University Cafe Glasgow

Fry-ups, ice cream & fish'n'chips

Scott from Glasgow

About me I am an artist and illustrator and have lived in Glasgow since 1990 when I graduated from Art School in Bath. I came here and worked as a volunteer with young homeless people. I very quickly fell in love with the city, the beauty of the rest of the country and the people living here. Eventually I got full time work and worked in the Homeless sector for 24 years, whilst selling my ar...
""University Cafe Glasgow" has been run by the same Italian family since 1918. Legend has it that it's the home of the original deep fried Mars Bar!"

If you're in the West End, feeling delicate from the night before's indulgence (a familiar story!) and you need the no-nonsense fried food and mug of tea to soak up the headache and shakes, pop into the University Cafe on Byres Road. It's the original and best in the west!

In an area full of lovely cafes, slick bars and sophisticated restaurants this is a step back in time to a proper 'greasy spoon' diner. It's one of those dying breeds of Italian style coffeehouse/fish 'n chip shop and ice cream parlours. The decor inside is this original Art Deco style and it's been run by the same family since 1918, the Verrecchias, who are now in their fourth generation here. The University Cafe sells all your fried breakfasts, omelettes, toasties and sandwiches all washed down with lashings of strong tea, milkshakes and steam frothed coffees. Follow that with a tall colourful Knickerbocker Glory or an ice cream wafer, oyster or cone.

The homemade ice cream has won many awards over the years and matches the quality of the three more expensive ice cream establishments on the same street!

Right next door is the 'Chippy' for newspaper wrapped chips and battered fish, sausage haggis and black pudding suppers. I once saw an American TV travel programme with its presenter in this very Chippy claiming it was the home of the deep fried Mars Bar.

Due to the rise in rent prices University Cafe is under threat, so more punters needed!

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Glasgow Spotter Scott

About me I am an artist and illustrator and have lived in Glasgow since 1990 when I graduated from Art School in Bath. I came here and worked as a volunteer with young homeless people. I very quickly fell in love with the city, the beauty of the rest of the country and the people living here. Eventually I got full time work and worked in the Homeless sector for 24 years, whilst selling my artwork part time in local galleries and art markets. In 2014 I decided to take the plunge and quit my job and become a full time artist and illustrator. I sell work in a local gallery as w...

About this spot

Byres Road 87

Breakfast:

£

6

1413395217

Oct 9, 2025

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