Pollokshaws Road neighbourhood: What to eat, drink and do

Listen to an evening of spoken word at the not-for-profit Glad Café, the Southside home of arts events. You’ll find theatre shows, gigs and film screenings downstairs in the 120-capacity venue.

Perfect a plié – or see a show – at a Scottish Ballet class. The dance company’s HQ is housed in a jolly yellow-and-white building tucked away on Albert Drive.

Explore the expansive greens of Queen’s Park, if you’re lucky enough to catch a sunny day. Brave the hills and climb up to the flagpole, a lookout point with some of the best panoramic views of the city on offer. If (predictably) the weather is less than ideal, pop into the nineteenth century Glasshouse which contains its very one aviary, reptile room, and tropical plant life. Open 10-4 everyday (except Fridays, where it closes at 3pm), this is a perfect day out for families looking to entertain young children on a budget.

A ‘half and half’ – otherwise known as a nip of whisky and a half-pint of dark beer – at the Allison Arms, which has been trading since 1885.

Something that can be poured quickly when the queue is ten-deep at The Rum Shack. Visit this Caribbean bar when it’s hosting local bands or a club night.

Anything carby – but especially the skyscraper stacks of pancakes – from Café Strange Brew, the place where breakfast dreams come true. Get the fried chicken edition with maple, hot sauce and a fried egg.

The sabji of the day with a paneer roll at Punjabi deli Ranjit’s Kitchen. The food is authentic, not westernised in any way, and ingredients are locally sourced.

All day brunch which doesn’t disappoint at Bramble. Expect a bit of a wait – and no, you can’t book ahead – but once you’ve proven your dedication by wandering around the Queens’ Park pond for half an hour, you’ll be rewarded with a menu that does some truly magical things with breakfast food. Be you in the mood for a meal or a pastry, pancakes or chicken sarnie, they’ve got you covered.

A very good loaf of sourdough from Tapa Coffeehouse. It’s all about that open crumb structure. They also do the best vegan brunch on the Southside.

Something unexpected at Young's Interesting Books. Young’s does exactly what it says on the tin. They’ve got a huge selection of second hand books, but that’s not all. Its owners, Noelle Carroll and the eponymous Barry Young, have owned it for more than fifteen years, and have always focused on ‘quality over quantity’. Thanks to their dedication, the selection here is expertly curated, so you can bet you’ll find an underrated gem or three hidden amongst their shelves. Stock up on gifts for your book-loving friends – you won’t find this range anywhere else.