When you move to Scotland, you will discover sooner or later that it can be quite challenging to find a good loaf of bread. Baked goods in Scotland are usually the opposite of crunchy – scones or rolls are often very soft and need to be toasted first. While Edinburgh has quite a few different bakeries, there is not yet a single one in Glasgow city centre. If you don’t want to miss out on good bread, then here is a list of places where you can find relatively decent loafs in Glasgow.
Roots and Fruits, West End and Finnieston
If you miss the local farmer shops from home, then Roots and Fruits is probably the closest you can get in Glasgow. Most of the fruits are laying unpacked in wooden boxes and the store is full with lots of other Continental gems.
Most importantly, you can get lots of different loaves of bread there. They are a bit pricey, but you’ll find lots of different sourdoughs (including a rye one) and other breads that are worth the price. They are delivered by the Freedom Bakery which is a social enterprise that offers employment opportunities for former prisoners.
Locavore CIC, Southside
Another good alternative for farmer shops is Locavore CIC in the Southside. If you walk along Victoria Road you will find the shop that also has a small café inside. Right at the back, once you pass the seasonal food that is grown at different sites around Glasgow, you will find their selection of bread that is either from Different Breid or Freedom Bakery.
The shop is also a good choice if you want to refill your shampoo bottles, or stock up jars of dried goods. They have various fill-up stations for different goods and groceries.
Aldi and Lidl
Although it sounds unusual to include low budget supermarkets on a list of good bakeries, Aldi and Lidl are a good choice to buy standard rolls and bread if you want to live on a budget and don’t have one of the fancier local shops around the corner. Even the small Lidl close to Glasgow Central has different breads and rolls, including Kaisersemmel. Since Aldi has refurbished its store on High Street, it also offers a small bakery with all the basics you need.
Cottonrake Bakery, West End
You have the best chances for good bread if you live in the West End of Glasgow. It has probably the highest density of shops with Continental gems, including bread. For example, you will find excellent fresh bread at the Cottonrake Bakery. Every morning at 8am, they sell different whole, sourdough, and rye breads. And Croissants, Pain au Chocolats, Almond Croissants & Cinnamon Buns. You’re welcome.
Sweet Jane Bakehouse, Dennistoun
Good news for those who live in the East End: A new bakery called Sweet Jane opened in March on Duke Street. Unfortunately, it was only open for about one week before the Coronavirus Lockdown started. Luckily, you can still order all of its products online, including all sorts of bread.
Café- Bakehouse Singl-end, Merchant City
If you live in Glasgow city centre and don’t want to travel to far for fresh bread, you can visit the Singl-end in the Merchant City. Next to a great selection of cake, they sell a few different loaves of bread. It’s not a huge selection, but the ones they have are very nice. The café itself is a bit hidden, you will find it on John Street next to Osteria.
If you live in Glasgow city centre and don’t want to travel to far for fresh bread, you can visit the Singl-end in the Merchant City. Next to a great selection of cake, they sell a few different loaves of bread. It’s not a huge selection, but the ones they have are very nice. The café itself is a bit hidden, you will find it on John Street next to Osteria.
If you were searching for places in Glasgow that sell good bread, then this list of shops might have been the inspiration you needed. Especially when you’ve just moved to the city, it might be quite helpful to know these places since a Google search for bakeries just brings up a lot of pastries and cake shops. Once we find more places that offer good bread, we will give an update on that.
Continentals in Scotland 