The Ivy Cardiff Reviews. Sometimes afternoon tea can be uneventful; let’s face it, it’s just sandwiches and cake! So, what did I think about my afternoon tea at The Ivy Cardiff? The dining experience will definitely hit savoury and sweet spots.
Updated March 2023
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The Ivy Collection
The Ivy restaurant in Cardiff opened in late 2019. On the site of the old Jamie Oliver’s restaurant, in The Hayes in the city centre. Cardiff’s food offering has changed so much over the last few years. The chain restaurants are still there, but there has been a massive influx of independents offering fantastic, local, homemade food. This has meant that the improvement of quality you can expect when dining out has increased. The Ivy in Cardiff is the latest in that piece of brasserie dining. Here you can have lunch in Cardiff, private dining or the Ivy Cardiff Set Menu.
The Ivy Cardiff Cocktail Menu
My first experience of the restaurant was on 8 December 2019, when myself, Hisdoryan and Lucy Mary visited after our wins at the House 21 Bloggers awards. We wanted to celebrate the occasion with a celebration drink.
You have to book a table to eat in the restaurant. If you turn up you may be lucky, but it is advisable to book as far in advance as you can. This is the same with drinks, where you will sit around the bar on high stools.
The Ivy Cardiff Toilets
The toilets have been described as the most Instagrammable bar toilets in Wales. The bathroom is full of colourful artwork, plants and wallpaper. They are like an ornate garden square, but inside.
You may have to queue for a few minutes as the toilets are reasonably small in comparison with the size of the restaurant. There are four individual bathrooms, each with its own washbasin. The floor-length mirrors are a great perk, so you can see your full outfit. Just look at the statue that is the centrepiece.
The Ivy Cardiff Afternoon Tea
My best friends’ birthday is at the end of January, and sometimes celebrations this month are worse than those with a December birth month. So, I thought a decadent day out followed by lots of drinks should be on the cards as one of her gifts. We always enjoy going out for afternoon tea in Cardiff or a bottomless brunch, so the new The Ivy Cardiff restaurant was on the top of our ‘must-do’ list.
How much is the afternoon tea at The Ivy
The afternoon tea menu is available daily between 3pm and 5pm. The Ivy afternoon tea price is £27.95 per person. In other words, a reasonable price. Yes, you can get it slightly cheaper elsewhere, but even at the Celtic Manor, it is £36 – and is a big disappointment of bought-in cakes. Click and read The Ivy Cardiff menu and prices.
What’s on The Ivy afternoon tea menu
The spread changes seasonally. When I dined, the sandwiches included a traditional cucumber but on green basil bread and smoked salmon on beetroot bread. The flavour winner was the truffled chicken roll; I wanted another one.
Firstly, I love that the scones had fruit in them. Plain is a bit bland and boring for me. They were warm, fresh and not too crumbly. I would have liked more clotted cream as I’m greedy with it. However, if I’d asked for more, I’m sure it wouldn’t have been a problem.
There were three cakes. A raspberry tart tropézienne which is a brioche pastry with fresh cream and raspberries. A blackberry and champagne trifle, which I thought was a bit bland, and a pot of chocolate mousse and caramel – which as a surprise of popping candy at the bottom.
Finally, the tea was served in a chrome pot with all the silver wear and had the usual selection of traditional and herbal varieties. The price only includes one serving. If I had been there only for the afternoon tea, I would have found it disappointing if I had to purchase another pot. As it happens, I also bought a bottle of rose wine (also £20).
The Ivy Afternoon Tea Gift Voucher
You can buy a gift card, too, for monetary amounts. As well as a cream tea and a champagne afternoon tea for two. Other locations can also be selected, such as Ivy Clifton Brasserie, Ivy Buchanan Street, Ivy Victoria Quarter, Ivy Royal Tunbridge Wells and Ivy City Garden.
The Ivy Cardiff Dress Code
The official dress code is smart casual. You will look out of place if you turn up in your joggers. As most people who visit are there for a special occasion, rather than stopping during your shopping, most do dress to impress.
The Ivy Cardiff Review
When I review restaurants, I always include a score of what I think is essential. Not to take away from the hard work of others, but I think many of these factors are ignored by food bloggers or reviewers.
