Chaakoo West End is a Bombay inspired café tucked into Ruthven Lane near Glasgow’s busy Byres Road. Its concept looks to the Irani cafés established in India by Persian immigrants, places known for bringing many parts of city life together around food and tea. Warm, relaxed interiors and a sharing style menu give the West End branch a sociable neighbourhood feel.
Bombay small plates allow a table to begin with several contrasting tastes rather than a single starter. Street food, bakery snacks and dishes from the grill move between crisp, tangy and smoky flavours, while naan and rice support the saucier choices. The format works particularly well for groups that want to compare dishes and build their own progression.
Curries cover slow cooked lentils, paneer, vegetables and richly spiced meat. Chicken tikka masala, garlic chilli chicken, daal makhani and saag paneer show the range from creamy and comforting to hotter, more aromatic cooking. Tandoor, robata and open grill techniques bring char to kebabs and other dishes before they reach the table.
Irani chai connects the drinks list to the café tradition, while handcrafted cocktails give evening visits a more contemporary energy. Lunch, early evening and full à la carte menus suit different appetites, and vegetarian and vegan diners have meaningful choices across the meal. Chaakoo West End combines Glasgow informality with a colourful interpretation of Bombay café culture.
Address: 61 Ruthven Lane, Glasgow G12 9BG, United Kingdom
Chaakoo West End Menu
Indian Salads
Aloo Chana Salad
Spiced potatoes, delicate chickpeas and rocket, splashed in a sweet tamarind dressing.
Chaakoo House Salad
Sweet pineapple and mango rocket salad tossed in our house mango chilli dressing.
Bombay Small Plates
Lamb Samosa
Crisp pastry, minced lamb, onion & spices.
Sabjee Samosa
Crisp pastry, green peas, mashed potatoes, green chilli & fresh coriander.
Machali
Fish pakora in a coriander & green chilli batter.
Masahari
Crispy fried chicken pakora.
Shakahari
Crispy fried vegetable pakora.
Irani Kebabs
Smoked Chicken Tikka
Our own whisky chip smoked chicken, coated in our tikka dry rub, served with homemade mint chutney.
Afghani Tikka
Flame grilled chicken pieces marinated with yoghurt, cashew nuts, garam masala, red chilli powder, garlic & ginger.
Seekh Kebab
Minced lamb marinated with lime, coriander & cumin, grilled over coals & served with homemade mint chutney.
Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Grilled skewer of pineapple, capsicum & paneer dipped in garam masala, vinegar & cumin.
Cauliflower
Marinated in yoghurt & classic tandoor spices, slowly grilled over coals.
Spiced Lamb Chops
Steeped overnight in a middle eastern blend of spices with ginger & garlic, finished over open coals.
Tandoori Spiced Wings
As good as they get chicken wings, tossed in our Bombay house sauce.
Tandoori King Prawn
King prawns steeped in our house smoked tandoori rub, flash flamed on the robata grill & finished with citrus lemon.
Hara Chicken Tikka
Chicken pieces marinated with yoghurt, methi, ginger, garlic & basil, chargrilled over open coals.
Humble Curries
Rogan Josh
Slow-cooked lamb, onions, peppers & tomatoes, Kashmiri style with yoghurt.
Lamb Madras
Everyone’s favourite old style curry originally from Madras (Tamil-Nadu).
Butter Chicken
Tandoor chicken & tomatoes, cashews & green cardamom in mildly spiced butter sauce.
Korma
From Turkish origin, braised chicken in mildly spiced sauce made with yoghurt & ground cashews.
Railway Chicken
A rich, savoury chicken curry of tomato, garlic & North Indian spices.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Tandoor chicken tikka with a mixed spice, tomatoes, coriander & creamy yoghurt sauce.
Junglee Mass
Slow-cooked lamb, onion & tomato sauce, flavoured with whole Indian spices.
Black Pepper Chicken
A spicy chicken curry cooked in onion, tomato and yoghurt sauce, flavoured with black peppercorns.
Daal Makhani
Overnight cooked black lentils & red kidney beans, tomato purée, fresh ginger & cream.
Chana Mushroom
North Indian chickpea, mushroom & tomato curry.
Saag Paneer
A classic jalfrezi dish of spiced spinach, studded with cubes of fried creamy paneer cheese.
Bombay Potatoes
Baby potatoes cooked with onions, mustard seeds & curry leaves.
