The Eat Guide by St David's - 2018 edition

THE

EAT GUIDE

BY ST DAVID’S

Discover delicious food and drink in the heart of Cardiff 1 01_Eat18_cover_NL1.indd 1

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EAT CLUB

BY ST DAVID’S

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hello

WELCOME If you’re looking for somewhere great to eat in the centre of Cardiff, you’re in the right place. With more than 40 restaurants and cafés St David’s is a foodie find.

Tourist or a local, on a budget or feeling lavish, St David’s is a destination for good food whatever the time of day.

You’ll find tempting tacos and teriyaki; burgers and burritos bursting with flavour; salads and sweet treats to satisfy your inner saint or sinner, and much more besides. From early morning pastries and coffees through lunchtime soups and sandwiches and on to late night dinner and cocktails, we have it all right here. Browse the full foodie offering in this guide, then make a date to come and visit us very soon.

Tasted something you love at St David’s? Share it Facebook.com/ stdavidscardiff

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LOVE FOOD? JOIN THE CLUB

St David’s Eat Club is the must-join mailing list for foodies in Wales. We’ll send you the latest news, offers and competitions from our restaurants and cafés so you’ll never miss a mouthful. Plus we like to spoil our Eat Club members with parking treats and more. Register now at stdavidscardiff.com/eat-club

Brought to you by…

The Content Emporium thecontentemporium.co.uk Editor: Charlotte Laing. Art Editors: Neil Lodge and Esther Curtis.

Contributors: Charlotte Dallin, Catherine Dean, Greg Laing, Natalie Brereton © 2018 The St David’s Partnership, a joint venture between Land Securities PLC and Intu Properties PLC. No content from this guide can be reproduced without prior written consent of The St David’s Partnership.

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CONTENTS

what’s inside

30

5. Time to eat!

Wake up. Lunch break. Tea time. Late night. It’s all here!

8 - 24. Our restaurants

Discover the tastiest places to eat, right in the centre of Cardiff

16. Vegan variety

From ramen to pizza, there’s so much choice for vegans at St David’s

20

20. What’s your flavour?

Do you fancy Mexican, Japanese, Italian, American, French, or British?

25. Make a day of it

Your guide to a great day out in the city

28. Our cafés

Take a break and treat yourself

12

Recipes 9. Crab mayonnaise

Wahaca’s founder Thomasina Miers shares a modern take on a retro classic

11. Yaki Soba

Learn how to whip-up this Wagamama favourite at home

8

13. Epic chocolate brownie

This Jamie’s Italian dessert is gloriously gooey and surprisingly easy to make

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dining ideas

IT’S TIME TO EAT From morning coffees and tasty brunches, to flavour-filled lunches and evening meals to remember, at St David’s you’ll always be well-fed

RISE &

Caffè Nero cappuccino and almond croissant.

Below: Costa crumpets

SHINE Breakfast at St David’s can be an event or simply your chance to fuel-up on your way to work.

You could grab coffee and an almond croissant from Caffè Nero or a bacon bap from EAT. The crumpets and hot chocolate from Costa are always popular too. Really want to make sure that tummy doesn’t rumble until lunch? Tuck into a full Italian at Carluccio’s or sit down with the papers and the heavenly avocado brunch from Cosy Club.

“We love #cosyclubcardiff!

Delicious meal cooked absolutely perfectly! Great on a freezing day and beautiful cosy surroundings!” @deniseblackburnsoul_art

Carluccio’s ‘Breakfast Magnifica’. Above: Cosy Club avocado brunch.

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dining ideas

Afternoon tea at Benugo, John Lewis.

Below: Sunset Fino burger from Nando’s, mushroom, caramelised onion and double cheese toastie from Insomnia at Debenhams and doughnuts from Krispy Kreme.

LUNCH

& BEYOND Whether you’re grabbing lunch to take back to the office, or here for the day, St David’s has your back.

On the grab-and-go front there’s so much choice, including Pret a Manger, EAT., and the trusty M&S food hall. Really hungry? Head to Insomnia at Debenhams where you’ll find delicious toasties and amazing cakes. For a sit-down lunch, places like Nando’s and Barburrito are quick and casual - just what you want. Many of our restaurants also have great value set lunch menus. Another lovely option is afternoon tea.

Try Patisserie Valerie or Benugo at John Lewis and you won’t be disappointed.

