Heart Buchanan

«tasty good service — 3.5 if I could give it…»
Reviewed 25 February 2012
Popped in to this popular Byres Rd deli for a spot of lunch today. We were greeted by friendly staff and shown to our window table, to watch the West End World go by. Once settled the waitress presented us with the eclectic deli-​esque menu. We perused…
I opted for the quiche, while my wife had the lasagne. I was thoroughly informed that the lasagne was lovely and it certainly looked appetising and quite substantial. The quiche was also very tasty, but was a bit on the small side for the price. It’s accompaniment was a small side salad, but It could have benefited from a slice of crusty bread served with olive oil and balsamic — or similar.
Would I go back? Probably, which is always a good sign.
Visited February 2012
3 of 5 stars Value
3 of 5 stars Atmosphere
4 of 5 stars Service
3 of 5 stars Food

Whenever i’ve been in the are i’ve always come here to see what treat’s they have in their display counter. Heart Heart Buchanan is what you would call a type of deli /​take away Situated in Byers Road just round the corner from Hilton. I’ve only ever had food to go here as l feel the the sitting are in the café is crammed and too tight for me. The food selection has always been great as have the selection of homemade cakes and coffee to go.

Nice little Deli that does some wonderfull Gourmet take-​away meals, bit price but not that much more expensive than most places in the West End.
Only thing that lets it down is the lack of options.

Porridge. A name that does not evoke sexy images to you but that’s because you have never eaten sexy porridge but I have.
Heart Buchanan made my eyes bulge when they slipped a huge bowl of creamy dreamy porridge in front of me. A dollop of berry compote embraced by a circle of honey.
It really was the best porridge that I have ever eaten, it was so filling that I could only eat half. The music in the café was very cool as in BBC Radio 6. The staff are very good looking with dewy skin yet nice which seems like a combination that would baffle café staff in San Francisco.
Coffee was alright but I hear that their tea is really their strength as is their porridge!

Its convenient setting is offset by small portions of average quality. A ten minute walk in either direction will find you at the door at better establishments with food which is far better value for money. As written previously, you can be ignored by the staff who are a little too keen to chat amongst themselves, giving the impression the establishment considers itself much better than it is.

It’s an absolute shame that anyone has voted this less than a ‘5’. You’re looking at the best breakfast place in Glasgow. With no real downsides (the place isn’t cheap, but it’s hardly expensive either) it is an incredible place for food any time of day, but especially brunch dates. The atmosphere is great too– nice and small but straddling a line between hipster, quaint, and romantic. I recommend the porridge, the eggs benedict, and the scones. All were exceptional!

I would probably rave about this place but I had a bad experience with the staff. It probably means I will never venture into this place again.
Spite — thy name is Andrew.
If you have not had a bad experience, I could see you falling love with this place. Gourmet take-​away meals, freshly prepared and stupidly conveniently placed on Byres Road.
Check it out and see what I mean.

Yay I love. great coffee and free wifi and try the eggs benedict! Great soup of the day and roll offers everyday.

You know how sometimes you just have a wee business blank spot? Now to clarify, I’ve always known about HB but i’d ‘never even given it a thought for take out coffee… I will now!
I popped in here the other day after my brain did one of those «don’t i remember seeing something, somewhere along here that said something about coffee. somewhere» So, once i’d picked myself off the ground after brain thinky overload, i popped in here for a cheeky wee latte.
Flippage von latteriffic the third… dat’s good frocken coffee! Take heed travelling Unilocalers on the march. Hit HB for a wee takeout caffeine hit… you will not be disappointed, and if you are, then… well, you suck pffft

Never, no never, not once, have I disliked something I have bought from Heart Buchanan. Pricey to be sure, but this isn’t marketed like your local 24 – 7, this is high end take-​away (or sit in), perfect for those days where you need a culinary treat, or when you can’t be bother to cook something, but really don’t feel like greasy spoon.
Top tip of the day, they select a few wines of red, white, rose, etc and have bottles for a fiver. They only sell things they like, so when you are in need for a bold red to match a gorgeous steak or a sturdy white to go with a Thai red curry, march in there and ask them what they’ve got for a fiver.

Nom. I heart Heart Buchanan. Situated at the top of Byers Road, this fine food and wine shop is a gastronomic destination if you’re meandering through the West End and in need of sustenance. It’s a wee place that offers limited seating if you choose to dine in. However, Lumberjack and I have never encountered any issues when visiting. Maybe it’s our impeccable timing?
The décor and ambiance is cute and cosy. It’s a great place to have the afternoon pass as you chat away with a mate over lunch, or even just come for tea/​coffee and cakes. Using the finest local product, they offer an ever-​changing menu of freshly made nibbles, which are available for dining in, or taking away. If you’re taking away, you can opt for one of their custom hampers, which is perfect for beautiful sunny Glasgow weather and sitting in either the Botanics or Kelvingrove Park.
I have always enjoyed the sandwiches and soups here, paired with a nice cuppa. The service is always nice and helpful. I could easily spend an afternoon here working on papers… but I fear of being one of «those» people you see in coffee shops with their MBP, plastic frames, skinny jeans, and a «too cool for school» air about them.
Bottom line: Scrumptious fresh locally sourced food for dining in and takeaway. Well worth the higher price tag, when the tummy tum tum says «yes!»

