Aleo Café in Johnstone lunch review

Our core team take a trip to Aleo Café, one of Johnstone’s unsung eateries for an immensely satisfying afternoon 

No-one supports a local business quite like the Johnstone faithful. Whether it’s a pub, gym, bingo hall or café, it’s a place that has proven itself to be predisposed to uplifting the enterprises in their area by the sheer force of their devotion. By all indications, Aleo on the High Street might be the next business to receive this unspoken boost. 

A tastefully minimalist, wood paneled delicatessen, Aleo may be small in size, but it doesn’t skimp on flavour. Initially planned as a dessert shop before it began to offer savoury sustenance, Aleo know that their customers want consistency as well as enjoyment and that’s precisely what they deliver across their hot drinks, cakes, paninis and more. 

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With all of their meat acquired from Marshall’s butcher next door and with rolls coming by way of Anderson’s in Bridge of Weir, the atmosphere in Aleo is quaint and welcoming, but what’s on offer is certainly accomplished. 

Starting off with a fantastic oat milk latte made with coffee from the Edinburgh-based Modern Standard Coffee, the team has a kind word for each customer that saunters in as we await our meal. From local business owners and workies popping in for lunch on the go to young patrons and elderly clientele, everyone is treated warmly in a way that feels like second nature to the staff on hand. 

Also Café club sandwich, photo ©Mill Magazine

With his capacity for carnivorousness, Paul enthusiastically embarks on the Aleo take on a club sandwich complete with peri peri chicken and bacon alongside lettuce and tomatoes. The look on his face says it all, but he assures me that it was phenomenal, with each ingredient complementing one another perfectly. 

Meanwhile, I opt for a panini composed of mozzarella, tomato, pepper flakes and balsamic dressing. Delivered with precision and made all the more appetising with homemade coleslaw on the side, their aptitude for balancing these rustic flavours shows that true attention has been given to each element and the end result is exactly what you’d hope for. 

Locally baked cakes, photo ©Mill Magazine

Next up is a round of sweet treats, including old school cake, Victoria sponge, scone with jam and cream and a caramel shortcake. Traditional in design and exceedingly tasty in execution, these delicious treats conjured up by local bakers Erin Muggins and Rhea Henderson prove to be the perfect way to round off a visit. 

Although, the hot weather may have compelled me to take a scoop of Porrelli’s raspberry ripple ice cream and an immensely fruity Very Berry smoothie for the road. 

Next time you’re in Johnstone, Aleo is well worth a visit and we bet that once you’ve sampled its wares once, you’ll be back time and time again. 

Aleo Café, 65a High Street, Johnstone, PA5 8QG, Facebook.