Beanscene

Beanscene located on Woodlands Road is part of a small chain of local coffee shops which can be found throughout the city. Just a few weeks ago they did a bit of renovation to the outside of the coffee shop — I’m not at all into the change. They’ve changed it from a dark colour to a beige cream colour!!! And the new signage it really old-​fashioned & chainy looking. Try not to let that put you off though because the make a pretty decent latte.
The décor inside is thankfully as yet unchanged, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a west end coffee shop — wooden worn flooring, best up leather sofas, mis-​matched wooden chairs and cool black and white photography. A very cool chilled out hangout where I love spending time.
As you can imagine the menu is fairly basic including a number of tasty breakfast options before 12pm, then in the afternoon — sandwiches, soups, pizza and a few other dishes such as nachos, baked potatoes or chilli. This is not an a la carte menu but what it is — is a really nice lunch time dining option.
I decided to give the chilli a try along with my standard large skimmed milk latte. The chilli arrived in a cup and was presented with a pile of nachos and a warm pitta bread. The chilli was tasty and there was lots of it, it was lovely for a cold rainy afternoon and I would definitely go back and order it again.
After my chilli I ordered another latte and a piece of bought in white chocolate and lemon meringue slice. It was good for bought in cake and again I would definitely eat this again.
This is my ‘go to’ spot to pick up a latte and I will visit another time for a wee lunch, well worth checking out if you fancy a one course meal during your lunch hour.

You just can’t beat bean scene if u need somewhere for a relaxed lunch or coffee. You could say it has a studenty vibe I suppose but I think this makes it a relaxed place to linger on the comfy sofas. Does fine sandwiches, baked tatties etc. If you fancy something more substantial, the chilli is as good as any I’ve tasted round town. They also do pizza, but I haven’t had one before.

Contrary to the rest of the reviews here, I actually didn’t think that this place was bad.
Large space, lots of seating, window seats to people-​watch, etc.
I ordered a piece of caramel shortbread and a Café Americano and the caramel shortbread was good.
Some of you Unilocaler’s are right, though, In the 45-​min that I was there, I didn’t see anyone clean tables.
And as for providing a number tag for delivery (to your table) of the coffee drinks, it seemed to take a long time (i.e. 15-​minutes or so), and they weren’t crowded.
Not sure why, but maybe it’s cuz they actually don’t get to visualize the implied pressure of customers waiting for their coffee.
I think that process of giving you a plastic number is a good one because then you don’t get a crowd of people congregating at the counter, however, I also noticed that nobody asked me (what my coffee drink was) ahead of time (before I got to the register) like most chain-​places do.
I mean, their process definitely has to be refined.
Anyways, if I could give ‘em 3−½ stars, I would. I liked my coffee, liked my sweets, and had a great time reading the paper here.

Veg pizza was lovely, great option to share or polish off yourself as a meal

It’s a chain and it’s becoming more and more apparent. Gone are the days when you could kid yourself on that these were the small guys in the coffee shop world.
Btu that’s not the reason for the dropped star. Like many of the other recent reviews, I have to point out that dirty tables are just not on. OK, if a group moves from a table and I swoop in and hop into their warm seats, then I dont’ expect the table to be cleared instantly. But to see a table sitting with dirty cups after being in the place for over 30 mins, is just not on.
As coffee goes, its standard. Nowt special, nowt nasty. As vibe goes, it’s reliable with occasional strokes of excellent music choices.
But the dirty dishes… dudes, sort it out!

Just popped out for a quick coffee with a couple of friends… Did I say quick? Ok, perhaps not. No buns no munchies, all I wanted was latte… lovely latte! how long can 3 coffees take. We placed our order at the till to be given our little tent card… we got number 13! Hmmm!.. never a good start.
I looked around to see what table would be easiest to clear and promptly set about clearing it, should have asked for a cloth too, the table was pretty mingin. The coffees finally arrived. Woohoo! Latte was tasty enough but not the hottest. They seriously need to consider buying in some new mugs, one had a massive big chip in it and one had a great big crack down the side which looked like it could give way any minute.
So, if your looking for a crackin coffee… go here! But be careful what you wish for! :s

Beanscene keeps morphing subtly and though its heyday has since gone the current incarnation is pretty good, with its food-​for-​a-​fiver deal making it one of the cheaper options for a quick coffee and sandwich lunch. Lots of room, light and usually a few newspaper lying around. The wi-​fi is reliable, just get a ticket from the counter. They also offer a few hot dishes including pizza, plus the opening hours are pretty impressive: 8am — 10pm

I was told this place had the best nachos ever, and I agree. It was missing guac which I usually expect on nachos, but was delicious regardless. Comfortable chairs and nice staff too.

