We all love a shopping spree or a fancy lunch and while we already have lots of choice here in Wales there are a few shops and restaurants that would give us even more variety and flavour for our homes, wardrobes, and dinner plates.
In the past year we've added Matsudai Ramen to Cardiff's bustling food scene while darts bar Flight Club, Gareth Bale's mini-golf bar Par 59, and Rosa's Thai and many more (click here for the full list) have set up in the capital while around Wales we've had the beautiful additions of Annwn and Tap & Tan. Meanwhile Swansea got its first Wagamama's which saw people queue up for an hour for en masse ramen and katsu curry.
We've put together a list of both restaurants and shops which can be found across both the UK and a few choices from across the pond, too, which we'd love to see coming to Wales in 2023 or beyond. And be sure to let us know in the comments which places you think Wales is crying out for too.
Bundobust
An Indian streetfood chain with the added bonus of a brewery in their Manchester venue sounds like a winner to us. Bundobust has consistently earned itself rave reviews since it launched in Leeds in 2014, making its way over to Manchester and into an underground site just off Piccadilly Gardens two years later. The restaurant is famed for its Gujarati street food, served in compostable paper tubs and plates, and its selection of craft beers including its own collaborations with breweries.
Hawksmoor
The award-winning steak restaurant has branches in London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester, Liverpool, and New York and we love steak here in Wales so would welcome the steakhouse which brings bone marrow and onions or Devon crab starters and prime British bred beef cuts to the table.
Dishoom
Not only are Dishoom's Irani cafes of Bombay-inspired lunch and dinner menus so lush but they are also beloved for their breakfasts which include bacon naans and spiced eggs. Their small plates, grills, and curries are so good and plentiful you'll have a job to pick.
Megan's
A dog-friendly all-day brunch and dinner restaurant with deli counter. There are 18 spots in London serving Turkish brunch-feasts to grills and kebabs and much more. Maybe they could try out a non-London branch here in Wales?
SiopShop
This doughnut and coffee and records spot is one of Manchester's coolest spots. It's named as such because it was set up by Welshman Iwan Roberts who said in 2017 when the shop opened: ""Theres an Welsh-English bilingual theme to the design, which has been designed by Steve Hockett at Wonder Room studio. It's because I have a longing to speak Welsh and hopefully I'll be able to converse more in my language." What's deliciously cool about SiopShop and why we need one is the incredible doughnuts and cakes they make – from their apple fritters to their 'doissants' (half-doughnut/half croissants), our mouths are watering.
Wasabi
You'll see sushi place Wasabi in most big railway stations around the UK but not here in Wales where there are loads of sushi lovers. We need our salmon teriyaki on our train platforms – stat!
Woky Ko
Cardiff chef Larkin Cen launched his first Bristol Woky Ko site back in 2016 and while there were three sites in the city financial pressures saw the former MasterChef finalist shutter two during the past year. Hopefully down the line there'll be an opportunity to add to the St Nick's Market location and if so we'd welcome some of Cen's modern Asian deliciousness back over this side of the Severn too.
Duck & Waffle
London's favourite 24-hour restaurant has to come to Wales. We need a stylish joint like this to sate our appetites at 3am, right? We're not sure anyone here serves duck with a waffle (if you do, let us know!).
Leon
The 'healthier' fast food alternative has previously said they were going to open in Cardiff but there's still no sign. Known for its menu of wraps, warm stews, chargrilled chicken burgers, salads, and baked fries the chain planned to open 50 new sites across the UK in 2022, creating 1,000 jobs. We have approached them for an update but as of yet have not heard back.
In-N-Out
If you haven't tried an In-N-Out burger then you haven't lived. The juicy meat, the awesome slaw, the amazing fries... please come and open a restaurant in Wales soon or we might just have to buy ourselves a plane ticket.
Albert Schloss
Described as a "cook haus, bier palace, and bakery" there doesn't seem to be anything Schloss doesn't cater for. It boasts seven days of showtime and performances and has just opened a new venue in Liverpool on top of venues in Manchester and Birmingham. Wales next, please?
Shops
Sephora
The US beauty megastore has finally returned to the UK but is only in London so far. They stock a huge range of make-up, skincare essentials. and loads of other beauty products we'd love to get lost in a Welsh store.
Harvey Nichols
Yes please to a department store with its own chic bar, which sells champagne by the glass, and boutique restaurant. Dublin, Leeds, Bristol and Manchester – oh, and Liverpool, Birmingham, and Edinburgh – all have a Harvey Nicks. So why can't Wales?
Anthropologie
The "inspirational lifestyle" brand sells fashion, homeware, and accessories has stores in London and Bath. So why not travel a little further over the Severn Bridge and sell us everything from your pretty teacups to floaty dresses? Get more here.
Arket
Smart-casual sustainable classics from clothing to homeware, Arket also has an in-store coffee shop too. We can buy online but it's always nice to try on.
& Other Stories
& Other Stories draws its clothes, beauty products, and accessories from designers in Paris, Stockholm, and LA offering a classic mix of fashion, sustainability, and partywear. We already dress well in Wales but imagine how much better we could look if & came here.
Trader Joe's
Apple and pumpkin hand pies, glazed maple doughnuts, and a myriad of own-brand products are available too in the popular 'neighbourhood' store loved by Americans. This US grocery store would go down well here in the UK we think.
Target
Anyone who's ever been on vacation (sorry, holiday) to America will have been to this massive discount store. And, if not, why not?
You can while away the hours picking up a selection of goodies from DVDs and bedding to clothes and beauty products. You can even get the kitchen sink. Well, they do sell kitchen supplies...
Uniqlo
The Japanese casual designer store has been in the UK for a while now and we're fed up of going to other cities to get our simple, classic staples.
Selfridges
There are two in Manchester, one in Birmingham, and of course the giant Oxford Street branch so why shouldn't we have the department store with the famous yellow bags here in Wales? Someone make it happen please.
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