Garlic Lamb Bhuna
A deep rich tender lamb curry of tomatoes, onion & garlic flavoured with fenugreek.
Garlic Chili Chicken
A garlic & spicy South Indian speciality, flavoured with curry leaves, tomato & onion.
Chef’s Café Special Curries
Choice of tamarind, mint or mango.
Dum Biryani
Slow-cooked Awadhi lamb in spiced stock & layered with rice. An abiding café favourite.
Jinga Kushrang
A rich velvety prawn curry with onion, green & red peppers, shaved ginger & tomato.
Kerala Monkfish
From the land of spices; monkfish curry with coconut, ginger, garlic & mustard seeds.
Paneer Butter Masala
Fried paneer cubes cooked in a rich creamy onion, tomato and butter sauce.
Keema Matar
Minced lamb simmered with garden peas, garlic & ground spices, enriched with cream.
Aloo Gobi
Cauliflower & potato curry made with jeera seeds, green chillies, onion seeds & tomatoes.
Café Sides
Poppadom & Spiced Onions
Kachumber
Indian chopped salad, cucumber, onion & tomato.
Chaakoo Slaw
Spicy Bombay style coleslaw.
Raita
Yoghurt, cucumber & spices.
Jeera Rice
Basmati rice & cumin seeds.
Lemon Rice
Basmati rice, fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds & fresh lemon juice.
Masala Fries
Skinny fries with masala seasoning.
Mixed Pickle
Chutney
Choice of tamarind, mint or mango.
Bombay Bakery
Naan
Garlic Naan
Peshwiri Naan
The Café’s Ice Creams
Ice cream: Vanilla, Chocolate Chilli, Pistachio, Honeycomb, Strawberry Sorbet – 2.50 per scoop.
Chocolate Orange Mousse
Gulab Jamon
Fried dumplings steeped in cardamom with rose syrup, served with ice cream.
Mango & Banana Crumble
Kheer
Our house rice pudding, flavoured with cardamom and vanilla.
Bombay Naanwich Menu
Pick one naanwich, with a side of rice, fries or house salad for only £10. Served with poppadoms & spiced onions.
Smoked Chicken Tikka
Our own whisky chip smoked chicken, doused in our tikka dry rub served with homemade mint chutney.
Afghani Tikka
Flame grilled chicken pieces marinated with yoghurt, cashew nuts, garam masala.
Hara Chicken Tikka
Chicken pieces marinated with yoghurt, methi, ginger, garlic & basil, chargrilled over open coals.
Achari Paneer Tikka
Grilled Paneer dipped in cumin, ginger, garam masala & mixed pickle.
Seekh Kebab
Minced lamb marinated with lime, coriander & cumin, grilled over coals served with mint sauce.
Early Evening Menu
Pick 2 Bombay plates and 1 Chaakoo curry with your choice of jeera rice or masala fries from £22.95 per person. Add poppadoms & spiced onions for only £3.95.
Masahari
Crispy fried chicken pakora.
Smoked Chicken Tikka
Our own whisky chip smoked chicken, drowsed in our tikka dry rub served with homemade mint chutney.
Tandoori Spiced Wings
Chicken wings, tossed in our Bombay house sauce.
Afghani Tikka
Flame grilled chicken pieces marinated with yoghurt, cashew nuts, garam masala.
Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Grilled skewer of pineapple, capsicum & paneer dipped in garam masala, vinegar & cumin.
Shakahari
Crispy fried vegetable pakora.
Cauliflower Kebab
Marinated in yoghurt & classic tandoor spices, slowly grilled over coals.
Aloo Chana Salad
Spiced potatoes, delicate chickpeas and rocket, splashed in a sweet tamarind dressing.
Chaakoo House Salad
Sweet pineapple and mango rocket salad tossed in our house mango chilli dressing.
Tandoori King Prawn
King prawns steeped in our house smoked tandoori rub, flash flamed on the robata grill & finished with citrus lemon. (£3 Supplement)
Lamb Samosa
Crisp pastry, minced lamb, onion & spices.
Daal Makhani
Overnight cooked black lentils & red kidney beans, tomato purée, fresh ginger & cream.
Bombay Potatoes
Baby potatoes cooked with onions, mustard seeds & curry leaves.
Seekh Kebab
Minced lamb marinated with lime, coriander & cumin, grilled over coals & served with homemade mint chutney.
Sabjee Samosa
Crisp pastry, green peas, mashed potatoes, green chilli & fresh coriander.
