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Food Tour Cardiff City Centre
Wales isn’t known for its cuisine, but it should be. Wales produces fantastic products, such as fresh meat, and seafood because of the miles of coast, cheese and vegetables. Even though we have famous meals such as lamb cawl, Glamorgan sausages, crempogs and the infamous rarebit, ingredients grown and made in Wales make incredible dishes. There’s plenty of Welsh food in Cardiff.
So, if you’re a foodie and want to experience a gastronomic extravaganza, the Loving Welsh Food Tour will take you on an adventure through Cardiff. Visit the fantastic arcades, the vibrant market and independent restaurants, and discover something different and delicious. It’s food you will remember!
FREE Visit Cardiff Checklist & Guide
Get your FREE Visiting Cardiff Checklist and Guide with over 25 pages full of travel tips, how to get around, places to visit, food and drink, shopping, parks and green spaces, some Welsh phrases and a travel itinerary.
Loving Welsh Food Tour Reviews
I’m a Cardiffian but don’t go to the city centre often. When I do, it is for a specific purpose: a bottomless brunch, a date night dinner, or celebrating at a cocktail bar with friends. The Cardiff food tour has been on my radar for a while, and I was excited to participate. To see how those who visit Cardiff see the city and find new places to eat.
It met and exceeded my expectations! Come hungry, because you’ll be eating a lot of food.
Bara Brith in The Castle
Our first stop and meeting place is the majestic Cardiff Castle, where history and cuisine collide. With a pot of tea (or coffee if you prefer), you enjoy a slice of bara brith, a traditional Welsh fruitcake spread with Welsh salted butter. Sitting amongst the historic walls, it felt like a regal experience.
Fabulous Welsh Cakes
As we ventured into the bustling streets, we made our way to Fabulous Welshcakes, where the delightful aroma of freshly baked cakes wafted up the street. These sweet, griddled treats are a must-try, and Fabulous Welshcakes take them to a whole new level. They make three different flavours every day, and our group’s choices were traditional, triple chocolate or caramel and pecan.
Charcuterie at Wally’s Delicatessen
Say cheese! Wally’s Delicatessen is a haven for food lovers, especially cheese and charcuterie enthusiasts. From a creamy brie to infused varieties such as Snowdonia Rock Star, Wally’s offers a smorgasbord of flavours. Pair your cheese selection with a carefully curated selection of meats, olives, bread and oils. Your taste buds will thank you.
Pizza Passion at Ffwrnes
Craving a cheesy, doughy delight? Look no further than Ffwrnes, where pizza dreams come true. The aroma of wood-fired goodness fills the air as you indulge in their mouth-watering creations. From classic Margheritas to inventive Welsh-inspired toppings, such as my favourite, The Sobrasada with mozzarella, grana Padano, sobrasada (spreadable chorizo), basil, extra virgin olive oil and topped with raw Welsh honey. A pure flavour bomb of enjoyment!
Cheese Toasties in Nighthawks
Enter Nighthawks, a cosy hideaway that takes the humble toastie to new heights. Sip on fine wines; they have about 25 varieties in stock and change regularly. And savour the delectable cheese toasties. Thanks to the accompanying chutney, they have been labelled as the best toasties in Cardiff. Thanks to the Cardiff Wine Passport, I was introduced to them earlier this year. The intimate ambience and the perfect blend of flavours make Nighthawks a must-visit spot for a relaxed and indulgent pitstop.
Laverbread and Cockles
Cardiff Market is a treasure trove of culinary delights, and our next stop, Ashton’s, is a seafood haven. It was established in 1800 and is Wales’s largest independent fishmonger. Now, I love laverbread, seaweed simmered into a puree, especially on a breakfast. But I’m not a huge cockle fan. Our guide said to have a few splashes of vinegar, which worked. The traditional Welsh dish became a cultural experience, and I would never have tried it before. It broadened my horizons.
Faggots and a Clark’s Pie
No food tour is complete without exploring more of the stalls at Cardiff Market. Our group headed to the Market Deli, established in 1906, where we tried faggots (meatballs made from offal and liver), mushy peas and gravy. This is a dish of my childhood, something my dad would make regularly, served with real chips and thick white bread and butter.
