University Cafe

The first stop shop on a hungover morning is the University Café. Situated near the bottom of Byres Road, the Uni café is a fairly classic café, serving all the standard breakfast and lunch items.
I’ve only ever been here for breakfast, but for that alone it’s worth the visit alone. Very good quality breakfast on offer, similar to a classic fry up at home with none of the effort. The quality is fairly standard but it’s usually all you need in a breakfast. Coffee is also tasty, if a bit weak. Prices are very reasonable too.
Though I’ve never tried it, I’ve heard the ice cream is amazing too!

University café is one of those iconic things in Glasgow that you never want to change. They were established in 1918, and they have really cool old café décor, with no fuss tasty food. The seats are a mixture of comfy booths and old flip up seats and the service is friendly and quick.
As a veggie my favourite option here is macaroni cheese and chips, with a can of diet Irn Bru (or maybe full fat if I am feeling wild). The chips are always freshly cooked and the macaroni is actually macaroni– not penne or fusilli– something a lot of places tend to neglect! The peas are really good too, those proper marrowfat home made ones with vinegar and lots and lots of pepper.
They have every combination of ice cream imaginable, and you can play spot the Jamie Oliver pics in the window too if you’re just passing by. Check out the ice cream achievement awards dating back to the 60’s on the wall– this family café knows its ice cream :)

The University Café is another one of the places in Glasgow which holds many fond memories for me. My grampa used to take me here for lunch after going to the Grosvenor cinema. I always used to get a fish supper and some ice cream (I was a wee pie-​face!)
The staff are friendly and cope well with the busy turnover of customers; there are constantly people coming in to sit in, people ordering to-​go, people wanting ice-​cream etc. And it is easy to see why it is so popular, everyone loves a good-​old greasy spoon after all!
The food is standard café/​chippy fare; fry-​ups, rolls, chippy teas, toasties and some old faves like macaroni and steak pie. I had my favourite fish and chips and I left feeling extremely full after two huge pieces of nice cod and proper chippy chips! Yum yum :)
If you’re in the west end and you want a cheap, cheerful and delicious lunch/​dinner and a walk down memory lane, you know where to go! (Here obviously…)

Amazing! Once you find a parking spot in a busy city you will definitely enjoy their ice cream. Everything is homemade and extremely tasty. Definitely appreciate them when you look around and notice all of the awards one throughout the years.
We were traveling through on the way to Edinburgh and made a detour to check them out and I am glad we did. One of my favorite little ice cream places anywhere!!!

I have to do it. I have to eat fried things. I have to have the deep fried haggis here along with my fish and chips. Why? Because yes, coming from the south of the USA, I understand you can deep fry a pizza or a Mars bar… but taking haggis and frying it into some kinda incredible offal falafel log is just a next level power-​up maneuver.

The Uni Café is a Glasgow institution that’s been serving the West end for nearly a hundred years. Aye, I know, you’ve heard that before in other reviews. But it is, so there you go, blah, blah, blah.
I’ve been coming here since as far back as I can remember. I used to get left outside in my pram with an ice cream stuck in my hand, before we knew there was 70’s television ice cream stealing paedos kicking about.
The inside hasn’t really changed in the 30+ years I’ve been coming here, they had a small renovation about 15 years ago when they changed the seats, the old ones used to lean forward and you felt like you were about to lock lips with the person sitting across from you, but apart from that; nothing has changed.
It’s old and untouched, and you could imagine you’re in Glasgow ⁴⁰⁄₅₀ years ago. All over the walls they have pictures of the café from days gone by, and certificates stretching back to the fifties (could be further) for their ice cream.
They serve comfort food and pretty basic grub, pies, chips, peas, beans, pizzas, pastas, soup and some off-​menu items like pork chops and boiled tatties.
Now, as I said I’ve been coming here for a long time and only tried a few things on the menu, my staple used to be pie, peas and chips; then I became vegetarian about 15 years ago and swapped out the pie for fried egg. And the reason I continue to get this dish is because they have some of the best chips in Glasgow and their peas are also immense.
To be transparent, some of their menu is mince, figuratively and literally (cause they sell mince) what I mean is some of it is god awful. The macaroni tastes like it’s from a packet and I recently tried the minestrone soup and it was rank rotten.
However, this takes nothing away from the five stars I’m giving it.
The Uni café is a great place for people watching, the clientèle is diverse, from old yins coming in for their mince and tatties, youngsters from the local Uni, families, to West End Wendys wondering where the foraged mushrooms and confit of albatross is on the menu.
I come here about twice a month, once with the girlfriend, who has been coming here for about ten years, she never knew about it before (because she’s a foreigner from Clydebank) she discovered it when she started working at the Uni.
And once with my Mum, and order the same things we always have and catch-​up and reminisce about people we’ve lost along the way that used to come here with us.
The Uni café is a real family affair, the guy that runs the place used to run around when I was a wee boy, now he’s in charge. And that’s great, where else can you say that about.
Starting to bore myself here, but I’ve got to mention their ice cream, it’s superb.
Scottish/​Italian ice cream at its finest. They only used to do vanilla and a choice of receptacle, cone, sponge, nougat etc. Now they do all different flavours, waffle cones and lots of different toppings, like nuts, hundreds and thousands, pistachio and all that new age baloney. But try the vanilla in a sponge, you can’t go wrong.
I really hope the Uni café never changes, and I don’t think it ever will.
I can’t wait to bring my own kids in here one day.
Here’s to another hundred years!