However, I need to know the kitchen is clean and food is stored correctly. It is also important to me that food is made on-site and, if possible, using local produce. If I can make it better at home, I don’t want to eat it – processed and microwave food is a complete no, no for me. Eating out is a luxury, so it should be enjoyed.
Food hygiene rating: 5/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Floors, shelves and decorations were dust-free
Décor: 5/5
It might not be what I want in my own home, but the Art Deco style fits the establishment and is continued throughout.
Staff appearance: 5/5
Aside from a few fugly shoes, all staff are well turned out, with ironed clothes and tidy hair and make-up.
Customer service: 5/5
We had a trainee looking after our table. It was clear he was nervous, especially around the silver service side, but he was pleasant and helpful. I’m sure he was a pro in a few days.
Quality of food: 4/5
This may seem a bit harsh, as The Ivy brand has such an opulent, luxury perception. I did think that the bread should be homemade. It was fresh, but I am unconvinced that it was made by the team.
Value for money: 5/5
Locally sourced: Unknown
Couldn’t find any information about this. I didn’t ask the staff on the day
Homemade: Unknown
I could not find any information about this. I didn’t ask the staff on the day.
Ease of making a booking: 5/5
It is easy to book online, and was also easy to call the team to amend my reservation.
Bathroom: 4.5/5
Again, this is harsh, but I have marked it down because there wasn’t any hand cream. It’s supposed to be extravagant, so for me, this is essential. Plus, there are only 4 stalls.
The Ivy Cardiff Reservations
I made my Afternoon Tea at The Ivy Cardiff reservation online originally. Selecting the date, time and menu I wanted to dine from was effortless. One of my friends has Chron’s Disease and, after feeling unwell, was worried that the afternoon tea would upset her, so wanted to choose off the lunch menu instead. I called to amend the reservation. I was able to get through to the team the first time, and it was easy to change this.
Make a booking
The Ivy Contact Number:
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The Ivy Cardiff Book A Table:
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Getting around Cardiff has never been easier
Transport for Wales now offers Multiflex, which gives you 12 journeys for the same price as 5 returns. With stops in Taffs Well, Radyr, Whitchurch, Llandaff North, Cathays, two in the city centre – Queen Street and Cardiff Central – plus Cardiff Bay. And who doesn’t want to save money?
Pre-book your parking and save
Prefer to drive? No problem! NCP Park Pass is an easy way to save money on parking. Not only do you access special parking deals, but you also don’t need to remember where you put the ticket collected at the barrier – mine always gets lost in the handbag. As payment is contact-free and cashless, you do it on your phone.
You can always pre-book your parking online and save money if that’s not your thing. Find a car park, choose your date and time, enter your details and make your payment. Once you’ve booked your parking online, you will receive a booking confirmation email detailing your booking and how to enter and exit the car park.
The Ivy Asia
Want afternoon tea with an Asian twist? The menu includes more savoury options such as duck spring rolls, vegetable dumplings and a sushi selection. Sweet treats could include mochi and doughnuts. Plus, a choice of teas, infusions and coffee. Available Monday to Sunday between 3pm-4.45pm, for £28.95 per person.
Afternoon Tea Cardiff
Looking for the best afternoon tea in Cardiff? Afternoon tea should be a luxurious experience. A birthday treat, a welcome break from a day of shopping, a baby shower or other celebrations with a group of friends. There are so many places around Cardiff where you can get afternoon tea – which is exciting. Here’s everywhere you can eat afternoon tea in Cardiff.
Afternoon Tea in Caerphilly
In Caerphilly, you can eat afternoon tea surrounded by lush green countryside, with views of the castle, listed manor houses or cosy cafes.
Afternoon Tea in Pontypridd
Pontypridd is the unofficial capital of Rhondda Cynon Taff. Ponty has plenty of cafes, restaurants and hotels where you can enjoy afternoon tea.
Places to Eat in Cardiff
From breakfast to brunch, quick bites at lunch and casual dining to fancy dinners, there are some fantastic restaurants in Cardiff.
Cardiff is a foodie’s delight. From the quality of the produce to the level of cooking, at both the casual and cheap eats, Cardiff is staking a serious claim to being one of the most exciting places to eat in the UK.
