The Continental Market in Glasgow is a funny one, it seems to be almost exactly the same stalls…read morethat visit during the not-especially-German Christmas market. Nevertheless, I always enjoy wandering around a good selection of market stalls and you'll certainly find that on Sauchiehall Street whenever the Market comes to visit. Both the variety and the quantity of stalls here is pretty good - many of the more popular stalls are duplicated at each end of the market to cater for the high numbers of customers they expect. Probably about two thirds of the stalls available sell food; everything from traditional sweeties to churros and bratwurst to jerk chicken can be found. There's hot curry, Greek Souvlaki, Paella and stews, as well as cheeses, cured meats, jams, pickles, spices bread, pastries and cakes to take home. A bit of everything, really. The other stalls sell gifts, plants and jewellery. There's plenty of small businesses selling things like home made soaps and candles and you can expect scarves and accessories available too. My main reason to visit is usually to find something a bit different for lunch, but it's not rare that I end up picking up some interesting bread and a gift or two as well. I always take the time to visit when the market is here, I just wish that we had more like this in Glasgow.

Really love the Continental Market, I always enjoy walking around the stands, getting different…read moresmells from various kind of cuisines and looking around for typical products from different countries. During my last visit on Saturday i stopped at the Italian stand (of course!) - the guys were really friendly and chatty, they got me to taste few pastries (almond pastry was sooo good) and few kind of cheese, and at the end i got a slice of Pecorino Romano and a slice of Toma Piemontese. I have to admit price was really expensive (£13!) but where else can you find original Italian cheese over here, and most of all, at cheap prices? Nowhere! So it was a good purchase, but will save them for as long as i can LOL!

Southside cousin to the Mansfield Park Farmers Market this one in Queens Park does the same kind…read moreof organicy, free range, fair trade type farmer type stuff that's nice to indulge yourself in sometimes. Ok, i wont religiously head to these things and fill my re useable hessian sack to the very brim with shittake mushrooms, sea weed soaps and wild boar burgers, but hey, on the odd occasion its nice to do something a little different. Well worth a visit. Its every two weeks, alternating with its west end cousin.

What to do on Saturday morning...apart from lazing about?? Go to queens park farmers market for a…read morewander about to look at the lovely produce, fresh bread and cake stalls. The fish stall is also amazing with fab range and a friendly. So good to have somewhere like this on my door step. Can't wait to go this Saturday...especially as Harvest time!

I always remember there was an international food market several times per year in Glasgow and they…read moreused to be exciting times. Many years back it was a different atmosphere compared to today's market where in the past there was more selection or variety. In recent years there has been a decline in the amount of stalls attending and the variety of items available seems to be limited. What stalls are there I won't be able to remember them all but I did notice that there was duplicates of certain food stalls selling the same product at pretty high prices. There was a lot of plants, jewellery, French bakers, bratwurst stand, freshly prepared macaroons but there where food vendors selling items that could be bought locally at more than half the price. Still these markets have a better atmosphere than our local market at the barrowlands area. It is nice to see something different in Glasgow but I would rather support local shop & business that are already struggling.

I remember coming to the farmer's market back when I was an excited, wee student, back in t'day…read more The market back then was at its pre-recession peak, you could buy interesting potted herbs, cheese straight from the farms on Arran, there was even an honest to goodness food truck (shhh!) But *dramatic pause* the recession hit! Food trends went out the window faster than crocs & suddenly everyone was eating own label beans on stale white bread.. They were some long, lean years in the households of many a West End foodie.. Mansfield Park, all wind swept began to resemble some 80's Soviet drama, with hardened bread, greyish meat & rotting cabbage. But fear not, all's good(ish) again! Mansfield Park gas been transformed & now seems more home-baked, more multicultural & more organic than ever! In recent visits I've noticed French, Indian, Indonesian (& more) vendors, there's even a mom & pop chilli farm ho-lee shiz! There's still the meat stalls, which seem to have been there forever, selling local Venison etc, but now there's Fantoosh Fish too selling sushi & other oceany wares! Tapa now have competition from a few other stalls selling bread, cakes & other sweet treats. Tapa used to have a secret weapon (coffee) but now there's competition from from a dedicated coffee stall! What a time to be alive! Oh there's also a juice stall that's seriously good & a beer stall (yeah OK maybe it's a little early.. mibbe's no though!) Seeing as the market has several great breakfast/coffee places only a sleepy shuffle away there's no reason not to get your butts down here & check out the wonderful wares on sale at Mansfield Park! Don't be late it shuts at 2!