“New Spring menu at Benugo John Lewis Cardiff was very, very yummy!” @BearandCardigan

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dining ideas

Clockwise from top: Wagamama chilli chicken ramen, Carluccio’s spaghetti vongole, Wahaca street food, Prezzo Prestigo pizza

ENCHANTED

EVENING

Dinner at St David’s can be as informal or formal as you fancy. At Wagamama you can tuck into tasty noodle or rice dishes and slurp miso soup as you sit on communal benches.

Over at Jamie’s Italian, the atmosphere’s buzzing and foodies mingle over starter sharing planks and bowls of freshly made pasta. Wherever you choose, there’ll be a warm welcome and no standing on ceremony - just great food and friendly service.

If you’re heading home from the cinema or have been for a few drinks with friends and now need feeding, you’re in luck. Many of our restaurants are open ‘til 10.30pm or 11pm, and some have bar areas where you can chill before eating!

“@wahaca is always a dream!

Tacos are literally my fave, especially the fish tacos could eat them all day! @theCardiffFoodie

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restaurants

Carluccio’s The Library 029 2023 2630 Discover a little corner of Italy at Carluccio’s. The airy surroundings make for a stylish destination whatever the time of day. Enjoy a romantic dinner for two or a lazy lunch with the girls, indulging in everything from eggs Benedict and fresh crêpes to perfectly-prepared pasta and bruschetta. If you’re with friends, order some sharing platters. They’re the traditional way to kick off an Italian meal.

Don’t forget to take a look around the deli and food store, where you can pick up classic Italian ingredients and gifts.

Must try: We love the pork pibil tacos toasted corn tortillas stuffed with slow cooked pork in a Yucatecan marinade. The guacamole and spicy slaw are also out of this world.

Must try: The Penne Giardiniera. Giant Pugliese penne with courgette, chilli and garlic, served with fried spinach balls and Italian cheese. It’s just so good!

Wahaca The Hayes 029 2167 0414 Shunning the ‘Tex Mex’ stereotype with every plate served, Wahaca is the brainchild of Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers. This is the Mexican restaurant chain’s only restaurant in Wales and we’re so glad to have it in our lives. Book or drop in (some tables can’t be reserved) for a taste of Mexican market eating. It’s a sociable, bustling place with friendly staff and an upstairs cocktail bar that’s perfect for people watching.

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recipe by St David’s

Mexican crab mayonnaise From Home Cook, Faber & Faber, published March 2017

Serves four INGREDIENTS • 2 chipotle chillies • 2 egg yolks • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • 200ml extra virgin olive oil • 200ml vegetable oil • juice of 1 lime, plus extra to taste • 1½ tbsp ketchup, plus extra to taste • ½ tbsp Worcestershire sauce, plus extra to taste • 250g fresh white crab meat • sea salt and black pepper For the salad • 1 apple, thinly sliced • 1 fennel bulb, outer layer removed, thinly sliced • 55g watercress • juice of 1 lime • extra-virgin olive oil • 2 avocados, halved, stoned and peeled • sea salt and black pepper METHOD 1. Snip the chillies open, discarding the stalk and seeds. Place a dry pan over a medium heat and when hot add the chillies, gently toasting each side for a couple of minutes until they begin to smell fragrant – take care not to burn them. Cover in boiling water and simmer for 15 minutes to soften.

2. Meanwhile prepare the apple and fennel for the salad and place in a bowl of iced water with a squeeze of lemon juice.

3. Drain the chillies, setting aside the water, and transfer to a food processor. Whizz until puréed, adding a dash of chilli water to loosen if necessary, then add the egg yolks, mustard and a pinch of salt.

4. With the motor running, very slowly start to drip the oil through the funnel of the processor until the mayonnaise starts to thicken and emulsify, then pour in the remaining oil in a thin stream. Stir in the lime juice, ketchup and Worcestershire sauce and season to taste.

“When I was little we would sometimes go to stay with my grandparents on our own; when we were good they would take us out for lunch in a restaurant, even more of a treat as this never happened at home! In those days there was almost

5. Stir together equal quantities of the mayonnaise and the crab (the remaining mayo will keep in the fridge for at least a week). Add more lime, ketchup or Worcestershire sauce to taste – it should be smoky and tangy but with the crab flavour shining through.

