Toby Faletau produced a barnstorming performance to ensure that his former Lions coach Graham Rowntree made a losing start to his first competitive match as Munster boss.
Munster at least escaped from the Arms Park with a losing bonus point after Jarrod Evans failed to convert the clinching try from Aled Summerhill two minutes from time.
But Munster and Rowntree could have few complaints as they fell to their first defeat at the Arms Park in four years.
"I'm not going to sugarcoat it," said Rowntree. “I’m disappointed.
"But I am impressed by our fight, sticking in the game. We’ve come out with a bonus point. I’m delighted to salvage a bonus point at the end."
Cardiff overcame the warm-up loss of winger Owen Lane and then the returning Welsh international Liam Williams went off with a shoulder injury at the end of the opening quarter.
Munster’s tackle count of 82 to Cardiff’s 17 after 27 minutes told its own story, but Dai Young’s side struggled to convert chances and had to be content with a 5-3 lead at that stage.
Max Llewellyn gave them a perfect start when he escaped from Fineen Wycherley’s tackle to score after just four minutes.
Ben Healy responded with an excellent penalty from distance on the left but while new signing Malakai Fekitoa showed glimpses, Munster struggled going forward.
They did well to survive a 15-phase barrage from Cardiff inside their 22 before the Welsh were pinged for a double latch.
Munster pushed forward but somehow Liam Coombes was held up short before Healy edged them in front with a penalty on front of the posts.
A good lineout steal from Jack O’Donoghue after a penalty to the right corner ended a promising Cardiff move after 37 minutes but there was no reprieve a minute later.
O’Donoghue again almost snatched a lineout but this time Cardiff made them pay with Llewellyn turning provider to send experienced hooker Kristian Dacey through for a converted try to lead 11-6 at the interval.
The second-half was a tight affair. Munster full-back Shane Daly did well to deprive Thomas Young after a break down the right and then Rowntree’s men hit the front again when strong pressure was finished off by Jack O’Sullivan while they enjoyed a penalty advantage.
Jack Crowley converted to lead 13-12 after 64 minutes.
But Cardiff hit back and restored their lead five minutes later when Evans converted a penalty in front of the posts.
And they made the game safe two minutes from the end when a superb break down the right by Willis Halaholo was finished by Aled Summerhill, who had replaced Lane when he was injured in the warm-up.
Evans’ conversion from the right went narrowly wide and Munster escaped with a bonus point.
Scorers: Cardiff: Tries: M Llewellyn, K Dacey, A Summerhill. Con: J Evans. Pen: Evans.
Munster: Try: J O’Sullivan. Con: J Crowley. Pens: B Healy (2).
Cardiff: Liam Williams (R Priestland 20); A Summerhill, R Lee-Lo, M Llewellyn (U Halaholo 70), J Adams; J Evans, T Williams; R Carré, K Dacey (L Belcher 58), D Lewis (D Arhip 70); J Turnbull, S Davies (M Screech 74); J Botham, T Young (L Timani 65), T Faletau.
Munster: S Daly; C Nash, C Farrell (A Frisch 55), M Fekitoa, L Coombes; B Healy (J Crowley 55), P Patterson; J Wycherley (D Kilcoyne 55), N Scannell (D Barron 55), K Knox (R Salanoa 53); J Kleyn, F Wycherley (T Ahern 70); J O'Donoghue, A Kendellen (J Hodnett 22), J O'Sullivan.
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland).
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