- Bottomless brunch in Cardiff
- Steak restaurants in Cardiff
- Vegan restaurants in Cardiff
- Thai restaurants in Cardiff
- Japanese restaurants in Cardiff
- Caribbean restaurants in Cardiff
- Chinese restaurants in Cardiff
- Burger restaurants in Cardiff
- Street food in Cardiff
- Welsh food in Cardiff
- Dog-friendly restaurants in Cardiff
- Michelin Star restaurants in Cardiff
Get 50% off food in Cardiff
We all need to refuel and rehydrate. If you love food and drink, do you have a Tastecard? You get 50% off the food bill or two meals for the price of one. There are over six thousand participating restaurants across the UK. Get a 60-day free trial here:
Cardiff Bars
Whether looking for an after-work drink with colleagues, a boy’s or girls’ night out surrounded by cocktails, or a date night spot, you’re always close to the best bars in Cardiff City Centre and the neighbourhoods.
- NQ64 Cardiff
- Flight Club Cardiff
- Golf Fang Cardiff
- Roxy Lanes Cardiff
- Tonight Josephine Cardiff
- Rooftop Bars in Cardiff
- Cocktail Bars in Cardiff
- Best Bars in Cardiff
- Wetherspoons in Cardiff
- Quiz Nights in Cardiff
- Dog-friendly pubs in Cardiff
Hotel in Cardiff
Want to see and experience more of Cardiff? If you know when you’d like to travel, try to book in advance and as soon as possible. Prices tend to rise the closer you get to the travel date. However, there is a vast array to accommodate all budgets.
Radisson Cardiff
The Radisson Blue Hotel Cardiff is in the city centre. The 4-star hotel has smart TVs in the bedrooms, private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries, laptop-compatible safes, and limited onsite parking.
Radisson Hotel Discount Code
Get 15% off 3 or 4-night stays, 20% off 5 or 6-night stays, or 25% off for 7 or more nights in luxury rooms and suites. When you use the Radisson Hotel Promo Code LONGER, you’ll also receive complimentary high-speed WiFi on unlimited devices. More information
easyHotel Cardiff
The easyHotel Cardiff has double rooms (with or without a window), accessible bedrooms and twin rooms. Found a short walk behind Cardiff Queen Street train station. Significantly, the budget hotel has en-suite bathrooms, heated rooms in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. WiFi is free; pay and display and multi-storey car parks are nearby.
Dog friendly hotels in Cardiff
Your perfect dog-friendly escape in Cardiff awaits! Before I had my rescue dog, Ivan, I didn’t think Cardiff was very dog friendly. How wrong was I? So, the dog friendly hotels in Cardiff include national chain hotels, budget brands, pubs and country houses.
The Copthorne
The Copthorne, part of Millennium Hotels and Resorts, is a traditional 4-star hotel in Cardiff that is ideally located between the city centre and the coast of Barry Island. Specifically, it is ideal for business travellers, couples or families, it is a perfect base. Presently, you can expect free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and modern in-room amenities. Book early and save up to 20% off:
The Hilton Cardiff
For a luxurious stay, The Hilton Cardiff, in the heart of the city centre, has beautiful amenities, including a pool and health club. With Hilton Honors, you get exclusive perks when you stay at more than 6,700 hotels around the world. Members receive Points on every stay, which can be turned into free nights.
Plan a Trip with Expedia
Booking a hotel via Expedia is a seamless experience that offers convenience and choice at your fingertips. With just a few clicks, you can browse through a wide array of cosy boutique hotels to luxurious resorts, tailored to your preferences and budget. Compare prices, read reviews from fellow travellers, and explore amenities, ensuring you find the perfect place to stay for your trip.
The surrounding areas
Also, don’t be afraid of staying out of central Cardiff. Penarth, Barry, Caerphilly, Pontypridd, and Merthyr Tydfil are the surrounding areas connected by regular buses and trains. You can also plan with LastMinute.com. Stay at great hotels at a fraction of the price.
Cottages and Houses
The award-winning business, Sykes Cottages, has properties across the UK, and the ones near Cardiff are beautiful. From cosy lodges with traditional woodburning stoves to contemporary accommodation with a hot tub. Furthermore, with all the amenities you could need, including parking, WiFi and many dog-friendly places, check out Sykes Holiday Cottages.
FREE Visit Cardiff Checklist & Guide
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Just read your post, it was fantastic, well written and said everything about the Ivy. Thank you so much😀
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it!