Gaga Glasgow is a laid-back kitchen and bar serving cocktails and cuisine inspired by south east Asia. Its owners are something of a triple threat, initially opened in 2021 by the founder of Julie’s Kopitiam (Julie Lin), another Glaswegian gem serving south east Asian cuisine, as well as the bosses behind Thornwood Bar (Marc Ferrier and Ken Hamilton), and the former director of cocktail bar Sweet Liberty in Miami Beach (Fraser Hamilton).
The space is calm, spacious and simple in design, with light wooden floors and bench seating, exposed brick walls and large windows to ensure the space is naturally bright. It also boasts a colour scheme of muted greens, beiges and creams with oriental ornaments, hanging woven lampshades and plants providing final flourishes. Plus, it’s open all day, every day for guests to stop by for lunch, dinner or a cracking cocktail at the bar.
The menu is comprised of small and large plates including meat, veggie and vegan options. Examples of smaller, picky dishes include Taiwanese popcorn chicken with kewpie and lime leaf, prawn toast with chilli oil and kewpie mayo and sticky, gingery kecap manis potatoes. While larger dishes might feature a classic nasi goreng topped with a fried egg, pork belly malay curry with coconut, pickles and coriander and chop suey aubergine with peppers, plum sauce and dried chilli. To finish, a handful of dessert options include the likes of coconut sticky rice with shaoxing strawberries and ‘kopigato’ made with coffee, ice cream and condensed milk.
Gaga Glasgow is also known for its impressive drinks menu where the focus is on the cocktails. Choose from fizzy, juicy, straight-up or coffee options, such as Whisky & Ginger (Bourbon, ginger syrup, soda and aromatic bitters) or Banana Sesame Sour (vodka, lemon, banana, muscovado syrup, egg white and sesame oil). A selection of natural wines, beers and non-alcoholic options are also on offer.