Tramway Café Bar

The 2012 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2012) edition.

Tramway’s been part of Glasgow’s arts landscape for over 20 years now, and is still evolving. At any time it might play host to a challenging art installation, a dance project for mixed abilities or a mother and baby meet-up. The café clientele reflects this diversity – you’re as likely to be queuing beside perfectly postured dancers from Scottish Ballet as you are excited toddlers from a storytelling session. Occupying much of the ground floor space, the café spills out into the serene Hidden Gardens in fine weather. The menu covers soup and ciabatta sandwich choices as well as more substantial offerings. A warm salad of puy lentils, sautéed mixed mushrooms and chorizo enhances the earthy pulses with a robust vinegar dressing, making a satisfying dish. Butterflied chicken breast is perked up with Cajun spices and happily matched with sweet potato mash and nicely al dente sugar snap peas. A display case of desserts includes all the favourites: chocolate crispies, carrot cake, empire biscuits, lofty home-baked scones and cheesecake of the day – millionaire shortcake cheesecake is particularly good.

• High point: Child-friendly, with huge, intriguing garden to explore
• Low point: Concrete and steel is not for everyone