We all know I love a Starbucks This branch looks a lot smaller from the outside, one of those tardis moments Stretches out to the back with seating and more upstairs, where most of the younger coffee drinkers seemed to be heading The tables were little red with left over coffees and even cake… Who doesn’t eat all their cake… I hope they fall in a puddle the despicable people Anyway unfortunately it is a busy branch so the cleaning is left as a last scenario after they finish with the customers… They will never finish … They just keep coming Tables were choc full of Apple laptops and iPads, you would be forgiven in thinking they moved the branch of Apple from Buchanan street to here I sat at a table and took out my iPhone not one to bring an action in to the pit of Apple and risk possible dismemberment, took a snap and settled down to enjoy my coffee and the cool jazz music Whig floated like a welcome wave out over the drum of keys and idle chat of the weather and what’s for dinner
Eleanor C.
Tu valoración: 4 Glasgow, United Kingdom
This Starbucks has really picked up its game. I popped in this morning for a coffee before work and the place was cleaner than normal. They did a good job of managing the line and keeping things going with someone on the register and someone taking drink orders. The staff were extra friendly and they were keen to make sure all the customers had a positive experience. Also for those that are Starbucks regulars they are getting the mobile app.
Carolyn E.
Tu valoración: 4 Glasgow, United Kingdom
When I first moved to Scotland, I was fully engrossed in everything American and sought out all the American things Glasgow had to offer. Starbucks, of course was one of those things. At the time, it was more of a comfort thing, as it’s pretty gloomy here(weather wise) a lot of the time, so sometimes it’s just nice to pop in, grab a warm drink and a baked good of sorts and sit with a friend and have a chat. Well, it’s been many years now since I moved here and my want for all American things isn’t as strong as it once was, but every now and again, especially around the holidays, I crave the small comforts of home. Sophie K and I were meeting a friend to have a chat and I was delighted to remember that Starbucks does their toffee nut latte(a latte they didn’t do when I first moved here years ago) along with the gingerbread latte for the holidays! I got in the queue and ordered a tall, skimmed milk toffee nut latte with whipped cream(obviously). I also got a cinnamon bun(although they call it something else that slips my mind at the moment). I will mention that they offer various«milks» to make your drinks with. Whole milk, skimmed milk, soy, and coconut milk. To be honest, I wish they offered almond milk, which I quite enjoy. Cow’s milk upsets my stomach some days and I’m not a fan of soy or coconut, but I suffer through anyway. The staff in this starbucks has always been nice and friendly. Today was no different. They never spell my name right, but Caroline is fine for me. This starbucks has loads of seating on the bottom floor, but upstairs there are couches and a lot more seating as well. It looks quite small from the outside, but it’s quite spacious. It’s in a convenient spot right outside the subway, so I was able to catch the tube right after our coffee date and continue on with my day
Annie D.
Tu valoración: 3 Glasgow, United Kingdom
Popped in for a chai latte, which was delicious. I was thankful that despite the queue being long it moved quickly. I guess we got in on time as 10 minutes later it was standing room only. Autumn had arrived at Starbucks and the pumpkin spiced latte my friend ordered smelt lovely. Staff were very chatty, shame it was between only them. All in i like Starbucks, you know what you’re going to get but I do think this experience lacked the personal touch.
Rebecca D.
