Roath is one of the buzziest parts of Cardiff with its action centred around the shopping streets of City Road, Albany Road and Wellfield Road.
Each brings something different to the table from the global cuisine of City Road and the cafe culture of Wellfield Road to the bigger name brands on Albany Road. And that’s not forgetting the numerous hidden gems on some of Roath’s densely populated side streets.
Read more: 20 of the best bakeries and patisseries in Cardiff
Whether you’re looking for sushi, curry, coffee, craft beer or baklava, here are some of the best places to eat and drink in Roath.
1. Friends in Knead
Owned by the same team as Cathays’ Early Bird Bakery, Friends in Knead bake delicious sweet treats and breads from squidgy filled doughnuts to crisp laminated dirty buns and jammy vegan bakewell tarts. There’s regularly a queue outside on the weekend but it’s worth the wait.
Where: Roath Garage, Moy Road, Cardiff CF24 4TD
2. Troy
This long-standing Turkish restaurant moved from City Road to Wellfield Road a few years ago. If you’re looking for a chargrilled meat feast then this is the place to come. Troy also serves a wide range of hot and cold mezze before you tuck into your kebab.
Where: 15 Wellfield Road, Cardiff CF24 3NZ
3. Sushi Life
Sushi Life serves a range of sashimi, ramen, katsu curries and noodle dishes. But, it’s their maki rolls which are always a highlight, including the red dragon, made with cucumber, avocado and salmon and topped with flame-toasted salmon
Where: The Globe Centre, 5, Wellfield Road, Cardiff CF24 3PE
4. Empire
A traditional Indian restaurant with a smart and modern dining room, Empire is always a good spot for familiar favourites such as onion bhajis, saag paneer and tandoori chicken. But a Gurkha masala house speciality, made with chicken cooked with minced lamb, ginger, coriander and yoghurt, is always well worth ordering.
Where: 157-159 Albany Road, Cardiff CF24 3NT
5. Sibling
This trendy brother and sister owned cafe and wine bar serves one of the best cups of coffee in Cardiff. Seasonal bakes are matched to the coffee they serve whilst on Friday and Saturday nights they open for simple yet flavour-packed small plates and natural wines.
Where: 39 Lochaber St, Cardiff CF24 3LS
6. Kuro
Fusion restaurant and wine bar Kuro is owned by two friends, one of whom was previously a chef at Casanova. Their weekly changing menu features twists on classic flavour combinations including dishes like confit duck leg with braised red cabbage and burnt apple puree. Or you can just sit in the bar and enjoy a glass of wine or beer accompanied by complimentary snacks.
Where: Unit 11 The Globe Centre, Albany Rd, Roath, Cardiff CF24 3PE
7. Joe’s Ice Cream
Joe’s Ice Cream is a Swansea institution and their only Cardiff ice cream shop can be found in Roath. With a range of sundaes on offer from chockerbockerglories to strawberry north poles, it’s all about their signature vanilla ice cream which is made fresh in the parlour every day.
Where: 69 Wellfield Road, Cardiff CF24 3PA
8. The Glory Stores
This sophisticated provisions store and cafe sells a range of top-quality produce from locally-sourced Welsh chocolate to Spanish olives and Belgian peanut butter. During the daytime you can pop-in for a doughnut and a glass of champagne or a cheese board and game pie. They’re also open late on Friday and Saturday nights.
Where: 1 Upper Kincraig Street, Cardiff CF24 3HA
9. Pooja
An Indian sweet and snack shop that serves delicious and great value vegetarian curries and fried treats. Make sure you check out their paneer rolls, golden pastry cylinders filled with spiced Indian cottage cheese.
Where: 3 Albany Road, Cardiff CF24 3LH
10. Waterloo Tea
Probably the most highly regarded independent cafe chain in Cardiff, Waterloo Tea imports a broad range of teas from across Asia with varieties including tangerine oolong and peach blossom white tea. They also make excellent coffee and serve a range of all day brunch dishes including miso aubergine brioche buns and Welsh rarebit with leeks and yunnan tea.
Where: 41 Wellfield Rd, Cardiff CF24 3PA
11. Bruno’s Patisserie
Cardiff’s newest Portuguese bakery, Bruno’s is owned by baker and patisserie chef, Bruno Pinho. It’s hidden on a Roath side street but it's worth seeking them out for their signature Portuguese custard tarts as well as their eclairs, doughnuts, bread and savouries.
Where: 2 Diana Street, Cardiff CF24 4TS
12. Moo Moo Thai Tapas
This City Road restaurant serves a spice-packed menu of Thai food. Highlights include brilliantly crisp and tender duck panang curry and a lamb shank massaman curry.
Where: 244 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3JJ
13. Saray
One of City Road’s best Middle Eastern restaurants, Saray’s sharing platters are always a feast. But, if you’re not a meat-eater, their menu also features vegetarian dishes such as moussaka and imam bayaldi.