6. Drain the apple and fennel and pat dry. Add to a bowl with the watercress, a few squeezes of lime and some olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

7. Toss and transfer to plates, then place half an avocado on each plate. Spoon the crab mayonnaise over the avocados and serve.

“Both kitsch and modern, this starter is a winner” always a prawn cocktail on the menu and that was my favourite thing in the world - it was pink and I had a thing for pink. I created this recipe in remembrance of

those exciting prawn cocktail moments, using fresh British crab instead of prawns.

Both kitsch and modern, this starter is a winner in the spring/summer when crab is at its sweetest.”

Wahaca Founder, Thomasina Miers 9

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restaurants

Frankie & Benny’s Upper Eastside 029 2037 1972 If you’re hankering for ItalianAmerican classics like pizza, spaghetti, or ribs, head to our Frankie & Benny’s. This upbeat restaurant and bar is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch, a family meal or a drink with friends. Try the house specialities such as the New York Chicken or the Smothered Steak. There’s also a fab breakfast offering and yummy kids’ menu with fun activity packs for little diners.

“Little treat with the boys. Leo’s meal is so cute! #frankieandbennys” @thesjedit

Wagamama The Library 029 2064 1564

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Must try: The steaming bowls of ramen are a classic choice for hungry diners, while the innovative menu means there’s always something new to try.

In the heart of the city, our recently refurbished Wagamama is a great option for shoppers looking for lunch, or cinema-goers grabbing a bite before catching a film. The refectorystyle tables and buzzy atmosphere, modelled on the ramen bars of Japan, make it a great setting for peoplewatching. The pan-Asian menu is freshly cooked to order and scores top marks for taste, matched by the team’s friendly, efficient service. A takeaway and a delivery service are now available, meaning you can enjoy the delights of Wagamama from your sofa or the park. Yes!

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recipe by St David’s

Wagamama’s Yaki Soba Serves four INGREDIENTS • 8 chicken thighs • 24 cooked prawns • 1 red pepper, sliced • 1 green pepper, sliced • 1 onion, sliced • 8 spring onions, chopped • 4 handfuls of beansprouts • 600g egg noodle • 4 eggs • vegetable oil • 4 tbsp soy sauce • red pickled ginger • Toasted mixed sesame seeds

To marinade chicken • Grated ginger • Soy sauce • Salt and pepper METHOD 1. Marinate the chicken thighs for 1 hour, then cook thoroughly in a roasting tin for at least 30 minutes, turning and basting with the juices once.

2. Cook egg noodles in boiling water as per packet instructions.

3. Heat oil in a large wok or frying pan.

4. Place all fresh ingredients in the hot pan. Stir and add the prawns and cooked chicken meat (taken off the bone). Stir fry for a few minutes, until peppers are tender.

5. Drain the noodles. Whisk the egg, then add noodles and egg to the wok.

6. Toss all ingredients together and heat for another minute to incorporate the egg and noodles.

7. Add soy sauce and season to taste.

8. Plate up, adding pickled ginger and sesame seeds to garnish.

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restaurants

Zizzi Lower Eastside, 029 2132 4015

Must try: The amazing vegan menu. At Zizzi it’s so easy to enjoy tasty food, from pizza to gelato, while sticking to a vegan diet.

The industrial-inspired Zizzi interior really has the wow factor with metal structures and on-trend lighting softened by natural wood and aqua accents. Plus there’s outdoor seating for sunny days (we do get those in Wales sometimes!). On the food front, you’re in for a treat. Think generously proportioned thin-crust pizzas, deep dishes of sauce-laden pasta and sophisticated salads with clever combinations that never feel like the boring option. With a great awareness of special diets and gluten-free and vegan menus, Zizzi really is a place for everyone. The dessert menu will never fail to tempt you either. Plus, if it’s food on the way home from work that you fancy, takeaway is available.

Jamie’s Italian The Hayes 029 2002 7792 Rustic, simple dishes, the best seasonal ingredients, sourced both locally and in Italy, made with care but delivered without fuss is what you can expect at Jamie’s Italian.

The menu is packed with the food you’d find ordinary people eating in Italy. There’s fresh pasta made daily, mouth-wateringly good antipasti planks, menu staples such as burgers and spaghetti, and specials - allowing you to discover something new on every visit. In the summer you can even sit al fresco on The Hayes and watch the world go by - bliss!

