The Ugly Duck

The Ugly Duck brings a hearty dose of comfort cooking to Paisley, leaning into beloved classics with a playful wink.

Small plates set a lively tone: halloumi nuggets arrive hot and squeaky with a sweet chili dip, while garlic chilli prawns deliver a fragrant glaze and a lick of garlic mayo. It is unfussy, generous and built for sharing, the kind of start that invites conversation and a second round.

From there, the kitchen doubles down on feel-good favourites. A proper steak and sausage pie comes tucked under golden pastry with seasonal veg and mash, and fish and chips lands crisp from a beer batter, flanked by peas, skin-on fries and tartar sauce. It is honest cooking, rooted in familiarity yet executed with care, the flavours warm and straightforward.

Burgers bring the crowd-pleasing swagger: a bacon cheeseburger stacked with beef patties, bacon, cheese, mayo and gherkins, and the buffalo clucker turning up the tang. Onion rings and fries keep things satisfyingly crunchy, the sort of sides that rarely see the end of the table.

To finish, think cheesecake of the day with vanilla ice cream or a chocolate and caramel fudge cake worth lingering over. It is an easy-going, come-as-you-are kind of meal that puts comfort first.