I was excited to hear about the Glasgow Food Assembly launching at Drygate and placed an order last…read moreweek to try it out. I describe it as an online farmers' market - you browse what's available online, place your order and pay, and then pop along to Drygate between 5.30-7.30pm on a Monday night to collect your goodies. As it was my first order, I didn't go too overboard - some veg and meat, and eggs. There's a bigger range than I expected actually and you can get everything from salmon to bread, goat, mutton, chorizo, herbs and more. It does vary from week to week but you can easily browse online and just pick what takes your fancy. I also liked that it's just a week-by-week commitment - you don't need to pay a fee to be a member - just order as you want stuff and then collect it on the Monday. I was a little early to collect my order but the Food Assembly was already pretty much set up. They're normally based upstairs at Drygate (last night they were outside the bottle shop) and it was so nice to meet the producers and have a chat. Picking up the order was really easy - just got my name marked off and grabbed my goodies from each person. I got smoked duck, salmon, beetroots, multi-coloured carrots and eggs - all up £19 (see photos). The only downside I would mention is that you can't buy something then and there - I would have gotten some chutney, but they don't do sales in person. You need to order in advance. But actually, that isn't such a problem and I would definitely order again - I like being able to support small, local businesses where I can and appreciate that doing it this way reduces food waste so it's a win win.

If I'm having fun when I'm doing grocery shopping I feel almost like I'm cheating somehow. This is…read moresupposed to be a chore, right? Something I have to do because my mum won't do it for me anymore (she probably would but she lives hundreds of miles away). I'm not supposed to be enjoying myself. Well, much like the smaller branch on Argyle Street this Roots, Fruits and Flowers is actually quite a fun place to shop. It's much bigger than the Argyle Street branch and has much more on offer but there's no compromise on quality. Everything is absolutely fresh and delicious and they have more available in the deli counter too. It's surprisingly inexpensive, especially given the quality of everything and how often they're able to stick to selling local or organic produce. They offer a student discount too, so remember to flash your student card if you have one. Honestly, its occasionally meant my dinner has been healthy, delicious and somehow has cost me less than £2. Not to be sniffed at, even if I do have to wash my own potatoes. Everyone always seems friendly and happy here and ready for a chat. The staff will do their best to answer any question or at least to point you in the right direction. Service is quick too. Oh, and a recent discovery for me: vegetarian haggis sausage rolls. They're amazing. Ask them to heat one up for you.

Fantastic waitstaff! Vegan breakfast was great! Loved the sausages and beans and sourdough. The…read morehuevos rancheros were good too.

When I lived in Paisley, the twice monthly market was a regular stop. The market is usually held on…read morethe middle and last Saturday of the month. The last Saturday if the month market does tend to be better. The market does the rounds of Paisley and Ayrshire and butchers, fruit and veg, eggs, cakes, fish and ice-cream are all available from local producers and suppliers. Produce is lovely and fresh. More exotic items such as olives and antipasti items are available too and often there are samples available. If like me you are gluten free, Petrie Fine Foods do gf cakes, clootie dumplings, choc cake and quiches (only there last Sat of the month) and it is worth ordering a christmas pudding (gf) during the festive season as it is lovely! The market has helped increase footfall into Paisley on a Saturday and is worth a visit - free parking would help too!

If you're a fan of Roots and Fruits, as most west-enders are, then definately try Andersons…read more It has the homey farmers' market feel to it that Roots and Fruits used to have. Ultra cheap, and excellent produce, you won't be disappointed. The staff are always friendly and helpful, and in fact, I've only ever seen the one guy working there, and let me tell you, he knows just about everyone in the neighbourhood! It's the independant 'Mom and Pop' business that is championed in a market economy; the 'little guy' we've been trying to protect from the big bad chain stores. They own a little flower shop next door, so while you're out buying the produce for the gourmet meal you're making your significant other for your anniversary, pick up some fresh cut flowers as well! They will not allow you to buy anything which is un-ripe or unhealthy. And with service like this, you'll never want to get your veg from Tescos ever again.

Anderson's on Queen Margaret Drive has been supplying my flatmates and I with organic fruit and…read morevegetables since we mvoed into the area. For competitive prices that you can only really beat at superstores like tesco you get top-quality pleasant service and top-quality fruit and veg, along with the feel-good factor of knowing you helped a small local business. I've yet to come across anything that has tasted slightly off, or even gone off before use, from Anderson's and I will still be shopping here for my fruit and veg even if Tesco's were to open right next door to my flat - it would be well worth the short walk.

Ohhhh what a lovely shop! I knew I had to visit ASAP and I was very impressed with the set up…read morealready - they've only been open a week. Primarily, this is a bulk-food store where you can buy beans, rice and lentils in any quantity you want and take away in a paper bag. As Ema Č said, the store is rustic but yet very welcoming, the girl in the shop was very chatty and helpful. In addition to the bulk foods, there is fresh bread baked by Freedom Bakery, a fridge with a small amount of stuff (as well as vegan options like cheese and tofu) and a cupboards section with tea, coffee and sauces etc. Overall, I thought the shop was great and I couldn't leave without buying a few things to take him - crunchy muesli, coconut flakes, a loaf of sourdough and a wee pastry came to just over £5. Staff are helpful and friendly, there is a good range and a relaxed vibe. Definitely worth visiting!

It would be easy to overlook this shop and keep on walking into Shawlands, but please don't…read more Run as a co-op if you like to shop local and ethically add it to your "must go" list. It sells everything from pulses to coffee to honey - I'm a big fan of Ed's bees from Pollokshields - and home cleaning products to shampoos. They also have coffee to go but as I don't drink coffee I haven't checked out the prices. Yes it's not cheap, but in this instance you do get what you pay for.