Heart Buchanan is the epitome of day-​time dining in the West End. Continental deli food, served on quirky crockery, and Earl Grey tea in an imitation-​silk teabag.
The food is delicious, and suits my tastes perfectly: think italian meats and cheeses, fresh focaccia bread, balsamic and olive oil dresings, salads with roasted red peppers; but served alongside french toast with maple syrup, a delicious croque monsieur, and the Chef’s famous sausage rolls. A common theme in west end eateries, mixing Scottish and continental cuisine, but one that works wonderfully.
It appears to be the sort of place where the sandwiches change daily. They serve brunch until 11am weekdays, and all day weekends. There’s a choice of sandwiches, soups and cakes, with brunch covering granola, yoghurt, french toast, eggs benedict and bacon, and an intriguing sounding «Traditional French Breakfast» with fresh bread, yoghurt, saussison, and one square of dark chocolate. The regular menu is quite small, and sandwich fillings are unusual. Great for those with complex taste buds, not so great for fussy children or those seeking a reliable tuna and sweetcorn, or ploughmans.
I ordered the Pastrami, Emmental, Mustard and Saurkraut sandwich, that was chalked up on the board. My boyfriend had the same, with a side of French toast, maple syrup and lemon. The sandwich was well-​filled (my pet hate is an inch of dry bread either side of the filling) and well-​balanced with all the strong-​flavoured ingredients. The bread was fresh, the pastrami very well peppered, the saurkraut crunchy. Served with a small (very small) salad, and a few crisps on a quirky wooden board-​come-​plate. A perfect sized portion, filling yet not overly, with just enough room for half a slice of cake.
The french toast, with maple syrup and lemon, was divine. French toast is often heavy, often too eggy and sweet, but this was light and very more-​ish. It’s quite a small portion, only one bit of bread, so perfect as a treat for kids (or as a side to a sandwich if you feel inclined) but not as a main.
Throughout the whole meal I had my eyes on the cakes cunningly displayed on the counter. Cupcakes, ginger cake, carrot cake, courgette and lime cake, custard tarts, millionaire shortbread. The ginger bread proved to be yet another excellent choice: moist, very gingery, but quite a humble portion size (often in the west end cakes are served by the slab). Perhaps not enough for someone only seeking coffee and cake, but perfect after a sandwich.
If you’re looking for somewhere to catch up with a good friend over a delicious cake and coffee, that’s not your regular starbucks, this is it. The cakes are probably the best thing about it (I ended up taking three different ones home). However, as it’s very small inside it’s not best suited to larger groups.
It could earn 5 stars easily for the quality of food, and level of service (attentive and friendly). However, as it is so small in size other customers came to the door and had to leave due to lack of seating. It was also very pricey and could really only be for an occasional treat rather than a weekly lunchtime haunt. A slice of cake was £2.95 and a sandwich £6.95.
When we left, my tummy and tastebuds were well-​fed and satisfied; my (boyfriend’s) wallet and other potential customers not so much.
As an aside, I did not experience what other reviewers have, of being asked to order in the deli (a seperate shop next door) and then take it next door. It may be they have improved this since then. There is a seperate deli, with a much wider range of foods (pasta salads, pies etc.) but we went into the café as a seperate café, without any need to visit the deli.

Oh it’s so cute.
And it’s little chalkboards outside are cute.
It’ll lure you in with its deals and its scents, but what happens then?
Nothing. I’ve never gotten a chance to eat or drink in here because there’s always something that gets in my way.
I went into the little café side for a bit of lunch one day. I was told that, no, even though we are a café, you have to order next door, and then bring it back over.
Um…what?
The next time I was in, they wouldn’t let me use my card to buy a coffee because there was a minimum charge of £5. Now, that’s completely understandable, but it was raining and I wasn’t going to go out, get money and then come back in, so I went somewhere else.
No matter what I do, they seem determined to find a way to not serve me.
However, I have had good experiences with them; namely when they’ve catered for functions I’ve attended. I found their dishes to be delicious and satisfyingly yummy. Which is why I was so disappointed that I couldn’t enjoy them in their own store.
I have been informed (possibly wrongly) that they are under new ownership now, and I hope that the service has improved. I’ll try them again and see, but if I have to leave again due to some fluke of nature, I’m going to take it as a sign.

Situated in the heart of the West End, you’ll be hard pressed to find a deli better than Heart Buchanan’s. Quirky, classy and oh-​so-​tasty; Heart Buchanan’s sells a large range of foodstuffs. From meats and cheeses to sauces and veg, there’s something for everyone here.
They even offer wonderful «cheating dinners» — whereby you buy an uncooked prepared dinner, stick it straight in the oven and then lie to your wife/​lover/​mother/​bestmate and tell them you made it all yourself.
Attached to the deli is the heart buchanan’s café with sells all manner of delicious drinks, snacks and cakes — as well as lunchtime foods.
The staff are generally young and stylish, which gives this place a really bohemian feel. As I said, the experience of Heart Buchanan’s is hard to beat.

