Some of the best places to eat and drink in Cardiff are hidden off the beaten track.
They’re either upstairs from another business, down an alley or on a suburban back street.
Read more: The 50 best restaurants in Cardiff in 2022
However, if you make the effort to seek them out then you’ll be rewarded with something delicious.
We’ve rounded up 39 of Cardiff’s best food and drink hidden gems for you to discover. Here they are, in no particular order.
1. Lo Lounge
Situated next to Cardiff Bay Barrage, Lo Lounge is an unassuming cocktail bar and street food venue.
But, there’s one thing that makes it a real gem - its incredible views. If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy a drink and take in the sunset over Cardiff Bay then Lo Lounge is a must visit.
Where? Heol Porth Teigr, Cardiff, CF10 4GA
2. La Cuina
Tucked away down a Canton side street, La Cuina is a family-run Catalonian restaurant where a lot of love goes into sourcing the best Spanish and Welsh produce.
With dishes on the menu like wild mushroom croquetas, slow cooked leg of milk-fed lamb and shoulder of rabbit with roast potatoes, La Cuina has been recognised with a listing in the Michelin Guide 2022 .
Where? 11 Kings Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9BZ
3. Friends in Knead
Whilst craft bakery Friends in Knead now has branches at both Barry Goodshed and Castle Arcade, their bakery headquarters is hidden away on a residential street in Roath.
It’s a brilliant place to head for lush sweet treats including squidgy doughnuts filled with chocolate cheesecake cream, crisp laminated dirty buns and jammy Bakewell tarts.
Where? Roath Garage, Moy Road, Cardiff CF24 4TD
4. Scruffy Pups
This hidden dog cafe on a Llanrumney back street serves some of the best sandwiches and street food in Cardiff.
On the menu there’s reuben sandwiches made with Welsh salt beef that’s brined for 10 days, beef birria tacos, buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches and smashed burgers. And if you’ve got a four-legged companion then they’re well catered for with luxury doggy treats too.
Where? Ball Lane, Llanrumney, Cardiff CF3 4JS
5. Upstairs at Cardiff Market
There’s a whole host of brilliant food and drink traders in Cardiff’s Victorian indoor market such as Franks hot dogs, Hard Lines coffee and The Greenery vegan street food.
But, two of the best are squirrelled away on the market’s balcony. Anand George’s Tukka Tuk serves big flavoured southern Indian cooking including his signature Keralan fried chicken with Bombay fries.
Ffwrnes pizza meanwhile cooks up bargainous Neapolitan pizzas, including their Jiawl Bach topped with spicy salami and chillies.
Where? 5-7 St Mary Street, Cardiff CF10 1AU
6. Secret Garden Cafe
Situated in the heart of Bute Park, the Secret Garden Cafe is a lovely independent business which promotes local produce, the environment and community.
Their food is both delicious and wholesome from vegan soft serve ice creams to salad boxes and homemade quiches. It’s a great spot to buy a picnic to enjoy in the park.
Where? Bute Park, North Road, Cardiff CF10 3ER
7. Curry Hut
The student heartland of Salisbury Road in Cathays probably isn’t the first destination you’d think to head to for a tidy meal out.
However, Curry Hut serves brilliant value and spice-packed Sri Lankan food from curry leaf and green chilli-flecked Paneer 65 to seriously comforting lamb kothu roti. It’s well worth seeking out.
Where? 96 Salisbury Road, Cardiff CF24 4AE
8. Cora
Owned by Lee Skeet, a chef who trained under Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, Cora can already lay claim to being one of Cardiff’s best restaurants despite having been open for just over a month.
This tiny 12-seat restaurant is hidden away in the upstairs of Pontcanna’s Cafe Milkwood and serves a single tasting menu of modern flavour-packed cooking which is free from gimmicks.
Where? 83 Pontcanna Street, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9HS
9. Lahore Kebabish
The cracking value and spice-packed Pakistani cooking at Lahore Kebabish has many fans and it’s easy to see why.
Highlights include chicken tikka naan bread wraps, keema naans and nihari (slow cooked lamb stew).
