Whether you’re celebrating Galentine’s, Valentine’s or just another Saturday, it’s always nice to find new spots in Cardiff to eat, explore or relax. Here are some places I’ve got my eye on this Valentines’ Day.

Dinner date:

If you’re after a classic, intimate and a little less mainstream dinner date, these places feel spot on. Having been on my list for a while now, Brother Thai and The Dough Thrower on Whitchurch Road are both perfect for a slower meal with someone special.

Quick & casual date:

For something more spontaneous, a quick bite can be just as fun, especially for a last-minute Valentine. Rascal Burrito on Crwys Road is ideal to test your compatibility with its topping choices. A bakery run (yes, an actual run if you’d like) to Alex Gooch, a cosy vegan café on Whitchurch Road, also makes for a simple but sweet date.

Crafty date:

For those hoping for a keepsake for this Valentine’s or for anyone a little crafty, Peggy’s Pots is a must. With locations in Canton and Barry, both spaces are full of character. The Barry studio is based in Goodsheds, a creative hub made up of shipping containers and packed with great food spots, making it ideal for foodies. It’s around an hour by train or 30-minute car journey so why not make a day out of it? The Canton store is a little closer to home. It is located in The Boneyard which is another cluster of independent shops set within repurposed shipping containers. You can even bring snacks along to enjoy while you paint. Once you’ve finished your pottery, Peggy’s Pots will glaze it within 1 or 2 weeks for you to then pick up. For first dates, it practically guarantees a second one, since you’ll have to come back together to pick up your pottery. A surprisingly effective excuse to see each other again.

Long-distance date:

With a little creativity, a virtual date night for the long-distance lovers can feel just as special. Try cooking a meal ‘together’ over FaceTime. One of you cooks the main while the other makes the starter or desert over the phone. When done, order what you made to your partner via UberEats so you both have the missing parts of the meal, as if you’re sending the food you cooked by post. You can then sit down and enjoy your date night dinner over FaceTime. 

Games-night date:

Fancy a little competition? Scaredy Cats in the city centre is a great location to destroy your loved ones at Catan, something I am unfortunately yet to do. The retro games in the SU Lounge are also a great option for some friendly rivalry on a budget. You could even turn it into a mini-Olympics between your loved one(s), switching between games and consoles while keeping score.

Sports date:

And if neither digital nor board games are for you, Cardiff University Residence Life’s weekly badminton Saturdays are another great option. These run between 6 and 7:30 pm. Conveniently, they fall on Valentine’s Day this year. So why not book a slot and head over to Talybont Sports Centre with your partner or Galentine’s group?

Cinema date:

Another low-cost date idea is a movie night. As a big fan of film, I could spend hours discussing this, but here are a few thoughtful picks:

• H.A.G.S.  (Have a Good Summer) by Sean Wang is my personal all-time favourite short film. It leads to an interesting twist on a classic date night, sparking nostalgic conversations, reminiscing about your school days with your partner or loved ones. It’s free to watch online and is short enough so the main part of the date becomes the conversation afterwards.
• If you fall in love with Sean Wang’s work as I’m sure you will, follow it up with Nai Nai & Wài Pó. It is a film that beautifully portrays love in old age. A perfect pairing that opens up conversations about both the past and what’s to come.
• For something a little darker, No Other Choice by Park Chan-wook is a film I’m particularly looking forward to watching. While it may not be everyone’s idea of a romantic Valentine’s watch, it’s ideal for those who love a thriller and enjoy dissecting a film together afterwards.

Whether it’s Galentine’s, a first date or a long-distance FaceTime, Valentine’s doesn’t have to look a certain way. Sometimes the best dates are the messy ones that haven’t been overthought.

Words by Roxane Bosch

Featured image courtesy of Rinck Content Studio on Unsplash. No changes have been made to this image. Image licence found here.