It's an absolute shame that anyone has voted this less than a '5'. You're looking at the best breakfast place in Glasgow. With no real downsides (the place isn't cheap, but it's hardly expensive either) it is an incredible place for food any time of day, but especially brunch dates. The atmosphere is great too-- nice and small but straddling a line between hipster, quaint, and romantic.I recommend the porridge, the eggs benedict, and the scones. All were exceptional!
You know how sometimes you just have a wee business blank spot? Now to clarify, I've always known about HB but i'd `never even given it a thought for take out coffee... I will now!
I popped in here the other day after my brain did one of those "don't i remember seeing something, somewhere along here that said something about coffee.. somewhere" So, once i'd picked myself off the ground after brain thinky overload, i popped in here for a cheeky wee latte.
Flippage von latteriffic the third.... dat's good frocken coffee! Take heed travelling yelpers on the march. Hit HB for a wee takeout caffeine hit... you will not be disappointed, and if you are, then...well, you suck pffft
Heart Buchanan is the epitome of day-time dining in the West End. Continental deli food, served on quirky crockery, and Earl Grey tea in an imitation-silk teabag.
The food is delicious, and suits my tastes perfectly: think italian meats and cheeses, fresh focaccia bread, balsamic and olive oil dresings, salads with roasted red peppers; but served alongside french toast with maple syrup, a delicious croque monsieur, and the Chef's famous sausage rolls. A common theme in west end eateries, mixing Scottish and continental cuisine, but one that works wonderfully.
It appears to be the sort of place where the sandwiches change daily. They serve brunch until 11am weekdays, and all day weekends. There's a choice of sandwiches, soups and cakes, with brunch covering granola, yoghurt, french toast, eggs benedict and bacon, and an intriguing sounding "Traditional French Breakfast" with fresh bread, yoghurt, saussison, and one square of dark chocolate. The regular menu is quite small, and sandwich fillings are unusual. Great for those with complex taste buds, not so great for fussy children or those seeking a reliable tuna and sweetcorn, or ploughmans.
I ordered the Pastrami, Emmental, Mustard and Saurkraut sandwich, that was chalked up on the board. My boyfriend had the same, with a side of French toast, maple syrup and lemon. The sandwich was well-filled (my pet hate is an inch of dry bread either side of the filling) and well-balanced with all the strong-flavoured ingredients. The bread was fresh, the pastrami very well peppered, the saurkraut crunchy. Served with a small (very small) salad, and a few crisps on a quirky wooden board-come-plate. A perfect sized portion, filling yet not overly, with just enough room for half a slice of cake.
The french toast, with maple syrup and lemon, was divine. French toast is often heavy, often too eggy and sweet, but this was light and very more-ish. It's quite a small portion, only one bit of bread, so perfect as a treat for kids (or as a side to a sandwich if you feel inclined) but not as a main.
Throughout the whole meal I had my eyes on the cakes cunningly displayed on the counter. Cupcakes, ginger cake, carrot cake, courgette and lime cake, custard tarts, millionaire shortbread. The ginger bread proved to be yet another excellent choice: moist, very gingery, but quite a humble portion size (often in the west end cakes are served by the slab). Perhaps not enough for someone only seeking coffee and cake, but perfect after a sandwich.
If you're looking for somewhere to catch up with a good friend over a delicious cake and coffee, that's not your regular starbucks, this is it. The cakes are probably the best thing about it (I ended up taking three different ones home). However, as it's very small inside it's not best suited to larger groups.
It could earn 5 stars easily for the quality of food, and level of service (attentive and friendly). However, as it is so small in size other customers came to the door and had to leave due to lack of seating. It was also very pricey and could really only be for an occasional treat rather than a weekly lunchtime haunt. A slice of cake was £2.95 and a sandwich £6.95.
When we left, my tummy and tastebuds were well-fed and satisfied; my (boyfriend's) wallet and other potential customers not so much.
As an aside, I did not experience what other reviewers have, of being asked to order in the deli (a seperate shop next door) and then take it next door. It may be they have improved this since then. There is a seperate deli, with a much wider range of foods (pasta salads, pies etc.) but we went into the cafe as a seperate cafe, without any need to visit the deli.
