Cardiff . Restaurants in Wales . Uncategorized

Cardiff: Where To Eat on Mondays

On November 9, 2024 by The Plate Licked Clean

‘There’s just nowhere to eat in Cardiff on a Monday!’

It’s a familiar complaint on a night when the keen diner is notoriously short of options.

It’s the perennial question: where to eat out- and eat well- when local hospitality takes a post weekend-rush breather?

So here’s your answer to ‘There’s nowhere open!’: sixty-odd of them.

Some might be new to you, and might take you off your usual patch. (That’s a good thing, by the way.) Some, you might have forgotten about. You might not know them all yet, but that gives you plenty to explore, I hope.

I’ve kept it basic. Alphabetical order, address, times, links to their menu (if any), plus a link to my review if I’ve got round to writing about them on the current incarnation of the blog. As a bonus, many are open for lunch too.

That enough to be going on with for now? Happy eating.

NB PLEASE CHECK WITH INDIVIDUAL RESTAURANTS THAT THEIR ADVERTISED DAYS AND HOURS ARE UP TO DATE.

AL-MADINA MANDI
The clue’s in the name, so come here for tender cuts of hawaij-spiced lamb and chicken cooked and served over rice.
170 Clare Rd, Cardiff CF11 6RX
2-8
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/al-madina-mandi-grangetown-cardiff-review

AMO’S CAFÉ
Underrated City Road nook: traditional Persian favourites and an accomplished grill menu.
141 City Rd, Cardiff CF24 3BQ
11-7

ASADOR 44
Is there anything they can’t do? Cardiff’s most-reviewed and nationally-acclaimed restaurant, a Northern Spanish-influenced grill house serving the city centre’s standout set lunch, too.
14-15 Quay St., Cardiff CF10 1E
12-3, 5-10
https://grupo44.co.uk/asador44/menus
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/asador-44-cardiff

BAB AL-YEMEN
Extensive menu of Yemeni favourites in Grangetown
132 Clare Rd, Cardiff CF11 6RU
11-10
https://bab-alyemen.co.uk/storemenu?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=9502&utm_content=from_csd
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/bab-al-yemen-grangetown-cardiff-review

BANGKOK CAFÉ
Longstanding Canton Thai
207 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF11 9AJ
4:30-9:30
https://www.bangkokcafe.co.uk/https/svtablescom/widget/restid378
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/bangkok-cafe-cardiff

BASIL AND CURRY THAI KITCHEN
Not plush or ‘Instagrammable’: just a tiny, keenly-priced city centre Thai up against big brand competition.
33 Caroline St, Cardiff CF10 1FF
12-3:30, 5-10
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/basil-and-curry-thai-kitchen-caroline-st-cardiff-city-centre-review

CALABRISELLA CANTON
Sicilian/Italian classics, huge pizzas and arancini
154 Cowbridge Rd E, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9ND
10-9
https://www.calabrisellacardiff.com/menucanton
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/calabrisella-cardiff

CALABRISELLA CATHAYS
Sicilian/Italian classics, huge pizzas, arancini
51 Cathays Terrace, Cardiff CF24 4HS
12-2:30, 5-9
https://www.calabrisellacardiff.com/

CARDIFF RESTAURANT 卡村饭馆
Expansive Chinese menu leaning mostly on Sichuan
108 Salisbury Rd, Cardiff CF24 4AE
11:15 am–10 
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/%e5%8d%a1%e6%9d%91%e9%a5%ad%e9%a6%86-cardiff-restaurant-salisbury-road-review

CASABLANCA
All-day Moroccan/Lebanese grill
159 City Rd, Cardiff CF24 3BQ
9-10

CASANOVA
Cardiff”s most respected Italian: standout set lunch offer, too
13 Quay St., Cardiff CF10 1EA
12-230, 530-10
https://casanovacardiff.uk/winter-menu-2024/

CASTELLO GRILL HOUSE
Levantine grill house: a City Road favourite
76 City Rd, Cardiff CF24 3DD
1-11
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/castello-city-road-cardiff-review

