Café Hula

Café Hula

321 Hope Street, Glasgow, G2 3PT

Telephone 0141 353 1660
Food served Mon–Wed 8am–9pm; Thu–Sat 8am–10pm; Sun 11am–7pm
Pre-theatre times Mon–Sat until 7.30pm, if Theatre Royal open
Average price £12 (lunch); £12 (evening meal)
Pre-theatre price £10
Email
Website www.cafehula.co.uk

Jump to comments (6)

Eating & Drinking Guide

The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

Café Hula entertains immediately with its eclectic décor and bohemian atmosphere, offering relaxed, informal dining with better food than many restaurants. Located just opposite the Theatre Royal and frequented by students of the Royal Conservatoire, the clientele tend to be regulars in the know and there’s a laid-back, living-room feel to the food and setting. House specials are old favourites here, with the aromatic fish stew giving a balanced kick of spice to substantial portions of salmon and mussels while the chicken and chorizo stew is another popular choice. Not to be missed, however, is the Hula burger, where a hearty portion of meat dwarfs the bun, with equally tasty trappings of a spicy red onion relish and fried potatoes. Don’t relax too much though, as table service is not usually in operation. For dessert, the vanilla mousse with raspberry and ginger compote is a good contrast of sweet and sharp flavours.

High point: Great main courses in a quirky, relaxed setting
Low point: Cake selection is nothing to hula about

Number of wines sold by the glass: 6
Provides: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Pre-theatre menu, Live music, Free wi-fi
Music on stereo: Indie/world music
Capacity: 60
Largest group: 60
Open since: 1999
House wine: £13.50 per bottle

Comments & ratings

6. Appalled! – 17 Nov 2011, 10:25pm Report: A group of us visited monthly. A Co-owner said we could use upstairs on Sats because it was quiet & gave him some business. We had drinks & some food, & staff were great until our last visit when we met the other Co-owner. Very quickly told us we couldn't use area anymore as was needed for 'paying' customers, quoted amount we spent, that we'd normally have to pay for a venue & generally was offhand & dismissive. I understand she might've wanted the area back for Xmas but could've conveyed in a more friendly customer service style! We had 25 people arriving & the Cafe had my tel no so could've informed me in advance. A few of the party witnessed the exchanges & were appalled. Luckily we managed to find another venue at short notice & ended up having a great afternoon!!

5. Thirtybob – 8 Nov 2011, 4:32pm Report: Won't be back. Shocking attitude from who I assume was the owner and the food and service was nothing to write home about. Can't understand why people like that think they have the skills to run pubs/restaurants. God knows what foreign visitors must think - even French waiters aren't this bad.

4. Jarvis – 21 Dec 2010, 11:21pm Café Hula Report

You can definitely pay by card here, having done so several times.

I love hula's cosy atmosphere, however the pasta selection is occasionally quite poor.

3. Alan McG – 18 Sep 2010, 5:13pm Café Hula Report

This place is a joke. I took people from work here for a team lunch, therefore a positive experience would have led to repeat business; given our experience, no chance.

First, the staff won't take your order at the table, you need to order at the counter like a Wetherspoons: however Wetherspoons food prices are aligned with this, Cafe Hula's are not.

Secondly, the food was mediocre (the chorizo and chickpeas were pretty flavourless), and the bread we were given was stale.

Finally, they don't take payment by card, so I had to go on a 15 min round trip to get cash.

I can only assume that the owners are aiming for a student-y clientele, but if that is the case they need to revise their prices downwards.

Avoid.

2. Veggie – 5 May 2010, 10:06pm Café Hula Report: On the whole is veggie friendly but sometimes pre theatre can have NO veggie choices.

1. tam – 7 Nov 2008, 12:33pm Café Hula Report: The manners of the staff and one who claimed to be co-owner are appalling. We ordered three tapas size dishes from the main menu, having enjoyed the same the afternoon previously but when we pointed out we hadn't got the salad we had then, we were spoken to very rudely and the co-owner denied we had ever been served it and were stupid for thinking salad ever comes with tapas.
A friend said they were treated in a similar manner when they pointed out that the coffee they ordered never arrived and I know of a major organisation nearby that decided against having their christmas lunch there because the service has gone right down hill.

Average rating 2/5 from 4 reviews of Café Hula.

RSS feed of these comments