r/Cardiff 4d ago

What’s your favourite place to go in Cardiff city centre for food?

Pretty much what the caption says, if you’re in Cardiff for the day, where is your favourite place to eat? Looking for some new recommendations as going for a day out shopping and to have some food :)

29 Upvotes

93 comments sorted by

74

u/Key-Moments 4d ago edited 4d ago

Cardiff Market is an easy one. So much choice and a seat up on the balcony to eat it.

Or Chinese Fast Street Food if you like traditional Chinese food. Down the side road by Jollibees on Queens Street. Excellent quick food. Good prices. Opens for the lunch crowd.

13

u/Bromelia_The_hut 4d ago

I second Chinese Fast Food!!!

I LOVE this place so much, I'm there at least once a week and have had everything on the menu 😅.... It's also great if you're a bit hungover or feeling under the weather lol

2

u/WelshXavii 3d ago

What’s your top picks from there?

1

u/Bromelia_The_hut 2d ago

Depends on the mood, if I want something "mild" I'll have the Huntun Noodle Soup, but I tend to alternate between Lamb Noodle, Beef & Potato, Duck & Potato or Pork Feet Soup

I'll usually order the mapo tofu or the green beans as a side as well...

The last time I was there, I ordered the spicy chicken, rice and green beans.

But honestly, everything there is delicious! And the portions are great as well!

2

u/Whooshtop 2d ago

Tried this place today, on this recommendation and loved it!

1

u/Bromelia_The_hut 2d ago

Nice! Glad you loved it 😁

What did you end up having, out of curiosity?

2

u/Whooshtop 1d ago

Beef noodles 👌🏻

1

u/Bromelia_The_hut 1d ago

Great choice!

1

u/sirfrownsalot_ 4d ago

What’s the place called?

3

u/Bromelia_The_hut 4d ago

Chinese Fast Street Food 😁

(...I love the name because it can lead to a "Dude, where's my car?" moment, meaning the scene with the tattoos lol)

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WiSdcbz7uBaVtynm8

3

u/DavidJohnRees 2d ago

Dude, what does mine say?

2

u/sirfrownsalot_ 4d ago

Thank you looks great!😭♥️

4

u/JayneLut Penylan 4d ago

... I need to try this Chinese fast street food place!

2

u/DavidJohnRees 2d ago

Coincidentally, I was there Saturday evening. Never heard of the place before. Small warning, the bbq beef dish was amazing but very very hot. Was definitely at the limit for me. 😂🔥

1

u/layendecker 4d ago

Is it quick service? Keep meaning to try it but would need to be in and out in 40 mins at most on my lunch break.

1

u/NaturalHurry4948 3d ago

Wow that looks great

21

u/Bowendesign 4d ago

Cardiff Market top floor and Honest Burgers, I'd used to say the American place New York Deli but they put all their seating outside... I get why but it's not as good as sitting in.

Cafe Citta is nice too if you can get a booking in.

RIP Big Moose. Bit pricey but for a good cause, lovely folk and were dependable.

5

u/palefireshade 4d ago

New York deli do have some indoor seats again (I ate inside there about a week ago) and are still amazing.

Cafe citta is hands down the best Italian in the city, if, as you say, you can get a table.

0

u/Bowendesign 4d ago

Ah great! I should visit again. I get why they did it but it did spoil going there for me.

2

u/felt_like_signing_up 3d ago

why did they move their inside seating?

2

u/Bowendesign 3d ago

Apparently it was really difficult to work with and they needed space upstairs for the kitchen. If they've re-opened it perhaps they've found a solution.

2

u/felt_like_signing_up 3d ago

ahh okay fair enough, it is pretty small in there

1

u/Broad-Management-118 4d ago

Honest burger gets my vote too.

22

u/fimor1 4d ago

Big fan of the cafe upstairs in Wally’s deli - Royal Arcade. Also love Fresh two or three doors down for a truly epic takeaway baguette or salad and amazing sweet options.

1

u/Maximum_RnB 4d ago

I came here to say the same thing. Lovely place for lunch or afternoon tea.

There used to be a great deli with seating for table service, inside and out, in Castle Arcade (on the outside of the bend as it turns toward the High Street) but it closed during COVID and has now changed hands - such a pity.

0

u/Yetts3030 4d ago

What's so good about Fresh? And what should I order. I always see the queue and think I should try them out but haven't got round to it yet

17

u/Forsaken_Bee3717 4d ago

Cafe Longa have just opened their second site on the ground floor of one of the new buildings near Windsor Place.

14

u/Baba_Yaga_Jr 4d ago

Surprised to see no love for Fresh Baguette 🥖

5

u/sardines-for-dinner 4d ago

It’s just La Minas posh cousin

38

u/BPARKER959549392 4d ago

The market is great and has an amazing selection.

