Restaurant Review: shining example of laidback cafe culture

If Eat Cafe is anything to go by, then it could be just what’s needed to breathe new life into the area.

The cafe is a spin off from Clarkston’s Eat Deli — but here, staff are serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner, with opening hours extended throughout the week.

The other half and I headed along for a leisurely lunch and sampled a few all-day dishes.

The OH opted for a twist on Eat’s steak burger, topped with onion rings, cheddar cheese and bacon jam (instead of the usual gruyere, gherkins, salsa and chipotle mayo).

It was a towering triumph; the thick, juicy patty well made, the onion rings collapsing into oozing cheese and the jam providing just the right amount of tang.

Accompanying were coleslaw and some of the best fries I’ve tasted in this chip-loving city of ours; extremely crisp, fluffy and very well seasoned.

I opted for two of the lighter options (moved to the starter menu in the evening) and wasn’t disappointed — or left hungry, for that matter.

Thai spiced crab cakes were good; delicate, lightly spiced meat surrounded by a hefty breadcrumb coating — and an accompanying chilli jam provided a decent kick.

Butternut squash and feta fritters were even better; crunchy on the outside and delightfully soft and melting in the middle — and complemented perfectly by an ample supply of sweet chilli yoghurt.

Even the side salad deserves a mention; far from your usual limp lettuce affair, the baby leaf garnish was well-dressed and sizeable enough to turn a light option into a healthy (but still satisfying) meal.

There are plenty of reasons to return to Eat (the brunch menu alone has been crying out to me since) and it seems fair to say that the Shawlands cafe stands as a shining example of easy going foodie fare.

Rating: 8/10

Eat Cafe

69 Kilmarnock Road

Shawlands

G41 3YR

Tel: 0141 649 6705