CHAI GREEN
Small Midlands chain with an all-day menu. House chai (£2.50) is lovely and one of my favourite ways to spend a fiver for two.
2 Albany Road, Cardiff CF24 3RP
9-midnight
https://www.chaigreen1823.com/locations/
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/chai-green-cardiff-review

CHAI ST
Indian with a great value set lunch deal and an extensive all-day menu of thalis, biryanis, kati rolls and street food.
15 High St, Cardiff CF10 1AX
12-10
https://chaistreet.com/menu/

CHINESE FAST STREET FOOD
Sichuanese noodle bowls are the speciality in this tiny city centre independent
11 Charles St, St Davids Centre, Cardiff CF10 2GA
1130-930
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/chinese-fast-street-food-charles-st-cardiff-review

CILIEGINO
Independently-owned Italian tucked among shopping centre chains
90 Grand Arcade, Dewi Sant, St Davids Centre, Cardiff CF10 2EL
11:30–9 
https://online.flippingbook.com/view/819086025/

CURADO BAR
Bustling Spanish pintxos bar from the Ultracomida team: onsite deli sources direct from Spanish producers.
2 Guildhall Pl, Cardiff CF10 1EB
4-11
https://curadobar.com/menu/
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/curado-bar-cardiff

CURRY HUT
Extensive (and inexpensive) menu of Sri Lankan favourites
96 Salisbury Rd, Cardiff CF24 4AE
5-11
https://curryhutcardiff.com/

DON DON YATAI
Tiny Japanese café gem in Ely, specialising in sushi, donburi rice bowls and more
128a Cowbridge Rd W, Cardiff CF5 5BT
12–3, 5–9 
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/don-don-yatai-japanese-cafe-ely-cardiff

EAT THE BIRD
Small award-winning chain from Devon specialising in fried chicken
37 St Mary St, Cardiff CF10 1AD
12-9
https://www.eatthebird.co.uk/food
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/eat-the-bird-st-mary-st-cardiff

ELGANO
Dependable Italian with rooms
58 Cathedral Rd, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9LL
5:30-9
https://elgano.co.uk/a-la-carte-menu-2/
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/elgano-cardiff

FIZZ N FLOUR
A warm welcome and a pizza menu which is a mixture of the classic and the quirky
120 Cowbridge Rd E, Canton, Cardiff CF11 9DX
5-10
https://www.fizznflour.co.uk/menu
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/fizznflour-canton-cardiff

GOOD WORLD
Chinese with popular dim sum menu
Capital Retail Shopping Park, 8, Leckwith Rd, Cardiff CF11 8EG
12-10:30
https://goodworldrestaurant.co.uk/#1

GOODBGR
Underrated halal beef and chicken burger joint
163 Albany Rd, Cardiff CF24 3NT
5-10:30
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/goodbgr-albany-road-cardiff-review

HADRAMOWT
Have the lamb. Mandi, that is. Everyone else will. That is all.
42 City Rd, Cardiff CF24 3DL
11-11
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/hadramowt-yemeni-restaurant-city-road-cardiff

HAPPY GATHERING
A Cardiff fixture for over three decades. Dim sum and traditional menus.
233 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF11 9AL
12–10:30
https://www.happygatheringcardiff.co.uk/menu.php

HATSU UDON
Handmade cold and hot noodles, karaage and more
146 Penarth Rd, Cardiff CF11 6NJ
12–2:30, 5:30–9 
https://hatsu-udon.co.uk/menu/
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/hatsu-udon-grangetown-cardiff-review

HONEST BURGER
A chain, but one of the best out there: highly consistent, with a local trader tie-in with Brother Thai.
10 Church St, Cardiff CF10 1BG
11-11
https://www.honestburgers.co.uk/burgers/#cardiff|core|current

I GIARDINI DI SORRENTO
Busy City Road Italian with intriguing Specials board
12 City Rd, Cardiff CF24 3DL
https://giardinidisorrento.co.uk/a-la-carte-menu
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/i-giardini-di-sorrento-cardiff

