Cardiff's food scene is always changing. Do you remember The Food Theatre in the old Queens West arcade? Or maybe you were more of a Pillars fan? How can we forget about Great British Burger, Servini's or the Hayes Island Cafe?
There are so many cafes and restaurants that we once happily frequented but now miss and we've rounded up photos from our archives so you too can reminisce about them and the things you loved to eat when you visited. Please let us know your memories of where you used to go, or maybe where you enjoyed the best cuppa.
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1. Pillars
First up is the queen of Queen Street eateries, Pillars. Memories are often vivid when you think of Pillars, from the stairwell off the main street into the underground restaurant, to the tasty, traditional British food like homemade curry, steak pie and ham salad. The décor probably hasn't altered that much since the '80s either, and that's why we love it!
2. Louis Restaurant
The Louis Restaurant was pretty much the same as Pillars, however, the place closed down unexpectedly in 2017 and St Mary's Street hasn't been the same since. It was the homely food that set it apart from its peers and helped cement its place as one of the best places to eat in the city centre.
3. BHS
The BHS cafe was also a great place to meet up during a shopping session for a quick pit stop and to refuel. Being situated on Queen Street, it was a fantastic venue to regroup if you had split up to cover more shops or if you were buying something special as the store itself had something for everyone.
4. Littlewoods
The Littlewoods store used to be where Next is now on Queen Street. This store was another great meeting place if you wanted a quick cuppa or something to eat. As you can see from this picture, the store was very big and the cafe was just as impressive. The Littlewoods brand is now an online chain - we haven't seen them on the high street since 2005.
5. Servini's
Servini's was the cafe to go for great food. Ideally placed in Wyndham Arcade, it served an amazing fry-up and some of the best lunches in town. Servini's cafe closed during the pandemic and is now home to The Wyndham Cafeteria.
5. David Morgan's
David Morgan's on The Hayes was initially a small draper's shop and it opened there in 1879. The retailer steadily expanded along The Hayes to become a six-storey department store. The cafe inside felt special and the food was just as good. When the store closed in 2005, it was the largest independent department store in Wales.
6. Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen
Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen was the place to be at the turn of the century. The bar was on the corner of Greyfriars Road and The Friary and was a great starting point for the night ahead. Full of young, hip and happening drinkers. The food was pretty decent if you fancied a bit to eat to line your stomach up for the big one.
7. Dylan's Bar and Restaurant
Dylan's was the one-stop-shop for entertainment back in the early '90s. With Coca Savannah's next door, you didn't have to travel far for the fun to continue long into the night. It was such a shame that it burnt down back in 1994, however it wasn't long until it reopened back in 1996.
8. Champers
The south end of St Mary Street was food heaven back in the day. You only needed to walk a few feet between Charleston's, Taurus Steak House and Champers. The drink was good and the food even better - however, in 2008, the restaurant was closed for good.
9. Thai House
Back in 1985, the Thai House was opened by Noi Ramasut, from Bangkok, and his Welsh wife Arlene Thomas, who are very much the pioneers of Thai food in Wales as it was the first restaurant of its kind in Cardiff. Unfortunately, the Thai House closed in 2019 as part of a redevelopment deal.
10. Wimpy
Before McDonald's was the major player it is now, the fast-food kingdom in the UK was ruled by Wimpy, with its table service that unfortunately lost its grip on the market around the late '80s as the rise of the Golden Arches and Burger King took effect. Many will still reminisce about enjoying a Wimpy, including their Bender in a Bun. Now that was a thing of beauty. Then there was Wimpy's infamous Frankfurt sausage in a bap, sliced around the edges, fried and curled to fit into a bun.
11. Great British Burger
Very much like Wimpy, The Great British Burger was a fast food outlet that focused on a table service rather than takeaway. Alas, most of these were bought out by Wimpy in the late '80s/'90s and later rebranded, which in turn were again rebranded as the then up-and-coming Burger King. Either way, this was fast food made with love and care.
12. Rosario's
Whilst many went to Caroline Street for chips, Rosario's Restaurant was for those with a more refined palate. The restaurant closed back in 2013 when the then owner Rosario Spiteri retired after working at the eatery since he was eight years old.
13. The Food Theatre
The Food Theatre was the place to be as a teenager in the late '80s and early '90s. The food court feel of the dining area of Queen West Shopping Centre was just how you'd imagined it when compared to the US food malls that were the rage back then. From the Cadillac Shack, to jacket potato fans in the form of Spud-U-Like, Cardiff's food options just haven't been the same since.
14. Harry Ramsden's
Opening in Cardiff Bay back in 1995, the restaurant in Landsea House, Stuart Place, was the place to go for fish and chips down the Bay until it announced back in 2012 that it would become a JD Wetherspoon pub. However, many memories were made at the Cardiff Bay restaurant and, if you tried the Harry Ramsden challenge, then you know all about the pride you had when you completed it and got your free dessert and certificate.
15. Taurus Steakhouse
The Taurus Steak House on St Mary Street was the place for the serious meat eater to enjoy a decent steak after or before a good night out. The Taurus Steak House was originally on the old Chicago Cafe Bar site. However, it fell foul of rising rents and rates back in 2013.
16. Charleston's
Charleston's, famed as a late-night steak house located on Caroline Street, has been a city centre institution since 1991. Like the above Taurus Steak House, Charleston's is now closed, although it only closed permanently in 2021. It was known for its 6am licence and was the place to go back in its day.
17. Astey's Cafe
Situated right next to the Central train and bus stations, Astey's had it all. Great food and most importantly good value for money. It was a great place to refuel after a swim at the also long gone Empire pool.
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