Spitfire Espresso
127 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1NP, UK

Editor's Review
Spitfire Espresso conjures up the image of time gone by, full of vim and Dunkirk spirit, and shiny polished boneshakers roaring through the sky. Actually, it sounds a bit full on - thankfully, this vintage chic Merchant City corner cafe is far more chilled out then its aerodynamic name might suggest. It's difficult to define why Spitfire feels like somewhere that's been around for a while, but it does. It's layout, with window seats, a couple of booths, and small tables in the middle of the space, is very classical. Old photographs sit framed on the wall, next to ornate mirrors and upcycled furnishings, an the colour palette is pleasingly muted — apple green cups and dark blue walls. It's a very inviting cafe all told, before you even order.
Open day and night, and licensed too, their menu caters for a wide range of things, from snackable cakes, to a daily menu of sandwiches, to hearty, Diner style brunch. Their Diner aesthetic is matched by the quicksharp way food comes out of the kitchen, but like all the best Spitfire pilots, everything remains under control, without any threat of crashing and burning. It's Merchant City location is the perfect spot, too, harking back to Glasgow's trading heyday of the 18th century, and still retaining that architecture — it's almost directly opposite The Old Fruitmarket, one of Glasgow's best music venues. A fine area to explore, made all the finer by Spitfire's presence.
Review: Harry Harris
Image courtesy of venue
Cafe Features
Coffee + Drinks
- House Roaster
- Spitfire Espresso
- Guest Roaster
- Passenger Coffee, Dear Green
- Grinder
- Victoria Arduino, Mazzer Luigi
- Coffee Machine
- La Marzocco FB70
- Monday:
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Tuesday:
- 08:00 - 18:00
- Wednesday:
- 08:00 - 18:00
- Thursday:
- 08:00 - 22:00
- Friday:
- 08:00 - 22:00
- Saturday:
- 08:00 - 22:00
- Sunday:
- 08:00 - 22:00