ICHIBAN ‘The Ichiban Sushi & Noodle Bar Japanese Restaurant’)
Japanese sushi and noodle bar
74 Albany Rd, Cardiff CF24 3RS
12–2:30, 5–9:30 

KIMCHI
At-your-table ‘gogi-gui’ style Korean BBQ and more
72 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF11 9DU
12–2, 5–9:30 
https://www.kimchi.co.uk/

KINGDOM OF SHEBA
All-day unpretentious Bute St cafe specialising in mandi
188 Bute St, Cardiff CF10 5HQ
9–8 
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/kingdom-of-sheba-bute-st-cardiff-review

LAHORE KEBABISH
All-day Pakistani cult favourite, and your Grangetown gateway drug. Keema naan, haleem, hariyali, mutton karhai and thank me later. (If there’s a more satisfying keema naan in the city, I’m yet to find it. And, yes, if they ask, ‘the tall man with the beard’ sent you.)
174 Penarth Rd, Cardiff CF11 6NL
12-11
https://thelahorekebabishcardiff.co.uk/storemenu?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=7646&utm_content=from_csd
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/lahore-kebabish-grangetown-review

LE MONDE
St Mary St stalwart wine bar and brasserie: a Cardiff institution from Martinez Group.
Pick your meat and fish from the iconic display,
60 – 62 St Mary St, Cardiff CF10 1FE
12–2:30, 6:30–10 
https://www.le-monde-restaurant.co.uk/food-and-drink

LEZZET TURKISH KITCHEN
Sharing platters and lunchtime specials in the city centre
106 St Mary St, Cardiff CF10 1DX
12-11
https://www.lezzetcardiff.co.uk/menu

MINA LEBANESE RESTAURANT
Longstanding Cathays fixture: hot and cold mezza and Lebanese classics.
43 Crwys Rd, Cardiff CF24 4ND
5-10
https://minarestaurant.co.uk/our-menu/

MUSHTAQ SWEETS
Mithai shop specialising in buffalo milk confectionery, with an all-day Indian and Pakistani savoury menu
177 Penarth Rd, Cardiff CF11 6JW
10-10

NIGHTHAWKS
Tiny bar opposite Cardiff Castle with snacks, meat and cheese plates, toasties and a busy drinks menu
47-49, Castle Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1BW

OSAKA
Japanese noodles and sushi
201 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF11 9AJ
5-10

PARALLEL
Sister to Pasture. Impressive small plates and chef’s tasting menu
11 High St, Cardiff CF10 1AW
5-9:30
https://pasturerestaurant.com/menus/parallel-cardiff/
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/parallel-by-pasture-high-st-cardiff-review

PASTURE
The city’s most highly-rated steakhouse with creative side dishes
12–3; 5–9:30 
https://pasturerestaurant.com/menus/pasture-cardiff/
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/pasture-high-st-cardiff

PONNUSWAMY
Inexpensive Southern Indian menu. Cash only.
129 City Rd, Cardiff CF24 3BP
5-10

PORRO
Modern British with heavy Italian influences
22 High St, Cardiff CF5 2DZ
9-9
https://www.porrocardiff.com/food-and-drink/

PURPLE POPPADOM
Cardiff’s Keralan flagship. ‘Early bird’ thali (5 pm – 6.30 pm) available alongside full à la carte
185a Cowbridge Road East,upper floor, Cardiff CF11 9AJ
5-11
https://purplepoppadom.com/#menu
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/purple-poppadom-canton-cardiff-magnificent-seven-tasting-menu-review

QBAO NOODLES BAO
Noodles and bao, popular with students. Just don’t call it a ‘hidden gem’, OK?
90 Salisbury Rd, Cardiff CF24 4AE
11:30–2:30; 4:30–9:30 pm
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/qbao-noodles-bao-cathays-cardiff-restaurant-review