Where: Saray, 164-166 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3JE
14. Ponnuswamy
Ponnuswamy serves some of the best Southern Indian food in Cardiff. Standout dishes include cauliflower Manchurian, masala paneer and lamb kothu parotta. Another bonus is it’s bring your own bottle too.
Where: 129 City Road, Cardiff, CF24 3BP
15. Al-Sham Sweets
If you’re a fan of Middle Eastern desserts like baklava then you need to visit Al-Sham Sweets. This dessert shop serves a huge range of sweet treats which are sold by weight, from nut-studded baklava to syrup-soaked semolina cake.
Where: 194 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3JF
16. Sticky Fingers
One of the best nights out in Cardiff, Sticky Fingers is a street food market that plays host to a rotating line-up of vendors from tacos and pizza to fried chicken and bao buns. They also have a solid range of craft beer and cocktails too.
Where: 199-201 Richmond Rd, Cardiff CF24 3BT
17. Hug Paeng
Operating from a residential home in a Roath side street, Hug Paeng’s compact menu focuses on excellent red and green chicken curries and fried rice dishes. The secret to their success is their homemade curry pastes which are made with fresh herbs.
Where: 23 Donald Street, Cardiff CF24 4TJ
18. Anna Loka
Anna-Loka serves a full menu of vegan alternatives to classic dishes as well as freshly made juices and smoothies. Dishes include their Rodeo burger, topped with cheese, BBQ sauce and onion rings, as well as tofish and chips served with mushy peas and tartare sauce.
Where: 114 Albany Road, Cardiff, CF24 3RU
19. The Four Elms
As well as having one of the best beer gardens in all of Cardiff, the Four Elms has a decent range of craft beer and serves superb double-cooked chips. They won the inaugural Parliamentary Pub of the Year award in 2019 for their efforts.
Where: 1 Elm Street, Cardiff CF24 3QR
20. Cafe du Chat Noir
This small French cafe serves excellent toasted sandwiches including a croque monsieur filled with tender ham and velvety nutmeg twanged béchamel and topped with a bubbly layer of stringy melted gruyere.
Where: 28 Wellfield Road, Cardiff CF24 3PB
21. Saraztro
The menu at this good value Greek restaurant focuses on taverna classics including souvlaki, calamari, moussaka and stuffed vine leaves. They also have a lovely balcony and garden to enjoy when the sun is shining.
Where: 57 Wellfield Rd, Cardiff CF24 3PA
22. RomEat
RomEat serves delicious and great value Roman style pizza slices and whole pizzas. They’re available with creative toppings such as butternut squash, mozzarella, pancetta and ‘nduja or in more traditional flavour combinations such as quattro formaggi and pepperoni.
Where: 123 Albany Road, Cardiff CF24 3NS
23. The Bottle Shop
With three branches across Cardiff and Penarth, the Bottle Shop sells an exciting range of spirits, wine and craft beer. If you’re looking to try something new, whether it’s a sour beer or Welsh gin then the Bottle Shop’s knowledgeable team are always on hand to provide advice.
Where: 4 Penylan Road, Cardiff CF24 3PF
24. Scaramantica
Roath’s Scaramantica serves superb Neapolitan pizzas. Their wood-fired oven churns out beautifully blistered pizzas with flavour combinations including ‘the lasagne’ made with San Marzano tomato sauce, mozzarella, bechamel, beef ragu and pecorino cheese.
Where: 2 Penylan Road, Cardiff CF24 3PF
25. Maya
This Indian restaurant serves a range of curry house classics from sheekh kebabs and onion bhajis to chicken tikka masala and peshwari naan. It’s bring your own bottle too so it makes for a good value night out.
Where: 68 Albany Road, Cardiff CF24 3RS
26. KBS
If you’re looking for a doner kebab or chicken shish then KBS is one of the best bets on City Road. Their impeccably fresh salad and homemade naan breads make it stand out among the crowd.
Where: 242 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3JJ
27. Amo’s Cafe
This charming Persian cafe serves fragrance-packed dishes such as saffron-marinated chicken joojeh kebab and slow-cooked lamb shank with dill-fragranced rice.
Where: 141 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3BQ
28. Eartha
Herbivore, a long-standing member of Cardiff’s vegetarian and vegan food scene, is resident at Eartha, a City Road plant shop and bar. Their menu of imaginative small plates includes tempura cauliflower with togarashi seasoning, black bean and pumpkin tostadas and cinnamon apple beignets.
Where: 213 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3JD
29. The Albany
This traditional Brains pub is tucked away in a Roath back street. But, it’s well worth seeking out for their beer garden which is one of the best in Cardiff.
Where: 105 Donald St, Roath, Cardiff CF24 4TL
30. La Mina Juice Bar
There's always a queue for baguettes and wraps from this great value sandwich shop which has been a Cardiff institution since 1997. The minted lamb and coronation chicken fillings are particularly worth checking out.
Where: 100 Albany Rd, Cardiff CF24 3RT
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