Tu valoración: 3 Glasgow, United Kingdom
This is one of my go to places for those«I’ve had lunch but my lunch break isn’t over and I want a coffee» moments. I know that Glasgow has a fantastic range of independent coffee shops and that the West End of Glasgow is particularly blessed but sometimes Starbucks just feels easy. Plus, I have the Starbucks app on my phone and it’s easier to justify spending money on a coffee if you’ve technically already spent that money. Usually I’m a grab and go kind of gal and lunch time is probably their busiest time of day, so getting a seat could be tricky anyway. However, if I have a bit of extra time I’ll sit in — usually upstairs or near the back of the ground floor level where it’s quieter. Layout and seating-wise, it’s much like any other Starbucks. It seems a bit small when you go in(it’s weirdly long and thin) but the upstairs seating makes it adequate in that respect. The thing that elevates this particular branch of Starbucks is definitely the staff. They are so friendly and attentive and, as long as they don’t have a huge long line, they’re very happy to chat and joke away with you. They don’t mind quirky orders and I’ve always found that they get them absolutely right. They’re the best — Starbucks doesn’t deserve them. I like the range of food and that it includes a few«healthier» options for when a massive flavoured latte, a bacon sandwich and a health-hazard size slice of chocolate cake doesn’t seem like a well-balanced plan. However, even the lower calorie options are mostly still a bit high — it would be great if they offered a wider range of salads and fruit. You’re definitely going to get West End types here, using the free WiFi and hogging the plug sockets with their Macbooks while they work on their novel. You know what? That’s ok. There’s free WiFi and coffee — of course people are going to want to work here. I want to work here and I’m not even a novelist. You’ll find me upstairs near the back, hogging a plug socket.
Hugh M.
Tu valoración: 5 Glasgow, United Kingdom
I thought I would pop in here, as had not been here for a long time. Well. Not since me and an old friend had been chatting to a Spanish girl drinking here. This has got to be one of the cleanest of Starbucks. The staff are lovely. And being next to Hill-head station, it’s a great wee place. Great place to relax once you have walked up and down this road. And it attracts all walks of life.
Stephanie B.
Tu valoración: 4 Glasgow, United Kingdom
This is my closest Starbucks and I’m fond if it in many ways. I’ll acknowledge that Starbucks isn’t the best coffee in the world, but that’s not what anyone expects. Starbucks is a place for a warm drink and is ideally a good place to meet with people. This Starbucks is actually really good for it because they have a lot of seating and it’s never too loud to chat a bit, or a lot. This location is also one of my favourite places to work when I need to get out of the house and want a place where I can get snacks. They did a refurbishment awhile ago, which changed all of the seating. They got rid of the sofas upstairs but now the tables they have feel better for getting work done. I’ve found the people working there to be friendly without it feeling forced. The queue is often very long but I don’t feel like they’re intentionally dragging. It can take awhile but it’s to be expected with how many people are being served. Overall, it’s hard to say much as it is a Starbucks. It’s just a good Starbucks if you want to sit around, or if you’re in the West End and specifically want Starbucks.
Tony C.
Tu valoración: 3 Carstairs Junction, United Kingdom
Ahh, a little haven of quiet in a packed West End full of hipsters, students and bohemian wannabes… and they sell the precious joy that is caffeine. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of room to sit at first when you walk in; initially you just see the couple of seats near the front window, and the bank of high benches and chairs against the wall. As you make your journey towards the till and the back of the store, you’ll see there are more chairs beyond the counter. Also, and even better, there are seats upstairs. Big, comfy, plush, welcoming seats. The kind of seats that if you’re not careful, you fall asleep in… but that’s why you have the caffeine, see. Science! As with all other Starbucks, it’s pretty much generic. Been in one, been in them all to an extent, with slight difference between each one. Service is of the usual Starbucks standard. You know the drill if you’re an addict. I am trying to cut down my generic chain-o-coffee drinking(here, Costa, Nero) and switch to more independent chains, of which there are MANY. So this may well be the last Starbucks review I do for a while. It’s a perfectly acceptable way to go out. Oh, who am I kidding — I’ll be back at Christmas when Gingerbread Lattes return to tempt me with their joyousness… minxes.
Jessica P.
Tu valoración: 3 Glasgow, United Kingdom
This Starbucks is pretty good. I’m not sure I’ve been to any others in the UK, but I usually find they’re all the same. It’s usually easy to find a place to sit upstairs, and it’s a pretty good place to study. The staff are super friendly, and when it’s not busy they’ll usually ask what you’ve been up to and have a little chat, which is nice. The food and drinks are average, typical Starbucks so there’s not much to say. It all pretty much comes prepackaged anyways. During busy hours you’ll find the place gets a bit dirty. Empty cups around, sticky tables, etc… So that’s unfortunate. Ultimately, this location is easy to find so it’s a good place to meet up with a friend who is unfamiliar with the West End. Otherwise, I’d try to choose one of the smaller, more local cafés nearby.
