You don’t have to break the bank to be romantic. After all, it’s the thought that counts.
Whilst Wales has its fair share of high end restaurants where you can splash out if you’re looking to treat your other half to something extravagant, there are also lots of romantic places where you can eat on a budget.
Read more: 14 gorgeous restaurants with rooms in Wales
We’ve rounded up 21 of the best places in Wales where you can have an intimate bite to eat without breaking the bank. Here they are, in no particular order.
1. Cardiff Market - Cardiff
There’s always something to see in Cardiff Market from second hand records to vintage clothing and even a fortune teller.
But, it’s the market’s street food offering which makes it an essential visit. There’s Indian street food from Anand George’s Tukka Tuk , luxury hot dogs from Franks and wood-fired pizza from Ffwrnes. Grab yourself a selection and watch the world go by from the seating area on the balcony.
Where: 5-7 St Mary Street, Cardiff CF10 1AU
2. Holy Cheesus - Newport
If you like a cheesy romantic gesture then check out the epic cheese toasties from Holy Cheesus in Newport. There are big flavours, lots of melted cheese and some humorously named sandwiches on offer from the Hallou-is-it-mi, crammed with chilli jam, halloumi, chorizo and a cheese blend, to the La Mona Pizza, filled with pizza sauce, pepperoni, fresh basil and cheese.
Where: 6 Clytha Park Road, Newport NP20 4NZ
3. The Prince’s - Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf
A national treasure of yesteryear, there aren’t many cafes in Wales with the same charm as the Prince’s in Pontypridd . Opened in 1948 by the Gambarini family, the decor still has a number of its original art deco features.
The window display is always chock full of corned beef slices, pasties, pies, rolled fruit pancakes, strawberry tarts and iced fingers so you can enjoy a sweet moment over cake and a cup of tea.
Where: 74 Taff St, Pontypridd CF37 4SU
4. Beachcliff Fish and Chips - Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan
What can be more romantic than fish and chips and a stroll by the seaside? Penarth’s Victorian pier and esplanade is a beautiful place for a stroll and it’s also the home of Beachcliff Fish and Chips.
Located right on the seafront, their menu includes plenty of familiar fish and chip shop classics as well a big range of options for vegan and gluten-free diets.
Where: Beach Cliff, The Esplanade, Penarth CF64 3AS
5. Verdi’s Cafe - Mumbles, Swansea
This family-run Welsh-Italian ice cream parlour and cafe is located in the pretty village of Mumbles in Swansea. With beautiful views across Swansea Bay, they serve up to 30 different flavours of ice cream as well as pizza, pasta and fresh salads.
If you’re feeling particularly romantic then order a knickerbocker glory and two spoons. That is if you don’t mind sharing.
Where: Knab Rock, Mumbles Rd, The Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4EE
6. Madame Fromage - Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Madame Fromage was a Cardiff institution for over 17 years until they relocated to Abergavenny last year. But they’re still serving up the same delicious cheese-laden dishes for which they made their name.
Welsh rarebit with chutney, a croque monsieur and cheese platters are just some of the well-priced dishes on offer. After lunch, you can walk up the nearby Sugar Loaf mountain and take in the views across south Wales.
Where: 16 Nevill Street, Abergavenny NP7 5AD
7. The Goodsheds - Barry, Vale of Glamorgan
Located in a former railway goods shed close to Barry Docks, the Goodsheds is undoubtedly one of Wales’ best street food halls.
Constructed from 54 shipping containers, it’s home to eight different street food vendors serving food from across the world. There’s Bab Haus Mex’s colourful tacos, Tukka Tuk’s spice-packed curries and Mr Croquewich’s impeccable fried chicken sandwiches.
Combine it with a trip to the beach and amusements at Barry Island and it makes for a lovely date.
Where: 1 Hood Road, Barry CF62 5BE
8. Longa - Cardiff
There’s a lot of love that goes into the Turkish food at this sibling owned cafe on Cardiff’s Whitchurch Road.
Known for its beautiful brunches, dishes include baked eggs served in vintage copper pans and sesame seed-studded simit bread rolls filled with rose jam and clotted cream.
Where: 180 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff CF14 3NB
9. Tafell a Tân - Lllangrannog, Ceredigion
Located in the heart of a Ceredigion village of the same name, Llangrannog beach is a beautiful sandy bay where you can go surfing or spot dolphins.
Handily, Tafell a Tân is located right on the beach and serves delicious wood-fired pizzas, cakes and craft beer. Creative flavour combinations include the Caws Caws Baby, which is topped with oak smoked Teifi cheese, buttered leeks, wholegrain mustard and Welsh honey.
Where: Llangrannog, Llandysul SA44 6SN
10. Kardomah - Swansea
The Kardomah has been a Swansea institution for over 100 years and was a regular haunt for Welsh legend Dylan Thomas and his friends. Together, they were known as the Kardomah Gang.
Since relocating after the Second World War, the decor hasn’t changed from the original tables to the pillars and tiles. Choose one of their delicious cream cakes from their gloriously retro dessert trolley and soak up its history.
Where: Morris Buildings, 11 Portland Street, Swansea SA1 3DH
11. Colliery 19 - Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf
Based at a further education college in Tonypandy, every dish at Colliery 19 is prepared by a team of aspiring young chefs under the supervision of their tutors.
