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Vegan-friendly
International
Scottish
Teahouse offering tea selection sourced from different world regions. Serves cakes and a small vegetarian food menu. Has vegan cakes. Fire place and couches inside. Holds alternative music events and exhibitions. Reported closed July 2023.
21 Reviews
First Review by weyhey
Braidy
Points +395
Seedy charm - Edit
Slightly hard to find down an uninspiring lane, but delicious smells are evident from some way off. Ramshackle interior; unashamed hippy vibe with Indian wall hangings, seating platforms etc. Sometimes it came across as pretty scuzzy (the toilet didn't seem adequately ventilated). Middle Eastern platter was pretty good although the stuffed vine leaves seemed to have come straight out of a tin. Alternative/experimental music was OK except for one terrible noise (mostly played backwards) that almost drove me away entirely. There was only one vegan dessert (the Uber Slice) and I was very disappointed when I saw how small it was! (It did taste nice.)
Read morePros: Quite nice food, good if you like hippies
Cons: Run-down air
Guest
PrincessPudding
Points +249
More about the vibe than the food - Edit
Tchai-Ovna is a long standing institution which runs regular art and culture events in its cosy venue in the West End. I would say that this place is more about the experience (and the chai!) than about the food it offers. It is also very pricey. Saying this, it’s still worth a visit - particularly if timed with an event.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-09-19
Pros: Atmosphere , Homemade chai tea
Cons: Expensive , Food quality
Guest
Vivi&Corinna
Points +170
Lovely tea room - Edit
Lovely tea room with an amazing atmosphere. The shared plate was very yummy. Has a great character and orders didn’t take long at all. Teas can be made without honey and with oat or coconut milk
Read morePros: Many vegan options, Amazing atmosphere , Very friendly staff
Guest
SergioSena
Points +46
Great wee place - Edit
Magical wee place in the heard of Otago Lane, Glasgow. Delicious Teas and vegan cakes.
Read moreGuest
DouglasMcCaffrey
Points +871
Amazing tchai tea - Edit
This place makes the best tchai tea in Scotland. The food is really good too but the service is very slow, I think this is to due to the kitchen being so small. It has the most cosy atmosphere and is a great place to spend a whole afternoon.
Read morePros: Great tea, Nice vegan cakes, Super cosy
Cons: Very slow service , Not the most helpful of staff
Guest
Vegan_Elf
Points +1362
Good coffee. - Edit
Comfortable relaxing atmosphere & really good coffee.
Read moreGuest
falafffel
Points +3180
Amazing tea menu - Edit
If you like tea, this is the place to go in Glasgow. They have a huge menu of teas, all of them with some tasting description. Prices start at 3 pounds a (large!) pot for some really good tea, but you could also get some speciality teas which are more expensive but come with free second and third infusions.
Read morePros: Great tea selection, Large pots
Guest
GF Cookie Monster
Points +1389
Amazing teas, limited food menu - Edit
Massive, amazing list of teas!!! Green teas, black teas, herbal teas, teas you've never heard of but want to try...
Read moreSometimes the curry has dairy, sometimes it's vegan - ask.
White rice or rice cakes were the only GF options for the curry or chili. Otherwise they come with pita bread.
Lots of vegan deserts, but most are NOT gluten-free.
So disappointing! Cherry/Macadamia small chocolate bar was expensive but good.
Very close to Kelvinbridge subway stop. Be warned, subways close EARLY on Sundays. Plan to take a bus or Uber.
Pros: Many vegan options, HUGE tea selection, Cool, wacky decor
Cons: Limited gluten-free options, Hard to find/tiny street, Only white rice
Guest
angdep
Points +1297
Great place for tea and lounging - Edit
The service is not great, but it’s a great spot for chatting and having tea. The food seems decent, but I can’t say since I didn’t have any. Love the tea selections. If it’s your first time going, you have to go up to the shelving next to the kitchen, and when you’re ready to order, go up and order at the kitchen. Don’t expect the workers to wait on you. And they don’t bother to explain this, either.
Read moreGuest
RabbHaw
Points +170
Visited early this year - Edit
Felt like I was in my living room, what a cool place, Sound staff, on the whole Excellent, oh yes the food and tea brilliant. Thanks keep it up.
Read morePros: Vegan Food Excellent, Relaxed atmosphere, Tucked away Gem
Cons: Not so easy to find if not local, Thought I was in the Dam!!!, Want walk out into the Dam!
Guest
BudgetBucketList
Points +1334
Great vibes, slow service - Edit
A real little gem, I was glad I made it down there based on a tip of a local. I didn't even know it was vegan, so the more happy I was once I found out. Really great vibes. Ordered a delicious juice and sweet turkish delight, recommendable. One mistake I made is going there with limited time, because I had to wait over 45 minutes on my order... that could be a bit faster.
Read moreNevertheless, if you calculate that in there are zero problems.
Pros: Delicious food and drinks, Good atmosphere
Cons: Very slow service, A bit remote
Guest
unmond
Points +769
Stellar vegan carrot cake in the den of a thousand teas - Edit
Tchai Ovna is a wonderful place. Located in a tiny lane just off Glasgow Uni campus it really is a hidden gem in the city's West End.
