Cardosi’s Espresso Bar

I have been going to Cardosi’s for some time, their take away coffee is most delicious and they frequently have deals where coffee and cake is on offer, or special flavours of seasonal sandwiches are available. They always have soup on, today there were two (one vegetable and one celery).
I ordered a baguette, with two types of cheese and caramelised onions (all the sandwiches have funny names!). The cakes range is huge, they have gluten free dessert options too. The coffee and walnut cake was so nice I wanted to lick my plate (even though I had a newspaper to hide behind, from their café newsstand, I thought this would not be the ‘done’ thing to do, so contented myself with delicate little forks full). I was very full afterwards!
Sometimes (especially at lunch time) it is difficult to get a seat at Cardosi’s, it is often busy and although the tables are quite close together it still feels like you have enough room. Try a window seat and you will have a beautiful view of the Paisley Museum and Art Gallery. There are often exhibitions by local artists in the café, whose work is available to buy.
I’m giving it four stars because the specials menu tends not to have that many vegetarian options, and it would be more convenient if they accepted credit and debit cards, and maybe Swipii (which is now available in Paisley as well as Glasgow). I do like it here though, those two things won’t stop me from coming back, I just need to remember to take out enough cash before heading in (nearest cash machines are in the University campus or on High Street).

Hands down my favourite café in paisley. They carry genius bread for their sandwiches/​toasties should you need it (I do) and also always have at least one sweet treat that’s gluten free.
They usually have two soups at lunchtime (although much past half twelve and they’ll be down to one) and they’ve always been pretty tasty and homemade. Their choice of sandwich and toastie fillings is very good with some fairly imaginative choices and their coffee is really very good — it’s a fairly italian roast with a good crema, well dry frothed milk, and they do provide the creamy, syrupy doctoring, should you like it that way.
There’s a good reason why this place is usually heaving at lunchtime.

There are two Cardosi’s in Paisley — this one, which is a casual café and the restaurant around the corner.
I thought I should make a return to Cardosi’s since my last visit (probably about a year ago). I used to visit here quite often before work for a toastie and tea but stopped that once I realised how much money it was costing me. That’s not to say that Cardosi’s is expensive but it is probably pricer than most places in Paisley.
Cardosi’s also holds a special place in my heart for being the first place I visit in Scotland that served a side of «crisps» (chips) with a toastie. I was SO confused the first time this happened (especially as it was around 8.30am). But now I am quite fond of crisps as a side salad.
Today I popped in for lunch and decided on a baked potato with chicken and cheese. What I was delivered was actually tuna and cheese (hence the 3 stars instead of 4). Thankfully I like tuna too, otherwise I would have asked for a fresh one to be made up.
The potato was cooked well, not smothered in butter and had generous fillings. It also came with a side of coleslaw as well as rocket and balsamic. It was £5.45 for the additional topping, normally they are £4.95.
Cardosi’s has a really nice view of the museum and the Thomas Coats Memorial Church.
The manager of Cardosi’s (the restaurant) was also here, I’m sure he is a Cardosi’s institution as everyone knows and loves him. He is super friendly and cheerful.

Needing some lunch in Paisley today, and remembering a fairly decent sandwich from here a while back, I made my way to Cardosi’s. Its partnered restaurant seems to be a popular choice with Paisley folk that I know.
I was served quickly and the soup was delicious, though pretty salty (what’s that about the West of Scotland diet?!!). The prices are good; I got my sit in lunch for a fiver, including tipping. I’m yet to get a coffee here but the prices, if it’s good coffee, were to my liking!
There were older women having a good chin wag and students taking a break from their exams. I liked this mix.
The best part about the place, though, are the windows. From where I perched I looked over some deep red tenements and could see Thomas Coats memorial church and the museum. A great spot for a bit of people watching.