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recipe by St David’s

Jamie’s Italian’s Epic Chocolate Brownie This is a great little recipe for easy, fail-safe, and gloriously gooey chocolate brownies…

Serves 20 INGREDIENTS • 200g quality dark chocolate (70%) • 250g unsalted butter • 75g dried sour cherries, optional • 50g chopped nuts, optional • 80g quality cocoa powder • 65g plain flour • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 360g caster sugar 4 large free-range eggs

METHOD 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas 4.

2. Line a 24cm square baking tin with greaseproof paper.

3. Snap the chocolate into a large bowl, add the butter and place over a pan of simmering water until melted, stirring regularly. Stir through the cherries and nuts (if using).

4. Sift the cocoa powder and flour into a separate bowl, add the baking powder and sugar, then mix together.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the chocolate, cherry and nut mixture and stir together well.

6. Beat the eggs, then mix in until

you have a silky consistency.

7. Pour the brownie mix into the baking tin, and place in the oven for around 25 minutes. You don’t want to overcook them so, unlike cakes, you don’t want a skewer to come out clean – the brownies should be slightly springy on the outside but still gooey in the middle.

8. Allow to cool in the tray, then carefully transfer to a large chopping board and cut into chunky squares.

9. Delicious served with a dollop of crème fraîche mixed with orange zest.

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restaurants

GBK The Library 029 2066 8379 We love a great burger. And that’s exactly what we get every time we visit Gourmet Burger Kitchen. The restaurant is in a gorgeous location next to Cardiff Central Library and facing Mill Lane, making it the ideal place for dinner before a night out.

All burgers are made from 100% prime beef and the shakes are epic!

Must try: We love the warm breaded camembert to start and there’s a delicious new smoked cod cassoulet on the main menu, although we love the classic steak frites too!

Must try: GBK always has a special burger on the menu, offering something new to try. But can you resist the classic cheese and bacon?

Café Rouge Upper Eastside 029 2023 6574 Nobody does good food quite like the French, and whether you’re popping in for a mid-morning coffee and croissant or a three-course dinner, you’ll find a Gallic classic to tempt you. Lunchtime diners can enjoy a tasty croque monsieur or baguette, while evening customers can make the most of the extensive wine list and delicious plats chauds.

We’re huge fans of the stylish, French-inspired surroundings, too.

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restaurants

YO! Sushi Lower Eastside 029 2060 2174 Speedy service and a quick turnaround make YO! Sushi a favourite with diners on the go, but don’t be surprised if a quick bite to eat turns into something of a lunchtime marathon when you can’t resist picking up just one more dish from the kaiten belt! It’s always laden with lovingly-prepared sushi and sashimi. There’s also the option of hot dishes cooked to order, meaning there’s something for everybody to enjoy.

Must try: Learn to master the art of sushi preparation yourself at one of the regular Sushi School classes!

Ciliegino Upper Eastside 029 2034 0547 This authentic Italian brand from Sicily has chosen to open its first UK restaurant at St David’s and we’re so pleased! Using only the finest ingredients brought from Italy, Ciliegino cooks up fantastic pizzas freshly cooked in a traditional oven, alongside other typical Italian recipes including wonderful pasta and meatballs and flavour-packed salads. A true taste of Italy!

“Amazing pizza from @CilieginoUK tonight. Perfect service and tasty pizza” @Llioangharad 15

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special diets

VEGAN VARIETY

Whether it’s an ethical choice, a health choice, or just a ‘why not?’ choice, it’s easy to eat vegan at St David’s CARLUCCIO’S With a separate dairy free menu marked with vegan symbols, you’re in safe hands here. Try the new zucca con verdure arrostite, a slow-roasted butternut squash topped with a mound of roasted vegetables, sprinkled with pine nuts and garlic herb breadcrumbs. It’s delicious.

PREZZO Kick your meal off with the amazing vegan sharing board (pictured below) then move on to the pappardelle pasta or a pizza without cheese – you can add extra veggies to ramp up the flavour.

WAGAMAMA Choose from six mains, four sides, two desserts and even certified-vegan wine and beer. The yasai itame is great – a big bowl of rice noodles, tofu, stir-fried beansprouts, onions, bok choi, peppers, mushrooms, chilli, coriander and fresh lime in a spicy green coconut and lemongrass soup.