Steph S.
Tu valoración: 4 Glasgow, United Kingdom
Sweet Spot: The optimum point or combination of factors or qualities Ah, Starbucks! Loved, hated? I’m usually indifferent, but today it hit me in a pretty warm place. It seems every Starbucks has its ‘sweet spot’. You know? No queue, coffee good, Gotye isn’t bleeding from your ears and the staff are just cheery enough, but not overly so. Could it get any better? Probably, coz it comes at a price.(But I’ll take it anyway) Unfortunately Byres Rd Starbucks’ sweet spot is between the absurd hour of 06.45am and 06:55am. The Subway takeaway rush hasn’t happened, the students are still in dream land, the yummy mummies are still struggling with their exhaustion and there’re no god-damn Frappé’s being served. I have to admit it was a «Yay! I’m a fan»! Although that’s time conditional of course…
Holly M.
Tu valoración: 3 Glasgow, United Kingdom
I have a few grumbles over Starbucks, i’m not a fan of grumbling but sadly i must. Firstly, its overpriced as hell. I really like their toffee nut latte’s but i can never afford to buy them. Secondly i have never received a coffee that has been filled to the top(and i have been going to this place for 6 years) Every other coffee shop to go has at least filled it as far as possible but not with Starbucks. I cannot afford half a coffee man. The bathrooms are also pretty gross: c However the overpriced, half filled coffee tastes pretty good on most occasions so i am drawn back frequently. Staff are very nice and eager to help so the place isn’t all bad! I will continue to return as its pretty convenient when i need a caffeine fix before class
Kat F.
Tu valoración: 5 Glasgow, United Kingdom
All I can really say about this branch of Starbucks is that it’s the best in Glasgow. It’s a bit cold inside but It doesn’t really matter because the coffee is always good and the staff is honestly the best staff you could ever ask for. They even give you a different lid on your drink if you ask for one, without any questions. Life would be a lot easier if every café, restaurant, bar and shop had staff like the Byres road Starbucks staff. The only time I’ve ever had a problem there was once when the upstairs wall had been painted over graffiti and I got paint on my hand, they quickly offered special soap to clean it off me and gave me two free coffees with the best manners and apologies ever. If anyone ever said that they were rude I honestly wouldn’t believe them and question the person saying it because these people are too nice and too good at what they do. I love you Byres road Starbucks, never leave me. xoxooxoxoxox
Yinnie C.
Tu valoración: 3 London, United Kingdom
Everytime I go somewhere abroad/or new, I always have to buy a starbucks mug with the city on. It’s a rite of passage.(except for Italy, where they spit on mediocre coffee so, i couldn’t find any there…) This branch is right off Ashton Lane, and it’s a really friendly branch. The lady serving was cheerful and just so helpful! I can’t say anything for the coffee but the service with a smile, that deserves my 3 stars alone. Also she was very nice to tell me about their situation with the demitasse cups.(I haven’t seen any glasgow ones!)
Sara K.
Tu valoración: 2 Amsterdam, The Netherlands
While going in, we saw two girls doing nothing. An other was very busy. The girls didn’t seems to feel like working at all, but one of them took a deep breath and served us or soya coffee and hot chocolate. They needed to use cups in size big, because medium wasn’t clean jet(or broken). We sit on the table on the window but there was no space to put or cups on the table. Jake cleaned up the table by moving all the other used cups and plates(probably from all the costumers who sat here in the two hours before us) to the counter. One of the girls did sight again and left it there for an other 15 minutes. When you look at the floor, you’re hoping it was clean this morning, because it isn’t anymore. I love the hot chocolate, the fair trade products and the free wifi. But I won’t come back on this particular Starbucks.
