There's an outdoor seating area that looks great for a sunny warm day. Inside can get a bit cramped but it has a warm homey coffee shop vibe. Definitely a cute place! read more

Kothel - Two cappuccinos - Cafes Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Fantastic, friendly coffee shop with selection of warm plates and some platters. Styling is a little unusual but only hampers if you try to eat a large plate-- the mismatched tables, benches, stools and chairs are fine for coffee and a cake but not for a knife and fork. The coffee is good (certainly not instant as another reviewer wrote) and cake selection is wide. The service is friendly and helpful. A little on the pricey side but the best of the local coffee shops. read more

My passionate love of coffee is back in full force! What a perfectly balanced espresso with floral notes and slight hints of grapefruit, and absolutely no burnt taste from both the roast and extraction processes. Seriously- one espresso and the world seems a better place. It's open late which fits my unpredictable schedule, the food on the counter and the bread in the basket looks tantalisingly good- Staff are amazing, music relaxing and uplifting, and the decor is inspired! Love love love 190% read more

Kothel - See you again tomorrow, kothel.. and the day after that.... - Cafes Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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I've been here twice one for dinner and the second for a coffee, and I can't love more the place! The food is really good based mainly on sandwichs, bagels and salads but with really good quality and super tasty and fresh ingredients. I ordered a ham sandwich and one of my pals the salmon bagel! Really good both of them! The 2nd time I went for a coffee and cakes, but unfortunately the cakes were gone, I can imagine why because they looked amazing and delicious the 1st time I went. So I had coffee and mini cakes/sweets delicious too. And also the place it's so cozy and really well decorated. So definately I have to come back to taste the cakes!! read more

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We visited Kothel on it's opening day, and it was fantastic! Gorgeous coffee, lovely surroundings, freshly baked bread with olive oil and balsamic to nibble on and great staff. Absolutely delighted it's 5 mins walk away! read more

Kothel - Opening day! - Cafes Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

Ordered a mint tea and brownie and when it arrived the brownie had clearly not been covered and was hard as a brick. Had to send it back. I did get another but that was just as bad. Suggested to the girl that they need some domes to keep cakes fresh. Tea and coffee were ok but rather small for the price. Prefer cafe zique. read more

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Style over service and food quality....... Poor attitude from wait staff, prices high, ordered two types of patisserie and both were dry and verging on stale. Guess this is what happens when interior designers open cafes with no experience of catering.... read more

A quickie. Amongst the perfectly arranged clutter and cafe buzz, you'll find happy people serving you great deli food that goes down with ease. And if you're determined to have a bad day the owner's charm, wit and general ambiance will soon disappoint you. You'll curse him, spit at his feet, gesture as only the Italians can do and mutter to yourself "how dare you make me feel good about myself!" You might seem it a bit strange that a lost order and a 30 minute wait hasn't made a mr "impress me" into a mr grumpy, but the obvious stress brought on by a member of staff not turning up and the customer service recovery made everything ok. Not that it wasn't ok to start with :/ read more

If you like interior design that is probably described as quirky, and that is certainly interesting, you'll like Kothel! Come for the century old ledgers, stay for the Italian delicacies seems to be the thinking? Kirsty and I popped in for lunch, took a seat at a large plank of wood resting on two old Singer sewing machine stands, and ordered. Spanakopita for Kirsty, Lasagne for me, both of which arrived promptly. Portion sizes were ok, both came with a chunk of soft bread and a generous, well dressed side salad. The lasagne was tasty, but nothing particularly special and could've done with a little more meat filling, the Spanakopita (which I got a bite of) was tasty but seemed to be lacking something but neither of us could really put our finger on what. We finished with cannoli and baked cheesecake, pretty sure the cannoli is bought in as I'm positive I've had it elsewhere, the cheesecake was a little heavy but tasty enough. Not sure I'd rush back, but I'd certainly be happy to eat here again, if only to admire the random collection of things used as decoration. read more

