Where to get the tastiest cakes in Glasgow

There are two Singl-Ends — one in Garnethill and the other in Merchant City, making them handy if you’re nipping out from work (between them your break time catered). Look out for the daily specials on the stand, including vintage and contemporary bakes. We’ve spotted flavours like lemon, blueberry and white chocolate; Oreo, raspberry and chocolate; courgette, lime and pistachio, grapefruit and pumpkin seed iced polentas; vegan coffee and walnut; and French almond, raspberry and lavender. The beloved micro chain now offers an online store for celebration cakes too, covering every occasion; these can be personalised and collected from the Garnethill cafe.

Mark a special event, or plan your next date, by booking a fancy afternoon tea at the award-winning Cup Tea Rooms. Both are found in the city centre and have an elegant ambience; its Renfield Street Victorian-tiled tea room is ornate, while the other, is a modern venue with outdoor seating in Virginia Court. Along with tarts, delices and some savouries, their classic stands feature a banana bread, lemon drizzle and a classic Victoria sponge. There’s a vegetarian version, as well as gluten-free and vegan teas (the latter two incorporating a lemon and poppyseed cupcake). And you can add prosecco to bring some sparkle to your afternoon tea. Look out for seasonal variations, along with the Cup Tea Rooms’ signature teas.

Organic flour? Check. Organic soy milk? Check. Vegan butter? Check. Those eating more consciously will find this bakery to have everything on the tick list sorted. Honey Trap is tucked just off the main drag in Shawlands, instantly spotabble by its bee-yellow frontage. It’s been there fewer than two years, but has become a firm Southside fave. Every day they bake up some batches — when they’re gone, they’re gone and they close. So don’t leave it too late to pop down. What might you discover on the counters? Well, we’ve found orange and almond upside-downs, poached pear frangipane, apple and hazelnut crumble cake, gluten-free cherry almond polenta mini loaf and cinnamon semlor with organic marmalade. Honey Trap only offers take out. While Queen’s Park is close by for some pondside munching, you’ll want to book another eatery on our list for a dine-in experience.

Fruit and flavoured scones, pistachio and cardamom financiers​, bounty tiffin, pastel de nata, raspberry and chocolate muffins and salted caramel peanut brownies are just some of the bakes you’ll find on the counter at Zique’s. The venue is on the Partick Hyndland border, recognisable by its bright orange parasol (you can eat your cake al fresco at one of the pavement tables when the weather’s good). Like everything on our list, the cakes are freshly baked in-house each day. Catering services are also provided, meaning they can bring the cakes to you and your party people, at home.

Another option for those seeking a traditional afternoon tea, but with a difference, is this institution on Sauchiehall Street. Herein lies some of the quirkiest cakes in town, part and parcel of its teas riffing on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Magic and the colour pink. The result is cakes such as; Toadstool (mango, passionfruit, and meringue), Queen of Hearts (vanilla sugar cookie) and Pocket Watch (callebaut gold and salted caramel). These can be paired with whisky and gin, as well as fizz and hot beverages.