I could tell you how much I like the laid back mood of this Beanscene, the friendly staff, the comfy couches, its conveniently later opening times than other coffee shops in the city centre, or the massive bay windows that let light flood in during the summer.
But what I will leave you with is a tale of the time I got free nachos and cake in here. There was no particular reason for the gesture, the guy serving was just super friendly and didn’t want any food to go to waste.
When are people ever nice like that anymore?
Apparently in here they are!

I have pretty bad luck with coffee shops. I always feel like they think it should be a pleasure for them to serve me.
Yeah, I’m standing at the till, money in hand, what do you think I want?
I’ve never had that attitude before; that ‘you’re here to serve me’ attitude, but seriously, get real, Beanscene. I can be nice, you can talk to me. And hey, if you feel up to it, crack a smile.
I know they’re trying to do good to their customers who are sitting down, but really, train someone who can help make a coffee and serve us both at the same time. If I’m getting a coffee to take away, I’m obviously dealing with some sort of time constraint.
I’d sit down if I thought it would help. And then I wonder if those people sitting down were there to get a take away coffee too and just got tired of standing.
Come on. Get it together.

Despite being a regular visitor, I’ve never really thought Beanscene was that great, mainly due to their «spend lots of money here or piss off» attitude I mentioned in a previous review.
Despite that however, I always found their Battlefield Road unit a nice place to sit, which I’m not really sure I can say about this one. It just feels a bit too big and empty. No complaints about the food and coffee however, and if they’d just change their attitude a bit I’d let them have 4 stars.

I’m not sure if its just this Beanscene but it makes me want to pull my hair out, the staff are so slow I don’t want to wait ten minutes for a cup of coffee, have a pissy member of staff get upset cause I ask four times for a glass with ice for my juice.
My favourite Beanscene experience in the last month has been when I went in get a hot chocolate (take away) on my way to work, the twat be-​hide the counter hand it to me with with no lid and spilled it all over my hand
The staff here are the places biggest problem, they seem to get pissy about the fact they have to wait on people — its like they feel the world owes them something
I will never be back after the burnt hand from the hot chocolate I would suggest over people stay away

Seeing as there’s not very many sit in cafes or coffee shops around the top of Woodlands Road, Beanscene provides the necessary. However, it’s somewhat uninspiring. Avoid the nachos and pizzas — they are Du-​ull. And the coffee for that matter. And the soup. And the atmosphere… it isn’t the comfiest of coffee shops and tends to be a bit grimy. Nah… not the best Beanscene I’ve been to, and definitely not the best café.

I like the idea of Beanscence greatly — a coffee shop chain that’s as wholesome as it sounds. Cosy couches, decent music, and of course, tea, coffee and all the rest. On paper, it’s great (who doesn’t love curling up on a sofa with a hot drink, soft music in the background and a decent book!?) however, in reality it’s slightly different.
I’m not saying I don’t like it — you will most likely find me here, gazing out the window on a cold day (it’s always warm inside. Great in the winter, not so bon in the summer), with a cup of tea in one hand, and some form of literature in the other. My problem? The coffee. What is up with their lattes? Maybe they’re too strong? Maybe not strong enough? I’m not so sure — all I know is that 3 times in a row, I have been here, ordered a latte, and I’ve been unable to drink any of them. They just didn’t taste right — maybe it was just the way they had been made, or the mugs had residue washing up liquid in them, I don’t know. They just didn’t taste right, which for a coffee shop, is bad chat.
Maybe I’d just caught the coffee machine on an off day, but, for the minute, until that changes, Beanscence, I determine you ‘A-​OK’ (I think the raspberry and white chocolate muffins help).

great coffee, good food, comfy seats, and friendly serviceoh, and it’s not starbucks! need i say more?

Located where the old Café Insomnia used to be.
This is probably the closest branch of Beanscene to Glasgow City Centre and has the same good range of light snacks and pizzas as the others, the coffee is decent and full flavoured and there is enough space to swing or park a baby’s buggy.
I generally find it quieter than the other branches and is a good place to stop between the city centre and the west end.
UPDATE: Alas I have been let down by the scene. A visit with toddler in tow was going very well, food was ordered and the drinks, latte for me or juice for my short companion, were flowing but then it became evident that a quick trip to the nappy changing facilities would be necessary. After locating the sign directing me to the baby-​changing, very small print under disabled loo sign, I opened the door to find a bare patch on the wall with a couple of empty screw holes.
It didn’t look good, we returned to the counter and once I had caught the attention of a member of staff I informed them of our plight, incredulous they had a look themselves, to no avail. Then as a yummy-​mummy leapt to my assistance to offer general yummy-​mummy type help, the guy from the counter just disappeared, no help offered, no sorry about that I’ll let the manager know.