The shop hasn’t even been open a year, but it has been immensely popular with locals and visitors (Image: Nicola Roy)
It’s Sunday, also known as the perfect day for my favourite pastime – walking around aimlessly and having a coffee. I’m not sure this even counts as a hobby, but it brings me a lot of joy, so it’s something I try to do as often as possible.
Because of this, I’ve visited my fair share of coffee shops. And one of my locals has recently been named as one of the very best in the whole of the UK. Zennor, on Langside Road in the south side of Glasgow, hasn’t even been open a year – but every weekend there are queues out the door, full of people keen to try its unique offerings.
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The interior is minimalist yet welcoming (Image: Nicola Roy)
The Best Coffee Shops in the UK ranking came out last week – a guide dedicated to finding the nation’s highest quality cafés. A total of 44 made the list, located from all corners of the country.
I was happy to see several Glaswegian spots on the list, from the ornate Turkish Ottoman coffeehouse to Through The House which also doubles as a listening bar and magazine shop.
But for me, Zennor is the true standout. It’s the second Zennor to open in Glasgow after the huge success of its Dennistoun branch, and I’m so glad to have it so close to home because I’ve never had a bad experience there.
Zennor is located on the corner of Dixon Avenue and Langside Road (Image: Nicola Roy)
This week I decided to visit again for the first time since the ranking came out, and I’m honestly not surprised that it’s been recognised as one of the UK’s must-visit coffee shops.
The interior is what you notice first. It’s very striking, a Scandi-style mix of light wood furniture and chrome fixtures, with plenty of gorgeous natural light flooding in when the sun hits.
It would look almost clinical if it wasn’t for thoughtful decor choices such as the massive paper lightshades that hang low above the tables. In terms of seating, you can either choose spot on the windowsill, at the coffee bar, at bigger round tables or outside – weather permitting, of course.
Zennor serves everything you’d expect from a coffee shop and some pretty inventive drinks too (Image: Nicola Roy)
Zennor is always busy, no matter what day of the week you visit, which really is a testament to how popular it is within the local community. I luckily managed to nab a table when I visited with my mum and aunt, who had never been before, and I was very excited to hear their thoughts.
The coffee menu has everything you’d expect, from flat whites to cappuccinos, but they’ve also got an amazing range of really inventive drinks that I’ve never seen anywhere else. My highlights last year were the iced tiramisu cold foam and iced peach matcha, and I can’t wait for the warmer weather to arrive so I can see what they’ve thought up this time.
But since it was freezing cold, an oat flat white was ordered, with a long black and a latte for my family. Zennor roasts its own coffee beans which you can buy from the shop, and they have such unique flavours that are unlike anything I’d ever tasted before.
Think notes of candied peach, white chocolate, toffee apple and jasmine – each box is something different and delicious.
If I had the right coffee machine at home, I would be all over these (Image: Nicola Roy)
Zennor is the kind of cool place that you’d maybe think you would feel intimidated by. But this could not be further from the truth – the staff members are so friendly and welcoming, and you can tell they really love and have a passion for what they do.
It’s really fascintating to watch them prepare each drink at the futuristic chrome coffee bar, and it obviously helps that each one is delicious too. They serve up a selection of these single-origin roasts, as well as loose-leaf tea and so much more.
But it’s not just the coffee and matcha that keeps me coming back to Zennor again and again. The pastries and sweet treats are honestly on another level, and it’s not your usual coffee shop fare.
The pastries and treats at Zennor are to die for (Image: Nicola Roy)
On my last visit we shared a miso date caramel cookie, studded with sesame seeds and boasting a delicious soft and chewy interior. There’s also the delicious cheese and herb croissant which was toasted to perfection, but the brown butter and salted dark chocolate cookie – I’m salivating just thinking about it.
They also do an incredibly delicious Basque cheesecake and a banana bread too, and the offerings change regularly, so there’s always the chance to try something new.
My regular visits are becoming a problem for my bank account but I have three words to sum up Zennor – worth every penny.
The south side of Glasgow is known for its cafe culture and it’s one of the reasons that really drew me to living there. So if you’re in the area and have never tried Zennor before, this is your chance to go.
It’s a clean, bright and thoughtful space that’s perfect for sitting and catching up with loved ones, or grabbing a coffee and pastry to go while you wander around Queen’s Park.
