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 Laverballs and luscious leeks |
97 Wyeverne Rd Cathays Cardiff CF24 4BG United Kingdom +44 29 2038 2357 http://www.armlessdragon.co.uk |
It sounds like a pub, but in fact it is a classy restaurant, housed in two terraced garden cottages near Cardiff University. The service is flawless—unrushed and perfectly amiable - and the chef believes in fusion cooking, blending the best of Welsh and international influences. The menu includes items such as Crab Soup and laverballs, and there is a good selection of specials and a pleasing platter for vegetarians and vegans. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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One for the arty crowd |
25 Castle Street Cardiff CF10 1BT United Kingdom +44 29 20 66 7776 |
This small, friendly cafe is located opposite Cardiff Castle and is frequented by the city's young and trendy set. A simple range of dishes is offered, including tortellini, jacket potatoes, baguettes and bagels, as well as a huge range of teas, hot chocolates and coffees served in cups so big you need both hands to hold them. The licensed bar serves interesting alcho-shake concoctions. There is an array of books and newspapers, Internet access and a range of entertainment, including live music and poetry. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Wine in the bay |
8 Mount Stuart Square Cardiff Bay Cardiff CF10 5EE United Kingdom +44 29 2046 4628 |
A busy wine bar with a Thai-themed restaurant upstairs, Buff's doesn't forget its Welsh roots and offers dishes such as laverbread (Welsh seaweed), calves' liver and baked red snapper alongside things like crab cakes. Set in a Grade II listed building, it has a smart, upmarket atmosphere to match. The downstairs bar is a busy, friendly place that attracts more than its fair share of business customers as well as the occasional day trippers drawn in by the promise of good food. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Classy restaurant in St David's Hall |
St David's Hall The Hayes Cardiff CF10 1SH United Kingdom +44 29 2087 8463 |
Spend a peaceful hour over a meal in this comfortable, air-conditioned restaurant in St David's Hall. Original artwork graces the walls and the cuisine lives up to the surroundings, being an interesting blend of Welsh and European influences with a regularly changing menu. Dinners come either in the form of a carvery with several meat and fish dishes, or a show supper menu which always includes a vegetarian option. Please note that the opening times are given as a guide only. Evening opening depends on concert hall performances and booking is highly recommended. A discount often applies if you book dinner and concert tickets together. Ask at the box office for details. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Award-winning family restaurant |
6-10 Romilly Crescent Canton Cardiff CF11 9NR United Kingdom +44 29 2034 1264 http://www.legallois-ycymro.com/ |
Leave the hustle and bustle of the city centre for this small, split-level restaurant that has won recommendations in The Good Food Guide as well as two AA rosettes for its cuisine. Minimalist decor in shades of yellow for warmth and a separate bar and reception area make for a welcoming atmosphere. The menu is short is modern and changed regularly, with dishes such as tuna with horseradish, Welsh lamb with samphire, grilled goat cheese and lemon tart with raspberries. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Twm Davies  |
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Famous for TV appearances |
11 Hayes Cardiff CF10 1AJ United Kingdom +44 29 2022 0077 http://www.gios.co.uk/ |
This family-run Italian restaurant in the heart of Cardiff has appeared on a number of TV shows. It is popular with all age groups, attracting its fair share of families as well as catering for business lunches, quiet dinners and lively parties. The atmosphere manages to be sophisticated and friendly at the same time and, being only a few minutes away from St David's Hall, it is a firm favourite with concert-goers. The menu covers a full range of Italian meals, with dishes such as antipasto starters, baked trout stuffed with salmon and prawns, pepper, aubergine and courgette pizza and traditional spaghetti bolognese. House wine costs from £10 a bottle. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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A continental feel |
The Friary Cathays Cardiff CF10 3JN United Kingdom +44 29 2039 7997 http://www.hahaonline.co.uk |
Think minimal, light and spacious and you will have a fair idea of what Ha!Ha! is all about. Comfortable sofas combine with wooden tables and chairs in a mixture of canteen and cocktail lounge. Not only favoured for its food and drink, with a menu of true comfort foods that include a wonderful onion and mustard mash, Ha!Ha! has a sunny terrace where you can sit under parasols and watch the world go by on lazy summer afternoons while leafing through complimentary newspapers. At night, drink and dance to the funky grooves of vocalist Caroline Agostini who sings at the bar every fortnight. The bar is available for hire for business breakfast meetings. Children under 14 are not admitted. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Stefan Harris |
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The ultimate fish 'n' chip shop |
Stuart Street Landsea House Cardiff CF10 6BU United Kingdom +44 29 2046 3334 |
Featuring regular theme nights that include jazz bands and singers from the Welsh National Opera, this large Cardiff Bay restaurant lives up to the Harry Ramsden reputation for quality fish and chips. Portions are huge: enormous slabs of cod, haddock and plaice covered in golden batter, accompanied by a mountain of chips. Starters include yorkshire pudding with onion gravy and the dessert menu features steamed puddings and apple pie. A fish shop at the back of the restaurant is open for takeaways daily. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Trendy Japanese experience |
Mermaid Quay (Cardiff Bay) Cardiff CF10 5BW United Kingdom +44 29 2049 2939 |
Izakaya is a traditional Japanese tavern where businessmen go to have a drink and a quick bite to eat after a day's work. This restaurant has become one of the trendiest eating spots in Cardiff Bay. The decor is a blend of Japanese and western with plenty of polished wood and bamboo, and the atmosphere is flamboyant — great for parties. The menu consists of a wide range of small-portion dishes, and the idea is to choose two or three at a time with a glass of Japanese beer, sake or green tea. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Indian with style |