Butter Chicken
Tandoor chicken & tomatoes, cashews, green cardamom in mildly spiced butter sauce.
Korma
From Turkish origin, braised chicken in mildly spiced sauce made with yoghurt & ground cashew.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Tandoor chicken tikka with a mixed spice, tomatoes, coriander & creamy yoghurt sauce.
Garlic Chilli Chicken
A garlicky & spicy south Indian specialty, flavoursome & laced with curry leaves, garlic, tomato & onion.
Rogan Josh
Long cooked lamb, onions, peppers & tomatoes, Kashmiri style with yogurt. (£3 Supplement)
Black Pepper Chicken
A spicy chicken curry cooked in onion, tomato and yoghurt sauce, flavoured with black peppercorns.
Lamb Madras
Everyone’s favourite old style curry originally from Madras (Tamil-Nadu). (£3 Supplement)
Keema Matar
Minced lamb simmered with garden peas, garlic & ground spices, enriched with cream.
Paneer Butter Masala
Fried paneer cubes cooked in a rich creamy onion, tomato and butter sauce.
Garlic Lamb Bhuna
A deep rich tender lamb curry of tomatoes, onion & garlic flavoured with fenugreek. (£3 Supplement)
Chana Mushroom
North Indian chickpea, mushroom and tomato curry.
Saag Paneer
A classic jalfrezi dish of spiced spinach, studded with cubes of fried creamy paneer cheese.
Aloo Gobi
Cauliflower & potato curry made with jeera seeds, green chillies, onion seeds & tomatoes.
Jinga Kushrang
A rich velvety prawn curry with onion, green and red peppers, shaved ginger and tomato. (£3 Supplement)
Kerala Monkfish
From the land of spices; monkfish curry with coconut, ginger, garlic & mustard seeds. (£5 Supplement)
ORANGE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
Our homemade chocolate mousse.
GULAB JAMUN
Hot cardamom sugar dusted doughnuts with honey rose syrup.
ICE CREAM OR SORBET
Choose from vanilla or chocolate chilli ice cream or strawberry sorbet.
Full Bhuna
£24.95 per person. Big meal, small price. To share: Machali, Masahari, Shakahari, Cauliflower Kebab, Pepper & Onion Mix, Pakora Sauce, Raita & Mint Chutney. Thali tray: build your own with daal makhni base and any 3 curries, choose jeera rice or masala fries. Add a kebab for £5.
Machali
Fish pakora in a coriander & green chilli batter.
Masahari
Crispy fried chicken pakora.
Shakahari
Crispy fried vegetable pakora.
Cauliflower Kebab
Marinated in yoghurt & classic tandoor spices, slowly grilled over coals.
Pepper & Onion Mix
Pakora Sauce
Raita & Mint Chutney
Chicken Tikka Masala
Tandoor chicken tikka with a mixed spice, tomatoes, coriander & creamy yoghurt sauce.
Rogan Josh
Long cooked lamb, onions, peppers & tomatoes, Kashmiri style with yoghurt.
Lamb Madras
Everyone’s favourite old style curry originally from Madras (tamil / nadu).
Butter Chicken
Tandoor chicken & tomatoes, cashews, green cardamom in mildly spiced butter sauce.
Korma
From Turkish origin, braised chicken in mildly spiced sauce made with yoghurt & ground cashew.
Paneer Butter Masala
From fried paneer cubes cooked in a rich creamy onion, tomato and butter sauce.
Dum Biryani
Slow-cooked Awadhi lamb in spiced stock & layered with rice. An abiding café favourite.
Railway Chicken Masala
A rich, savoury chicken curry of tomato, garlic & north indian spices.
Junglee Mass
Slow-cooked lamb, onion & tomato sauce, flavoured with whole Indian spices.
Saag Paneer
A classic jalfrezi dish of spiced spinach, studded with cubes of creamy fried paneer cheese.
Bombay Potatoes
Baby potatoes cooked with onions, mustard seeds & curry leaves.
Keema Matar
Minced lamb simmered with garden peas, garlic & ground spices, enriched with cream.
Aloo Gobi
Cauliflower & potato curry made with jeera seeds, green chillies, onion seeds & tomatoes.
Garlic Lamb Bhuna
A deep rich tender lamb curry of tomatoes, onion & garlic, laced with dried fenugreek.
Garlic Chilli Chicken
A garlic & spicy South Indian specialty, flavoursome & laced with curry leaves, garlic, tomato & onion.