Where? 160 Penarth Road, Cardiff CF11 6NJ
10. Spit & Sawdust
This brilliantly unique skate park, café-bar, art space and studios is nestled among some of the biggest fast food names on Newport Road.
Their menu of delicious fast food is made using locally sourced organic produce and it’s an absolute steal. A classic burger or hot dog and fries will set you back a mere £6.
Where? Unit B, Rhymney River Bridge Road, Cardiff CF23 9AF
11. Lab 22
The UK’s best cocktail bar is located upstairs from a branch of Greggs on Caroline Street. Yes, you read that correctly. Earlier this year, Lab 22 took the number one spot in the Top 50 Cocktail Bars list.
This contemporary cocktail bar takes a scientific approach to its drinks. A Concrete Daisy, which is inspired by Urban Farming, incorporates urban honey as an ingredient whilst Point Nemo, which takes its lead from marine exploration, uses sea salt fish scales.
Where? 22 Caroline Street, Cardiff CF10 1FG
12. Tŷ Melin Bakery
One of Cardiff’s very best craft bakeries, Tŷ Melin Bakery’s original branch is hidden away in a tiny unit in Cardiff Marina.
Serving indulgent treats such as croissant bombs filled with pistachio custard, almond pain au chocolats and triple-tiered cake slices, it’s an excellent place for a pitstop if you’re doing the Cardiff Bay circular walk.
Where? Bayscape, Cardiff CF11 0AZ
13. The Classroom
Staffed by students honing their culinary and service skills at Cardiff and Vale College, the Classroom is tucked away on the top floor of their Dumballs Road campus and has panoramic views across the city.
Their menus change with the season and ambitious dishes include panko breaded beef shin & mushroom kiev with turnip & bacon gratin, turnips, broccoli ketchup and beef jus.
Where? Cardiff and Vale College, Dumballs Rd, Cardiff CF10 5FE
14. Le Cafe du Chat Noir
Discreetly located in a little shopping arcade off Roath’s Wellfield Road, this French cafe is well worth seeking out for their awesome toasted sandwiches.
A Croque Monsieur or Madame is always a highlight, combining golden white sliced bread filled with tender ham and velvety nutmeg twanged béchamel topped with a bubbly layer of stringy melted gruyere
Where? 28 Wellfield Road, Cardiff CF24 3PB
15. Zero Degrees rooftop bar
Whilst this microbrewery and pizza restaurant on Westgate Street is a well known presence in Cardiff city centre, their tiny rooftop bar is a real gem.
Reserved only for dining guests, it’s a bit of a sun trap and you’ll get a view of Westgate Street and the Principality Stadium that you’ve never seen before.
Where? 27 Westgate Street, Cardiff CF10 1DD
16. Milk & Sugar
This collection of independently owned cafes always has an interesting selection of specials on their menu from luxury fish finger buns and pulled pork flatbreads to beef massaman curry with sticky rice.
Except for an outlet in Pontcanna, they’re all hidden away in Cardiff office blocks including One Central Square next to Cardiff Central train station and Eastern Business Park in St Mellons.
Where? Eastern Business park, St. Mellons, Cardiff CF3 5EA and One Central Square, Wood Street, Cardiff CF10 1FS
17. The Lazy Leek
Out of sight from the main road, this little wooden hut in Kings Road Yard Market serves some of the best vegan street food in the city.
From loaded dirty fries and cauliflower wings coated in buffalo sauce to an impressive selection of burgers, everything has bags of flavour.
Where? 183A Kings Rd Yard, Kings Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9DF
18. The Plate home supper club by Oasis Cardiff
The Splott-based Oasis Cardiff is a charity which works with refugees and asylum seekers to help them integrate into the local community.
They also regularly run The Plate home supper club which serves different takeaway dishes from around the world, many introduced to Oasis by their clients.
Previous events have seen them serve savoury pies from Bolivia and Algeria, Nigerian stews, Egyptian koshari and Ethiopian platters. Most of these national cuisines are only available in Cardiff from Oasis.
