Glasgow restaurant Coia's Cafe is an institution at 95

It seems like every other day you hear about that little independent coffee shop or even a big restaurant chain closing because of rising energy costs and the lasting impact that the pandemic has had.

But one of Glasgow’s most popular spots is still going strong and is - remarkably - one of its oldest.

At 95 years old, Coia’s Cafe has become an institution in Glasgow.

Before opening in 1928, shop-fitter Carmine ‘Charlie’ Coia was just another businessman looking to earn an honest living when he and his wife Amalia came to Scotland from Filiano, Italy.

Charlie ran his own firm with his brother-in-law while Amalia decided she wanted to bring her taste of Italy to the city.

What began as a small shop on Duke Street selling homemade ices and juice slowly grew into a much-loved restaurant serving a dynamic menu of steak pies, pasta, pizza, fish teas and more.

Each generation of the Coia family brought something new and exciting to the fray.

Charlie’s son Nicky took over in the 1950s and turned it into a more established confectioner with more chocolates and sweets.

Nicky’s son Alfredo trained as a chef and he and his wife helped to develop the site next door to expand Coia’s into a bigger space to serve hot food.

And it seems the family are hoping not only to continue their success but expand it. In late 2022, they applied to open a two-storey deli, bar and restaurant within a commercial space at a block of flats under construction on Duke Street.

In the meantime, guests still pile into the existing café for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and ice cream.

Despite the hundreds of flavours available in gelaterias today and after testing Irn Bru sorbet with their customers, the clear favourite has always been vanilla, made with Amalia’s original recipe.

The late Nicky Coia (Image: Newsquest)

With a generous helping of raspberry sauce, the ice cream is also known as a McCallum. The story goes that it was named after a Celtic coach, who would train around the streets of Parkhead before popping into Coia’s and ordering ice cream with raspberry.

Coia’s has even generated a celebrity following in all its years of developing a reputation in Glasgow’s food and drink scene.

Two Doors Down star Elaine C Smith, Still Game’s Ford Kiernan, Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus and Celtic legend Danny McGrain were on hand to pop the champagne when the family celebrated 90 years of business back in 2018, while also raising thousands for charity in the name of Nicky, who sadly passed away the year before at the age of 84.

Speaking about the momentous achievement, Alfredo said: “It would be fantastic to be sitting here in 10 years’ time saying, we are 100 years old.

“There is not many businesses that you could mention that have the same family, three almost four generations down the line who are basically running a successful business. I hope that can continue.”