A very entertaining way to spend a few hours in Cardiff would be to eat somewhere special and have a sip or more of tasty wine or beer. The Welsh, and especially the people who live in Cardiff, are famous for their exquisite taste in food and their talented chefs who prepare meals using Welsh meat and vegetables, plus those secret ingredients that make every dish incredibly tasty. Lamb, beef, vegetables, seafood or salmon have never tasted better than those prepared by Welsh chefs.
If you fancy some good food and wine, just head to Cardiff city center in the Brewery Quarter where you can find all kinds of restaurants offering local and international cuisine. There are also other restaurants in other parts of the city, which are also great places to indulge your appetite.
The list of restaurants and places to dine is endless in Cardiff.
If you go to the Armless Dragon at 97 Wyeverne Road, Cathays, many Welsh specialties will welcome you and you can enjoy a leisurely meal in a relaxing atmosphere.
For some oriental food go to Bar Oriental. You can enjoy the specialty cocktails at this bar, located in Mermaid Quay.
Are you looking for something new? Check out Bali Restaurant, which will offer you a wide range of Malaysian, Singaporean and Indonesian specialities. The bar is at 30-32 Caroline Street.
If you want to catch a cooking show go to Bayside Brasserie which has an open kitchen and a nice view over Cardiff Bay. They serve all kinds of fish dishes and meat dishes, so this is not a place for vegans. However, a good place for vegans and vegetarians is the Crumbs Salad restaurant, which will offer you numerous options of huge salads, all served in wooden bowls. Another great place for vegetarians is the Greenhouse Cafe, where organic and seasonal ingredients are used.
Take a look at the best Italian recipes at Bella Italia and try the spaghetti and pizzas that are prepared here with Italian ingredients. This restaurant is at 6 High Street. If you want to compare Italian dishes, you can also visit Bella Pasta, which is a traditional Italian restaurant in the Red Dragon Centre. Or you can go to 48 Charles Street, Capsule Space and Cantina restaurant.
For traditional Turkish food, visit Bosphorus at Mermaid Quay and you can taste the best dishes of Turkey served in a friendly atmosphere. Catch some jazz at Cafe Jazz, with live bands playing regularly. For Moroccan food, go to Casablanca, a great place for couples. The Celtic Cauldron will offer you specific Welsh dishes in an atmosphere reminiscent of the legendary times of Wales.
For Spanish tapas, go to Champers on St Mary’s Street. There is also an open kitchen here, so you can witness your food being prepared.
Do you fancy a big steak? Go to Charleston’s Brasserie, a place that is decorated in the style of the twenties. Another place for a good steak is the Taurus Steak House on St. Mary Street.
China China is a restaurant where you can eat Chinese dishes. The venue is on St Mary Street. Would you rather try some Mexican food? Then Chiquito is the place for you. It is located in the Old Quarter of the Brewery. Da Venditto is a restaurant that has been awarded AA Restaurant of the Year for 2003, so check it out at 7-8 Park Place. For lovers of French cuisine, the Dome will offer you the best wine in a romantic and relaxing atmosphere. The restaurant is on Atlantic Wharf.
If you want food served at a Swedish buffet, you should go to El Puerto, where you can choose from all kinds of fish and meat to put on your plate. An elite venue in Cardiff is the Elements Champagne Bar and Restaurant, but make sure you book well in advance. The place is on Harbor Drive. If you just want some fish and chips while visiting Cardiff, stop in at Harry Ramsdens, located in the heart of Cardiff Bay. Juboraj is the restaurant that brings Indian and Bangladeshi dishes to Wales. It is located at 10 Mill Lane. For Beijing, Szechuen and Southeast Asian cuisine, check out Noble House on Wood Street.
The Norwegian Church will offer you the best selection of Scandinavian dishes, and you can also enjoy the art exhibition in this restaurant.
As you can see, there are several themed restaurants spread all over Cardiff. If you still haven’t decided what kind of cuisine you’d like, head over to Belllini’s, where you’ll find food from around the world prepared in delicious dishes.
If you’re full and would like a drink instead, you can choose from a wide range of wines, not to mention delicious Welsh beers. You’ll find plenty of bars on St. Mary Street.
Mill Lane and Mermaid Quay are also places packed with bars and clubs, so you can visit them one by one.
Cardiff Bay is another place to go when you want a bit of ‘Brains’, which refers to the local brewery, which produces Cardiff’s most popular pint.
Choose from Buffalo Bar, Bar XS, Buff’s Wine Bar, Fat Cat Café Bar, Floyd’s Bar, Kiwi’s, Lava’s Lounge, Rummer Tavern, Rosie’s Bar, Salt, The Wharf, The Yard, Tiger Tiger, Varsity, Zync Bar… . .the list could go on much longer.
All in all, Cardiff is a city that will offer you great views, delicious food, and last but not least, good beer, perhaps even the best. Going out to a bar or restaurant is a popular activity, and luckily Cardiff has plenty to offer so no one is left out.