Guidebook for Cardiff
Food Scene
Bangkok Cafe
207 Cowbridge Rd EBest Thai food in Cardiff, reasonably priced.
Rustic Spanish restaurant with authentic Spanish dishes, mentioned in 2016 Michelin guide
15 recommandé par les habitants
La Cuina
11 Kings RdRustic Spanish restaurant with authentic Spanish dishes, mentioned in 2016 Michelin guide
Fish at 85
85 Pontcanna StMentioned in 2016 Michelin guide
Best (but possibly only!) Korean restaurant in Cardiff - great food, also delivers. You can use the Just Eat app to order from this restaurant. Try the Sizzling Pork and Squid bento box and the Beef Bulgolgi!
8 recommandé par les habitants
Kimchi
72 Cowbridge Rd EBest (but possibly only!) Korean restaurant in Cardiff - great food, also delivers. You can use the Just Eat app to order from this restaurant. Try the Sizzling Pork and Squid bento box and the Beef Bulgolgi!
Stanleys Bistro
185 Cowbridge Rd EFrench restaurant mentioned in 2016 Michelin guide
Indian street food - very reasonably priced, tasty and plentiful. Also mentioned in 2016 Michelin guide
19 recommandé par les habitants
Chai Street (Canton)
153 Cowbridge Rd EIndian street food - very reasonably priced, tasty and plentiful. Also mentioned in 2016 Michelin guide
For all things pork! Really tasty food, also mentioned in 2016 Michelin guide. Definitely need to book well in advance, quite pricey.
50 recommandé par les habitants
The Potted Pig
27 High StFor all things pork! Really tasty food, also mentioned in 2016 Michelin guide. Definitely need to book well in advance, quite pricey.
Ba Orient
Lovely dim sum and gorgeous cocktails.
The name says it all - this place is for meat lovers. A little on the pricey side, beautifully cooked meat, beautifully decorated with low wood-beam ceilings- atmospheric and perfect for romantic meal
The Meating Place
40 St Mary StThe name says it all - this place is for meat lovers. A little on the pricey side, beautifully cooked meat, beautifully decorated with low wood-beam ceilings- atmospheric and perfect for romantic meal
Falafel Wales
122 Cowbridge Rd EBest falafel in Cardiff. Perfect for vegetarians!
Great fish, steaks and view over the barrage which runs between Cardiff Bay and Penarth. Romantic.
11 recommandé par les habitants
El Puerto Restaurant
Paget RoadGreat fish, steaks and view over the barrage which runs between Cardiff Bay and Penarth. Romantic.
Same building and company as El Puerto - more stylish, special and serene (and more expensive)
8 recommandé par les habitants
La Marina Restaurant
Same building and company as El Puerto - more stylish, special and serene (and more expensive)
First Danish bakery in Cardiff - serves nice coffee and delicious Danish pastries of course!
39 recommandé par les habitants
Brød – The Danish Bakery
126 Wyndham CresFirst Danish bakery in Cardiff - serves nice coffee and delicious Danish pastries of course!
Cosy Café - exposed beams and stonework and tasty food.
www.quarterpennycafe.co.uk
The Penny Farthing - Cowbridge
54 High StreetCosy Café - exposed beams and stonework and tasty food.
www.quarterpennycafe.co.uk
Delicious bakery serving artisan bread, lovely coffee and gorgeous sweet things. The brownies are very, very highly recommended - possibly the best brownies ever! Opposite Victoria Park if you're looking for some nature to enjoy your coffee in. A little pricey but worth it.
7 recommandé par les habitants
Pettigrew Bakeries
595 Cowbridge Rd EDelicious bakery serving artisan bread, lovely coffee and gorgeous sweet things. The brownies are very, very highly recommended - possibly the best brownies ever! Opposite Victoria Park if you're looking for some nature to enjoy your coffee in. A little pricey but worth it.
Best kebabs in Cardiff, also a mean Falafel wrap. Best enjoyed late at night after a night out in Cardiff.
Rotana Grill House
21 Caroline StBest kebabs in Cardiff, also a mean Falafel wrap. Best enjoyed late at night after a night out in Cardiff.
Happy Gathering
233 Cowbridge Rd ELovely Chinese restaurant - try the honey prawns
Doesn't look like much from the outside but probably the best Indian restaurant in Cardiff.
