Wales feels like it’s just waking up from months-long sleep as the shops and cafes slowly but surely start up their ‘new normal’, albeit a month behind England. However, it sounds like the Cardiff food industry has just received the boost it needs!
Following the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, the government introduces the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme this August. Half price dining will be on offer which is hoped to give a much-needed boost to the local hospitality industry. It’s been designed to help encourage diners to eat out again in restaurants following lockdown.
Which restaurants will be offering the ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ discount?
Anywhere which serves food can sign up for the scheme, meaning that pubs, restaurants and even some bars will benefit. However, the discount will not be applicable for takeaway and delivery. Below is our quick guide on a few of the big names signed up to the scheme.
City Centre
With the complete renovation of Castle Street to accommodate outdoor dining, the city centre is ready to pave the way for a gradual return to normal now Lockdown is lifting. These are our favourite independent spots that are eager to get their doors open:
Mia Porto Due – Mon – Wed
Address: The Old Brewery Quarter, Caroline St, Cardiff CF10 1FG
Simple restaurant serving traditional Portuguese and Italian dishes in a contemporary setting.
Pitch – Monday – Wednesday
Address: 3 Mill Ln, Cardiff CF10 1FL
Low-key, dimly-lit eatery with art-covered walls offering British standards plus cocktails & brews
Bwyta Bwyd Bombai- Mon-Wed
Address: 12 High St, Cardiff CF10 1AX
Family-owned restaurant serving traditional Indian street eats in an intimate, relaxed dining room.
Greazy Vegan – Monday – Wednesday
Address: 47 – 49 Castle Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1BW
Heathcock – Wednesday Only
Address: 58-60 Bridge St, Cardiff CF5 2EN
Sister to the Hare & Hounds in Aberthin, this modest neighbourhood pub shares its passion for sourcing great ingredients and preparing them with care.
The Real Pizza Company – Mon-Wed
Address: 23, 22 Trinity St, Cardiff CF10 1BH
Address: 10 Mill Ln, Cardiff CF10 1FL
Address: 29 Park Pl, Cardiff CF10 3BA
Park Plaza – Laguna Bar
Address: Greyfriars Rd, Cardiff CF10 3AL
Curado
Address: 2 Guildhall Pl, Cardiff CF10 1EB
The Dock Cardiff – Mon – Wed
Address: Mermaid Quay, Stuart St, Cardiff CF10 5BZ
Marco Pierre White : Mon- Wed
Address: 6th Floor, Dominions House, Dominions Arcade, Queen St, Cardiff CF10 2AR
Choice steaks and British fare served with cocktails in a refined, modern environment with terraces.
East Side
On the one side of the Taff there are a couple of great spots to check out if you don’t fancy heading into town. Plus, remember away from the centre there’s the added bonus of beer gardens:
Thackeray Cardiff – Tuesday & Wednesday ( Open 4th August – Bookings open from the 3rd August )
Address: 635 Newport Rd, Rumney, Cardiff CF3 4FB
The Brook Bistro – Tuesday & Wednesday
Address: 76a Merthyr Rd, Cardiff CF14 1DJ
Society Standard: Tues – Wed
Address: 9-81 Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff CF14 3JP
Late-night food · Breakfast · Outdoor seating
Jack Russell’s Irish bar: Mon-Wed
Address: 25-29 Merthyr Rd, Cardiff CF14 1DB
Steakout: Mon- Wed
Address: 157 City Rd, Cardiff CF24 3BQ
Steak Dining with Prime Cuts and Innovative Flavours.