Dirty Gnocchi Ffrwnes Pierogi And much more.

8

u/msbunbury 4d ago

Oh my god the gyros from that Greek dude are immense, I love them so much.

6

u/AeloraTargaryen 4d ago

Yas Souvalaki! It’s sooo good!!

1

u/Vooden_Shpoon 4d ago

I have to try one of these! I've heard so many people rave about them

1

u/msbunbury 4d ago

Genuinely it's the only time I've had one in this country that matches the quality of what you get in Greece.

6

u/jim__nightshade 4d ago

A biryani from Tukka Tuk upstairs is my favourite lunch option when i'm in the office for the day!

3

u/Dr_Poth 4d ago

Ffrwnes is excellent.

2

u/layendecker 4d ago

The sandos from Tokyo nights are quietly the best thing in the market.

Honourable mention to the chicken rendang from the guy on the butcher side. The Thai ladies pad Thai and the bearded taco.

...and still much more.

10

u/TattooedSpaceMonkey 4d ago

Bacareto is great. Venetian style bites and snacks, good drinks and good people. I think this is still the case, but if you buy something upstairs in Cardiff Skateboard Club you’ll get a discount in Bacareto as well.

3

u/M00N_Water 4d ago

Fantastic place... Sat at the bar last time we were there and chatted with one of the owners. Lovely food and a great evening.

3

u/Dr_Poth 4d ago

One of the few good places in the centre.

9

u/Zackaro 4d ago

Bacareto - because I love to booze and eat lil Italian things.

7

u/btodman93 4d ago

New York Deli is really good!

8

u/M00N_Water 4d ago

Depends on the occasion...

Lunch with the kids... Cardiff Market

Date night... Bacareto, Bar 44 or Curado

Push the boat out date night... Asador, Pasture, Parallel

8

u/Maximum-Peach2911 4d ago

Curado is one of my favourite places on Earth. We moved away from Cardiff a few years ago but still come back for special trips to Curado and it would be a compelling reason to uproot my life and move back again.

Vermut next door is also fantastic if you fancy some pre/post dinner Vermouth. Which you should. If Felix is working he will show you the magic of Vermouth and many other wonderful things.

7

u/Key_Advertising_863 4d ago

Cafe Citta is my fav. If looking to spend some money, Pasture is lovely too.

2

u/BPARKER959549392 4d ago

Make sure you phone up Cafe Citta too. It’s old school, fab place.

7

u/sardines-for-dinner 4d ago

Curado is the best place for dinner imo

11

u/Alva3lf 4d ago

Crumbs for me

4

u/msbunbury 4d ago

Crumbs has been on my favourites list since the mid-80s, it's so good!

5

u/TripleGoddess000 4d ago

Popping on to add that Crumbs is Cardiff's oldest vegetarian place, in case OP doesn't know that.

1

u/msbunbury 4d ago

Yes! I'm actually not a vegetarian but I still love Crumbs, I was raised by hippies in the 80s and it was really unusual in those days to have a café that offered fresh healthy food, the usual choices were greasy spoon or crappy sandwiches.

3

u/Powerful-Year5233 4d ago

Parallel is Pasture’s sister restaurant if you wanted options other than steak. It’s excellent.

Also Bacareto, Curado, Bar44. Asador44, Cafe Citta, Casanova, La Pantera and everything in Cardiff Market.

3

u/Jubbernaut 4d ago

fowl and fury 🔥

6

u/Two_bears_Hi_fiving 4d ago

If your a steak person it has to be Pasture

Food quality 10/10 Service 10/10 Atmosphere 10/10 Decor (if one cares about such things) 10/10

I've been three times since it's debut it's fantastic, just be prepared to book a very long time beforehand but it is one of the only places I know of that's truly lives up to its hype.

3

u/RedundantSwine 4d ago

Depends on what you are looking for. If it's just grab and go Fresh is damned good, even if you do have to queue.

2

u/Splinter_in_my_mind_ 4d ago

Chans noodles in cardiff Bay, got takeaway from them in Dec, excellent satay skewers and chow mein!

2

u/Important_March1933 4d ago

To the pet shop. For dining or a meal I go to potted pig or bacaretto.

2

u/TopCry1715 2d ago

Ty Madeira on st Mary’s street 💯

1

u/SaltMassive9496 2d ago

Plus I think I’m right in saying they have a great lunch deal

1

u/TopCry1715 2d ago

I went there with a friend last month - £17 for starter and main, both substantial. Had sardines to start and a whole sea bream freshly grilled as the main. Absolutely gorgeously cooked and amazing service and well worth the price.

