There's no shortage of fantastic places to drink and dine alfresco style in Cardiff, the city has a great selection of beer gardens, waterside terraces, and swish rooftop bars
There's just something about open-air drinking and dining that gets you in the mood for summer.
Here's our round-up of some of the best rooftops and terraces in the city right now where you can enjoy a superb summer night out.
Read More: The best places in Wales to see incredible sunsets and sunrises
1. The Botanist
The Botanist is known for its fantastic brunch boards and carefully crafted cocktails, as well as its beautiful, leafy decor, and inviting roof terrace.
Gather your squad and soak up the sunshine on their swish roof terrace that is the perfect place for a sunset dinner and drinks in the city. Try one of their famous 'hanging kebabs' that are served with properly seasoned chips and follow with a summery 'Watermelon Spritz'.
Make sure to check out their newest month brunch event- Secret Sundays, for live entertainment, an all-inclusive bar and a DJ set by Sarah Louise.
10 Church St, Cardiff
2. The Admiral
For swanky waterfront drinking with bay views, head over to the terrace at the Admiral in Cardiff Bay. This upscale restaurant is located inside Cardiff's five-star St David's Hotel.
As well as sweeping bay views and nautical chic decor, they serve seasonal Welsh produce and carefully crafted cocktails. It's the perfect place for a sunset cocktail in Cardiff.
VOCO St David's Havannah St, Cardiff
3. Laguna Bar and Kitchen
Swanky Laguna bar at the Park Plaza hotel has a hidden outdoor terrace at the back that is a local secret. It's a quiet, leafy terrace that offers a tranquil retreat from city life and overlooks a small stream. You can order a round of drinks and feast on bar dishes, or treat yourself to delicious traditional afternoon tea.
Make sure to order their delicious Trealy Farm Charcuterie Board that comes with hummus, olives and a selection of farm Meats and grilled bread. A perfect summer sharing platter for two!
Park Plaza, Greyfriars Rd, Cardiff
4. Brewhouse & Kitchen
This large pub and brewery in Sophia Gardens has two expansive outdoor areas for drinking and dining, one at the front and one at the back. The dining area at the back of the venue is well covered and even has heaters if the Welsh weather suddenly turns.
Check out their tasty menu of proper pub classics as well as their signature 'beer can chicken' dish, which is coated in a dry rub and then roasted over a can of Brewhouse & Kitchen American Pale Ale.
Make sure to also sample some of their home-brewed signature beer, or book one of their awesome 'beer masterclasses'.
Sophia Cl, Pontcanna, Cardiff
5. Zero Degrees
A city centre secret and real sun trap - forget the seats outside on Westgate Street and make your way upstairs, (where it’s dining guests only) and choose one of the few tables on the tiny rooftop for pizza and beers and a view of the Principality Stadium.
27 Westgate Street, Cardiff
6. Juno Lounge
It’s easy to spend a sunny afternoon on this hip, roof patio located above one of Roath’s busiest streets. Juno's colourful roof terrace is a real sun trap in the city and is the perfect place to soak up some sun whilst feasting on a massive breakfast, or sipping an evening cocktail.
Drinking and dining with friends? Order a pitcher of their Loungers classic - The Cherry Bakewell. This refreshing cocktail combines cherry juice & Disaronno, gently mixed with Five Hundred Cuts rum from BrewDog and a splash of caramel.
14 Wellfield Rd, Cardiff
7. Mocka Lounge
Mill Lane revellers will likely know Mocka Lounge as a swish bar and alfresco-style dining hotspot, serving up award-winning cocktails to a thirsty Friday night crowd.
When the sun's out, there's no better place in the city than the lively Mill Lane, when the outdoor dining area fills up fast, the music turns up and the whole area takes on a summer party vibe.
Whilst drinking in the sun, you might want to fill up on some of their contemporary dishes and incredible salads. Try their signature Biggie Smalls burger and loaded fries.
1-2 Mill Ln, Cardiff
8. Cardiff Distillery
Cardiff Distillery distills premium craft gin from the heart of Wales and also offer a lovely outdoor area in Pontcanna for drinking and dining in the sun.
This swanky retreat on Cathedral Rd hosts a fully functioning distillery that allows visitors to stay, eat and drink all in one place. They also host a number of fun experiences from gin school to cocktail masterclasses and have a delicious dining menu. Try their fresh pizzas, cooked to perfection in their pizza oven.
73 Cathedral Rd, Pontcanna
9. The Pen & Wig
Situated in the heart of the city centre, the award-winning Pen & Wig has a large and busy beer garden that is wildly popular with the local student population. It's got a great selection of benches in its dog-friendly, urban outdoor area, as well as sheltered seats if it rains.
This reasonably-priced pub is a great place for outdoor drinking in the city centre that won't break the bank. The pub has a brilliant choice of ales, from local breweries and beyond as well as ciders, wines and Welsh spirits.
Try their banging 'Smokey Joe' burger, a perfect summer dish with a beef chuck & brisket burger topped with a smoky-sweet BBQ sauce, melted cheese slices and crispy streaky bacon.
1 Park Grove, Cardiff
10. Pontcanna Inn
The Pontacanna Inn is another lovely terraced drinking establishment on Cathedral Road. This revamped venue has two fantastic terraces, one at the front and one at the rear of the pub and also offers boutique B&B accommodation.
They have a brilliant range of craft beers, real ales, cider, wines, cocktails and spirits and are well known as a great place to watch live sports with your mates.
36 Cathedral Road
11. The Great Western
Did you know this popular Wetherspoon pub on St Mary Street had a roof garden? It’s pretty small, and staff call it their ‘secret garden’ as drinkers are surprised to stumble upon the modest piece of fresh air at the top of a spiral staircase. It’s open all day and night.
64 St Mary Street, Cardiff
12. Lab 22
Small and high-end cocktail lounge with a subtle 'speakeasy vibe'' and a heated roof terrace right in the middle of the city centre.
Sip on carefully crafted, award-winning cocktails in luxurious surroundings. Book a table with your mates and prepared to be wowed with their daring mixology. Their premium cocktails change on a regular basis, so you never know what kind of shaken and stirred delights you may encounter on your next visit.
22 Caroline Street, Cardiff
13. Jacob's Market, Cardiff
The collector’s haven at the end of St Mary Street (just past the railway bridge) sells everything from war medals and antique silver to vintage clothes and furniture, but not everyone knows its roof opens onto an impressive view of the city.
It’s been used for weddings and open-air cinema events and is a quirky, urban hideaway in the city.
West Canal Wharf, Cardiff
14. The Dock
Revamped waterside bar The Dock has two outdoor terraces, both offering lovely views across the water. Inside you'll find expansive floor-to-ceiling windows that offer superb views as you dine and their waterside terrace area is especially popular in the summer months.
Try their taverner's burger for a burger with a twist and get stuck into grilled chicken breast, streaky bacon, Welsh cheddar and lashings of zingy BBQ sauce, burger heaven.
Mermaid Quay, Stuart St, Cardiff
15. The Heathcock
The Heathcock in Llandaff has a reputation for excellent food and a welcoming and cosy, neighbourhood pub aesthetic. They also have a delightful, sunny terrace, where you can enjoy some lovely local ales in the sunshine.
The Heathcock recently opened bedrooms and a cosy and colourful Champagne and oyster bar in the heart of its dining pub.
A sister pub to Aberthin's Hare & Hounds, Heathcock opened back in 2018 and since the pandemic staff have been kept busy with improvements to this lovely venue.
58-60 Bridge St, Cardiff
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