Read moreThe place has a beautiful warm vibe to it that makes you feel like you just fell into a cosy hippie hobbit hole. It's a perfect place to read a book or spend a laid-back afternoon with friends.
You should not come here when you're in a hurry: It will probably take you a good half hour to decide which tea you want to order from their impressive selection. (Hint: You're probably not going to make the wrong choice.) Their vegan carrot cake is absolutely amazing, I'd highly recommend trying it!
Guest
craigmc
Points +42034
great tea room and cafe - Edit
I have no idea why it has taken me so long to visit here, I really am a disgrace.effectively a tea room with a large selection of teas, not as much as Gillams in ulverston, but a fine selection. an eclectic mix if seating and furnishing offer fantastic charm and allowing you to relax straight away I instantly loved the place. a small menu, but more than sufficient for lunch with several Vegan options And vegan cake. when you visit you will realise why the menu us small, as the kitchen is teenie tot and they do an amazing job to produce anything. I had tea and cake both of which were delicious and I look forward to returning soon. my review is also based. on the surrounding not just the food. a bit like the project cafe in glasgow and the forest in Edinburgh there is do much more to Tchai-Ovna House of Tea than food and drink.can't recommend it enough.
Read morePros: vegetarian with vegan options, staff and decor, selection of tea.
Guest
arthursgrub
Points +804
If You Like Tea.... - Edit
Amazing selection of teas plus nice veggie food in a very relaxed atmosphere. Nice relaxed vibe plus gigs in tiny room. You can sit outside if there's a nice day to be had
Read morePros: Tea, Food, Chilled
Cons: Food Choice, Finding A Seat, Weather!
Guest
Kimxula
Points +1185
Cosy little gem in Glasgow - Edit
I first visited Tchai Ovna 6 years ago when in Glasgow visiting a friend and I'm so glad she took me there. What a great place. Relaxed, unique, cozy, unpretentious atmosphere with a seriously huge selection of tea. I have since been back whenever in Glasgow and always feel right at home being there. I can't vouch for the food, as I've only ever tried the tea, and possibly one of the cakes a few years ago (which was amazing), but the atmosphere and awesome tea alone is worth a visit.
Read morePros: Great atmosphere, Amazing selection of tea, Veggie food
Cons: A little hard to find - , but not impossible
Guest
Lindzriot
Points +139
Best place in the UK! - Edit
I found it hard on my travels to find anything vegan friendly in the uk. But then on my trip to Glasgow this wonderful place showed up. You order yourself at the kitchen, the menu is vegan and nut allergy sensitive. They have an outdoor patio, but the place was so packed we got the last table inside. Highly recommend it! Amazing teas from all over the world properly prepared and delicious menu :)
Read morePros: worldly teas prepared right, vegan friendly, nut allergy sensitive
Guest
saneas
Points +226
WORTH LOCATING - Edit
Funky little tea house that does some cracking food too. Platter of Meze for £11.50 fed 3 of us tho we opted to get an extra portion of pita bread.
Read morePlease do a vegan option of dessert apart from the uber bar.
Can also have coffee and a shisha pipe.
Inspired idea and very relaxing.
Updated from previous review on Thursday September 05, 2013
Pros: Relaxed, Cheap Food
Cons: Parking
Guest
imogenmichel
Points +2750
Amazing selection of tea - Edit
I couldn't believe the number of different teas available on the menu! An absolute must for tea lovers. Unfortunately, even for a light lunch this place was definitely on the pricey side for me, especially considering the menu was quite limited for food. Really liked the relaxed and unusual decor though.
Read morePros: Nice atmosphere/decor, Clearly marked vegan options, Lots of tea!
Cons: Overpriced
Guest
hack_man
Points +28289
Tea Lovers Paradise - Edit
Very bohemian place specialising in a massive array of teas from the world. They also serve rustic food such as mezze platters and breads and dips. Great place to chill out and enjoy a bite to eat in a very cool part of Glasgow
Read morePros: tea, cosy
Cons: limited range of food, pricey
Guest
Brainy
Points +40
All the tea in China is at - Edit
Tchai Ovna! lol Couldn't resist that line! I usually hate going to places with my boyfriend who only discovers these places thanks to his ex girlfriend whom I am not fond of. However, I found it hard not to love Tchai Ovna! If you love somewhere small, cosy and amazing art on the walls that capture inspiration. Once a month they do readings from talented writers and hold amazing small music gigs every week. So Tchai Ovna isn't just a small tea house but a secret den of uniqueness. As they say great things come in little packets.
Read morePros: Good Value, Friendly Atmosphere, Smoking :D
Cons: Small can get crowded, Waiting, Smoking D:
Guest
weyhey
Points +21
Gorgeous Cheesecake - Edit
Visited May '07 while in the Glasgow West End. Would have never found this place if we didn't have an address and a map. Nice little tea shop with loads of teas on the menu and a nice veggie range of meals. Brilliant second hand book shop a few doors down. Tea was lovely and the cheesecake was one of the nicest I have ever tasted. The venue was a bit dirty/untidy in a hippy way (faded cushions, mismatched furniture etc ) but by no means unhygienic. We weren't offered a free refill like the menu says but it does also say that if forgotten you should ask for one.
Read morePros: yummy cheesecake, lots of teas on offer
Cons: hard to find, a bit dark and untidy
Guest
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