Martyn M.
Tu valoración: 3 London, United Kingdom
When I was doing The Sound of Music last November in The Cottiers Theatre, this Starbucks was my absolute lifeline. Normally I’d to be at the theatre for 9am for rehearsals, and so leaving my house in Hamilton about 7:15am meant I normally didn’t have time for breakfast. Enter Byres Road Starbucks! Popped off the underground at Hillhead and before walking along to the theatre, always went in here for my morning coffee fix! It’s a great wee Starbucks, and despite it’s seemingly incredibly busy location, it’s actually quite a relaxed and quiet branch inside. The staff in here are nothing but pleasant and always very happy to help in any way they can, especially when I’m phoning up asking them to prepare a Starbucks run!
Davide R.
Tu valoración: 3 Glasgow, United Kingdom
Overpriced, and too comercial… I enjoy an espresso in the morning and i have to say the one i tried at starbucks here in the UK tends to be a bit bitter… On the other hand other products such as frappuccinos and other hot drinks tend to be quite nice
Jen Y.
Tu valoración: 3 Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Starbucks is starbucks is starbucks. You pretty much know what you’re going to get. It’s the reliability that keeps all of its franchise chains busy. Their cakes are GOOD(in a mass-produced way, although they lack the home-made charm). The sandwiches and salads are much less good. The normal coffee is below-par. But if you want a white chocolate skinny mocha hold the cream, or an iced caramel latte with soy milk — well this is your place. The Byres Road branch is one of my least favourite branches in Glasgow. It’s pokey and small, the only good seat is the one in the window and it’s always taken. Upstairs there are no windows and it feels very cut off from reality. It has the atmosphere that when it’s been raining outside, it gets muggy and clamy inside. And the toilets — ugh! Don’t get me started. However, for a takeaway liquid treat(make mine with a chocolate chip cookie or cinammon swirl if I’m feeling decadent), it’s dependable. No one does sugar and caffeine in a cup quite like starbucks.
Dallis M.
Tu valoración: 2 Glasgow, United Kingdom
Whoa there, Starbucks. You can do better. I don’t mind this Starbucks, as long as I’m getting my coffee ‘To Go’. But sitting in there feels like forcing a smile to your adversary. Seriously, the place is always a tip. Especially the toilets, which have to be the worst I’ve seen in a chain establishment. They closed this starbucks for about a month(?) to re-furbish the interior, but now that they’ve re-opened, I don’t see one bit of difference. Get it To Go, is my only suggestion if you’re thinking of going in. Otherwise you might have to clear your own table before you can even sit down.
Laura M.
Tu valoración: 4 Glasgow City, United Kingdom
I feel obliged to mention that I very rarely frequent Starbucks, and this is even more so the case with Starbucks other than this one. You see, for all it’s chain induced(or should I say forced?) glory I really like THIS Starbucks. It’s tiny! The outside consists only of the four feet wide shop front, yet instead it stretches pretty far and there’s even an upstairs. This means that it’s not usually that busy, so you’re almost guaranteed to be able to find a seat if you want one. Similarly, you’ll often get to occupy your very own small Starbucks section and not need to overhear other people wittering away. As for the products and prices, they are the standard Starbucks deal so no unexpected surprises will crop up. All in all, a lovely little Starbucks with a little bit more character than other branches and very handy for a quick coffee on the way to/from Hillhead underground.
Lynsey
Tu valoración: 3 Glasgow, United Kingdom
This is an ok branch of Starbucks. Like most Starbucks the coffee is good and the cakes and sandwiches good too. It’s well located on Byres Road right next to the Hillhead underground station. Staff are pleasant and friendly. There is a small seating area at the rear of the store and even more seating on the upstairs level. They also sell the usual Starbucks coffee merchandise like mugs and coffee machines. I like to get takeaway coffee from this branch but I’ve scored this Starbucks relatively lowly as the ladies toilets are disgusting and look like they haven’t been properly cleaned in years! Shame as this really spolied my sit in experience!