Where? 69b Splott Road, Splott, Cardiff CF24 2BW
19. Brodie’s Coffee Hut
Based in a wooden cabin in Gorsedd Gardens near Cardiff City Hall, Brodies is the smallest permanent coffee shop in Cardiff.
They serve delicious coffees, hot chocolates, toasted sandwiches and cakes. Their beautifully fragrant vegan chai tea latte is always a highlight.
Where? Gorsedd Gardens, Cardiff CF10 3NP
20. Ollie’s
Situated on a Canton industrial estate, Ollie’s Bar and Kitchen has brought top notch cocktails and street food to one of Cardiff's suburbs.
Open in the evening for cocktails and wine and the daytime for coffee and Alex Gooch pastries, Ollie’s also regularly collaborates with some of the most exciting names in Cardiff street food to host pop-up events including Nomad Kitchen and Lahmacun.
Where? 1 Hedel Road, Cardiff CF11 8DJ
21. Madhav
This Asian mini-market and vegetarian cafe in Riverside is a Cardiff institution thanks to their well-spiced and great value Indian food.
Try their house special thali that includes two vegetable curries, daal, rice, breads, raita, pickles and poppadoms.
Where? 59 Lower Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 6LW
22. Hug Paeng
Based in a residential home on a Roath side street, Hug Paeng serves some of the most authentic Thai food in Cardiff.
Owned by Sranya Khaengkhan, who moved to the UK from rural Thailand, she makes all of her spice pastes herself from scratch to give her curries that extra dimension of spice and fragrance.
Where? Donald Street, Roath, Cardiff CF24 4TJ
23. Vermut
This teeny tiny city centre bar is a sister business to Curado Bar and is inspired by the 'hole in the wall' bars you can find all over Spain.
Their menu specialises in aromatic vermouths and a selection of sherries which can all be washed with charcuterie and cheese boards. It’s a very different drinking destination for the city.
Where? 2 Guildhall Place, Cardiff CF10 1EB
24. Good World
Located upstairs from Les Croupiers Casino on Leckwith Road Retail Park this Chinese restaurant has a secret menu as well as a hidden location.
It’s well worth asking for because it’s packed with authentic chinese dishes including roast meats; pan fried three treasures (aubergine, tofu and peppers stuffed with prawn patties); and whole sea bass with ginger, spring onions and soy sauce.
Where? Capital Retail Shopping Park, Leckwith Road, Cardiff CF11 8EG
25. Sibling
Located in a former brothel on a Roath side street, this brother and sister owned cafe and wine bar is a real labour of love.
Their selection of small plates are simple yet made with top quality ingredients whilst their seasonal baked goods are designed to match the coffee they serve.
Where? 39 Lochaber Street, Cardiff CF24 3LS
26. Malai Thai
Nestled in between the kebab shops of Cardiff’s infamous Caroline street is Malai Thai, a tiny restaurant and takeaway that serves one of the best value lunch deals in Cardiff city centre.
£7.50 buys you one of a selection of generously flavoured and sized dishes including chicken green curry with rice, spicy noodle soup or prawn Pad Thai.
Where? 33 Caroline Street, Cardiff CF10 1FF
27. The Dead Canary
This secret cocktail bar on Barrack Lane really isn’t one that you’d stumble across unless you knew it was there. To find it, keep an eye out for a fire door with a doorbell, a painting of a bird’s feather and a dragon mural.
Inspired by the mythology of dragons, the Dead Canary’s current menu includes drinks like the Salamander, which incorporates Hard Lines coffee infused Jamaican rum.
Where? Barrack Lane, St Davids Centre, Cardiff CF10 2FR
28. The Glory Stores
This classy provisions store, cafe and wine bar is tucked away on a residential side street in Roath.
During the day, you can pop-in for a glass of champagne and a doughnut. They’re also open late on Friday and Saturday nights offering a small yet well-considered selection of wine and beer and delicious small plates including cheese and game pie.
Where? 1 Upper Kincraig Street, Cardiff CF24 3HA
29. Franco Street Food
Based in a tiny hut just next to Cardiff Bay Barrage, Franco serves cheap and delicious Italian street food.