Ahhhh Kothel. How I wanted to love you so much! I just can't bring myself to give you any more than 4 stars..... The decor in Kothel is absolutely dreamy - Rustic, vintage and all together beautiful. Reclaimed wood tables, old manual coffee presses and unusual adornments make the place an absolute treat for the eyes. The selection of homemade cakes are strewn in such an appetising manner that they were almost impossible to resist. Cushions placed all around the window sills make it an inviting place to sit by the window with a book. A perfect example of a quiet coffee shop that you could sit in all day. I took my wee one, after a day at the Riverside Museum for a quick cake having seen such beautiful pictures on Yelp and Instagram. We had already eaten but the selection of food in their cabinet, such as Moussaka and Spanakopita looked delicious. I went for an 'Oreo Bake' and my little one his usual choice of Chocolate Brownie. The Oreo Bake was like a baked cheesecake topping, a brownie middle with chunks of Oreo and a digestive biscuit base. It was totally a scrummy and surprisingly served warm. The Brownie was gooey and chocolatey, but was topped with sea salt (not advertised) which proved too sophisticated for a 7 year olds pallate! The cakes and coffees were served on beautiful mismatched vintage crockery which was a nice touch. The reason I can't give 5 stars is that I found it to be quite pricy! £2.20 for a can of San Pellegrino Lemon for a child is overboard in my opinion (particularly when they sell for a mere 70p in the shop next door). The latte, although one of the most delicious coffees I've had in Glasgow, was absolutely tiny!! Like literally a three gulper! For £3.25 I found this a bit steep. Another off point is the small bowl of brown sugar in the middle of the table for coffees. It obviously sits out all day, so it had become lumpy and coarse and sticky with people's spoons dipping in and out. I think the place is a real find, and a fantastic example of how a coffee shop should be. I just think you can get the same standard of coffee (and ambience) elsewhere for a lesser price. Having said that, I'd urge anyone who hasn't been to pay a visit as its somewhere I think is definitely worth a try even once :) read more

Kothel - Cafes Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

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What a lovely neighborhood cafe to stumble upon. First off, the deco, both inside and outside, has been carefully considered. The mismatched pieces of furniture coupled with its rustic feel give Kothel a perfectly balanced fresh and hip feel. The servers were very attentive. I thought the coffee was good but certainly not the best in the West End(hence why its not a 5 star from me). My husband and I shared the oreo bake and the Guinness cake and both were on point: moist, rich, fresh and flavorful. They have a lovely selection of savory dishes which we have tried on a previous occasion. The bits we tried were good but the star for me was definitely the selection of sweet eats. To top it all off dogs are allowed in the cafe so that makes it a real winner for me! read more

Kothel - Cafes Near Me - Glasgow, GLG

I visited, a few weeks, ago, sat outside, had something to eat and drink and really enjoyed it so thought I would go back with friends but was disappointed. As you see from the photograph, it show shelves full of alcoholic drinks but they don't have a license to sell it so big disappointment for my friends who wanted a glass of wine with their meal. At 1 p.m. one of the dishes on the menu was unavailable. Not good enough! Small foreign waitress was a 'nippy wee sweetie' - translated means a bit impatient and not too pleasant. Friend, from abroad asked about salad and tea and she was offhand saying 'everything is on the menu'. If you are going to work in our country, at least be pleasant to the natives! It has the potential to be excellent as it has some nice food. I won't be rushing back unless for a coffee. read more

Wonderfully eccentric cafe (for Glasgow), you could spend most of your time spotting weird objects hidden in amongst the decor;) 10 pts if you find the 80's mobile phone. But most importantly the food is wonderful , possibly best chocolate croissant I've tasted . It's not all about cake ,Italian based sandwiches and hot food all look and taste great. You'll struggle to choose ,no bad thing ! And then there's Eduardo ....been a long time since I've been somewhere where the manager is genuinely interested in your experience . Breath of fresh air for Glasgow ,very happy customer. (Only lost a star because they're still awaiting an alcohol license .) read more