ZIZZI There’s a dedicated vegan menu at Zizzi, which is a very promising start! It’s packed with vegan versions of favourite dishes including Rustica pizza and gelato!

COSY CLUB Start your day with a vegan breakfast – perfect for fry-up fans. It comes with falafel, grilled tomato, a field mushroom, wood-roasted peppers, spinach, fried potatoes, baked beans

and toast. Several of the tapas dishes are also vegan (patatas bravas, hummus or garlic mushrooms anyone?)

PIZZA EXPRESS Hooray for vegan cheese! You can now enjoy pizza without dairy at Pizza Express. The Vegan Giardiniera is a stand-out choice, with artichokes, mushrooms, red onions, black olives, tomato, garlic oil and a vegan mozzarella alternative.

YO! SUSHI There’s more to YO! Sushi than raw fish. Tell your server you’re vegan and enjoy green gyoza (spinach dumplings), agedashi tofu, spicy cauliflower, miso dumpling ramen, pumpkin katsu (deep-fried pumpkin with sweet soy) and much more.

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restaurants

Barburrito Lower Eastside, 029 2034 4491 This colourful place is a mustvisit if you’re in the mood for an authentic taste of Mexico. Choose from burritos, tacos or nachos, all made in front of you and bursting with the best ingredients and guaranteed to get your tastebuds tingling. Customise your choice with a selection of sauces and accompaniments to add some zing!

“First visit to @barburtweeto it was soooo good!!! Delicious food.” @Sostraveluk

Mount Fuji Lower Eastside 029 2034 0333 Designed to look like a bullet train against the backdrop of Tokyo at night, Mount Fuji is the perfect place to dine Japanese-style!

The restaurant echoes the city’s traditional eateries, serving up miso soup, bento boxes, teriyaki and noodles alongside a daily sushi bar.

There’s also a range of Asian beers and Japanese soft drinks, while the green tea tiramisu is a must-try!

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restaurants

Ed’s Easy Diner Lower Eastside 029 2037 3706 Lovers of Fifties America should hop into a booth at Ed’s Easy Diner. The cool surroundings make it perfect for an informal dinner before heading to the cinema at Cineworld. The menu lives up to expectations, too, with classic American hamburgers, hotdogs and fried chicken, plus indulgent milkshakes and waffles. Don’t forget to stick a tune on the ‘Dime Selector’ jukebox!

Must try: Pop in for pancakes or an egg and bacon muffin at breakfast time or bring the kids for a teatime treat – they’ll love everything on the junior menu.

Nando’s Upper Eastside 029 2066 7878

Must try: The Portuguese custard tarts, or Pastéis de Nata are the perfect sweet hit after an indulgent meal, and taste great with a coffee!

Who doesn’t love a cheeky Nando’s?

Home of the legendary flamegrilled PERi-PERi chicken, Nando’s is something of an institution and the perfect place to kick off your night out in Cardiff. The flavours are inspired by the Portuguese explorers of the past who discovered the African bird’s eye chilli – the key ingredient in the restaurant’s signature PERi-PERi sauce. Check out the other menu favourites too, including burgers, pittas, wraps, salads and piled-high sharing platters. You can even specify the spice level of your marinade, taking your meal from nicely spicy to extra hot! Oh, and did we mention the yummy Nandinos’ menu for children under 10?

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restaurants

Prezzo Upper Eastside 029 2039 7512

Must try: Bigger and packed with toppings, order a Prestigio pizza if you’re extra hungry; try the Steak and Gorgonzola or Margherita Royale.

For classic Italian flavours in contemporary surroundings, head to Prezzo. Although it’s close to all your favourite shops, the stylish surroundings mean you can step away from the crowds and enjoy a relaxing meal. The menu’s filled with Italian favourites, including pasta, pizza, risotto and calzone.

The pasta sharing bowls are a great idea for hungry families!

There’s also a tasty piadina menu that’s ideal for a lunchtime pit stop.

Shake Shack Upper Eastside 01923 555173 Located on Upper Eastside, with an entrance on Upper Level Grand Arcade, this chic yet casual American restaurant serves up great burgers, hot dogs, crinkle cut fries and concretes (frozen custard with mix-ins). They’ve added some exclusive local items to the menu too, from Welsh beers to a concrete with Welsh cake mixed-in.

Must try: We love the SmokeShack – a cheeseburger topped with applewood smoked bacon, cherry peppers and ShackSauce.

