Tinderbox/Merchant City

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses: £ 7.00
• House wine: £12.95 per bottle

• Hitlisted
• High point: Cool and classy with lip-smacking food options
• Low point: Hard not to spend in the captivating shop
• Food served: Mon-Sat 7.15am-10pm; Sun 7.45am-10pm
• Open since: November 2006
• Also offers: Childrens high chairs, Wheelchair access, Take away

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is from the 2007 edition.

Bearing the same name as its iconic Byres Road sibling but with a clearly distinct identity, the new Merchant City Tinderbox is a multi-use affair with licensed café, shop and performance venue all under one roof. The celebrated design consultancy, Graven Images, has created a revealing space with many unique areas to suit the mood of the eclectic clientele. Cosy, intimate booths nestle under a mezzanine which overlooks the barista station below, while barstools line the gargantuan glass façade for the ultimate people-watching experience. The wooden counter, with gleaming Elektra coffee machines, displays a rich variety of meal-time delights from the splendid Delizique deli in Hyndland, as well as Tinderbox's own range of high-quality sandwiches and many fabulous cakes. A hand-made feta and roasted red pepper tart is creamy and delicious, and served with a crisp, green salad, sprinkled with toasted seeds and slices of ripe fig. Tinderbox has pioneered fresh coffee with its 100% Arabica blend roasted to order only days before appearing as frothy cappuccini and steamy lattes. A light Portuguese tart which oozes with vanilla custard is an ideal way to finish the meal. 'Hitherto', the funky shop at the back, showcases local artists and beckons people through to an intriguing collection of bespoke bits and pieces, adding a little bit of rock'n'roll glam to an already super-cool place.