10 Mill Lane Cardiff CF10 1FL United Kingdom +44 29 2037 7668 http://www.juborajgroup.com |
A modern, brasserie-style setting is the backdrop for a menu that brings all the old favourites bang up to date with new blends of spices as well as introducing some truly original dishes such as mustard fish and tandoori-baked trout. The city-centre restaurant is the easiest to get to, but you may prefer the large, parkside setting of the Lake Road branch (Tel: +44 29 2045 5123). Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Popular with students and clubbers |
24 City Road Roath Cardiff CF24 3DL United Kingdom +44 29 2048 1665 |
The most popular of the Indian restaurants on City Road (close to the city centre), Kismet tends to attract office workers and students as well as its regular clientele of locals. It offers comfortable surroundings and a good standard of cooking, with a menu that includes all the usual Indian favourites along with a list of chef's specials. The bar has a limited wine list but there are plenty of lagers and Indian beers. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Live music while you drink |
51 St Mary Street Cardiff CF10 4AD United Kingdom +44 29 2064 4952 |
Mulligans is one of many fashionable "Irish" bars that offers all the comforts of a traditional pub along with a good selection of ales and spirits (including Irish stout) and no fewer than 19 different whiskies. Bar meals continue the Irish theme with dishes such as traditional oysters. The main attraction is the Irish folk-influenced live music, particularly popular are The Amigos who perform to large crowds every Thursday. Attracting an older-than-average clientèle, this pub is a good place to go to escape the noise of the trendier clubs and pubs on St Mary's Street. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Coffee and cake |
Harbour Drive (Norwegian Church Arts Centre) Cardiff CF10 4PA United Kingdom +44 29 2049 3331 |
Come to this coffee shop on a summer's day, with the sunlight drifting in off the bay and the sounds of a harpist playing in the background. Part of the Norwegian Church Arts Centre, its air of elegance and peaceful atmosphere make a welcome change from the modern bars and pubs that surround it. People travel here specially to sample the range of sumptuous continental pastries and cakes, all temptingly laid out on display. The tea and coffee is excellent and you can also buy yourself a light lunch. If you find yourself having to wait for a table, you can while away the time in the gallery upstairs. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Sarah O'Carroll |
 Photo: Dawn Naylor |
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Light meals throughout the day |
6 - 10 Wyndham Arcade Cardiff CF10 1FJ United Kingdom +44 29 2039 4054 |
Servini's is a continental style cafe offering good food at reasonable prices. Menu boards all over the shop offer all the usual favorites such as jacket potatoes, baguettes, sandwiches pizza and sandwiches along with large helpings of dishes such as lasagne, chilly and cajun chicken for those in need of something more substantial. The coffee and tea aren't anything fancy but they come in big mugs and you're free to linger a while with a newspaper. The cafe is brightly decorated with plenty of tables, some of them in the arcade outside. Part waiter-served, order your food at the counter then find yourself somewhere to sit. Service is always efficient so you won't have long to wait. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Cardiff's Number One Venue |
The Hayes Cardiff CF10 2SH United Kingdom +44 29 2087 8444 http://www.stdavidshallcardiff... |
One of Britain's top entertainment venues, this impressive, modern, 1,900-seater concert hall is home to the National Orchestra of Wales. Musicians, artists and orchestras from around the world queue up to perform here because of its excellent acoustics. St David's Hall stages the very popular Cardiff Singer of the World competition, the Welsh Proms, performances by the National Orchestra of Wales and a diverse range of other classical concerts, shows and solo performances. Temporary art exhibitions on all levels are free of charge and change on a regular basis. There is also a popular restaurant and a spacious lounge bar (complete with coloured glass screen) which was a present from Cardiff's twin city, Stuttgart. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Kate Wheadon |
 Photo: alextsui86 |
 Photo: Matt Andrews |
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Beefeater restaurant and pub |
Merthyr Rd Cardiff CF14 1DE United Kingdom +44 29 20 61 6866 |
This restaurant isn't going to spring any unpleasant surprises on you, and it's a perennial favourite with British meat lovers. It's known for its reliable quality of service and food, with a menu that is based around simple, European fare, with some British favourites such as apple pie and sherry trifle also featuring on the menu. Main courses include grilled steak and duck with plum sauce and there are also a couple of choices for vegetarians. The separate children's menu and child-friendly atmosphere makes this a popular place to bring the family. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Five-star spectacular |
Havannah St (St. David's Hotel & Spa) Cardiff CF10 5SD United Kingdom +44 2920 313 018 http://www.thestdavidshotel.com |
If you are looking for cooking that has been elevated out of the ordinary into something truly spectacular, you will not find much better than this five-star restaurant, part of the St. David's Hotel complex in Cardiff Bay. The modern interior has large windows overlooking the Bay and, with the emphasis on clean lines and elegance, sets the mood perfectly. Under the wing of Marco Pierre White, Tides produces fabulous Welsh lamb and local seafood dishes to die for. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Wide-screen TV |
42-43 St. Mary Street Cardiff CF10 1AD United Kingdom +44 29 2022 7577 |
The Yard is a must for any Cardiff visitor or local. It's in the heart of the Old Brewery Quarter. As part of the original Brains Brewery which produced beer for the people of Cardiff from 1713, it seems like a converted industrial space while illustrating the very best of modern design, providing both comfort and sophistication. There's an ever-changing menu of fresh-prepared food throughout the day, including a variety of Brunch specials, a range of light snacks, salads and dishes to share. Review © 2007, Wcities |