Café Hula

Café Hula is one of my favourite spots in Glasgow. It’s super cosy, all the staff are very friendly (although sometimes a bit slow and forgetful) and the food is decent. It’s an all round nice place which is perfect for a coffee or a bite to eat.
With a city centre full of burger places and pubs it’s nice to escape for something slightly more chilled with a good food offering.
I usually visit at lunch time or after work. With large tables, it’s a good spot for work as well. One of my favourite options is the Goat’s cheese salad which I strongly recommend.
The one thing which is a slight let down is that all the food is prepared and things are warmed up to order. Doesn’t mean the food isn’t nice though!

I always forget about Café Hula, which is a shame as it serves up good food in a re! axed environment.
Situated opposite the a Theatre Royal on Hope St it is filled with a variety of sizes of tables, bright walls and art for sale. Downstairs was full, we hadn’t booked, but they directed us upstairs to a quieter space above the kitchen. I had a lovely burger and liked the fact I was given roasted potatoes rather than chips while my friend enjoyed her seafood.
Service was relaxed so if you’re going to a show I’d probably tell them when you order.
I’d give it 5 stars however it’s not accessible if you use a wheelchair or have difficulties with stairs (think you have about 5 steps To go down when you enter).

Hadn’t visited Café Hula for a while and it seemed the ideal venue for a catch up with a friend, coffee and a bite to eat. The coffee was good as always, the soup (carrot, chilli and coconut today) was delicious and the sandwiches were as big and tasty as I remembered (Stilton & pear with all the works salad-​wise). Soup and a sandwich is good value at £7.50 with full portions of each rather than the half sizes you get elsewhere.
Someone has given it a wee shake-​up since I last visited though. It’s still as endearingly bohemian and eclectic but the staff were super friendly and it all seemed a bit more organised and dare I say cleaner, plus the loos have had a much needed makeover.
It was the first visit for my friend and she was delighted with her encounter. As a confirmed WestEnder she’ll be adding Hula to her city centre repertoire.

Five stars. All of the stars.
My main problem with Café Hula was that the food was too darn tasty. I’d been planning a more leisurely dinner so as to catch the show starting at half 7 in the theatre across the road; as it was my mum and I nigh-​inhaled each course all the while telling ourselves we should slow down. Merguez lamb skewers were pleasantly spicy, Fish stew was rich and interesting (and visually very pleasing as well, in the brief period before I’d shovelled it into my food-​hole), and the lemon drizzle cake was… gone! (but before it was gone, it was, briefly, excellent. Goodbye, lemon drizzle cake, I barely knew you). Despite staying for dessert we still ended up some of the first in our seats for the show.
I’d have taken some pictures, but I was too busy enjoying the food.
Let’s see: décor: slightly ramshackle in a good way, if that makes sense?
Wait staff: friendly.
Unexpected live folky music from some sort of guitar, fiddle. cello combo: yes. (Not bad at all, either)
I’d definitely go back even if I wasn’t going to the theatre.

Café Hula shall forever have a fond place in my memory as being the spot where I first had pancakes, bacon & maple syrup — a combination that shouldn’t work and totally gives me the boak — but is just sooo good!
I periodically pop in for a coffee or to grab a bite to eat — the food is great and they do some awesome take away lunches (salads/​sandwiches etc). Décor-​wise, it has that falling apart, missmatched thing going on (but still a but smarter than Chai Ovna) — but this just adds to its charm & relaxed atmosphere.
It’s cheap, it’s cheerfull, and it’s just a decent place to hang out or do some work.

Anywhere that puts together black pudding, a poached egg, green beans and a salad will get my vote… and Café Hula does!
My companion opted for today’s special, a fish stew with mussels and salmon, which looked and smelled immense.
Follow the mains with a beautifully acidic-​and-​sweet lemon tart and ice cream and you’ve got a perfect lunch.
And a final H/​T to the waitress who keeps your order in her head. Quality service.