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dining ideas

WHAT’S YOUR FLAVOUR? From ramen to risotto and tacos to afternoon tea, you can taste the world at St David’s

CHOPSTICKS AT THE READY Choose from an array of delicious traditional Japanese cuisine at one of our incredible Asian-inspired restaurants – snack on perfectly made maki at YO! Sushi, indulge in a hot bowl of ramen or a bento box at Mount Fuji, or eat katsu curry to your heart’s content at Wagamama.

FANCY & FRENCH Take your cue from the French and spend a relaxing mealtime indulging in moules frites, poulet breton and croque monsieur at Café Rouge. For a sweet tooth, the perfectly baked cakes at Patisserie Valerie will do the trick.

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JUST LIKE MAMMA MAKES When it comes to hearty Italian food, we have every corner covered. With Zizzi, Prezzo, Pizza Express, Jamie’s Italian and Ciliegino all offering mouthwatering dishes, from risotto to pasta, gnocchi to pizza and everything in between, you’re spoilt for choice.

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GOOD OL’ BLIGHTY There’s nothing like a bit of homegrown comfort food, and boy, does Cosy Club deliver on that front. Think fish and chips, traditional full English breakfasts, pie and mash, sirloin steak... all the British staples, done well.

TRANSATLANTIC TREATS If anyone knows how to indulge, it’s the Americans. Burgers, fries, mac ‘n’ cheese, shakes, hot dogs, doughnuts... there’s no end to their delicious food offering. Experience a taste of the states at TGI Fridays, Ed’s Easy Diner, Shake Shack and Krispy Kreme.

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restaurants

Pizza Express Upper Eastside 029 2035 9200 Let’s be honest, when it comes to incredible pizza, it’s hard to beat Pizza Express. Kick off your Italian experience with the legendary melt-in-your-mouth dough balls, before choosing from perfectlycooked pizzas, creamy pasta dishes and tasty salads. Fancy something sweet? Top it all off with a rich tiramisu or a bowl of gelato.

For the calorie-conscious, the under-600-calorie Leggera menu means there’s no need to feel guilty about indulging. Heading to the Motorpoint Arena just across the road? Book an early evening table for the perfect start to your special night out!

Must try: There’s something for everyone – Pizza Express offers a range of vegetarian, vegan, glutenfree and healthy choices to keep everybody happy.

TGI Fridays Upper Eastside 0344 846 9915

Must try: Turn post-work cocktails with your friends into a night out to remember, complete with delicious sharing platters to keep hunger at bay.

Kick off the weekend in style at TGI Fridays! With fantastic service, a relaxed atmosphere and tasty food, this is the perfect place to unwind with your friends after a week of working. The menu is in an ode to American classics and diners can enjoy hand-crafted, stacked burgers, BBQ ribs fresh from the grill or legendary Jack Daniel’s chicken. Fancy a cocktail or two? There are over 500 different types to choose from, so there’s plenty of choice, to say the least.

Situated right next to the cinema, you can indulge your tastebuds before catching the latest flick.

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restaurants

Cosy Club Hills Street 029 2022 5998 Whether for weekend brunching or a dinner date, Cosy Club is the place to head. With its quirky-cool vibe (think mismatched vintage furniture and comfy sofas) and chilled-out vibe, it makes for the perfect postshopping spot to relax with a drink or two. From avocado and eggs on toast to a selection of tapas, the menu’s full of crowd-pleasers.

TANTALIZE YOUR TASTEBUDS With a vast offering of delicious food, Antony Bennett, head of food at Cosy Club, helps us get to grips with making menu choices From breakfast to cocktails, birthdays to anniversaries, one thing’s for sure – a visit to Cosy Club means dining in style.

So, what makes Cosy Club so special? “We try to ensure that our food reflects the spirit of our wonderful venue and staff,” explains Antony. “We serve up a sense of being somewhere special, with a hint of nostalgia.

Inside, you’ll see amazing chandeliers and nods to classic British icons. Our food matches that spirit. We want everyone to leave feeling splendid.”

The moreish menu really does cover every taste and dietary

“We want

everyone to leave feeling splendid”

requirement. With breakfast classics like pancakes and fryups, and mains that’ll get your tastebuds tingling like fish pie and mac ‘n’ cheese, choosing your dish can be difficult!

