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!