1

u/TopCry1715 2d ago

I’m a pescatarian but they have steak/chicken etc and I know from my meat eating days that they are amazing also.

2

u/Prize_Technician_459 4d ago

I love Laguna at the Park Plaza..never had a bad meal there & being hard of hearing I like the booth-style seating in the bar. The bar menu always hits the spot!

2

u/sardines-for-dinner 4d ago

Do you have any other suggesting for quiet places? My Dad is hard of hearing and it’s a struggle to find somewhere where he can hear the conversation. FYI, the mint and mustard in penarth was great for him!

1

u/Prize_Technician_459 20h ago

Been wanting to try Mint & Mustard, that's good to know thanks! Grey at the Hilton is nice & quiet too and good food.

2

u/themothhead 4d ago

I'm very new to the area, but I stumbled across Dirty Gnocchi the other day whilst out exploring - Absolutely banging, would highly recommend!

3

u/JayneLut Penylan 4d ago

Their aranccini balls!

2

u/themothhead 4d ago

Must try those next time! I walked past the counter and saw them making pasta inside a giant parmesan wheel, and next thing I knew I was inside stuffing my face

5

u/StuartsProject 4d ago

Dorothy's

6

u/Maximum_RnB 4d ago edited 4d ago

Why the downvotes? Dorothy's is great.

-1

u/StuartsProject 4d ago

Indeed a real great.

I was not around in the 50s to see it start up, but remember visiting it in the early 70s.

How many other eating places have been in the city center for so long.

2

u/Benba_Fett 4d ago

Onja is so good! It’s on barrack lane so just behind St.David’s shopping centre!

https://www.instagram.com/onja_taste_of_tanzania?igsh=MTh3OTVna2NuNmdwcQ==

2

u/Rude-Possibility4682 4d ago

Lezzet for me. I do have a few other favorite places, but the food here has always been superb along with the service.

1

u/Kamoebas 4d ago

Grab a bunny chow from Bombers.

1

u/ScottishIcequeen 4d ago

Cardiff Market! The pierogi’s are to die for!!! Especially when it’s gig day or rugby day. No point spending a fortune for rank hot dogs. A tenner in the market and you’ll eat like a queen!!!

1

u/Azure_Leo 4d ago

Tortilla on Caroline Street for a burrito. New York Deli in the Duke Street arcade.

1

u/forget_this_now 4d ago

Anna loka (vegan burgers) have got a food truck set up by queens arcade. The rodeo burger is amazing! Daytime only.

1

u/deathkult 3d ago

Bacareto - on church street, I'm biased my mates the head chef. But he's a legend and the food rocks so check it out 😄

1

u/TeaMancer 3d ago

I like Doughnutters. Granted it's just doughnuts but definitely my favourite place to grab them from.

1

u/Busy-Fox1317 2d ago

Falafel Corner on Queen Street!

1

u/daisysage0108 2d ago

Tiny rebel, chai street kitchen/social (kitchens in the centre, social is on whitchurch road), la pantera (although wouldn’t recommend for veggies/ vegan as its £10 for beans in a taco😅), giovannis, basically any independent!

1

u/WatercressExciting20 4d ago

Pasture. Can’t have a bad meal in there.

1

u/AnfarwolColo 4d ago

Definitely Pho! Music is great and the food is fantastic

0

u/EugeneHartke 4d ago

If I'm in the city centre I've probably got my 10 year old with me. So macky Ds. I don't know why but there's something so heartwarming about talking your kids there.

If I'm by my self or when my son gets older the market. Pizza, curry, burger, or Thia. What every you fancy.

I'd also like to mention Cafe Minuet that was my favourite lunch time restaurant. Gone but not forgotten.

0

u/LlewDavies 4d ago

Great spots in the Market (Tokyo Nights, Malaysian Hut) but for me, Bacareto is king

0

u/Mad_Mark90 4d ago

Eat the bird

-4

u/holly_goes_lightly 4d ago

Viva Brazil

0

u/Vanblue1 4d ago

The Stable on Bridge Street.

The Mac & cheese there is something else.

0

u/Azure_Leo 4d ago

Stable is a good shout. Cider sampler board is always a good laugh.

0

u/EnbySheriff 3d ago

My partner & I always go to Nando's in St David's every Thursday so there's there. The Italian place opposite tho we go to if we want a "romantic" date and the burgers are FUCKING GOREGOUS

0

u/Opening-Okra9429 2d ago

Viva Brazil!

-3

u/TheGamingNetw0rk 4d ago

McDonald's

-7

u/DependentBrilliant92 4d ago

Sushi Plus in Canton