Whilst the food is cooked by students, it’s certainly not short of ambition. Dishes on offer include wild mushroom tortellini, roast rump of lamb with smoked aubergine puree and dark chocolate and orange fondant. But, because it’s a training restaurant, the food is a bargain, with two courses for £12.95 or three for £14.95.
If you can’t get a table at Colliery 19, then other training restaurants to check out include Nant in Nantgarw and the Classroom in Cardiff .
Where: Coleg y Cymoedd Rhondda Campus, Pontrhondda Road, Llwynypia, Tonypandy CF40 2TQ
12. Pettigrew Bakery - Cardiff
Located opposite the pretty Victoria Park, Pettigrew Bakery sells gooey brownies, beautifully laminated croissants and whopping sausage rolls.
There are also show-stopping creations on offer from Bake Off the Professionals winner Mikey Coggan, who’s their head of patisserie. Intricate patisserie on offer includes their blood orange and passionfruit cheesecake and a ‘tirami-choux’. Grab a box of treats to share and inhale them on a park bench.
Where: 595 Cowbridge Rd East, Cardiff CF5 1BE
13. Whistlestop on the Pier - Bangor, Gwynedd
Halfway down one of the finest Grade II listed piers in the UK is this tiny cafe with beautiful views of Anglesey and Snowdonia. It’s also highly-regarded for excellent home-cooked food.
Their ‘scuffins’, a cross between a muffin and a scone, and bara brith are baked fresh daily whilst savoury options include seafood chowder, Welsh rarebit and Anglesey beef burgers.
At low tide, the area is a haven for local seabirds. Fortunately, the owner will lend you a pair of binoculars if you want to add a spot of bird watching to your date.
Where: Pier, Garth Road, Bangor LL57 2SW
14. Spit and Sawdust - Cardiff
The trendy Spit and Sawdust combines a skatepark, café, art space and studios. They also sell great value burgers which are made with organic Welsh beef and locally baked buns.
If you’re into skating then why not have a session in their huge indoor skatepark before tucking into a classic burger and chips for a mere £6.
Where: Unit B, Rhymney River Bridge Road, Cardiff CF23 9AF
15. Who Cult - Bridgend
The aesthetic is always on point at Bridgend’s super trendy Who Cult coffee and doughnut shop. It’s a hidden gem that’s tucked away on an industrial estate but you wouldn’t guess it from its popularity.
As well as their giant doughnuts, which are available in flavours such as lemon meringue, Twix and millionaires, their black and pink decorated cafe is a great backdrop to capture a picture of your date for social media.
Where: Unit 1D, Kingsway Building, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend CF31 3YH
16. Janet’s Authentic Northern Chinese - Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf
The current UK champion at the British Street Food Awards, Janet’s Authentic Northern Chinese in Pontypridd Market is a tiny restaurant that serves Korean and Chinese specialities including homemade dim sum, honey chicken, bao buns and bibimbap bowls.
It’s cracking value too, with almost everything on the menu costing less than a tenner.
Where: Market Street, Pontypridd CF37 2ST
17. JOL’s Food Truck - Ogmore-by-Sea, Bridgend
You might know chef Jamie O’Leary from his acclaimed Merthyr restaurant JOL's, which he opened back in 2015. But, whilst it’s currently closed, he’s focusing his attention on a vintage yellow street food truck that is parked up at Ogmore-by-Sea.
He’s using his experience from top kitchens, including the Hardwick, to rustle up top-notch street food, including fish finger sandwiches with tartar sauce, grilled jalapeno cheese poppers and luxury burgers.
Where: 30-31 High Street, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8DP
18. Swansea Market - Swansea
The largest indoor market in Wales, Swansea Market is a great spot to mooch around and browse the different stalls, from locally crafted jewellery to designer fashion and collectables.
But there’s also plenty of food on offer from sushi to Thai curries. If you’re vegan then make sure you check out the Falafel Stall for delicious homemade falafel served with freshly prepared salad, hummus and sauces. For dessert, you can then head to Nonna’s Deliciously Different for a selection of vegan sweet treats, including doughnuts, croissants, brownies and waffles.
Where: Swansea Market, Oxford Street Swansea SA1 3PQ
19. Fabulous - Cardiff Bay, Cardiff
You can’t beat a warm Welsh cake served straight off the bakestone and those baked at Fabulous in Cardiff Bay are some of the best in the city.
As well as the traditional ones with sultanas and cinnamon, more innovative flavours include milk chocolate, and cranberry and white chocolate. Grab yourself a bagful and then set off for a stroll over Cardiff Bay barrage to Penarth.
Where: Mermaid Quay, Bute Street, Cardiff CF10 5BZ
20. Chilli Basil - Cardiff
The fiery and bargainous Thai cooking from Chilli Basil, a tiny Thai restaurant on Cardiff’s City Road, is always a good shout if you’re looking for a hot date.
Almost all their main dishes cost £7.99, including chicken pad Thai with plenty of tangy tamarind, citrus and crunchy peanut, and hot and sour tom yum noodle soup.
Where: 232 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3JH
21. Pizza Tipi - Cardigan, Ceredigion
Woodfired pizzas and local craft beer are on offer at this riverside restaurant in the middle of arty Cardigan.
It’s a beautifully romantic spot to spend an evening and it’s good value too, with pizzas starting from just £7.
Where: 1 Cambrian Quay, Cardigan SA43 1EZ
For the latest food and drink news, reviews, and interviews sent directly to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Food & Drink newsletter here
