I used to frequent Tea Garden many years ago, when I first lived in Partick and my friend at the time was a BIG fan. She LOVED her tea. I mean REALLY loved her tea. She once came over to stay with me and I counted in one day she drank 10 cups of tea! Wow. I think she was part-camel...anyways, she loved Tea Garden (probably because it had her fave beverage in the name)& I always thought it was just 'Okay'. Fast forward some 18+ years and I find myself again in Partick with a friend suggesting we 'try out' Tea Garden. It says something for the place that it has been around all that time & pretty much not changed at all. Some might see that as a bad thing but I guess they figure if it ain't minging don't stop serving it!
We visited one busy Saturday afternoon but luckily we snaffled a wee table beside the door and plonked ourselves down hoping someone had seen us. It's not a huge place (around 12 tables) so it definitely has that cosy/someones home kinda feel to it which I like. I get the feeling a lot of the folk in here are regulars, having said that there were no Western-style piano stopping and people stopping conversations when we walked in, we were actually greeted by a very friendly waitress who was very efficient and friendly the whole time.
Menus are on the table and I swear they haven't changed either since I was 1st in here! It's proper cafe-style grub (breakfasts, sandwiches, baked potatoes, filled rolls, paninis) mixed in with burgers a few home cooked style dishes. They also have a Specials board. The prices are stupidly good. For example; the All Day Breakfast is only £4.50! Brilliant. Especially considering this includes tea/coffee also. As much as I was swayed by the fried brekkie we both opted for the Soup & Sandwich deal for £4.50. I chose a Tuna Mayo sandwich with the Soup of The Day which was one of my favourites, Lentil. Even though we ordered the soup & sandwich I thought it was nice they still gave us a bowl of bread :-) Our food came very swiftly too. Yum.
For drinks I had a filter coffee with cream (such luxury!) and my friend a pot of herbal tea. Their coffee/tea range is actually a lot better than I remember it being. They have a big coffee menu up on the wall & I was delighted to see that alongside the regulars they had coffee with cream as a lot of places (even dedicated, 'fancy' coffee shops) don't serve (pouring) cream for coffee which is a shame as coffee with cream is the best! The coffee itself is also really nice; they use quality beans & proper Cimbali/espresso machine. Since I've been in and now occasionally pop in for a take away coffee and one of the best things is a black Americano is only £1! Yes, one of your golden nuggets. Much bargain. They also serve milkshakes here, yipee!
We were so stuffed by our delicious soups and sandwiches (they were really nice) that we couldn't face any sort of sweet thang but they have lots of various cakes, bakes & ice cream on offer. I looked around & noticed the scones seem to be popular. They also sell wee bags of homemade Tablet for £1.20 and it is really good. I meant to add they also have a Kids Menu too in case you're bringing any wee people along.
We sat and ate and talked for hours and drank more coffee and talked more and yet not once did we feel as though we had to leave. The staff in here are really friendly and talk away to a lot of the customers (regulars I presume) and this is the secret to their success; alongside the tasty, comforting food & drinks they have good, swift service with a smile. It may not be a fancy schmancy, hipster haven, beardy style cafe but this place has soul and that's something you can't buy or fake as much as you may try. I know I'll be back and I already have! I feel bad that I just never visited it again sooner. read more