Kothel how I love you so!! I planned a return visit on my birthday just to remind myself how good it was and I was right to. From walking in and seeing the haphazard deco, often luck just to get a seat, you are transported into a little Italian wonderland. Staff are nice, we had the same chirpy and smilie waitress as before. And boringly so I had the same food, if it aint broke and all that - Italian meatballs with salad and rustic (home made) bread.........a dream!! Although I didn't have cake - it was my birthday and was gifted a full bakery47 cake that morning- I had a coffee. This is just an absolute gem, my only gripe - I wish it was a bit bigger, its always busy and Iv watched a lot of trade pass by due to no seat. read more

First of all, I must say this is one of the most interesting looking, well decorated cafes I've been to in Glasgow (and I've been to a lot), but apart from that I don't really have many more positive remarks to make about the place. The set up of the tables etc, while it does look great, is a bit restricting. Fancy tables and chairs mean you are either way higher than the table or really far away from it. I also seen a mum coming in with a pram and she really didn't stand a chance of finding space for her pram and baby so ended up perched at a table blocking the door (baring in mind she was one of three people in the place). This was my second visit, but my first time eating there and I decided to go for a simple porridge and honey...what a disappointment. I paid £4 for warm oats floating in a bowl of milk. The coffee was okay, not the best but just okay. They have a selection of cakes and croissants sitting out that looked nice but I was so disappointed with my experience I doubt I would go back to try them. For a quiet Tuesday morning there was 5 staff members working, which made the poor and grumpy service even more strange. read more

It's a lovely place for a coffee and a cake. The hot food is also decent, although the meat moussaka was mostly potato. The decor is very quirky. Just don't be fooled by all the alluring bottles of wine and beer that are plastered over the place. They are just there to trick moderate alcoholics like me, who like to have wine with their pasta in the evening, into thinking they have a license. The waiter seemed quite surprised by my request for alcohol, telling me that all the wine, beer and whisky was just for takeaway. I was surprised as some of the bottles were clearly empty. I thought to myself as I looked around at the bearded pipe smokers outside, who are these strange hipsters that come to eat pasta without wine and then takeaway empty wine bottles? Anyway, worth a look if you don't want wine. read more

This is a fabulous place and the decor is very quirky and inviting. It's always always busy and has a great bustle about it. There is plenty of seating outside so when the sun shines and you want to sit out in the west end then this is a great place. I always find that there are very few good places you can sit out in the sunshine in the west end. The staff are very friendly and they are always great with my little girl. They make her baby hot chocolates with mini marshmallows on the house which she loves. The food is great and plenty of cake choices. It has bottles of wine on the walls as if they serve alcohol but they don't which stops us going for dinner sometimes. It's sometimes difficult to get a table so we have to go elsewhere read more

after months of waiting, kothel opened, and obviously I was initially disappointed it wasn't a chip shop, as the area sorely needs a chip shop within walking distance for me. but a coffee shop will do, I guess. the owners seem to have made a great effort. on the look, feel and details and it really looks the part. I managed to pop in for a quick coffee, and whilst a bit on the hot side, it passed the test. the staff are nice, the manager genuinely friendly. not enough info about the food, but cakes and sandwichy type stuff on display. good effort all round, and I hope to be back for some food. read more

Visited kothel in a sunny day, with a toddler and a baby. The place have no kids menu, no baby change facility, and only one highchair. No-one at the door to keep customers right, so don't know if ment to order at bar or sit and wait. I did the latter, eventually got a smile-free unfriendly service. While waiting the pram & my bags and jacket got splattered with hot coffe by staff or friends of owners(?). My baby just missed by half an inch of being scolded. Didn't even get an apology, instead the stuff tried to wipe coffe off my jacket with a dirty cloth, and made jokes about it! Won't be back there again in a hurry. read more

Have been to this cafe 3 times and won't be going back. Yes it looks great.. That's it. The seating situation has to be the most unpractical and uncomfortable I've ever experienced. The service is terrible, on all 3 occasions I've had to approach the counter to place my order while the staff stand about chatting. The food is average but overpriced. I think the owners of this place clearly have no knowledge or experience of catering. The whole place feels awkward and uncomfortable. Sorry won't be going back. read more