There’s homemade focaccia and cannoli but their panzerotti are a must order. These deep fried pizza pockets are filled with molten cheese and a selection of fillings including goats cheese, ’nduja and caramelised onions or Welsh ham and mushroom.
Where? Porth Teigr Way, Cardiff CF10 4GA
30. The Hideout at Grange Pavilion
This excellent community coffee shop is situated in the recently built Grange Pavilion building in Grangetown.
With a menu focused on fresh bakes and colourful vegetarian food, there’s tasty treats on offer including giant cookies, cinnamon roll blondies and fresh salad boxes.
Where? Grange Gardens, Cardiff CF11 7LJ
31. Zi’s Cafe
For some of the tastiest Chinese food in Cardiff head to Zi’s Cafe on the studenty Woodville Road in Cathays.
Whilst there are plenty of Cantonese classics on the menu, their more niche dishes, such as lamb with cumin and spicy chicken with dried chilli and spring onion are the standouts.
Where? 96 Woodville Road, Cardiff CF24 4ED
32. Ponnuswamy
This unassuming looking restaurant on Cardiff’s City Road serves belting southern Indian food with buckets of spice.
Soy and chilli twanged cauliflower Manchurian and masala paneer are both must order dishes whilst their lamb kothu parotta is one of Cardiff’s ultimate pieces of comfort food.
Where? 129 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3BP
33. Blake and Brew
Located in Pop and Hops, a craft beer shop which sells a staggering 500 different types of beer , Blake and Brew is a tiny coffee bar which serves one of the best cups of coffee in Cardiff.
Owned by coffee geek Phil Blake, who previously worked for Waterloo Tea and Cocorico, he’s hugely passionate about the rotating selection of artisan beans he uses in his brews.
Where? Pop'n'Hops, 69 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff CF14 3JP
34. Allen’s Bakery
Based in what looks like an old lock-up garage in a residential back lane, Allen’s Bakery has been baking bread for the Roath community for more than 100 years .
Good luck finding it though. Hint: it’s hidden somewhere behind Arran Place.
Where? Arran Place, Cardiff CF24 3SA
35. McSim’s
McSim’s is Cardiff’s only Maltese bakery. And, unless you’ve ever travelled to Malta, they probably serve some of the tastiest pastries you’ve never had.
Their signature bake is the pastizz, a savoury pastry, stuffed with a range of fillings from ricotta and curried split peas to chicken and beef. Made with crisp and buttery filo pastry and costing just £1.50 each, they make for a top drawer snack.
Where? Cardiff University Students’ Union, Senghennydd Rd, Cardiff CF24 4AZ
36. Herbivore @ Eartha
Based in Eartha, a City Road plant shop and bar, Eartha is a long-established member of Cardiff’s vegetarian and vegan food community.
You can sit among the plants or in their outdoor yurt and enjoy a menu of imaginative small plates including Welsh rarebit made with local Rival Brewing ale; cauliflower tostadas with tamarind and chipotle; and grilled celeriac with salsa verde.
Where? 213 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3JD
37. Blend
Shiraz Kasim quit his job in Costa to open up his very own coffee shop that’s dedicated to celebrating diversity and bringing different people together.
Based in Grangetown, Blend serves coffee as well as delicious sweet and savoury treats such as vegan Oreo cookies, honey and chilli chicken toasties and Biscoff blondies.
Where? 104 Clare Road, Cardiff CF11 6RT
38. Penylan Pantry
Located on a residential street corner in a Cardiff suburb, Penylan Pantry is a shop, deli and cafe that celebrates local producers.
Their freshly baked cakes, homemade quiches, colourful salad bowls and massive sausage rolls are particular highlights.
Where? 72 Kimberley Road, Cardiff CF23 5DN
39. Pooja
This low key Indian sweet and snack shop on Albany Road serves some of the best vegetarian curries and fried treats in Cardiff.
Make sure you check out their paneer rolls, golden pastry cylinders filled with spiced Indian cottage cheese, as well as their bargainous samosas.
Where? 3 Albany Road, Cardiff CF24 3LH
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