After checking out some of the best places to have coffee around Cardiff, we realised that Cardiff is a hub of small cafes and eateries that all offer different dining experiences. So with that being said, we decided to check out what we could get in the way of brunch. Perfect for the later risers amongst us, brunch is basically a coined term for those who woke up too late for breakfast, but cannot wait to eat until lunch. With some places offering specific brunch menus, Cardiff is not short on places to go, all of which seem to suit a student budget. Whether youÔÇÖre looking for a classic, hangover-curing fry up or a stack of pancakes, our brunch guide should be able to sort you out. Proving the perfect Sunday morning remedy, brunch around Cardiff is definitely something to try.
The Pot
Nestled amongst the student mecca of Crwys Road, The Pot strikes the perfect balance between quirkiness and cosiness, making it a great brunch destination. Offering a sizeable breakfast and brunch menu, the Pot is all about homemade, quality dishes and an intimate environment that mimics a small French bistro. With an open kitchen layout, the caf├® is continuously filled with great smells with the kitchen itself retaining a homely and somewhat familiar aura. If itÔÇÖs a classic fry-up youÔÇÖre looking for, the pot offers different options including a ÔÇÿWelsh breakfastÔÇÖ as well as vegan and vegetarian options. But if youÔÇÖre looking for something a little different, opting for the exotic ÔÇÿbreakfast burritoÔÇÖ is a wise choice. Partnering classic Mexican flavours with the breakfast staple of scrambled eggs, the breakfast burrito is an exciting twist on the notorious fry-up.┬á Serving breakfast until 2pm and brunch until 4pm, itÔÇÖs a great option for the lazier amongst us. With prices ranging from ┬ú5 to ┬ú8, it also proves a fairly cheap option too. With coffees and a range of smoothies on option, the Pot offers all you could desire from a brunch experience.
– Emma Giles
Crumbs Caf├®
Going out for breakfast doesnÔÇÖt have to mean a greasy fry-up or a plate stacked high with overly sweetened pancakes, and Crumbs Kitchen is a great alternative if youÔÇÖre looking for something a little healthier. The vegetarian cafe, nestled in a cosy corner of Morgan Arcade, is a fantastic stop for breakfast and lunch alike. With a fantastic selection of fresh fruits, cereals and yoghurt, youÔÇÖre free to piece together your own light and refreshing breakfast bowl, just the way you like it. If you fancy something a bit more substantial thereÔÇÖs always a couple hot specials on the menu too such as potato rosti with poached eggs and creamy porridge topped with fruits and seeds. With hearty portions at very affordable prices itÔÇÖs not just your body that will be thanking you for opting for a nutritious start, but your bank balance too.
– Kathryn Lewis
Barker Tea House
Barker Tea House, located in the High Street Arcade, provide an eggs-cellent (excuse the pun) and healthy variety of breakfasts and brunches. Take a seat in their large, comfortable leather chairs and dither through their amazing list of fruit smoothies, or herbal teas. Whatever you fancy, or hadnÔÇÖt even thought to try, IÔÇÖm sure Barker will have it. Their authentic rustic touch makes this tea shop really individual and very popular with students and locals alike. Whether you’re looking for a hangover cure or somewhere nice to take your friends or parents, I would always recommend it.
To eat, I usually go for their eggs benedict or eggs florentine which you can never go too far wrong with – their granola is also worth a try. In terms of drinks, their milkshakes are great and served in pint milk bottles, which is a quirky extra touch! The tea house only offers black filter coffee, so if you are looking for a latte or cappuccino then head down to Coffee Barker, which is about 2 minutes away in Castle arcade.
– Lucy Pierce
The Gutsy Goose
After having missed the Quench Food dinner at The Gutsy Goose, it became my mission to try some of the food which had caused the green monster of jealousy to appear within me. Despite being the only people in the restaurant, the atmosphere was relaxed and the staff were just the right level of attentiveness. The restaurant itself is small so always seems to have an intimate sort of vibe.
After a lot of deliberating, I decided on the pancakes with mixed fruit as well as a much needed coffee to help pry my eyes open from their seemingly never-ending state of exhaustion. Although the pancakes were not the best I have ever tasted, there is plenty of other dishes to try including an unusual steak and eggs dish. The cappuccino was lovely, and my breakfast companion (who revealed herself to be a sort of coffee connoisseur during breakfast) informed me that the froth and coffee ratio was excellent. That’s one off the bucket list.
With their large menu spanning more than just pancakes and their attentive service, the gutsy goose is a great option for brunch.
– Amandeep Turner
Face 11
If youÔÇÖre a breakfast lover, you will understand the struggle of trying to find the best eatees when faced with a new city. The greatest meal of the day, yet so many times are you left disappointed. So often in student areas are the menus full of greasy poor quality food. However, situated on Cathays terrace, youÔÇÖll find Face 11; a great little restaurant that packs taste, yet lacks the grease.
DonÔÇÖt be put off by its promotion as a ÔÇÿCocktail BarÔÇÖ, this gem serves breakfast until 1pm, and doesnÔÇÖt disappoint on quality or size. With prices averaging a fiver, it wonÔÇÖt break the bank either. You can find a wide range of options such as a classic full English, American pancakes, or a bacon baguette. ItÔÇÖs definitely worth a visit.
Not only is the food great, the restaurant area feels like a grotto, reminiscent of a ski chalet. Given, in Cathays itÔÇÖs hard to feel like youÔÇÖre in the French alps, but it does well to provide a nice escape. The staff are also very friendly; making itÔÇÖs a great atmosphere compared to the grimy greasy spoons so often visited. Save the venture into town and go here, you wonÔÇÖt regret it.
– Sarah Baltrop