A better class of roadside cafe

Feeling a bit peckish at the wheel? Andy Lynes tells you where to find a better class of roadside caff

Starvin Marvins, BP Service Station, Central Parade, Western Ave, Greenford (0208-998 5132; starvinmarvins.co.uk), is a stainless-steel American diner transplanted from Atlanta. In true US style, plates are piled high and your coffee cup is never empty.

Tebay Westmorland Services, Old Tebay, Penrith, Cumbria (015396 24505; westmorland. com), the only independent motorway service station in the UK, has been praised by Egon Ronay for its use of local produce.

Enjoy a Suffolk brunch of locally cured bacon and free-range eggs at the Farmcafé, Main Road, Marlesford, Woodbridge, Suffolk (01728 747717; farmcafe.co.uk).

At the end of the ramp at exit 14 on the I-95, roadside dining doesn't get much more convenient than Swanky Franks, 182 Connecticut Ave, Norwalk, Connecticut (001 203 838 8969). Dress the legendary deep-fried hot dogs with chilli, cheese or sauerkraut.

Before you drive out of Vancouver, stop for battered halibut in a bamboo steamer at Go Fish, 1505 West 1st Avenue, Vancouver (001 604 730 5040), local celeb chef Gord Martin's fish and chip shack.

For large portions of paella at bargain prices visit the family-run Venta El Tunel, Carretera de las Pedrizas, Km 33 - 29014 Malaga (00 34 95 226 62 11, ventaeltunel.com).

The hot yet delicious chilli crab makes The Beginning of the World, 2 Lebuhraya Batu Maung, 11960 Penang (00 60 4 626 2651), a must-do stop for any trip to the island.

The trip along Australia's Great Ocean Road offers dramatic coastal scenery and the opportunity to try the amazing global menu at La Bimba, 125 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay, Victoria (00 61 3 5237 7411), where Italian risotto rubs shoulders with Japanese beef salad.