Antony gives his best advice

when it comes to indulging.

“This clean eating thing’s all well, but I often just want something big and indulgent,” he tells us. “I love our Major-General Burger – it’s a 100% beef patty, with a macaroni cheese fritter that oozes yummy cheese sauce with every bite, plus bacon. It’s seriously tasty, although it does make you feel like an afternoon nap afterwards…”

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leisure

SWING BY FOR GOLF

Tropical rainforest adventure awaits in the heart of Cardiff Up on level P3 of St David’s, Treetop Adventure Golf will take you on a tropical jungle tour through the luscious rainforest.

There are two 18-hole courses for you to play, with the chance to win a free round on the bonus 19th hole! Whether you’re looking for a date night with a difference or familyfriendly fun, you’re guaranteed to have plenty of laughs around the course.

Pizza Pronto Level P3 029 2022 6590 Worked up an appetite? With a handy location within Treetop Adventure Golf’s Clubhouse, Pizza Pronto serves up freshly cooked pizzas from their very own jungle shack. Everything is handmade here – including the delicious dough!

With a small, but exceptionally executed menu, you can choose from three types of artisan pizzas – marinara, margherita and pepperoni to be exact – plus, mouth-watering plates of ham and olives, balsamic glazed peaches, and brie with red onion jam.

Must try: Indulge your sweet side with the nutella and dough sticks, or the lemon meringue pizza (yum!).

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destination Cardiff

MAKE A DAY OF IT Whether you want a fun family day out, a taste of culture or some serious shopping time with the girls, Wales’ capital has got it all...

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destination Cardiff

FAMILY FUN DAY With plenty of toy shops and fun places to eat, St David’s is the perfect spot to take little ones Looking for fun ways to entertain the kids? Head to St David’s where you’ll find interactive toy displays, regular events and things to wow them at Hamley’s, LEGO, Disney Store and Build-A-Bear.

Fuel their excitement with yummy food from one of our restaurants, most of which have special children’s menus with lots of options. Want to watch something on the big screen? Right next door to St David’s, you’ll find Cineworld whre you can catch the latest new kids’ films.

THREE OF THE BEST… Places to eat out with children

Jamie’s Italian There are two size options available to cater for little and bigger kids, all served with a salad and a drink.

Zizzi The Bambini menu of pizza and pasta is guaranteed to be a hit with kids, plus they do offers on three courses.

Wagamama You can choose from mini versions of all your favourite Asian dishes, including katsu curry, ramen and yaki soba.

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destination Cardiff

CULTURE TRIP Ideally positioned right in the heart of Cardiff city centre, St David’s is part of a thriving cultural hub We’re just next door to St David’s Hall, Motorpoint Arena and Cineworld. Even Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium are just a few minutes’ walk away! If your refined taste extends to dining out, then eat your way around the world after a day exploring – you’ll find Japanese delicacies at YO! Sushi, French cheeses and wine at Café Rouge, mouthwatering Italian pizza at Ciliegino, and authentic Mexican street food at Wahaca.

LADIES’ LUNCH! Nothing beats a good old-fashioned girly day out with friends for a bit of retail therapy, food and fun With an abundance of shops, cafés, restaurants, beauty counters and more, we have all the ingredients for an epic day out. Kick off with a catch-up over brunch, before hitting the shops for a fashion fix. After an afternoon cake stop, followed by more shopping, end the day in style with dinner and cocktails.

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cafés

Auntie Anne’s Upper Level Grand Arcade Strolling along Upper Level Grand Arcade, you can’t miss the smell of freshly-baked pretzels coming from Auntie Anne’s. With sweet and savoury pretzels with a variety of toppings from cheese and jalapeño to cinnamon sugar, this is the perfect snack to grab and go. There’s a selection of tasty dips to pair with your pretzel, too.

Must try: Pick up a Pretzel Dog – a pretzel wrapped around a hot dog!

The Café by Benugo at John Lewis First Floor, John Lewis This light and airy café, with views over The Hayes, is the ideal place for a shopping pit stop, lunch or a leisurley afternoon tea. There’s a range of daily specials from salads and oven-baked dishes to toasted sandwiches. Cakes, scones, speciality teas and the seriously good Benugo blend coffee make this one of our favourite places to hang out.

Must try: The amazing afternoon tea!

