Meet Neka: The Southside’s Coolest New Coffee Spot
You know that feeling when you find a place that’s so good, you kind of want to gatekeep it— but also can’t stop raving about it? That’s Neka, the Southside’s latest café, and it’s already got that energy. Opened in 2024, it feels like it’s been here forever, slotting seamlessly into the local scene like it was meant to be. Some cafes just get it. The lighting, the vibe, the pastries that somehow taste even better than they look— everything just clicks. If you like good coffee, delicious pastries, and interiors that make you want to immediately rearrange your entire flat— this is the spot for you!
Walking into Neka, you get that warm, yes—this-is-exactly-the-vibe-I-needed kind of feeling. It’s light, airy, and filled with little details that make you want to linger— textured plaster walls, rattan chairs that feel like a nod to some chic Parisian café, and fresh flowers casually arranged like they just happened to look that perfect. Sunlight pours through the big window (yes, even in Glasgow), and you can already spot a few laptop workers and book-readers. It truly is the ideal place to go to get some work done while simultaneously soaking in the Bob Marley and Hozier songs that softly play in the background.
So here’s the deal: I walked in thinking I was just coming for coffee, but then you see the pastry counter, and suddenly, you’re ordering at least one thing extra— maybe I ordered three extra things…. A hazel pain au chocolate that looks straight out of a Parisian bakery. A sour cherry brownie that somehow balances rich and tangy perfectly. A cocoa-dusted, almond-covered pastry so soft and cloud-like. And a pistachio cannoli, which is actually a masterpiece. Crispy, golden shell— just the right amount of crunch, with a coating of caramelised nuts adding that little bit of texture and a luxuriously smooth pistachio cream filling— this cannoli was really the menu highlight!
I opted for the pistachio cream latte (to keep with the vibe) that basically feels like a dessert in a cup. It is velvety smooth, with earthy matcha balancing the rich, buttery pistachio cream and a dusting of finely crushed pistachios that give a little burst of flavour and crunch with every sip.
You know a café is special when you leave already planning your next visit. That’s Neka— a spot that somehow feels both effortlessly cool and warmly familiar. The pastries are delicious, the coffee is crafted with care, and the vibe? Just right. Whether you’re here for a quiet moment alone or a catch-up over one more round of lattes, Neka is the kind of place that sneaks into your routine before you even realise it. So go ahead, order the pistachio cannoli, sip the matcha pistachio latte, and make yourself comfortable—you have just found your new favourite café!