hillhead bookclub

consistently dire service. i wanted to like this place, but after 4 attempts i'm forced to admit defeat. the food service is uniformly abysmal and creates a really unpleasant experience. rude, curt, uninterested staff. don't bother.

it's next to impossible to get menus to start with -- you practically have to grab someone to get them to pay attention to you. when the menus show up they're dumped and off the staff go again. you'll have to flag someone down again to order, if they come past at all. the food may be hot when it reaches your table or it may not. no one will ask if your food is okay. if you ask for something they may or may not bring it. last time we were in and asked for the bill we got such a contemptuously rude nod in response we burst out laughing.

by the time you leave you're so annoyed from wrangling the staff to get basic service, you feel they should be paying you. stunningly bad.

there are so many better places to spend your time/money on byres road. go elsewhere.

i ate the mussels with chips, and my two dates had burgers (a veggie and a non). the mussels were perfectly cooked and the seasoning was spot on considering this is anything but a fine dining establishment. that being said, there is something special here in that all of their meals are made from scratch, notable in the case of the delightful chips and the veggie burger which crumbled apart to reveal a host of hearty beans etc. almost made me recant my meat eating habits.

disappointing. both food and staff were pants. they sometimes get it ok with food but biggest let down are the staff. they didn't pay much attention, got orders wrong and spent ages chatting to each other instead of looking after diners. think could be good wee place if they spent the same time on training staff and looking at quality of food as they do trying to be cool and quirky. it's not cool. lots of other places doing better around them for now and would recommend sussing them out first until hb tries harder.

maureen. i did not like the food here one bit! i went to the vegetarian night special, as part of national veggie week. the food was bland. in fact, it was a joke. my starter was ok, but my partner's soup was bland. the mains were particularly bad. i had grilled veg and a little rice - the kind of food at a bad dinner party, with a token veggie dish for the vegetarian from someone who does not have a clue!!

my partner had a curry which did not taste of curry. a korma perhaps, but without the spice??

my partner had a nice pudding. mine was the worst cheesecake i've tasted - once again, no flavour, just whipped cream cheese. it was shocking.

i complained and was given a paltry 20% off for a ruined night!

the waitress was really sweet though and was very sorry. however no manager came to ask us anything, just left it to the young waitress. they obvously did not care.

never again, will i go back there.

decent pub grub. i did get the meanest portion of chips (which were burnt as well) but the waitress was really good about bringing more. top marks to the staff for turning it round!

great venue. loving this place!! i visited here last weekend for afternoon drinks with friends, had heard loads about it so thought we would pop in for a visit.
it looks amazing inside, quite retro but with a modern edge.
the mezzanine level is really nice for sitting at for a drink as it overlooks the main bar.
they do a special on the mojito's you get them for £3 and they are delicious!
for food i had the veg bean burger - it was really tasty and the chips are sooo good!
my friend had the all day breakfast and really enjoyed it.
i really like the atmosphere in the bar its really relaxed and the music modern.
i would highly recommend a visit its the type of place you can relax for an all day session!

tasty pancakes & good booze. i go to this palce every sunday for brunch with my friends and it's alwys got a great atmosphere! we love the little jars of jam and maple syrup and the bloody marys are always good. i've waited a while on food before but always found the staff to be lovely and attentive, unlike the other reviews!

a firm favourite. don't be put off by some of the negative remarks here, this place is great. good food at decent prices, good selection of booze and it's laid back. maybe not for a special occassion but definitely to chill out with your mates. love it x


-----24 may, 2011-----

friendly and fun. friendly staff with good banter and good, homemade, quality grub. would definitely recommend it x

just turn the music down a little bit.. good service, good food, nice prices, lovely decor. just one thing. your tables are big and your music is borderline deafening. this sets an anti-social atmosphere for a social activity. how are we supposed to get out chat on?

lovely, eclectic little restaurant/pub. there's a strong hipster/student vibe. the menu has cute little jokey descriptions of the food, there's an outdoor area at the entrance with fairy lights and upstairs there's games and table tennis. the food is lovely and remarkably well priced - i particularly enjoyed the spinach curry on my last visit.tends to be very busy so service can be slow occasionally, but that's the only downside really. your meal will be very reasonably priced but watch out for the delicious cocktails you'll be tempted by, as that's where you'll spend your money.

we went here last weekend for sunday lunch with friends. the menu had a good selection and i was choosing between a burger and spinach and potato curry.
i opted for a cheese burger and chips. the chips were chunky chips with the skin left on and the burger was delicious.
i decided against getting a desert but try a spoonful of the pecan pie my other half got, also delicious. i opted for a posh tea (rather than builders tea) which i think was called posh because it was in a teapot and you get a cup and saucer.
i will definitely go back here for food and i know from past experience they make a great bloody mary.
there is also a good selection of veggie options on the menu.
no pictures i'm afraid, i was so hungry and it looked so good i just wanted o tuck in.

went there for cocktails and chips, had the daquiris and they were soo good! and their chips are cut chips and still has skin on them, just the way i like it! the ambience of the place is also very good, vintage and hipster kindda feel, totally recommended ?

i love hillhead bookclub! the ambience is perfect for a night out with friends or for a romantic date. the food is great, particularly the burgers and garlic bread. this is one place i've returned to time and again :)

hillhead bookclub is a lovely venue for dining in glasgow's west end.  their style is perhaps the most striking aspect of the location.  what some might refer to as hipster is much appreciated in this context.  variety is their spice of life in design with a plethora of different chairs, plates and cutlery adorning bookclub.  this adds an individual flare and adds to the comfortable atmosphere enjoyed.  dim lighting creates a relaxing atmosphere that can be enjoyed in any company with dinner, a drink or both.  of special mention also are their menus which contain perhaps little exacting detail as to the dish arriving though often contain humorous asides which makes perusing the entire list a delight, if not a must.  the service is efficient and clearly professional, marked with quality if a little distant at times.

the food is excellent.  their menus change throughout the day to reflect the sorts of meals likely to be had at different times.  though i have never tried it myself their vegetarian menu seems to be varied.  with confidence i can recommend their burgers which have long been a favourite of myself and dining companions alike.  on my most recent visit myself and my partner greatly enjoyed their fresh and tasty fish and the accompanying, made in house chips.

whilst a touch pricier than some other west end haunts it is still very reasonable and well worth any extra paid.  worth it for the quality of food, quirky easter eggs and comfortable ambience.

lots of fun!. as a couple of tourists from the states, my wife and i really enjoyed this place. the building is amazing and the ambiance is lively and fun. the quality of the food was a little hit and miss, but the price is right. we especially liked he chickpea fritter appetizer and the sticky toffee pudding for dessert. all the wait staff was very friendly and accommodating and attentive — a good trick given all the customers they were having to serve. if we ever get back to glasgow we will certainly return.