I’ve been a customer of the University Café for a long time now (18+ years) and the sweet thing is the main core of staff/​proprietors haven’t changed since then! I still recognise the guy who makes the pizzas in the take away side and the lady who serves me ice creams in the café side. That makes me smile.
I love this place. I know people say trite stuff like ‘It’s a Glasgow tradition!’ but it really IS. Also the reason this place is still around, and also pretty much untouched in the way it looks, speaks volumes. They offer something to the folk of Glasgow’s West End that is (sadly) becoming rarer & rarer ~ the good old fashioned Italian ice-​cream and chippy café. Coming from England I wasn’t au fait with the concept but I soon saw it as the Scottish version of the much loved (and also mocked) English ‘greasy spoon’ café. You cannae beat a good greasy spoon! Back in my younger days I swore these kinda places had magical, healing powers ~ ‘Egg, chips & beans and a mug of tea please… now, HANGOVER; BE GONE! *PING!* I’m cured!’ It was a modern day miracle (of sorts).
The Uni Café, like any good story, has 2 sides; The Take Away/​Chippy side serving the usual chip shop fare plus also the aforementioned (yummy) pizzas and then there’s next door, the Café and also Ice Cream bar. I haven’t sat in here for a while but it still looks the same ~ long wooden benches which means when busy (weekends) you may have to share your table with some other (most probably also hungover) folk. It’s waitress service & it always used to be service with a snarl. In a weird way I kinda liked that; it took me back to those cafes in London where your (chipped) mug of tea was pretty much thrown at you. The menu is a mixture of the next door chippy stuff, Italian and pure, traditional comfort food.
The ice cream served here is excellent, some of the best in the West (End) I say. If you’re a fan of straight up, traditional vanilla ice cream then this is the place to head. A 99 with raspberry is a MUST for when it is even remotely sunny (or in my case, any day of the week with a Y in it. NOM!) The raspberry sauce is MEGA! They also sell wee & big tubs of ice cream too for taking home (or eating on the way home until you feel ill ~ again; me). There’s also a range of old fashioned & newer sweeties for sale behind the counter. A step in here really is like stepping back in time or visiting a wee seaside café.
A word about the toilet. I have never actually been BUT I know there’s a BIG key on a hook and it’s apparently situated in the close next door… sounds fun and like a wee (–wee) adventure (ho ho!).
I know they also used to be dog friendly so I am hoping they still are. Prices are pretty decent, especially for the amount of grub you get. Quality has always been good; no complaints from me.
The University Café ~ long may you reign and continue to stay unchanged because they don’t make ‘em like you anymore. Now, who’s for an ice cream…

I’ve been here many times before with various friends, but this time, I not only introduced my boyfriend to University Café, but I also introduced three of my friends who were looking for some decent cheap eats.
We had just been out to the farmers market and to the Huntarian when we decided that we wanted something cheap to eat. After giving it a think, I recommended University Café. Having been the only one who has eaten here, everyone was in, so we went.
University café has been around for ages and their seating gives you an insight as to how long it’s been around. Luckily there was a full table available, otherwise, it is customary just to sit whenever there is an open seat, even if with someone you might not know.
We looked over the menu and each of us ordered something different. I ordered the half pizza, which to my surprise was a lot better than I ever thought it would be. Loaded with garlic, it had a great taste to it, and it was cheap to boot. My boyfriend went for the pie, chips and beans. He ate it faster than I’d ever seen him eat it, and he said it was ok. My friends each ordered the ham and cheese toastie, half a pizza and the mac and cheese. They all agreed that for the prices, the dishes were ok.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again– I’m not really sure what the fascination about this place is that keeps people coming back. I will say that they do have the best ice cream in town (although really expensive) but the food is ok at best and easily replicated at home for much less.

I hope the owners never change this great place. Been coming here for about 40 years, enjoy a meal here as much as any restaurant in Europe, it may be different but the grub on offer is typical Glagow Italian .Too many good things too mention, try hot peas and vinegar or macaroni and chips. Staff and family are so friendly.

I’ve never actually eaten in the Café part, but I confess that the young chap that works in the adjacent chippie knows my order by heart.
It’s proper Glaswegian comfort food. Deep fried stodge, perfect for a winter evening, or sunny, hungover afternoon.
My usual is a half pizza supper, coated in brown sauce and vinegar. Though for Saturday’s Dr Who extravaganza I delved out of my comfort zone, and in to the most wonderful fish supper. Two slices of white fish, coated in crunchy batter, and sided by golden chips, and my usual condiments. They also do a mean king rib and black pudding.
If, however, you fancy carbs that aren’t deep fried an oven pizza won’t set you back much more than a fiver.

