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Welsh cuisine is often something of a mystery to those outside the United Kingdom. We all associate fish and chips with England and haggis with Scotland but only those in the know would think of Glamorgan sausage, laverbread and bara birth when considering traditional British foods.
The fact is, Wales has an amazing and unique cuisine which you really shouldn’t miss. And what better place to try it than the nation’s capital: Cardiff, a city rich in history and with an abundance of culture. From its medieval castle to modern and ritzy waterfront, Cardiff is perfect for a city break and a great base for exploring beautiful South Wales.
Aside from the sights, which will keep you very busy throughout your time in Cardiff. I’m pleasantly surprised how Cardiff has grown to become a foodie paradise. In fact, every time I visit Cardiff I find a new restaurant has cropped up; or several for that matter. The good news is, you won’t struggle to find some excellent meals during your time here.
The bad news is that you’ll have to waste precious eating and exploring time choosing which to visit. But fear not. We’ve done the hard work for you – or should that be tasty work? Either way, these are our pick of the very best restaurants in Cardiff.
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Best restaurants in Cardiff for Welsh food
The Potted Pig
A wonderful mismatch of Welsh, English and French flavors, The Potted Pig gives traditional Welsh dishes a whole new meaning. Set in an old bank vault beneath Cardiff High Street, the location couldn’t be better. A short walk from the castle as well as many of Cardiff’s top hotels, The Potted Pig is perfect for lunch or dinner.
The menu makes the most of seasonal Welsh produce so dishes vary daily. No matter when you visit, you can expect local meat and fish and some excellent vegan options (despite the name!). Having just celebrated being one of the best restaurants in Cardiff for the 13 years since they opened, they’re currently offering a special set menu featuring dishes from when they first opened.
Best of all, the prices match the opening date and take you right back to 2011. That’s probably reason enough to go for most people.
Pettigrew Tea Rooms
Just a few minutes’ walk from Cardiff Castle, Pettigrew Tea Rooms are our top choice for a light lunch. Perfect to rest your legs and refuel whilst working your way around Cardiff’s top spots, Pettigrew serve morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea.
Their home bakes are a great way to fill the void between breakfast and lunch and the coffee is exceptional. At lunchtime, you can expect freshly toasted sandwiches, generously filled baguettes and delicious homemade soups.
The cherry on top, though, is their classic Afternoon Tea. Available for one or two people – which is always very welcome as so few places don’t take solo travelers into account – the Afternoon Tea features freshly made sandwiches, a scone with cream and jam and a slice of cake. The only decision for you to make is whether the cream or jam goes on your scone first. You’ll be glad to hear it isn’t quite a contentious an issue in Wales as it is in Devon and Cornwall!
The Welsh House
If there were ever an aptly named place to try Welsh food, this would be it. Better still, The Welsh House has long been one of the best restaurants in Cardiff. Sitting in the shadow of Cardiff Castle, they serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, plus, they offer an excellent Sunday roast.
For lunch and dinner every day you can expect a massive selection of Welsh classics. The Shepherd’s pie, made with Welsh lamb which is undeniably some of the best around, is an all-time favorite. If you’re feeling hungry, their three-course Taste of Wales menu is a great way to sample several Welsh dishes including Welsh rarebit, lamb cawl and Welsh cakes.
Best restaurants in Cardiff for world flavors
Casanova
In our opinion, Italian food and the UK go hand in hand. Wales is no exception, so it should come as no surprise that Casanova makes our list of the best restaurants in Cardiff and is easily the best Italian restaurant in Cardiff.
Casanova is no ordinary Italian. As much as we love pizza, sometimes it’s good to break with tradition and Casanova does just that. The menu is short but somehow still covers all bases. You can expect a choice of lamb, fish and two pasta dishes (one meat, one vegetarian). Alternatively, you can go for their excellent value five-course tasting menu which comes in at just £60.
Just as in Italy, Casanova do dessert properly. So much so, they have double the selection of desserts as they do entrees. Round off your meal with the grappa e cioccolato, a strong shot of grappa served with an equally strong dark chocolate.
Wahaca
Offering, in their own words, “the tidiest tacos on the taff”, Wahaca is the place to go for the best Mexican food in Cardiff and one of the best restaurants in Cardiff Bay. One of the city’s newest additions, Wahaca is modern, bright and relaxed.
With a wide and varied menu, there’s something here for everyone from Mexican connoisseurs to the taco novice. There’s a heavy focus on street food and we’d strongly recommend choosing a few options from their small plates selection. The tacos, quesadillas and tostadas are amazing and will quickly transport you to the backstreets of San Miguel de Allende.
If one main is more your style, the burritos are massive and selection of ‘Chef’s Specialities’ are proof that there’s far more to Mexican cuisine than many of us know. There are churros for dessert, of course, but also a divine tiramisu (less Mexican, yet still delicious).
Asador 44
In an old red brick building a few steps from Principality Stadium, the taste of Spain has well and truly arrived in Wales. Another of the best restaurants in Cardiff, Asador 44 is home to Spanish favorites created with fresh Welsh produce.
Asador translates as spit, or roaster, from Spanish so you’d be right to expect a large portion of the menu to be devoted to flame-grilled meat. Duck, lamb and beef all feature, plus fish, seafood and grilled cauliflower.
If you’re visiting at lunchtime, the set lunch menu offers outstanding value. For just £35 you can enjoy a delicious and very filling three-course meal including steak and a divine chocolate mousse to finish.
Mowgli Street Food
Just like Italian, Indian is a favorite all across Britain. If you think fish and chips are our national dish, I’m afraid to say you’re wrong. It’s actually chicken tikka masala, a British take on the classic Indian curry said to have been invented in Glasgow, although no one knows for sure where it came from.
We don’t often recommend chain restaurants, but in Mowgli’s case we’ll make an exception as it is hands down one of the best restaurants in Cardiff. With beautiful décor which will transport you to the subcontinent, a meal at Mowgli is an experience in itself.
The menu is a mix of traditional street food, chat bombs being their signature, and larger dishes. Their butter chicken is phenomenal and the Goan fish curry will transport your tastebuds to Panaji in an instant. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for one of their tiffins; you decide whether you want meat or vegetarian, they do the rest.
Like curry as much as Smithy?
It’s an iconic moment that far too many of us can recite word for word. “Chicken bhuna, lamb bhuna, prawn bhuna, bag of chips, keema naan and nine papadums… I’d like a saag aloo as well please, Mick.” If you want to recreate this bhuna overload, the good news is there’s an Indian takeaway in Cardiff which will let you.
Meghna Balti Express, a short walk from the city centre offers this magnificent feast for just £36. Better still, they deliver to anywhere in central Cardiff, so if you’ve had a long day and don’t fancy heading out to one of the best restaurants in Cardiff, this is a great alternative. But remember: absolutely no sharing, especially if someone’s ordered a futile korma!
Special Mention: Cardiff Market
There’s no denying that Cardiff Market is unquestionably a market and not a restaurant so it may be a tad out of place on a list of the best restaurants in Cardiff. That said it’s an unmissable stop for every foodie when in Cardiff.
Perfect for grabbing a quick breakfast or lunch on the go, whatever you do don’t miss Bakestones. They’ve been baking fresh Welsh cakes to their own family recipe for over 20 years. What sets them apart is that they cook every Welsh cake on a griddle, the traditional way they were always made in Welsh homes.
For more unique Welsh foods you should try and taste while in Cardiff, don’t miss our ultimate guide to traditional Welsh foods every traveler must try.
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