Chana Mushroom
North Indian chickpea, mushroom & tomato curry.
Black Pepper Chicken
A spicy chicken curry cooked in onion, tomato & yoghurt sauce, flavoured with black peppercorns.
Daal Makhni
Overnight cooked black lentils & red kidney beans on tandoor, tomato puree, fresh ginger & cream.
Smoked Chicken Tikka
Our own whisky chip smoked chicken, drowed in our tikka dry rub served with homemade mint chutney.
Afghani Tikka
Flame grilled chicken pieces marinated with yoghurt, cashew nuts, garam masala, red chilli powder, garlic and ginger.
Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Take a skewer & pierce pineapple, capsicum & paneer, dip it in garam masala, vinegar & cumin then grill.
Seekh Kebab
Minced lamb marinated with lime, coriander & cumin, grilled over the coals with mint sauce.
Cauliflower
Marinated in yoghurt & classic tandoor spices, slowly grilled over coals.
Hara Chicken Tikka
Chicken pieces marinated with yoghurt, methi, ginger, garlic & basil, chargrilled over open coals.
Tandoori Spiced Wings
As good as they get chicken wings, tossed in our Bombay house sauce.
Naan
Garlic Naan
Peshwiri Naan
Lunch Menu
Served Monday to Friday 12pm to 4pm. Option 1: Thali trays. Option 2: Grill & Curry for £14.95 per person, choose one from each section plus a portion of masala fries or jeera rice.
Sabzi Tray
Daal Makhani, Chana Mushroom, Bombay Potatoes. Jeera Rice, Plain Naan.
Murga Tray
Butter Chicken, Garlic Chilli Chicken, Daal Makhani. Jeera Rice, Plain Naan.
Memana Tray
Garlic Lamb Bhuna, Rogan Josh, Daal Makhani. Jeera Rice, Plain Naan.
Mila Hua Tray
Butter Chicken, Chicken Korma, Garlic Lamb Bhuna. Jeera Rice, Plain Naan.
Smoked Chicken Tikka
Our own whisky chip smoked chicken, coated in our tikka dry rub served with homemade mint chutney.
Hara Chicken Tikka
Chicken pieces marinated with yoghurt, methi, ginger, garlic and basil, chargrilled over open coals.
Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Grilled skewer of pineapple, capsicum & paneer dipped in garam masala, vinegar & cumin.
Tandoori Spiced Wings
As good as they get chicken wings, tossed in our Bombay house sauce.
Shakahari
Crispy fried vegetable pakora.
Daal Makhani
Overnight cooked black lentils & red kidney beans on tandoor, tomato purée, fresh ginger and cream.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Tandoor chicken tikka with a mixed spice, tomatoes, coriander & creamy yoghurt sauce.
Garlic Chilli Chicken
A garlic & spicy South Indian speciality, flavoured with curry leaves, tomato & onion.
Rogan Josh
Slow-cooked lamb, onions, peppers & tomatoes, Kashmiri style with yoghurt.
Chana Mushroom
North Indian chickpea, mushroom & tomato curry.
Butter Chicken
Tandoor chicken & tomatoes, cashews & green cardamom in mildly spiced butter sauce.
Korma
From Turkish origin, braised chicken in mildly spiced sauce made with yoghurt & ground cashews.
Student Lunch Menu
Served Monday to Friday 12pm to 4pm. Option 1: Two-thali curries for £10 per person, choose two curries. Option 2: Naan roti wrap, choose one wrap plus a portion of masala fries, jeera rice or mini naan and a soft drink per person.
Dum Biryani
Slow cooked Awadhi lamb in spiced stock & layered with rice. An abiding café favourite. (GF)
Paneer Butter Masala
Fried paneer cubes cooked in a rich creamy onion, tomato and butter sauce. (V, GF)
Keema Matar
Minced lamb simmered with garden peas, garlic & ground spices, enriched with cream. (GF)
Aloo Gobi
ACauliflower & potato curry made with jeera seeds, green chillies, onion seeds & tomatoes. (VGN, GF)
Rogan Josh
Slow-cooked lamb, onions, peppers & tomatoes, Kashmiri style with yoghurt. (GF)
Lamb Madras
Everyone’s favourite old style curry originally from Madras (Tamil-Nadu). (GF)
Butter Chicken
Tandoor chicken & tomatoes, cashews & green cardamom in mildly spiced butter sauce.
