Best restaurants in Cardiff

Many declare Happy Gathering as the best Chinese restaurant in Cardiff, and who are we to disagree? Pulling in the crowds from lunchtime to evening, diners can expect heavenly dim sum, efficient service and fair pricing, which sounds like a rather excellent combination.

Housed in the Grade-II listed Parkgate Hotel, The Sorting Room is a relaxed yet elegant spot dressed to the nines with extravagant chandeliers and plush leather seating. Explore indulgent lunch menus, pop in for a Sunday roast, or celebrate over afternoon tea - there’s something for everyone.

Thomas is the brainchild of Tom Simmonds, a quintessentially Welsh chef, inspired by his own upbringing in Pembrokeshire. There’s undeniable French influence in dishes but ingredients and atmosphere are unmistakably Welsh. The speakeasy bar on the second floor is a great spot for a celebration.

Looking for a classic boozer to while away an evening? The Plymouth Arms brings plush furnishing, with a roaring fire for winter and a buzzing beer garden in the summer. The menu matches up too, featuring the comforting likes of steaks and pies, while hearty Sunday roasts are a further draw.

Serving just 12 guests in an intimate dining room, there’s nowhere to hide at Cora if the food isn’t up to par. Fortunately chef Lee Skeet - formerly head chef of Michelin-starred Hedone in London - has quality food on lockdown, serving up an inventive, seasonal tasting menu that has Cardiff enraptured.

A recent addition to Cardiff’s dining scene, Terra Mare brings a touch of Italian flair to the capital, with this refined, all-occasions spot. Take a seat at the marble-topped bar for an after work tipple, or delve into cicchetti, antipasti, primi, and more, in the glamorous dining room.

Casanova's authentic, seasonally evolving selection of dishes have made it a fan favourite in the Welsh capital. Choose from the authentic five-course tasting menu, or stick to the a la carte with everything from traditional pasta dishes to indulgent mains.

Taking up residence in the historic Coal Exchange, Aura is a glamorous brasserie and bar, boasting plush burgundy seating, exposed brick and brass detailing. A set menu sees a selection of globally-inspired dishes, made with the very best of Welsh produce, whilst brunch and Sunday roast menus are equally worth a mention.

Housed in a Grade-I listed building, Park House just oozes elegance, making it perfect for those looking to enjoy some fine-dining. Here, you’ll find an array of modern European dishes as part of a five- or eight-course tasting menu, all set against a rather chic backdrop.

Indian cuisine naturally lends itself to plant-based dishes, and Vegetarian Food Studio has really found a way to capitalise on this. Diners can expect the tempting likes of specialities from North and South India, including thali specials, aloo palak and a range of chaats.

One of Wales’ most beloved burger joints, the Grazing Shed sets itself apart with the quality of its ingredients. Specialising in gourmet burgers, with speedy service, pick from a range of stacked burgers, or try the veggie and vegan varieties, including the iconic Super Tidy Burger.

Holding the title of Cardiff’s oldest Indian restaurant, Spice Quarter offers a vibrant taste of India with its selection of curries, sharing platters and dishes cooked on the Tandoor grill. The decor transports you to India too, thanks to a seductive mix of dark wood and burnt orange.

Looking to cosy up with that classic boozer feel? It’s all about provenance at The Cornerhouse, with steaks that are sourced from British and Irish farms, and fish delivered daily from the coast. Top orders include beer-battered fish & chips and maple-glazed pork belly, with a stellar roast come Sunday.

After the sad closure of Restaurant James Sommerin, James and family have returned with Home at Penarth.  Diners can expect a completely immersive experience - the menu is kept a complete surprise until you're sitting at your table, but anyone who remembers James' cooking will be more than pleasantly surprised.

The carefully considered menu at the Heathcock has earned it a Michelin Bib Gourmand, and rightly so. Nose-to-tail ethos is bandied around often these days but the Heathcock team do a fantastic job working around seasonality and food waste, whilst still turning out plates of intricately crafted cuisine.

This proudly Welsh deli is well-stocked with jams, chutneys and other delicious foodie jars, but the food is absolutely worth staying for. In the daytime, expect coffee and a selection of brunch dishes, whilst in the evening, you’ll find a chilled-out bar, serving wines and cheese platters.

Founded by brothers Tom and Owen Morgan, Bar44 is a tapas joint that means business, bringing authentic Spanish cuisine to the people of Cardiff. Here, you’ll find an array of small plates, including hand-carved jamon and patatas bravas, with fun cocktails and Spanish brandy to wash it all down.

All-day restaurant and bar Silures champions sustainable principles and local sourcing to create its modern European menus. Expect smart, well executed plates using the best of Welsh produce, from day boat fish to cote de boeuf, or head to the bar for carefully crafted cocktails.

This rustic, relaxed Spanish grill and wine bar has become a Quay Street favourite since it opened back in 2018.Tuck into a fantastic daily-changing list of blackboard specials (once they're gone, they're gone), and something from the extensive list of Spanish wines and sherries for a memorable evening.

Occupying a seductive basement space that formerly acted as bank vaults, the Potted Pig entices diners with its menu of well-executed Welsh produce. A staple of Cardiff’s dining scene since 2011, you’ll find French and New York touches to the menus, expect everything from chargrilled steaks and game to classic desserts.

Great British Menu stalwart Tommy Heaney opened his eponymous restaurant in 2018, and it quickly became one of the most popular spots in the city thanks to the upbeat vibe and fantastic sharing dishes. The £45 set menu is outstanding value, if you can nab a table that is.

A true favourite for locals, Purple Poppadom is a colourful restaurant that serves classic and contemporary Indian cuisine. Choose from the magnificent seven-course tasting menu, or be sure to pop in for the weekend set menu, which is an absolute steal.

After training under some of the UK’s most legendary chefs, Tom Waters has returned with his own joint. Gorse is a 24-cover contemporary restaurant that takes inspiration from the local surrounds, and showcases the very best of Welsh produce in its ten- and seven-course tasting menus.