In addition to this, we bit into the iconic Clark’s Pie. With its distinctive oval shape, substantial short-crust pastry and CLARPIE on the base. The Original has minced beef with potatoes and gravy. It’s comfort food at its finest and showcases some of the rich tapestry of Welsh food.
Sipping on Cider
The final stop was at The Welsh House, owned by Welsh rugby legends Mike Phillips, James Hook, Shane Williams and Lee Byrne. It was time to refresh after all the walking with a full belly. Cider has always been my drink of choice, and Gwynt y Ddraig’s Autumn Magic cider combines the sweetness of ripe apples and tart blackberries, capturing the essence of Welsh orchards and hedgerows.
Sweet Finale
We conclude our culinary adventure with a sweet symphony at The Welsh House. The last decadence was a bowl of Bara Brith Pan Perdu with Creme Anglaise – a bread and butter pudding with the flavours of bara brith. Washed down with a pot of Welsh Brew tea. It’s a dessert that wraps up our Loving Welsh Food Tour on a high note, leaving you with a taste of Wales long after the last bite.
Food Experiences Cardiff
The Loving Welsh Food Tour in Cardiff is a feast for the senses, a journey that intertwines history, tradition, and innovation on a plate. Each stop celebrates Welsh culinary heritage, from the historic setting of Cardiff Castle to the vibrant stalls of Cardiff Market. So, grab your fork and join a delightful adventure through Cardiff’s culinary landscape – your taste buds will thank you!
Best Food Tour Cardiff
As well as the group tour, Loving Welsh Food offers Private Tours, an Arcades Tasting Tour and a Taste of Wales evening. A regular event you can book, where you can embrace all things Welsh: food, poetry, singing and even a limerick competition.
Travelling to the City Centre
Navigating the Cardiff City, especially during busy seasons, requires thinking ahead. Whether opting for public transport or securing a parking spot in advance, a bit of planning ensures a smoother journey, allowing you to fully savour the best of Cardiff.
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 to spend on Christmas Eve?
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.
- Afternoon tea in Cardiff
- 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
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:
Entertainment Bars in Cardiff
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.
- Ballie Ballerson Cardiff
- Golf Fang Cardiff
- Roxy Lanes Cardiff
- NQ64 Cardiff
- Flight Club Cardiff
- Tonight Josephine Cardiff
- Rooftop Bars in Cardiff
- Cocktail Bars in Cardiff
- Wetherspoons in Cardiff
- Quiz Nights in Cardiff
- Dog-friendly pubs in Cardiff
- Live music in Cardiff
- Cocktail bar in Cardiff
- Best bars in Cardiff
Hotels in Cardiff
If you know when you’d like to travel, try to book as soon as possible. Prices rise the closer you get to the travel date. However, there is a vast array to accommodate all budgets.
easyHotel Cardiff
The easyHotel Cardiff is a 10-minute walk from the theatre. It has double rooms (with or without a window), accessible bedrooms and twin rooms. Found a short walk behind Cardiff Queen Street train station, 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.
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
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? 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. Ideal for business travellers, couples or families, it is a perfect base. You can expect free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool and modern in-room amenities. Book early and save up to 20% off:
National Trust Holidays
National Trust Holidays offers a selection of holiday cottages, campsites and bunkhouses set in spectacular locations. They have everything you need for a night away, from kitchen facilities to cosy gardens to relax in during warmer weather.
Get 15% off selected cottages for bookings made and taken by 31 May 2024. Use discount code NTAF.
Cottages and Houses
The award-winning business Sykes Cottages has properties across the UK, and the ones near Cardiff are beautiful. They range from cosy lodges with traditional woodburning stoves to contemporary accommodation with a hot tub. With all the amenities you could need, including parking, WiFi and many dog-friendly places, check out Sykes Holiday Cottages.
The surrounding areas
Don’t be afraid of staying out of central Cardiff, either. 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.
FREE Visit Cardiff Checklist & Guide
Get your FREE Visiting Cardiff Checklist and Guide with over 25 pages full of travel tips, how to get around, places to visit, food and drink, shopping, parks and green spaces, some Welsh phrases and a travel itinerary.
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