Cardiff has its fair share of great pubs and every local has their favourites to frequent. Out of the many pubs across the city brewer SA Brains, which grew to become one of Wales' most prominent companies in its 130-year history, has a good few dotted about the different areas of the capital.
Last year, however, Brains announced that it was selling 99 of its Welsh pubs, including more than 30 in Cardiff. You can read more about that here. The announcement came less than a year after a deal between the Welsh brewery and pub company Marstons, in which the latter took over the operation of 150 of its pubs on a long-term lease agreement. For now though many of Brains' pubs are still open and operating in the city for you to enjoy.
Brains has in excess of 50 pubs in and around Cardiff, according to its website. But when you're looking for somewhere to grab a quick drink after work looking through online reviews to find the best of Brains can be a bit of a hassle. So, instead we've gone through the highest-rated Brains pubs in Cardiff according to TripAdvisor and compiled a list of the best.
Read more: How to spend 48 hours eating and drinking in Cardiff
The Old Arcade
The Old Arcade in Church Street is among the highest-rated Brains pubs on TripAdvisor, with a 4.5 rating (out of five) based on 159 reviews – 95 of which are five-star. The traditional pub has a beer garden and pool table and offers a range of pub food and beers. It also shows a range of sports channels making it among the more popular pubs in the city for match days. You'll often find crowds gathered both inside and outside the pub on days when there's sport on.
One reviewer wrote: "When in Cardiff I always pop in the Old Arc as it remains very much a traditional pub in the heart of the city centre. The welcome and service is always superb. They also have a wealth of rugby memorabilia."
Blackweir Tavern
The Blackweir Tavern in North Road is another popular Brains pub in the capital with a 4.5 rating based on 167 reviews. With an outdoor patio to enjoy the sun in the warmer months the pub serves classic pub food, draught beer, cocktails, and also shows live sport. One happy reviewer wrote: "Visited for the first time and were made very welcome. Nice atmosphere. Good prices and food was hot and tasty. Definitely service with a smile. We will be back."
The Cambrian Tap
Located right in the city centre on the corner of Caroline Street this popular pub offers a selection of craft beers in addition to the usual draught beers, wines, and spirits. The pub opened in 2015 on the site of the former Kitty Flynn's. But the popular pub was among the 100 Welsh pubs Brains announced would be up for sale. The Cambrian Tap has a high rating on TripAdvisor – based on 149 reviews it scored 4.5 out of five. One satisfied customer wrote: "Great beer. Great location. Staff were super-nice and knowledgeable. They let us taste a few beers before committing which is always appreciated. Awesome spot for a pint."
Where do you think is the best pub in Cardiff? Let us know in the comments below.
The Black Lion
Another pub that Brains announced would be up for sale is the Black Lion in Llandaff. The traditional pub is set in a Tudor-style building at the end of Llandaff's High Street – just across the road from another popular Brains pub, The Maltsters. With wooden floors, hanging baskets, and beams the Black Lion has a classic pub feel and offers a range of ales, beers, and traditional ciders. It's also a great option for any darts players looking for a pub to play in. Scoring 4.5 out of five one reviewer wrote: "We found The Black Lion in the heart of Llandaff. The area is magic and the pub has nice staff and friendly customers. We tried their scallops, highly recommended. Good price, good beer and cider. Looking forward to come back."
The Fairwater
Located in the heart of Fairwater, the aptly named Fairwater pub has both Sky and BT sports for customers to see their favourite team play. The dog-friendly pub offers a range of activities including darts, skittles, and a children's playground. There's also a function room that's available to hire and an outdoor seating area to enjoy the sun in the summer months.
This pub also has a rating of 4.5 out of five based on 62 reviews. "Went here for our works Christmas 'do'. They food was amazing and the service excellent. Would definitely recommend here," one happy reviewer wrote.
The Birchgrove
Another pub with a range of activities, The Birchgrove has a skittles alley and darts board for some friendly competition as well as live music nights and a weekly quiz. There's also Sky, BT, and Premier for sports fans to watch while they enjoy a drink. The pub scored 4.5 out of five, based on 63 reviews, with 46 reviewers awarding it five stars. One wrote: "You always get a warm welcome from the staff in the Birchgrove. Service is first class whether it’s just a drink with friends, my favourite was Reverend James, or ordering from their excellent pub menu served freshly cooked from the in house kitchen. Sunday lunch is very popular and early Monday evenings you can take advantage of their half-price classics. I particularly liked the live music evening when the various artist entertain with both modern numbers and the old favourites."
The Heath Hotel
The traditional 'real ale' pub offers a range of dishes from burgers to curries and a variety of drinks including draught beers, cocktails, and wine. With a pool table and a beer garden there's something for everyone whether you want to kick back and relax with a drink, watch sports, or compete at pool with your friends. The Whitchurch Road watering hole scores four out of five on TripAdvisor based on 155 reviews with one reviewer, who awarded five stars, writing: "This is a rare proper pub serving great quality traditional pub food and beers at really competitive prices. The new landlady, Gail I believe, has turned this place around. The bar staff are all really friendly and welcoming. There’s more and more going on from quiz nights, bingo, free pool Thursdays, sports and a great mix of locals, and students, young and old. Definitely recommend."