29 recommandé par les habitants
Purple Poppadom
Doesn't look like much from the outside but probably the best Indian restaurant in Cardiff.
If you want massive portions of American food, Man Vs Food style, this is the place for you.
The Smoke Haus
Mary Ann StreetIf you want massive portions of American food, Man Vs Food style, this is the place for you.
Pick up some tasty traditional Welsh Cakes and try some new flavour welsh cakes too
9 recommandé par les habitants
Fabulous Welshcakes
Pick up some tasty traditional Welsh Cakes and try some new flavour welsh cakes too
Drinks & Nightlife
CAMRA pub of the year 2014 and 2015. Great crowd and atmosphere.
14 recommandé par les habitants
The Lansdowne Pub
71 Beda RdCAMRA pub of the year 2014 and 2015. Great crowd and atmosphere.
Only gay club in Cardiff - attracts a younger crowd. Open very late Friday and Saturday nights.
Pulse
3 Churchill WayOnly gay club in Cardiff - attracts a younger crowd. Open very late Friday and Saturday nights.
The Golden Cross
283 Hayes Bridge RdOldest gay bar in Cardiff, historic Grade 2 listed building, friendly crowd
Plenty of gigs and good club nights catering to a wide range of musical tastes - see their website. The locals mostly call this "Welsh Club".
25 recommandé par les habitants
Clwb Ifor Bach
11 Womanby StPlenty of gigs and good club nights catering to a wide range of musical tastes - see their website. The locals mostly call this "Welsh Club".
Cardiff's first Speakeasy - sometimes live jazz, always lovely cocktails and food. Booking in advance a must - find the venue by going to a secret door.
34 recommandé par les habitants
The Dead Canary
Barrack LaneCardiff's first Speakeasy - sometimes live jazz, always lovely cocktails and food. Booking in advance a must - find the venue by going to a secret door.
Tiny Rebel Cardiff
25 Westgate StGreat selection of craft ales, etc.
This place is a rock club and to be honest bit of a dive - however if you are out in Cardiff and everywhere else has already closed... Live Lounge is probably still open. It also often has live cover bands. Usually very cheap drinks.
13 recommandé par les habitants
The Live Lounge
9 The FriaryThis place is a rock club and to be honest bit of a dive - however if you are out in Cardiff and everywhere else has already closed... Live Lounge is probably still open. It also often has live cover bands. Usually very cheap drinks.
One of Cardiff's oldest rock clubs. A bit of a dive and a little smelly but very, very cheap drinks (usually around £1.50 for a double!) and don't miss out on the free toast they hand out towards the end of the night!
Metros
Bakers RowOne of Cardiff's oldest rock clubs. A bit of a dive and a little smelly but very, very cheap drinks (usually around £1.50 for a double!) and don't miss out on the free toast they hand out towards the end of the night!
WOW
21 Windsor PlGay bar that often has cabaret or some other entertainment on, e.g. karaoke, bingo
Cheap drinks in the centre of town and a jukebox - what more could you ask for! This is a very traditional British pub.
The Traders Tavern
6-8 David StCheap drinks in the centre of town and a jukebox - what more could you ask for! This is a very traditional British pub.
Nice bar that sometimes has live gigs. Often does 2-for-1 cocktail deals.
13 recommandé par les habitants
Buffalo Bar
11 Windsor PlNice bar that sometimes has live gigs. Often does 2-for-1 cocktail deals.
10 Feet Tall
12 Church StLovely cocktail bar - try the espresso martini
This place is very reasonably priced and has a large outside area where you can sit on the grass- perfect on a Summer's day.
The Waterguard
Harbour DriveThis place is very reasonably priced and has a large outside area where you can sit on the grass- perfect on a Summer's day.
This is a lovely Shisha place that has very reasonably priced pasta dishes and milkshakes, tea, smoothies etc. (no alcohol served). Lovely covered outside area
Sahara
207 City RdThis is a lovely Shisha place that has very reasonably priced pasta dishes and milkshakes, tea, smoothies etc. (no alcohol served). Lovely covered outside area
Arts & Culture
Great place for a reasonably priced lunch and for a few beers, also a cinema showing mostly independent films and lots of other arty things happening.
112 recommandé par les habitants
Chapter Arts Centre
Market RoadGreat place for a reasonably priced lunch and for a few beers, also a cinema showing mostly independent films and lots of other arty things happening.