The Monkstone Inn
902 Newport Road, Rumney, South Glamorgan, CF3 4LL
Food Glorious Food
755 Newport Road, Rumney, South Glamorgan, CF3 4AJ
West Side
And on the other side of the Taff there are another handful of our favourite foodie spots, eager to satisfy those outdoor dining cravings:
Dusty knuckle – Wednesday
Address: The Boneyard, Paper Mill Rd, Cardiff CF11 8DH
Nook – Monday
Address: 587 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF5 1BE
The Conway
Address: 58 Conway Rd, Cardiff CF11 9NW
The Cricketers – Mon-Wed
Address: 66 Cathedral Rd, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9LL
This traditional-decor townhouse pub with beer garden serves local real ale and upscale Welsh food
Heathcock
Address:Heathcock Hotel, 58-60 Bridge Street, Cardiff, CF5 2EN
Dino’s cafe
Address:327 Cowbridge road east, Canton, Cf5 1jd
The Conway
Address:Conway Hotel, 58 Conway Road, South Glamorgan, CF11 9NW
The Apothecary
Address:18 Llandaff Road, South Glamorgan, CF11 9NJ
Calabrisella Canton
Address:154 Cowbridge Road East, South Glamorgan, CF11 9ND
Quantum Cafe
Address:1 Severn Road, South Glamorgan, CF11 9EB
Coffee Rex
Address:Unit 4&5 Avocet House, 8 Station Road, CF14 2FG
Old Post House
Address:Old Post House, Greenwood Lane, Cardiff, CF5 6EL
Mira
Address:149 Cowbridge Road East, South Glamorgan, CF11 9AH
Vivo Latino
Address:147 Cowbridge Road East, South Glamorgan, CF11 9AH
Castle Bingo Canton
Address:135 Cowbridge Road East, South Glamorgan, CF11 9AG
Elgano Restaurant
Address:58 Cathedral Road, South Glamorgan, CF11 9LL
Kin Ilk PontcannaAddress:
Cathedral House, 31 Cathedral Road, South Glamorgan, CF11 9HB
Oz urfa
Address:148-154, North Road, South Glamorgan, CF14 3BH
Lakeside Cafe
Address:Cosmeston Cafe,Cosmeston Country Pa, Lavernock Road, South Glamorgan, CF64 5UY
Oriel Gallery
Cardiff White Water Cafe, Cardiff In, Watkiss Way, South Glamorgan, CF11 0SY
Copthorne Hotel Cardiff
Copthorne Way, South Glamorgan, CF5 6DH
Caffi Bodlon
12 Park Road, Whitchurch, South Glamorgan, CF14 7BQ
Juboraj Rhiwbina
11 Heol y Deri, South Glamorgan, CF14 6HA
New House Country Hotel
Thornhill Road, South Glamorgan, CF14 9UA
Cardiff Golf Club
Cardiff Golf Club, Sherborne Avenue, Cardiff, CF23 6SJ
Waterloo Tea
17-19, Clearwater Way, South Glamorgan, CF23 6DL
The Discovery
Celyn Avenue, South Glamorgan, CF23 6FH
Ford Cafe
26 Countisbury Avenue, Llanrumney, South Glamorgan, CF3 5SJ
The Blue Bell Inn
Newport Road, Old St. Mellons, South Glamorgan, CF3 5UN
Penarth & Barry
A few deserved mentions if you fancy travelling outside of the city along the coast. There are some more excellent indie delights waiting to be rediscovered:
Foxys deli and cafe
Address7 Royal Buildings, South Glamorgan, CF64 3ED
Glendale Hotel
Address:Villa Napoli, Glendale Hotel, 8-10 Plymouth Road, South Glamorgan, CF64 3DH
Tonys Taste of Italy
Address:Tony’s Taste of Italy, unit 3 Herbert terrace, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 2AH
Willmore’s 1938
Address:4 Washington Buildings, Stanwell Road, South Glamorgan, CF64 2AD
Waterloo Tea
Address:1-3 Washington Buildings, Stanwell Road, South Glamorgan, CF64 2AD
Mint & Mustard
Address: 33-34 Windsor Terrace, Penarth, CF64 1AB
The Crepe Escape
Address15 Glebe Street, South Glamorgan, CF64 1ED
The Windsor Restaurant and Tea Rooms
Address1 Windsor Arcade, South Glamorgan, CF64 1JA
Deco Deli
Address41 Albert Road, South Glamorgan, CF64 1BZ
Keyif Turkish cuisine
Address21 Glebe Street, South Glamorgan, CF64 1EE
Lakeside Cafe
Address:Cosmeston Cafe,Cosmeston Country Pa, Lavernock Road, South Glamorgan, CF64 5UY
Coffi Co Penarth
Address:The Esplanade, South Glamorgan, CF64 3AU
The Busy Teapot
Address: 27 Glebe Street, South Glamorgan, CF64 1EE
Ego at the Schooner Inn
Address: Lavernock Road, South Glamorgan, CF64 5UP
Pickford’s Galley and Bar with Rooms
Pickfords galley, The Esplanade, South Glamorgan, CF64 3AU
The Golden Lion
69 Glebe Street, South Glamorgan, CF64 1EF
Waterloo Tea
Address: Penarth Pier Pavilion, Penarth Pier, Esplanade, South Glamorgan, CF64 3AU
Glamorganshire Golf Club
AddressGlamorganshire Golf Club, CF64 5UP
The Sully Inn
Address: 4 Cog Rd, Sully CF64 5TD
Hangfire BBQ – Mon & Wed
Address: The Pumphouse, Hood Rd, Barry CF62 5BE
Chains Involved in the Scheme:
And finally, some honourable mentions for the chains that are reopening their doors for the 50% scheme. They may not be as precious as our local independent brands, but that doesn’t make them any less delicious! And who can really say no to a cheeky Nando’s after months of being locked indoors?
The Ivy
Alchemist
Botanist
PHO
Turtle Bay
Nando’s
All Bar One
Pizza Hut
Wagamama
Frankie & Benny’s
Harvester
Ocho lounge
Viva Brazil
We know we’re going to be heading out to take advantage of this offer, and we’d love to hear if you guys are out doing the same. Let us know which places you’ve been hitting up to celebrate the end of lockdown and Summer 2020 getting back on track.