Korma
From Turkish origin, braised chicken in mildly spiced sauce made with yoghurt & ground cashews. (GF)
Railway Chicken
A rich, savoury chicken curry of tomato, garlic & North Indian spices. (GF)
Chicken Tikka Masala
Tandoor chicken tikka with a mixed spice, tomatoes, coriander & creamy yoghurt sauce.
Junglee Mass
Slow-cooked lamb, onion & tomato sauce, flavoured with whole indian spices. (GF)
Black Pepper Chicken
A spicy chicken curry cooked in onion, tomato and yoghurt sauce, flavoured with black peppercorns. (GF)
Saag Paneer
A classic jalfrezi dish of spiced spinach, studded with cubes of fried creamy paneer cheese. (V, GF)
Daal Makhani
Overnight cooked black lentils & red kidney beans, tomato purée, fresh ginger & cream. (V, GF)
Bombay Potatoes
Baby potatoes cooked with onions, mustard seeds & curry leaves. (V, GF)
Garlic Lamb Bhuna
A deep rich tender lamb curry of tomatoes, onion & garlic flavoured with fenugreek. (GF)
Garlic Chilli Chicken
A garlicky & spicy south Indian speciality, flavoured with curry leaves, garlic, tomato & onion. (GF)
Chana Mushroom
North Indian chickpea, mushroom & tomato curry. (VGN, GF)
Smoked Chicken Tikka
Our own whisky chip smoked chicken, dowsed in our tikka dry rub served with homemade mint chutney.
Tulsi Chicken Tikka
Chicken pieces marinated with yoghurt, methi, ginger, garlic and basil, chargrilled over open coals.
Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Grilled skewer of pineapple capsicum & paneer dipped in garam masala, vinegar & cumin. (V)
Seekh Kebab
Minced lamb marinated with lime, coriander & cumin, grilled over coals served with mint sauce.
House Signatures
Cocktails inspired by Bombay café culture.
5 Walla on the Rocks
5 Walla Chai cream liqueur over ice, the traditional way.
Jungle Bird
Gold rum, grapefruit liqueur, pineapple, fresh lime & demerara.
Breakfast in Bombay
Bombay Sapphire, Cointreau, orange marmalade & lemon juice.
Patakha Mojito
Bacardi Blanca, fresh watermelon, mint leaves, lime juice, sugar syrup & soda.
House Classics
Our twist on familiar names.
Daiquiri
Coconut / Strawberry / Mango / Passion Fruit. White rum, fresh lime, simple syrup.
Mojito
White rum, mint, fresh lime, simple syrup & soda.
Aperol Spritz
Aperol, organic cava & soda.
Sour
Whisky / Bourbon / Dark Rum / Amaretto. Lemon, simple syrup & aquafaba.
Zero-Proof
Alcohol free, feel fresh in the morning.
Mango Cooler
Mango, mint, demerara & lemonade.
Virgin Daiquiri
Strawberry puree, fresh lime, simple syrup & lemonade.
Chocolate & Mint Russian
Espresso, chocolate syrup, mint, milk & cream.
Cucumber & Mint Cooler
Fresh mint & cucumber, apple juice and soda.
House Wine
Sauvignon Blanc, Chaakoo
Chile, 11.5%. Dry and crisp, with loads of zingy citrus and tropical fruit flavours. Good on its own and matches lighter foods such as salads, chicken or seafood.
La Laguna Pinot Grigio
France, 13%. Aromas of sugared almonds, this off-dry Pinot Grigio has a crispness with hints of mild spices.
Chenin Blanc, Franschhoek Cellar
South Africa, 13%. A full and rich Chenin Blanc with expressive fruit aromas. Fresh tropical fruit flavours and a velvety finish.
Chardonnay. All Blanc, Castilla y León
Spain, 13%. Aromas of crisp apple, ripe pineapple, and a hint of banana.
Beer & Cider
Kingfisher Lager
4.3% ABV.
Kingfisher
330ml, 4.8%.
Kingfisher Ultra
330ml, 5%.
Schiehallion Craft Lager
330ml, 4.8%.
Spirits
All spirit measures are 25ml.
Arran Barrel Reserve Single Malt
43%.
Arran 10 Single Malt
46%.
Johnnie Walker Red Label
40%.
Bombay Sapphire
40%.
Soft Drinks
Coca Cola / Fanta
Diet Coca Cola / Lemonade
Soda & Lime / Orange & Lemonade
Hot Drinks
Coffee served with whole milk or oat milk.