The Place to Eat at John Lewis Third Floor, John Lewis Elevated from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, The Place to Eat on the third floor of John Lewis serves up both hot and cold meals, including the tasty children’s meal bags. As usual with John Lewis, the service is great!

Must try: The seasonal specials!

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cafés

Greggs Town Wall North From a steak bake to a chunky chilli soup or a Mexican chicken baguette, Greggs is an easy place to pick up a quick lunch in the city centre. The pasties, pizzas, bakes and sausage rolls are freshly made in store every day - grab them while they’re still warm! And we doubt you’ll leave without a doughnut or a biscuit. Even lunch on the go needs to end with dessert, right?

Must try: It has to be the sausage roll. You can’t beat a classic.

EAT. Lower Eastside EAT. is the stuff your lunch dreams are made of. The food is made fresh and packed with flavours from around the world. There’s loads of choice too - with wraps, baguettes, sandwiches, soups, hot pots, salads and pies competing for your attention. There are also mouthwatering cakes and bakes which are sure to tempt you when you’re in the queue.

It’s a great place to pop on your lunch break, whether you want to sit in or take away.

Must try: The mac ‘n’ cheese hot pot

Fuel Juice Bar St David’s Way & Lower Level Grand Arcade Need an energy boost? Try one of Fuel Juice Bar’s fabulously fresh fruit smoothies or juices. They make for a perfectly healthy afternoon pick-meup or a delicious breakfast. The Breakie Blast, which is full of strawberries, banana and frozen yoghurt, is amazing! Plus, you’ll be on your way to your five-a-day.

Must try: The kids’ smoothies!

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cafés

Costa Lower Level Grand Arcade & Working Street It doesn’t matter if you prefer a coffee, hot chocolate or pot of tea with your slice of cake - Costa’s got you covered. With two convenient St David’s locations, a cosy Costa is never far away when you need to refuel during a day hitting the shops.

Must try: Recycling your paper cups! Costa will accept any cups - even those not from Costa.

Crêpeaffaire Hill Street A crêpe from Crêpeaffaire is hard to resist! Freshly prepared in the cute café just off The Hayes, you can choose from a delicious selection of toppings. The Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie is our favourite sweet treat, while on the savoury menu it’s Le Goat Deluxe (with goat’s cheese, onion confit and spinach) that we can highly recommend!

Must try: The mini pancakes

My Cookie Dough Upper Level Grand Arcade Sink your spoon into deliciously soft cookie dough topped with your choice of sauce and a swirl of ice cream. With lots of cookie dough flavours on the menu, including a few specials each month, you’ll find it hard to choose. Have your phone at the ready, because you’re going to want to share your treat on Instagram!

Must try: Salted caramel brownie dough

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cafés

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Lemon and raspberry gateau slice from Patisserie Valerie We always find it hard to choose which of the tempting treats at Patisserie Valerie we’re going to buy, but we have a new favourite.

Indulge in layers of fresh sponge sandwiched with zingy layers of lemon custard and delicious raspberry cream.

SWEET SPOT We share the 6 indulgent treats you absolutely have to try at St David’s Chocolate sprinkles doughnuts at Krispy Kreme

These colourful ring doughnuts are a feast for the eyes as well as the tum (and totally instagrammble too!) Enjoy one with a coffee or hot chocolate as an afternoon pick-meup. What could be better?

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Triple chocolate brownie at My Cookie Dough Chocolate lovers won’t be able to get enough of this indulgent treat. Freshly baked and served with ice cream, My Cookie Dough is a musttry for everyone with a sweet tooth. Grab a spoon!

Pastel de Nata at Nata & Co

Close your eyes as you sink your teeth into a pastel de nata from Nata & Co and feel transported to the sunny streets of Lisbon. These traditional Portuguese tarts are filled with a smooth egg custard.

A bag of your faves from Thorntons

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Whether you’re a Vanille Truffle fan, or prefer tucking into a bag of Coffee Creams, there’s a flavour you’ll adore at Thorntons. Our favourites are the boozy Marc de Champagne truffles. Perfection!

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Flavoured eclairs from The Place to Eat

Sit back and relax after a busy day’s shopping with a cup of tea and a gorgeous eclair at The Place to Eat in John Lewis. Just look at them! We’d say they’re almost too pretty to eat.... but only almost.

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cafés

Starbucks The Hayes & Upper Level Grand Arcade With two branches located around the centre, