A much-loved sandwich shop in the heart of Cardiff city centre has been named in the top 10% places to eat in the world by TripAdvisor - and with constant queues outside the doors of its intimate store each day without fail, it's clear to see why.
Fresh the Baguette Bar, which is run by Gareth Lawson and Sam Halewood, has been serving the hungry people of Cardiff with fully loaded baguettes - and salads - for the last 23 years. It consistently sees customers line the walkway of Royal Arcade, happy to wait their turn to sink their teeth into showstopping sarnies such as a slow roasted beef baguette with white truffle mayo, onion chutney, rocket, chilli oil and parmesan or an Indian spiced chicken baguette with a mango mayo, cumin seeds, salad, onion bhajis and crispy onion and garlic topping. You can even have it as a salad bowl.
Fresh unveiled news of its TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Award on social media. The awards are based on millions of reviews and opinions from customers from around the world and recopgnise the best places in terms of service, quality, customer satisfaction and more.
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The message to the pair - whose business consistently tops Tripadvisor as one of the best places to eat in Cardiff - read: "Every year, Tripadvisor celebrates restaurants that consistently deliver amazing experiences with a Travellers' Choice Award - and this year, you made the list. That means you've earned positive reviews and ratings over the past year, so keep it up. Good job, and congratualtions on your well-deserved win. You're in the top 10% of restaurants worldwide."
Speaking to WalesOnline, Gareth said: "It's an honour to have such an award. It's humbling for us. It's just lovely that people enjoy our food and our somewhat cheeky service and fun that we have in the shop. And for people to enjoy their lunchtime during a hard working day... we just try and lighten people's lives a little bit.
"They enjoy our food - it's a magical thing that we can do that consistently. And people love it and are happy to give us these amazing reviews. So it's a really fantastic thing for us. And it just gives us the confidence that we're we're doing it right."
He added: "I'm sort of lost for words a little bit. It is overwhelming that we get such amazing reviews. And it's just lovely that people want to come and see us and they want to come and have lunch."
Accompanying the picture posted on Fresh's Instagram page, Gareth and Sam wrote: "Wow…top 10% in the world ….Thank you all so much for your amazing support over the last 23 years , it’s an absolute privilege to have such wonderful customers….we love you all.
"I’d also like to give a massive shout out to our incredible staff for there amazing work…Fresh wouldn’t be Fresh without them. Gaz & Sam."
Fresh the Baguette Bar can be found at 32 Royal Arcade, Cardiff.
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