Wales's national home for the performing arts. Home to amongst others Welsh National Opera, National Dance Company Wales and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. www.wmc.org.uk
164 recommandé par les habitants
Wales Millennium Centre
Bute PlaceWales's national home for the performing arts. Home to amongst others Welsh National Opera, National Dance Company Wales and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. www.wmc.org.uk
Essentials
The Co-operative Food
327 Cowbridge Rd ENearest small supermarket
Arora's Cash Stores
61 Atlas RdNearest cornershop - very limited selection.
Lidl
Nearest Lidl
Asda Leckwith Road Superstore
Leckwith RoadNearest large supermarket
Sightseeing
Cardiff Castle has a history spanning 2000 years. It was a Roman fort, Norman castle and a Victorian Gothic fantasy palace. Lots going on there in terms of tours and events.
376 recommandé par les habitants
Cardiff Castle
Castle StCardiff Castle has a history spanning 2000 years. It was a Roman fort, Norman castle and a Victorian Gothic fantasy palace. Lots going on there in terms of tours and events.
Oakwood theme park in Pembrokeshire for all the family.
www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk
222 recommandé par les habitants
Oakwood Theme Park
Canaston BridgeOakwood theme park in Pembrokeshire for all the family.
www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk
Great day out. Museum on a large site chronicling the historical lifestyle, culture and architecture of the Welsh people. Ancient Buildings re-erected and traditional crafters at work.
328 recommandé par les habitants
St Fagans National Museum of History
Great day out. Museum on a large site chronicling the historical lifestyle, culture and architecture of the Welsh people. Ancient Buildings re-erected and traditional crafters at work.
The main public building of The National Assembly- the main centre of democracy and devolution in Wales. You can walk in and have a cup of coffee in the Oriel and go into the public galleries.
16 recommandé par les habitants
National Assembly for Wales
The main public building of The National Assembly- the main centre of democracy and devolution in Wales. You can walk in and have a cup of coffee in the Oriel and go into the public galleries.
National Museum Cardiff
Family exhibits, art and natural history.
Visit the memorial to Ianto Jones of TV show Torchwood - right outside the entrance to Torchwood.
Ianto's Shrine
Visit the memorial to Ianto Jones of TV show Torchwood - right outside the entrance to Torchwood.
One of our greatest monastic ruins, this is surely the best-preserved medieval abbey in Wales. Admission is £5.50 for adults, £16.50 for a family ticket and £4.10 for under 16s.
Where: Tintern, Gwent NP16 6SE
Distance from Cardiff: 45 minutes/36 miles
167 recommandé par les habitants
Tintern Abbey / Abaty Tyndryn
One of our greatest monastic ruins, this is surely the best-preserved medieval abbey in Wales. Admission is £5.50 for adults, £16.50 for a family ticket and £4.10 for under 16s.
Where: Tintern, Gwent NP16 6SE
Distance from Cardiff: 45 minutes/36 miles
Dan-yr-Ogof is a 15km long cave system, one of the most extensive in Western Europe. The caves were uncovered almost a century ago by two brothers, and feature underground lakes, rivers and two spectacular 40ft waterfalls. There are also rock formations including stalagmites and stalactites dating back thousands and, in some cases, millions of years.
Admission rates allow entry to all attractions and cost £14 for adults, £9.50 for children aged three to 16, and children under two go for free.
Distance from Cardiff: 1 hour/45 miles
Visit www.showcaves.co.uk for more information.
7 recommandé par les habitants
National Show Caves for Wales station
Dan-yr-Ogof is a 15km long cave system, one of the most extensive in Western Europe. The caves were uncovered almost a century ago by two brothers, and feature underground lakes, rivers and two spectacular 40ft waterfalls. There are also rock formations including stalagmites and stalactites dating back thousands and, in some cases, millions of years.
Admission rates allow entry to all attractions and cost £14 for adults, £9.50 for children aged three to 16, and children under two go for free.
Distance from Cardiff: 1 hour/45 miles
Visit www.showcaves.co.uk for more information.
This is the largest castle in Wales, it is famous for its ‘leaning tower’, which has leaned 3m out of the perpendicular since 1648. The network of motes and dams was considered by historian Allen Brown to be 'the most elaborate water defences in all Britain.'
It costs £5.50 for an adult, senior citizens, students and children under 16 - £4.10.
