Restaurant Review: heaven awaits down the hidden lane

First, a confession; I’m never out of the Hidden Lane Tearoom. From birthdays to bridal parties to leisurely lunches on a rare weekday off, I’ve spent many an afternoon tackling my share of tea and cakes at this tiny corner of Finnieston.
By Gillian Loney
Published 20th Mar 2015, 08:00 BST

And so it seemed time to share the wealth — to shed light on one of Glasgow’s best secrets, and a place vintage fans are bound to fall for.

Taking my sister down that dodgy cobbled alley off Argyle St was never going to be an easy sell — but emerging out to a ramshackle row of art studios, music shops and more and I think she began to come around.

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Tucked in the corner is the tearoom, decorated in haphazard shabby chic, all mismatched chairs and odds and ends china.

There are savoury treats on offer, but most will visit for the afternoon tea — a cake stand heaving with sandwiches, scones and cakes according to what’s available on the day.

On this occasion, the first layer included the usual staples; a creamy egg and cress triangle, tuna on brown bread and clean (almost healthy!) ham and avocado — albeit cancelled out by an oozing brie and apple panini.

Assuming you’ve made it that far, a cream and jam-laden scone awaits — and then there are the cakes. Towering chocolate sponges, syrupy slices, truly scrumptious strawberry cupcakes with lighter-than-air frosting...I could go on, but by now you’re scanning the picture intently (and possibly drooling).

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Tea aficionados will love unlimited pots of the stuff with the luxury afternoon tea option; we sampled a decent English breakfast and spicy-yet-sweet yogi chai — a firm favourite.

Those fond of the stronger stuff will love the BYOB on bottles of fizz — it may not be cheap at £15 a head, but when you count in that cava brought from home, it’s a winner.

We were defeated by cake number three and bundled the rest into a takeaway box — the fizz, however, we managed, and no doubt will again.

Rating: 9/10

The Hidden Lane Tearoom

1103 Argyle Street

Finnieston

G3 8ND

Tel: 0141 237 4391