Culley’s Kitchen & Bar is an independent restaurant located in Cardiff Bay’s Coal Exchange Hotel. It takes its name from R.P. Culley, a local wine merchant who was the first person to open a restaurant on the same site. Many of the classical dining features from this and other past iterations of Culley’s have been retained and given a modern update.
Food is served all day. Those wanting breakfast can choose from a hot (all the usual components of a full English) or cold (yoghurts, cereals, fruit and pastries) buffet. Vegetarian and vegan options are available on request. On Fridays and Saturdays, breakfast is followed directly by brunch, where main course options include harissa lamb crumpet and breaded prawn tacos. Accompanying drinks can be made bottomless for 90 minutes.
The a la carte menu covers a lot of ground and is likely to offer something to suit most tastes. To start there’s the likes of butternut squash and sage soup or ham hock terrine. Mains choices range from a chicken laksa to chargrilled pork loin with dauphinoise potatoes. There’s also a full selection of grill items, such as rib-eye or rump steak and butterfly chicken breast.
On Sundays Culley’s serves a roast and afternoon tea is on offer Monday to Sunday. Afternoon tea takes three forms: £35 a head and with two gin cocktails, £25 a head for a savoury selection that includes a lamb bao bun, and £22.50 for a traditional range of sandwiches and cakes.
The drinks menu features the usual line up spirits, beers and wines. There’s also a sizeable cocktail offering, including the locally named cwtch on the beach.