Distance from Cardiff: 20 minutes/8 miles
117 recommandé par les habitants
Caerphilly Castle
Castle StreetThis is the largest castle in Wales, it is famous for its ‘leaning tower’, which has leaned 3m out of the perpendicular since 1648. The network of motes and dams was considered by historian Allen Brown to be 'the most elaborate water defences in all Britain.'
It costs £5.50 for an adult, senior citizens, students and children under 16 - £4.10.
Distance from Cardiff: 20 minutes/8 miles
Big Pit is located inside a former working coal mine that was operational until 1980.
Take one of the world-famous tours 300ft underground with a real miner and see what life was like for the thousands of men who worked at the coal face. Above ground there are multi-media tours and exhibitions. Free entry.
Where: Blaenafon, Torfaen NP4 9XP
Distance from Cardiff: 46 minutes/30 miles
174 recommandé par les habitants
Big Pit National Coal Museum
Big Pit is located inside a former working coal mine that was operational until 1980.
Take one of the world-famous tours 300ft underground with a real miner and see what life was like for the thousands of men who worked at the coal face. Above ground there are multi-media tours and exhibitions. Free entry.
Where: Blaenafon, Torfaen NP4 9XP
Distance from Cardiff: 46 minutes/30 miles
Originally built to take workers across the river to the steelworks on the east of Newport, the Transporter Bridge has become a symbol of the city.
Best to avoid if you're scared of heights, but the walk across the high level is exhilarating.
Opened in 1906, the imposing structure carries passengers across the River Usk on an electrically-powered gondola that travels between two towers measuring 242ft each. It costs £2.75 for adults and £1.75 for children.
Where: 64 Cardiff Road, Newport NP20 2UA
Distance from Cardiff: 23 minutes/14 miles
23 recommandé par les habitants
Newport Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre
Brunel StreetOriginally built to take workers across the river to the steelworks on the east of Newport, the Transporter Bridge has become a symbol of the city.
Best to avoid if you're scared of heights, but the walk across the high level is exhilarating.
Opened in 1906, the imposing structure carries passengers across the River Usk on an electrically-powered gondola that travels between two towers measuring 242ft each. It costs £2.75 for adults and £1.75 for children.
Where: 64 Cardiff Road, Newport NP20 2UA
Distance from Cardiff: 23 minutes/14 miles
Dewstow gardens, which were built around 1895, were buried under thousands of tonnes of soil just after World War II and rediscovered in 2000.
It costs £7 for adults, children 11-18: £4, children 6-10 £2.
Where: Caerwent, Caldicot, Monmouthshire NP26 5AH
Distance from Cardiff: 36 minutes/26 miles
Dewstow Gardens and Grottoes
Dewstow gardens, which were built around 1895, were buried under thousands of tonnes of soil just after World War II and rediscovered in 2000.
It costs £7 for adults, children 11-18: £4, children 6-10 £2.
Where: Caerwent, Caldicot, Monmouthshire NP26 5AH
Distance from Cardiff: 36 minutes/26 miles
Pembroke Castle (Welsh: Castell Penfro) is a medieval castle in Pembroke, West Wales. Standing beside the River Cleddau, it underwent major restoration work in the early 20th century. The castle was the original seat of the Earldom of Pembroke.
199 recommandé par les habitants
Pembroke Castle
Pembroke Castle (Welsh: Castell Penfro) is a medieval castle in Pembroke, West Wales. Standing beside the River Cleddau, it underwent major restoration work in the early 20th century. The castle was the original seat of the Earldom of Pembroke.
Everything Else
Cardiff City Stadium station
Leckwith RoadHome of Cardiff City Football Club
Entertainment & Activities
Interactive multi-sensory space- as it say - an EXPERIENCE!
54 recommandé par les habitants
Doctor Who Experience
Interactive multi-sensory space- as it say - an EXPERIENCE!
If you don't fancy an independant/arthouse film at Chapter this is the best normal cinema in Cardiff - easy to get the train from Ninian Park to Queen Street station and tickets are £4 each. Very comfy chairs.
11 recommandé par les habitants
Premiere Cinema
If you don't fancy an independant/arthouse film at Chapter this is the best normal cinema in Cardiff - easy to get the train from Ninian Park to Queen Street station and tickets are £4 each. Very comfy chairs.