SALKAARA WELLFIELD
Southern Indian. Tasting menu is standout value.
24 Wellfield Rd, Cardiff CF24 3PB
12-11
https://www.salkaara.co.uk/
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/salkaara-wellfield-road-cardiff

SALKAARA LLANDAFF
Southern Indian menu. The tasting menu (£42.95) represents some of the best value in the city.
125 Station Rd, Cardiff CF14 2FE
12-11
https://www.salkaara.co.uk/

SARAY
Popular halal Turkish restaurant
164-166 City Rd, Cardiff CF24 3JE
12-11
https://www.sarayturkishcuisine.co.uk/menus
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/saray-cardiff

SCARAMANTICA
Laid-back Italian, comprehensive range of pizzas a standout.
2 Pen-Y-Lan Rd, Cardiff CF24 3PF
12-11
http://www.scaramanticapizzeria.uk/CardiffPizzerias/index.php/ourmenu/food-menu
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/scaramantica-pizzeria-cardiff

SHAAM NIGHTS
Syrian halal grill house
116 City Rd, Roath, Cardiff CF24 3DQ
12-11
https://shaamnights.com/our-menu/https://shaamnights.com/our-menu/0
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/shaam-nights-cardiff

SOCOTRA TRADITIONAL YEMENI CUISINE
Fish-heavy menu with mandi
82 City Rd, Cardiff CF24 3DD
2-10

SO GOOD
Uncompromising Sichuanese menu
48 Crwys Rd, Cardiff CF24 4NN
5-11
http://www.sogood-chinese-cardiff.co.uk/store/menu/merchant/so-good?lang=1
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/so-good-chinese-crwys-rd-cardiff

THE GRANGE
Lovely local pub with a menu of comfort food classics. Have the GFC.
134 Penarth Rd, Cardiff CF11 6N
12-9
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/the-grange-pub-grangetown-2022-revisit-review

THE LANSDOWNE
Menu of pub classics at this award-winning independent pub, sister to The Grange.
71 Beda Rd, Cardiff CF5 1LX
12-9

THE SULTAN
Turkish restaurant in an iconic Bay building
The Big Windsor, Stuart Pl, Cardiff CF10 5BU
9–11pm
https://www.thesultancardiff.com/

TINY REBEL
Bar menu including burgers, wings, Mexican
25 Westgate St, Cardiff CF10 1DD
12-1am
https://www.tinyrebel.co.uk/bars/cardiff/

TROY MEZE BAR
Turkish, Kurdish, Greek and Mediterranean: a Cardiff institution, formerly on City Road, from Ersin and his waist-high ocakbasi grill
15 Wellfield Rd, Cardiff CF24 3NZ
3-11
https://www.troymezebar.co.uk/

TY MADEIRA
Family-run city centre Portuguese: Espetadas (hanging skewers of meat or fish) a speciality.
32 St Mary St, Cardiff CF10 1AB
12-10
https://tymadeira.co.uk/dinner-menu/

VERMUT
Snug and stylish hole in the wall bar: no better way to start (and, let’s be honest, finish) your city centre evening. Grazing menu of Spanish seafood conservas available, or take a quick walk next door to big sister Curado Bar.
2 Guildhall Pl, Cardiff CF10 1EB
5-11
https://curadobar.com/vermut/

YAKITORI1
Comprehensive Japanese menu from a rare quality independent in the chain-heavy Bay development
10, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff CF10 5BZ
12–2:30; 5:30–10 
https://www.yakitori1.co.uk/menu/

YUKIYAN SUSHI
Ramen and more
https://yukiyansushicardiff.co.uk/
101 Woodville Rd, Cardiff CF24 4DY
4:30-9:30
https://www.yukiyansushicardiff.co.uk/

ZI’S CAFE
Dependable Chinese, including dim sum
96 Woodville Rd, Cardiff CF24 4ED
12–3:30; 5–10:30
https://ziscafecardiff.co.uk/
https://www.theplatelickedclean.co.uk/zis-cafe-cardiff