Smile Cafe

Quick info

121 Douglas St, Glasgow G2 4HF, United Kingdom

£1–10 · Reported by 136 people

About Smile Cafe

On Douglas St, Smile Cafe is a coffee shop and Italian restaurant serving a menu that runs to 59 dishes. Breakfast brings together a tattie scone alongside Italian sausage rolls, a Scottish Italian combination that sits next to more familiar options like scrambled eggs on toast and toast and jam. The Roll With Bacon appears on the menu as well, and croissants and pastries are available for anyone passing through. Coffee runs from espresso to cappuccino, and Italian hot chocolate is also poured. The cafe opens daily and takes walk-ins rather than bookings, with orders placed on arrival. Takeaway is offered for anyone eating off site rather than staying in. It sits on a corner location near Glasgow's city center.

Good to know

Reservations
Walk-in only
Parking
Usually difficult to find a space
Good for kids
Good for kids
Dietary
Vegan options · Vegetarian options

Menu & Prices

59 dishes · mains £3–10

Campania£9.00
Basilicata£9.00
Calabria£9.00
Lazio£9.00
Sicilia£9.00
Roll With Bacon£3.50

See full menu & prices →

Reviews

4.6/5

487 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention scrambled eggs on toast, italian sausage roll, italian hot chocolate and espresso.

5★

378

4★

3★

2★

1★

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention scrambled eggs on toast, italian sausage roll, italian hot chocolate and espresso.

Customer Review Summary

Most reviewers return for the breakfast rolls, with the Italian sausage singled out repeatedly and one diner calling their roll and tattie scone combination a highlight. Close behind, the espresso and cappuccinos draw consistent praise, alongside a scrambled eggs on toast that one reviewer said was elevated by the quality of ingredients, and an Italian hot chocolate described as thick and rich. Several mention the friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere as reasons to linger over a laptop or people watch, and more than one calls it a good value stop near the city center. One reviewer, however, describes a starkly different visit, reporting a mediocre sandwich lacking toppings, a building needing cleaning, and staff appearing unkempt and unprofessional, including overhearing one staff member speak poorly of the owner. That account stands apart from the otherwise consistent praise for the pastries, breakfast rolls, and coffee that keep others recommending the spot as a regular stop.

Customer Review Summary

Featured reviews

Google user
3 weeks ago
“Great service makes you smile more than anyone else here 😃”
Google user
2 months ago
“Great Italian little café in the area. We were so happy to find it on a rainy morning, the coffee was tasty and the Italian Eggs as breakfast were delicious! Their pastries are also great. Would definitely recommend!”
Google user
4 months ago
“We stopped in for a couple of coffees and a bit of pastry. Shop was nice, staff were very friendly, cappuccinos were good. Worth a stop in if you have a break in your day, a block from hop on hop off tour.”
Google user
5 months ago
“Lovely, friendly cafe - very much enjoyed my Scottish Italian breakfast of a roll and Italian sausage and tattie scone! The sweet things looked good too.”
Google user
5 months ago
“Fantastic workers, would definitely recommend. Food was delicious and made fresh. Great location”

Google user
6 months ago
“Just got to Glasgow, got off the bus & 🌧️🌧️, was almost tempted to go into a Nero or SBs, but walked in the rain to the Smile cafe for a perfect Italian espresso, lunch and a bit of people watching. Worth getting a little wet for!”
David Munro
8 months ago
“The staff looked miserable and to be honest some of which could do with a wash. Who wants a mediocre sandwich with next to no toppings, delivered by a man in beanie hat in a building that looks like it needs a good clean and fresh lick of paint. Over heard the sour faced girl making the sandwiches bad mouthing the owner of the establishment as soon as he’d left. Where is the professionalism? Save yourself the money. Theres a greggs within a 2 mins walk and you’d be served with a smile and the sandwich would atleast be edible and not black and charcoal in places.”
Google user
10 months ago
“What a beautiful hidden gem in Glasgow, the vibe is very relaxed and the coffee is top tier . I had a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast but the quality of the ingredients and love put into it made it more than just scrambled eggs on toast . I finished and was tempted with a backed good and thank god I did …..just amazing .”
Google user
11 months ago
“Absolutely delicious coffee, lovely croissant in a bright, friendly space. Enough to room to sit comfortably at your table is always a bonus. Service is fine and polite. I went on Monday afternoon, so it was relaxed and quiet. You could easily make this your regular, favourite spot.”
Google user
1 year ago
“Excellent place to grab a bite to eat and start your day. I ordered the scrambled eggs on toast and roll with bacon (not pictured) with an espresso. Quality food for a good price. Also truly wonderful atmosphere and great service.”

Show 5 more reviews

Read all 487 reviews on Google

Highlights

Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for solo dining

Amenities

Takeout
Dine-in
Good for kids
Vegan options
Cozy
Onsite services
Coffee
Quick bite
Dessert
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Restroom

Show more amenities

Coffee
Quick bite
Dessert
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Restroom

Dining options· 4: Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Seating

Offerings· 3: Healthy options
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Crowd· 1: Tourists

Highlights· 1: Great tea selection
Atmosphere· 2: Casual
Trendy
Parking· 1: Usually difficult to find a space

Location

Coffee Shops near Smile Cafe

Smile Cafe

Vegan options

4.6487

Absolute Roasters4.8262
0.3 miVegan options
fresh pastries and croissants, takeaway only, no seating, morning breakfast rolls
Gudea Coffee House4.9352
0.4 miOutdoor seating
date balls, arabic coffee, tiramisu
Tinderbox4.21,185
0.8 miOutdoor seatingVegan options
plug sockets and wifi, dirty uncleaned tables, toasties and sandwiches

Place	Rating	Distance	Mentioned in reviews
Smile CafeVegan options	4.6487	—	scrambled eggs on toast, italian sausage roll, italian hot chocolate
Absolute RoastersVegan options	4.8262	0.3 mi	fresh pastries and croissants, takeaway only, no seating, morning breakfast rolls
Gudea Coffee HouseOutdoor seating	4.9352	0.4 mi	date balls, arabic coffee, tiramisu
TinderboxOutdoor seating · Vegan options	4.21,185	0.8 mi	plug sockets and wifi, dirty uncleaned tables, toasties and sandwiches