Swansea city centre has never been short of options where you can go for a nice meal or a quick bite to eat.
No matter what your taste, there's always been plenty of variety within walking distance where you can enjoy your favourite dish, many of which made our list of best restaurants in Swansea for 2021. You can read more about that by clicking here.
But in recent months, we've seen an influx of even more offerings which have really shaken up the city's culinary scene.
READ MORE: The popular Swansea restaurant offering a free meal to the homeless on Christmas Day
From fast food and sweet treats to cafes and authentic themed restaurants, there's plenty of new additions which have moved into units left empty by the departure of other businesses. We've profiled them here.
Taco Bell
Taco Bell officially opened along Oxford Street in the unit of the old Halifax bank in February. Some of the chain's most popular choices on its menu include the Crunchwrap Supreme and, of course, crunchy and soft tacos. It also offers a quesadilla stuffed with three different types of cheese, a spicy "volcano burrito" and fries smothered in nacho-cheese sauce, beef, sour cream and salsa.
The chain was founded in 1962 and there are now more than 7,500 restaurants across the world. We went along to try it out in October after it was rated the worst restaurant in Swansea on TripAdvisor. Click here to read what we thought.
Crazy Baker
Crazy Baker moved into the old unit of Edwards Travel on Plymouth Street in October and is off to a flying start, selling gourmet sweet treats, sandwiches and vegan foods in all sorts of colours and flavours; all the brainchild of owner Giovanni and his son.
The idea for the eccentric bakery came when Giovanni and his son experimented with dessert recipes and put their own spin on doughnuts, brownies, custard slices and more.
As well as dessert options, Crazy Baker stocks sandwiches with different coloured breads, from pink to yellow, infused with flavours like beetroot and curry.
The bakery also provides coffee from SO Coffee, a Swansea-based wholesale and retail coffee business. It is important to Crazy Baker to stock local products. Using a Carpigiani ice cream machine, the bakery creates ice cream and ice cream milkshakes with flavours like Oreo and Terry’s Chocolate Orange.
Chopstix
Chopstix moved into the old unit of Starbucks Coffee on Oxford Street in November after much excitement and anticipation. It is the largest Asian-inspired quick-serve restaurant in the UK and operates as a fast food restaurant, serving chicken and vegetarian dishes.
The chain has 72 outlets including franchises across the UK, and three across Wales in Cardiff, Bridgend and Swansea.
The new restaurant, in Swansea, is a £250,000 investment and has created 15 jobs. UK-wide the business employs more than 700.
All the food served at Chopstix is freshly prepared and displayed in front of customers, with plenty to choose from.
Rainbao
The new restaurant, selling Korean-style street food, lets you watch the chefs prepare and cook your meal right in front of you.
Rainbao, in Princess Way, has an open-kitchen and is led by a "farm to table" ethos, with fresh, organic ingredients transformed into Korean and Southeast Asia-inspired dishes, including home-made Bao buns, dim-sum and Katsu curry, which you can wash down with vibrant cocktails served with flair from the huge cocktail bar. For more food and drink stories, click here.
The restaurant is the brainchild of Caerwyn Ash and Ryan Gormley, two Swansea locals who were looking to launch a business in the city offering something different to what Swansea already offers.
Wagamama
Wagamama officially opened its new restaurant in place of the former Frankie and Benny's at Little Wind Street in December. The restaurant has been designed with "lighter woods and greys" and floor-to-ceiling windows. It sits 136 people inside while there's space for a further 56 guests outside too.
Wagamama launched in 1992 in London and quickly became a popular restaurant across the UK. It specialises in Japanese and pan-Asian cuisine with a menu full of "fresh, nourishing flavours of Asia," including items like ramen, donburi, teppanyaki, curry and kokoro bowls.
The Dough Works
The latest addition to Castle Arcade, The Dough Works is a new American-style doughnut shop that opened after the owner started baking during lockdown.
Born out of Lewis Hayward's desire to own and run his own business, the 30-year-old took a chance and started in Castle Arcade which he now describes is a "food hub".
Launched this month, The Dough Works is the latest addition to the small arcade hoping to make a name for itself in the city.
Acknowledging all the great doughnuts Swansea has to offer, Lewis believes his American cake styled doughnut will be "the best" with its own handmade glazes and fresh dough every day.
Stinky Boys
Another new arrival to Castle Arcade is Stinky Boys, an award-winning chicken wings pop up turned into a sandwich shop.
Not your typical chefs, Stinky Boys was opened in November after Ryan Jenkins thought of the idea whilst in the pub and rushed to get it open in three weeks after having his offer accepted.
No stranger to good food, Ryan once ran a tiny chicken shop in Aberkenfig where customers were known to wait for up to three hours to eat his wings, which were named runners-up at London's Wing Fest 2021.
Double Zero
Double Zero coffee shop opened up in one of the empty units at Parc Tawe retail park earlier this year, selling freshly ground coffee, sandwiches, soups, jacket potatoes and cakes.
Dirty Fries
Another new arrival to fill one of the empty units at Parc Tawe Retail Park is The Dirty Fries Company. The fast food restaurant sells fries, hot dogs, sides and sauces.
Founders & Co
Founders & Co officially opened in the home of the former Revolution bar back in July. It consists of a coffee bar, a bar and a dining hall full of different options to suit all different tastes.
A unique aspect of the new business is The Emporium, a retail space which sells the wares of local businesses, including Swansea Bay Records. There's also a private events room and events space called 'The Potting Shed', versatile in its nature to host anything from corporate business meetings to yoga classes. We took a look around the restaurant when it first opened. Click here to read more.
Marley Vibes - The Taste of Jamaica
Marley Vibes - The Taste of Jamaica is a relative newcomer at High Street, having opened up in September. As the name suggests, it offers up authentic Jamaican food, with breakfast, lunch and dinner and fish dishes.
Its owner Barbara said: "I’m so passionate about bringing my part of the world to Swansea. I want to share the best of what Jamaica has to offer; the food but also a sense of community. We hope to become like a local Jamaican beach hut where you can grab some good food, beer or rum!”
Jam Jar
Jam Jar, an independent music venue, bar and kitchen officially opened its doors in Swansea's High Street in October. It is styled with a modern take on a classic Jazz club feel. Offering live entertainment every night from local musicians to comedy acts, it hopes to become a mainstay for the up and coming arts culture in the city.
New fish and chip shop plans
The old Virgin Media store in Union Street could soon be replaced by a new fish and chip shop. London based Fortdene Limited has asked Swansea Council for planning permission to transform the old unit into the chippy, which would feature both indoor seating and delivery options for customers. It would also create five new jobs if given the go ahead by the authority.
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