So lots of people will say that the University Café has no place in the modern West End. Those people need their heads checked.
Some others will say that the café is «quaint» or that the staff are «welcoming». These people are misleading you.
Here’s your headline folks, «University Café is cheap, excellent, no-​frills breakfasts».
Tough, tasty buns. Fresh potato scones. Runny eggs.
It’s Scottish, it’s tasty, and if you go in for a Saturday morning nibble you’ll be absolutely delighted.
Brunchers need not apply.

Love this wee place if I’m looking for something quick to eat or ice cream on a hot day

Popped in here for ice-​cream one night with hubby. Really nice service — I was offered a taste of the ice-​cream as I couldn’t decide which flavour I wanted. I tried the gingerbread which was very nice but I didn’t fancy the crumbly texture so opted for vanilla. We both got the chocolate chips which are absolutely lovely. I actually thought the ice-​cream was a bit on the sweet side for me but I still enjoyed it.

I love that this café in Glasgow’s West End has such a homely feel to it! The staff are so friendly, you always feel like your stepping back in time when you walk in the door! I love the Art Deco! The food is true «Chippy Food» at it’s very best… It’s class! I have been visiting for years and I will never stop love visiting this café when I need a Chippy food fix! :)) PS. I love how the toilet is up a close! So old fashion!

A genuine café with home cooked food. The chicken noodle soup is perfect, takes me back to my childhood. A place to go if you really want food that’s not been over thought or over contrived! Amazing!

Great great place, for apprx 25 yrs this café had gave me the very best banter, food and ice cream possible in the west end,
firstly ice cream MMmm loads of flavours all home made by the big guy gino the godfather of the café,
then theres the middleage twins in the café and next door in the fish n chip shop very confusing ‚
the waitresses are fast and these guys will make anything you want from fish n chips to fresh ovan pizza, s or everytype of pastas ‚
italian owned italin ran ‚
that good to eat in even all the taxi guys eat here at night, Big dinners for any type of
diet,
classic unchanged décor spotless but the type of café thats a real café,
big sit in booths for spreading out with the family or mates.
love this place always have always will. .well worth me still coming from the south side almost 7 miles to go there, watch the parking can be tricky during the day.

I rocked into University Café for some ice cream today. The café is particularly lovely on a hot day since it offers good old fashioned 99 cones, but it is equally appealing when you’re stopping by for a bacon roll in the bleak midwinter.
The University Café has seen many seasons come and go. I wish I knew how old it actually was, but I’m pretty sure it must’ve been here since the 40s. Old chocolate boxes are usually displayed in the windows and I adore the sequinned back drop! Its old deco Italian restaurant look has remained untarnished through the years, and although the burgandy leather seats are a bit battered, that makes them all the more charming.
The Café serves up good old fashioned chippy chips, fry ups and penny mix up sweets. They are all reasonably priced enough, although 99 cones aren’t actually 99 pence anymore. When did that happen? I must be getting old.
The Café is an old lady that carries herself with grace throughout the years. As Gavin said, she has survived the troubles of our times, and I for one hope she receives her birthday card from the Queen when she turns 100. A living tribute to the old ice cream culture of 50s Glasgow, the Uni Café is a much beloved institution that can be enjoyed by all generations.

A bit of art deco class combined with no thrills greasy spoon fare, you can bet your last chip the University Café will outlive us all.
Unquestionably a Byres Road institution, the Italian/​Scots family-​owned café may be among the last of a dying breed of such establishments, but remains ever popular with all ages. Students love the cheap hangover obliterating meals, while OAPs have been coming here since the days of Billy Connolly living around the corner.
Prices remain reasonable and even if greasy spoon is not your bag, at least pop in to try their legendary homemade ice cream. Spectacular.

unglaublicher Laden. völlig old-​fashioned gehen hier einfach nur die Leute aus der Umgebung hin. verstehen tut man die Bedienung fast gar nicht, auch wenn man sich schon an den Glasgow-​Slang gewöhnt hat. aber hilft nix. leckerste Fish and Chips in Glasgow gegessen hier. dieser Laden ist irgendwie nicht zu beschreiben merke ich gerade. der is einfach nur da zum hingehen und essen. und gucken. sorry, aber mir fehlen die Worte ;-)

I am most definitley a fan of the University Café. A greasy king amongst greasy spoons, it is! From the décor outside — an amazing shiny multi coloured foil-​plastic drape in the window display with some boxes of chocolates (retro boxes of Cadbury’s Milk Tray have obviously been left here since the 90’s, which the dust proves) and plastic flowers highlight the fact that this place is best left untouched. The décor inside is retro beyond belief — 60’s style it is, strip lighting and all. Ahh, I love it!
There is no hangover they cannot cure — one of their infamous fry ups and some irn bru will sort you right out if you’re feeling a bit peaky. Just watch for those sticky patches on the floor. Sometimes it’s best not to know what they are.