Heart Buchanan is another cute little deli in the West End, they sure have an abundance here, not that I'm complaining as I love nothing better than a large selection of spicy sausages, meats and cheeses. I would much rather sit in individual little delis for lunch rather than big soulless coffee houses.
If you are looking for food for a party then look no further as you will be able to get canapes, cupcakes and all sorts here, it might set you back a few bob though as the delicious foodstuffs here don't come cheap. This place is also great if you want to have a nice romantic picnic in Kelvingrove Park, you can get some food here along with fruit and some cupcakes and you'll be able to enjoy a day feasting in the park.
My favourite thing about Heart Buchanan is their display of old fashioned tins in the window. I collect old tea tins and they have a selection of old tea and sweetie tins here which I just love.
Heart Buchanan represents the closest thing Glasgow, probably Scotland, can offer to a traditional French traiteur.
Now if you think this turn of phrase is a tad pretentious then I'm going to give you two reasons why it's acceptable pretension.
1) Because there's no escaping it, Heart Buchanan itself is a little pretentious. Much as the food is fantastic, in terms of quality, freshness and variety, the staff knowledgeable and the decor authentic and warm, you can't help but feel a you're paying that little bit extra for the antique clock, the hanging baskets and the little benches. The regular customers here don't mind that. In fact, they probably like it.
2) Can you imagine if you turned up expecting merely meats, vine leaves, olives, sunblushed tomatoes etc... (all of which they do have) and then found its unique selling point was its daily cooked meals, which you can then take home to enjoy with your family, There would be outrage. You would be saying, how come I read on Yelp this was a deli when it's quite clearly a full blown traiteur?
Pretentious, moi?
Nom. I heart Heart Buchanan. Situated at the top of Byers Road, this fine food and wine shop is a gastronomic destination if you're meandering through the West End and in need of sustenance. It's a wee place that offers limited seating if you choose to dine in. However, Lumberjack and I have never encountered any issues when visiting. Maybe it's our impeccable timing?
The décor and ambiance is cute and cosy. It's a great place to have the afternoon pass as you chat away with a mate over lunch, or even just come for tea/coffee and cakes. Using the finest local product, they offer an ever-changing menu of freshly made nibbles, which are available for dining in, or taking away. If you're taking away, you can opt for one of their custom hampers, which is perfect for beautiful sunny Glasgow weather and sitting in either the Botanics or Kelvingrove Park.
I have always enjoyed the sandwiches and soups here, paired with a nice cuppa. The service is always nice and helpful. I could easily spend an afternoon here working on papers... but I fear of being one of "those" people you see in coffee shops with their MBP, plastic frames, skinny jeans, and a "too cool for school" air about them.
Bottom line: Scrumptious fresh locally sourced food for dining in and takeaway. Well worth the higher price tag, when the tummy tum tum says "yes!"
Oh how i heart buchanan (likin' that play on words?!) This is just an incredible deli and if I were somewhat more well-heeled (and living in Glasgow of course) I would be a regular here for my dinner, sampling all of the tasty looking freshly made entrees ready for the oven/microwave.
What I love about this place is that they sell loads of lovely specialist goods and is worth a visit for any foodie gifts that might need bought. I remember buying someone a large string on whole huge dried chillies once - slightly random perhaps!
Deli choices are fantastic and, as other reviewers have said, food is homemade and often with a Scottish twist. Coffee is pretty decent but for me the high high high point has to be the pear tart.
How I love a pear tart with the whole half pear on top of a lovely cakey frangipane mix of goodness surrounded by a decadently short crust - and this one sets a high standard. I always have good intentions to save it for when I get home, but I am sorry to say that I have usually succumbed by the time I reach Byres Road underground!!
During my time at a work placement, I was lucky enough to be invited to a swanky party with canapes and champagne that were way beyond my student means. When the plastic covered canape trays arrived, on stylish black platters with individual tags for each, I knew they were going to be pretty amazing.
These lovely dishes were ordered from Heart Buchanan, who put a lot of time and effort into arranging these pretty little platters in symmetrical order, including chocolate dipped strawberries and salmon on little oatcakes. Everything was of the highest quality and incredibly delicious, which makes Heart Buchanan the place to keep in mind if you find yourself in need of some particularly posh party nibbles.