Going out Restaurant of the week
Chaakoo Bombay Cafe, 79 St Vincent St, Glasgow
Location
Only a few minutes walk from both Queen Street and Glasgow Central stations, surrounded by restaurants, bars and the shops on Buchanan Street. Perfect if you’re in Glasgow for a day out.
First impressions
Inspired by 1950s Irani cafes, the decor takes you back in time. Rotating ceiling fans, leafy plants, leather booths and dark, varnished wood combine with the building’s original features, including beautiful cornicing and pillars. Simply stunning.
Service
We visited for an early midweek dinner, and the eatery was already busy. Our server was excellent. They expertly navigated the menu to suggest dishes, which was no mean feat with vegan and gluten-free diners in the party. Attentive, friendly and always smiling throughout our meal.
Menu
As well as snacky starters and sides, the street food menu is filled with roti wraps, grilled meat kebabs, spicy curries and small plates. Plenty options for meateaters and plant-based diets alike. There is also an extensive drinks menu with fresh yogurt lassi and other tempting tipples.
Taste
We started with crispy fried cauliflower pakora, fresh okra with onion, tomatoes and masaladar sauce, and a spiced potato and chickpea salad, followed by jinga kushrang prawn curry, channa mushroom curry, and a rich lentilbased daal makhani. Each curry was just enough for one but we sampled and shared, topping up our plates with fluffy rice and plump naan bread. Delicately flavoured, the dishes tasted freshly-cooked with strong, balanced flavours. Delish.
Ambience
Fun, casual and perfect for big groups, the lively atmosphere only enhances the dining experience.
Toilets
Vintage Thomas Crapper loos raised a smile, and the stalls were clean and well-stocked. No complaints.
Bombay’s Irani cafes were opened by Persian and Iranian immigrants. In the 1950s more than 350 were scattered around the city, but today only around 25 still exist.