Boaters Café

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.

Boaters Café is well known to the residents of Giffnock and Newton Mearns but less so to those outside Glasgow's southern suburbs. Situated by the boating pond at the edge of the rolling green expanses of Rouken Glen Park, it's an especially popular spot with families. Inside, the premises are bright and airy, with paintings by local artists on the walls, and cheerful, cobalt blue-clad staff bustling between tables. The menu may appear a little pedestrian with its sandwiches, panini, salads and pasta, but the food is plentiful and well made. A tuna salad is thoughtfully composed and colourful, with layers of sweet leaves, olives, pickled and fresh capsicum squares and shredded carrot, topped with hard-boiled egg quarters. A fish tea provides a more substantial lunch option: breaded fish accompanied by fat chips, bread and butter and a nicely varied salad. A glass display case shows off baked goods such as lofty scones, chocolate-packed Malteser cake, traditional currant slice or apple tart – all ideal partners for a full-bodied Bei & Nannini coffee. Ice-cream is a year-round treat, with queues forming on sultry summer days for takeaway cones of Crolla's creamy vanilla, rich chocolate, luscious berry or ludicrously green mint choc chip.

• High point: Take the kids, have a day out…
• Low point: …unless you don't like kids on a day out