Visited yesterday around two on a Monday afternoon, and upon entering I was impressed with the ample space available. Perfect little spot tucked away in the corner rustic wooden table. After settling in, I glanced at the menu and went up to order. I asked for the mussels– out. Then the soup– out. Hmm. okay I was recommended the sandwich because I was told they had amazing bread. That sounded fine with me and I went with the veggie option.
Roasted veggies & mediterranean salad sandwich. It was a massive size sandwich with beautiful coloured veggies. I couldn’t be happier with my choice. until I took the bite. Something about the mix of veggies and the dressing it was coated in resulted in a slightly weird taste. It wasn’t something I can say was very delicious. After a few bites, it got just a bit better but not something I would consider good. Considering every component of this sandwich was pre-​made (encased in their counter fridge), I would have expected the flavours to at least work together. But it didn’t do it for me. The bread was a good soft & chewy home made brown. Good but not amazing. Americano was decent. It was a good place to get work done and get a decent cuppa joe. But I’ll rethink the sandwich, not worth it if you are not a student.
Staff were okay, no problems really. Basically the environment, decent joe and fresh enough ingredients warrant the three stars.
Sure, I’d be back. to try the fish stew others were raving about.

Hula is a great wee café across the road from Theatre Royal and just round the corner from the Conservatoire, so it’s ideally situated to cater for the artistic crowd and to be fair, it does so very well.
The do lovely soups, fantastic take-​away choose-​you-​own salad boxes, sandwiches to order, a fish stew to die for, and lots of other goodies. If you’re a regular and know what to ask for, it’s great.
If, on the other hand, you haven’t been before, it can be a little confusing as to procedure. There’s a sign saying ‘counter service’, but there are menus on the table so you have to sit down first. Then the counter layout is a bit weird so it’s not exactly clear where you need to order from. They could do with a bit more signage in that department.
The service has always seemed very hit and miss to me, it really depends who you get on the day and how busy it is. You’ll either love or hate the laid-​back bohemian atmosphere, depending on how much of a hurry you’re in.
It has great comfy sofas and lots of nice rustic wooden tables, and the mezzanine area when it’s open is great for hiding out of the way.
They have free Wi-​Fi (always a bonus), and a drinks licence. The coffee isn’t the best, but it’s better than most.
Some people love the chilled vibe, but I’d really prefer them to be a bit quicker off the mark. They could also do with redesigning the counter area, and maybe think about putting up a better take-​away menu?

I really want to rate this place higher but as I’ve mentioned before I’m a stickler when it comes to service! I love the atmosphere and the food was lovely but it just didn’t tick all of my boxes. I ordered the hula burger which was great but I had to send it back as it had mayo etc and I had asked for it plain… ok people make mistakes… however, the waiter then proceeded to ask if I was allergic or if I just didn’t like it! For me that is poor service and I half expected them to wipe off the mayo and send it right back! They also mixed up my friends order so I was far from impressed. I think its a nice wee place for eats and drinks but I’d like better service next time. Would go back but not in a hurry.

I love Café Hula. There, I said it. I love the comfy-​cosy informal atmosphere, the big chunky wooden tables, the unobtrusive but there-when-you-need-‘em staff, the delicious food, the zombie skeleton thingmy, I love everything about it. The food here is of a very high quality. So high that I just realised I have fond memories of a Goan fish stew I had there once. Fond memories. Of a stew. A fish stew. Actual fondness. I don’t think it’s still on the menu though, sadly.
I found myself arriving here at an awkward time on a Saturday with 5 friends. We hadn’t been planning to meet up but the stars aligned and we were all in the same place at the same time and decided to go somewhere for a proper catch-​up, hence we found ourselves at café hula at 4pm. What is that, 4pm on a Saturday? It’s too late for lunch. Too early for dinner. But some people are hungry right now, some just want a wee snack and some aren’t hungry at all just yet. It says something about a place that they accommodated the full gamut of our varying requirements (from a cup of tea for one right through to a burger and a beer for another) without anyone feeling awkward. Laid back and welcoming, this place. I didn’t have any food this time but my friend had a delicious looking burger (so thick, it looked like a double decker –they don’t scrimp on the portions) and another friend had an intriguing Stilton and pear salsa sandwich which came cutely wrapped in grease proof paper, like your school packed lunch. I say ‘intriguing’ because we weren’t sure how nice a pear salsa would be («I mean a chutney, sure, but a salsa?»). For my part, savoury food and any kind of fruit in the same mouthful is an abomination anyway, but I’m told that the pear salsa was actually very nice indeed. There were a couple of mix ups with our order (sandwich on wrong type of bread, burger coming with mayo which the mayo-​hating friend had asked to be excluded) but these were rectified immediately and politely. Again, it says something about the easy-​going, good-​natured feel of the place that even with those mix ups I still think of the service as great, and don’t hesitate to give them 5 stars overall.

Café Hula has really good soups! On a cold day, having their soup would really warm you right up! The interior deco of the café is really comfortable and home-​y so catching up with friends here is ideal!

When I was studying in Glasgow I religiously frequented this café and it felt like a home away from home.
A café that has true character, not only in its aesthetic appeal but also in its food and staff as well (whom are an eclectic group of individuals).
If you are the type of person who likes to find little gems in the cities you visit, I highly recommend this place to you; great food at an incredibly affordable price (especially for students and travelers), with a bohemian yet classy ambience.
This is the café that you would be comfortable bringing along anyone whether it be your friends, family, colleagues or even a date (probably not all at the same time, but whatever your into I won’t judge).

Was recommended this place by a friend. After entering and acknowledging the staff I took a seat. I waited up to 15 min to be served — at least offered a drink — yet received nothing. People arrived after me and were served almost straight away. Maybe I needed a bigger party. Whatever, I walked out and I’m never going back. They need to learn some basic freaking hospitality principles that aren’t so difficult. Can’t give a positive review without being given a chance to try the damn food. Wake up people!

I love this wee place. I came across it by accident one day when I was in this part of town looking for another establishment.
There’s a really nice atmosphere, which is complimented by the laid-​back décor.
I opted for the Moroccan Lamb Casserole — and it was delicious. A generous portion, which was competitively priced (£9 odds). The minted cous cous served with it was amazing! My dining partner went for the Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables sandwich, which was bulging at the seems with toppings! She claims it is one of the best sandwiches she’s ever had, so kudos on that one.
I get the feeling that the chefs in this place cook from the heart — there’s a lovely warmth to Hula, which I feel is echoed in their delicious food.
A lovely little place to grab a bite to eat, sit and have a drink and relax.

Quaint coffee and food place near centre city. It is a wee bit north, but easily walkable. If you are close to it then drop in for a bite.
It is very close to the Citizen M hotel. So great to stop by for coffee before your day.

I’ve been here twice. I should have ordered a sandwich with soup like the first time. That’s what they do really well.
But a few in our party chose their specials, the risotto, the pasta, a penne with ham and olives in a cream sauce, and the omelette.
While their french toast was amazing, all piled high with bacon crisscrossed on top, the specials paled in comparison to their sandwiches.
Lesson learned: stick to what a restaurant is known for and you’ll be rewarded. Try a special, as in we might be working out the kinks, and you’re rolling the dice.
In this case, those that ordered the specials lost big and left dreaming of our next meal. Those that devoured sandwiches headed off for late afternoon naps.
(Can you tell I ordered the risotto and wasn’t very happy?)

Server: May I start you off with some drinks?
Us: … [flipping around the menu, spotting non-​alcoholic beverages and wine]
Server: … We also have Peroni–
Us: Yes! That’s exactly what we need!
What can we take away from this experience? Good things come to those that wait: in this case, a frosty bottle of refreshing beer that isn’t immediately apparently available based on the menu.
And like Chris and Jenny reported, the chicken and chorizo stew hits the spot on a chilly, drizzly, gray evening. The steaming goodness with a few slices of crostini on top is just the right portion to be filling without leaving you feeling like you need to go temporarily bulimic to compensate.
Do note that the storefront is currently hidden behind a hideous scaffolding. I attribute the odd emptiness of the café to the fact that it’s not readily visible from the street. Don’t let that deter you from dining here, though — delightful food and the pleasant folks who work here await you!

Cheers Jenny.
Oh you want more? Jeez, what a demanding lot you are. OK so here goes.
Hula is a fantastic place that almost exists in a bermuda triangle area just in the edge of the city centre. Not two minutes walk from the Citizen M and Cineworld, Hula is somewhat ‘put out’ by the current drape of scaffold covering it entrance. The place is still open for business, however given the lack of patrons last night, it’s maybe something that is almost acting to hide the biz from folks.
Blah blah. The grub! After reading Miss Jenny L’s review, my dinner date and I found it hard to look beyond the Chicken and Chorizo stew, which was tasty, filling but not in the least heavy (yurm!)
The vibe of the joint is mucho West Endy, with a laid back lounge feel, mixed in with an arty spark… it feels nice.
With so many average places in the city, this is one that stands out to me as something trying to be that little bit different. Tasty grub, great friendly service and relaxed (if a little quiet) feel. Hit this.

Hula, how could I have forgotten you?! Your warm, spacious, cosy interior, you’re chilled out Tango tunes on the stereo, your delicious tapas stews, and the wonderful fall-​back option of thinking «coffee or wine»?
Café Hula is just outside the normal ‘wandering’ territory for most city centre dwellers and as such I have never walked past it on my way to anywhere. The last time I went there was 4 years ago and I remember really enjoying it. But then I completely and utterly forgot about it.
Queue Saturday night, looking for a place near Cineworld for some pre-​movie snacks and we stumbled upon it. I immediately went «oh! this place was great 4 years ago!» so we tried it.
It’s so beautifully warm, cosy and nicely decorated inside. A spanish-​themed bar /​café /​restaurant with big wooden tables, Moroccon-​coloured drapes and cushions, and balcony area with leather armchairs. This place suits coffee drinkers, families looking to feed 5, pre-​night-​out glass of vino-​ers, and the likes of me who wanted somewhere to while away a few hours with food and drink.
I suppose the biggest compliment is we came here to eat before a movie 2 hours later. 2 ½ hours later we looked at our watches, realised we’d missed the movie, shrugged and ordered a bottle of wine and stayed for a further 2 hours.
Food = good. I had the chicken and chorizo stew, tapas portion, which was plenty big. And we shared the brownie with ice cream. The red wine was also quite tasty. The staff were laid back, friendly, and didn’t do the usual «your the last ones here so please leave so we can lock up early» vibe that a lot of places can on a Saturday night.
Hula, I certainley won’t forget you a second time.

This is the best place to catch a coffee or a bite to eat on the way to or from The Theatre Royal: fair prices, unpretentious and open late– although the serving of food depends on whether there is a show at the theatre!
It’s over two levels: the downstairs is more formal, the balcony more comfortable, and the entire restaurant is spotless, with very friendly staff. It’s warm and welcoming, and has the odd idiosyncratic event: it once had tarot readings on a Wednesday.
The food itself is excellent: even that old standby, the burger, shows their care and love. The more Mediterranean dishes, such as the fish stew, are superb. It is eclectic in its flavourings: there is a hint of Thai spice on the menu, alongside North African dishes, but it doesn’t seem to have the blandness that often accompanies such diversity.
It is often open late, and I have spent many hours huddled against the cold over a coffee, chatting over the performances or enjoying the atmosphere. Lunchtimes are busy enough to be energetic but there is no sense of rush or chaos.

Café Hula is a gorgeous wee restaurant located directly opposite the Theatre Royal. It’s the perfect combination of rustic chic and European brilliance. The gorgeous wooden interior is filled with light from the full-​length windows that look out at the theatre. It’s a great place to relax and watch the city become dark on a winter’s evening.
The selection is fantastic and their sandwiches are to die for. I love the chicken with pear chutney. Main courses are Mediterranean, particularly Moroccan and Spanish, and they have an excellent selection of wines and desserts. They also have a pre-​theatre menu.

Un excellent petit café restaurant situé dans le centre ville de Glasgow, légèrement à l’extérieur des grandes rues commerciales surpeuplées. On y est bien tranquille et le beef burger est tout simplement hallucinant. Mais attendez, le meilleur est à venir: on y trouve du ricard! Youpi!