Heart Buchanan is another cute little deli in the West End, they sure have an abundance here, not that I’m complaining as I love nothing better than a large selection of spicy sausages, meats and cheeses. I would much rather sit in individual little delis for lunch rather than big soulless coffee houses.
If you are looking for food for a party then look no further as you will be able to get canapes, cupcakes and all sorts here, it might set you back a few bob though as the delicious foodstuffs here don’t come cheap. This place is also great if you want to have a nice romantic picnic in Kelvingrove Park, you can get some food here along with fruit and some cupcakes and you’ll be able to enjoy a day feasting in the park.
My favourite thing about Heart Buchanan is their display of old fashioned tins in the window. I collect old tea tins and they have a selection of old tea and sweetie tins here which I just love.

Heart Buchanan’s neighbour, and sister company Heart Buchanan Kitchen, is a lovely addition to this thriving business. It has pretty much the same selection of tasty treats as the Heart Buchanan Deli, however it acts as a restaurant.
For a lazy so and so, such as myself, this is ideal. Sometimes, the buying and then reheating of tasty treats and dishes is just too much. Unless, of course, you are ‘making’ dinner for folks — wink, wink.
However, if you are being honest and not trying to impress anyone with your excellent culinary skills then the Heart Buchanan restaurant is it! A menu consisting of snacks, meals, sides and deserts from the simple, good ‘homemade’ cooking to the more adventurous. Simply, find a quiet table in this cosy, ten (ish) table restaurant and sit and watch the world go by the massive glass windows. Enjoy, the tiny fairy lights shinning out into the dark, wet, winter nights.
Top quality and no sign of a microwave in sight. Perfect.

Naturally this review of Heart Buchanan is preceded by rave ones. It is a deli bang in the centre of the West End, the most deli loving community in the world. It is quaint and cutesy, selling a wide range of sauces, olives and sun blushed tomatoes.
My complaint in with the café next door. I popped in for a tea yesterday only to be presented with a quarter full mug. Usually when I buy a tea I expect a pot, but if not, I would at least expect the mug to be full.
I wasn’t impressed by the cake section either. All that was offered was a few garishly coloured cup cakes, the current trendy dessert of choice.
I know this review will probably bring gasps of horror from the Byres Road faithful but, in my opinion, there are better places in the west end to grab a quick cuppa.

During my time at a work placement, I was lucky enough to be invited to a swanky party with canapes and champagne that were way beyond my student means. When the plastic covered canapé trays arrived, on stylish black platters with individual tags for each, I knew they were going to be pretty amazing.
These lovely dishes were ordered from Heart Buchanan, who put a lot of time and effort into arranging these pretty little platters in symmetrical order, including chocolate dipped strawberries and salmon on little oatcakes. Everything was of the highest quality and incredibly delicious, which makes Heart Buchanan the place to keep in mind if you find yourself in need of some particularly posh party nibbles.

Heart Buchanan represents the closest thing Glasgow, probably Scotland, can offer to a traditional French traiteur.
Now if you think this turn of phrase is a tad pretentious then I’m going to give you two reasons why it’s acceptable pretension.
1) Because there’s no escaping it, Heart Buchanan itself is a little pretentious. Much as the food is fantastic, in terms of quality, freshness and variety, the staff knowledgeable and the décor authentic and warm, you can’t help but feel a you’re paying that little bit extra for the antique clock, the hanging baskets and the little benches. The regular customers here don’t mind that. In fact, they probably like it.
2) Can you imagine if you turned up expecting merely meats, vine leaves, olives, sunblushed tomatoes etc… (all of which they do have) and then found its unique selling point was its daily cooked meals, which you can then take home to enjoy with your family, There would be outrage. You would be saying, how come I read on Unilocal this was a deli when it’s quite clearly a full blown traiteur?
Pretentious, moi?

Oh how i heart buchanan (likin’ that play on words?!) This is just an incredible deli and if I were somewhat more well-​heeled (and living in Glasgow of course) I would be a regular here for my dinner, sampling all of the tasty looking freshly made entrees ready for the oven/​microwave.
What I love about this place is that they sell loads of lovely specialist goods and is worth a visit for any foodie gifts that might need bought. I remember buying someone a large string on whole huge dried chillies once — slightly random perhaps!
Deli choices are fantastic and, as other reviewers have said, food is homemade and often with a Scottish twist. Coffee is pretty decent but for me the high high high point has to be the pear tart.
How I love a pear tart with the whole half pear on top of a lovely cakey frangipane mix of goodness surrounded by a decadently short crust — and this one sets a high standard. I always have good intentions to save it for when I get home, but I am sorry to say that I have usually succumbed by the time I reach Byres Road underground!