Connected with Grangetown to the south, Gabalfa to the north and Canton to the west, Riverside has long been a melting pot of Cardiff culture, right in the heart of the city.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, it's home to a number of exciting and innovative independent businesses, from a bustling Sunday market to a gaming cafe - perfect for anyone who fancies a change from the chains which dominate the city centre.
We've compiled the top spots, in no particular order, which you might like to visit.
Read more: The dark past, history and survival of Cardiff's Riverside in pictures
Riverside Real Food Market
The Riverside Real Food Market, set up along the bank of the River Taff and overlooked by the Principality Stadium, is a bustling Sunday morning landmark with a host of independent traders.
The weekly market was first set up in 1998 and today there a cornucopia of goods on offer - including fruits, vegetables, baked goods, plants, pies, eggs, cheese , pasta and street food.
Some well-established traders include Pettigrew Bakeries and Handlebar Barista.
To find out more about Riverside Market and see which traders will be there each week, visit the website.
Where? Fitzhamon Embankment. every Sunday from 10am to 1.30pm.
Good Game Cafe
As its name suggests, this cafe is for lovers of games - whether that be games on screens or tabletops.
The website explains the venues has 12 gaming PCs and gaming consoles like Nintendo Switches and the PS4, as well as retro consoles like Nintendo 64 and SNES, for visitors to enjoy. Board games are also on offer.
But if you'd rather skip the games altogether, not to worry - you can just visit to enjoy their food and drinks, with hot dogs, toasties, burgers and milkshakes all on the menu.
Where? 62 Tudor street
Aubergine Cafe
Aubergine Cafe is run by a small team of adults with autism, and its aim is to allow autistic and neurodiverse people to socialise and build new skills.
Set up by Cardiff resident Selena Caemawr, the space hopes to inspire other companies to provide a more equitable workforce.
Being a black queer person, Selena wanted to make sure that all members of the local community feel welcome in the cafe. From the wider LGBT+ spectrum to people suffering from anxiety, the space is open to all.
You can read more about the story behind it in an interview with WalesOnline here, and also visit the website.
Where? 26 Clare Street
Neighbourhood Kitchen and Cocktails
This street food venue opened its doors on June 2 2021, after husband and wife Tudor and Caroline Barber transformed a former Chinese takeaway.
Its concept is simple but exciting - every month a different chef takes on the kitchen in a rotating residency to create their own menu.
It also functions as a boutique hotel, allowing guests the opportunity to come and "live like a local.”
You can read our review of the restaurant when it first opened, and more about the story behind the venture in an interview with WalesOnline.
Where? 80 Tudor Street
Wokker Shaker
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars overall, the reviews for this popular South East Asian takeaway on TripAdvisor speak volumes.
"The best noodles and crispy chicken I have EVER tasted."
"The best Malaysian/Thai food in the city."
"Tasty, authentic, excellent value food."
Its menu is brimming with noodle and rice dishes, with various meat and veggie additions.
Where? 8 Tudor Street
Riverside Cantonese Restaurant
Proclaiming itself as the "longest-established Cantonese restaurant in South Wales" on its website, this Cardiff institution is still going strong.
403 reviews on TripAdvisor have afforded it 4 out of 5 stars overall, with customers commending its "great food", "friendly service", and "excellent decor".
The food is made by Hong Kong trained chefs who keep up with trends but haven't forgotten the centuries-old traditional Cantonese recipes, according to the website.
The wide variety of dishes on offer include crispy shredded beef with chilli, lettuce rolls and barbecued spare ribs.
Where? Leckwith Road
Madhav
This Asian mini-market and vegetarian cafe is a top-rated venue in the city, thanks to their well-spiced and great value Indian food.
One reviewer on TripAdvisor wrote: "Authentic Bombay-style cooking that you won't get anywhere else. The value for money is as unbelievable as the flavours in the food."
Try their house special thali that includes two vegetable curries, daal, rice, breads, raita, pickles and poppadoms.
Where? 59 Lower Cathedral Road
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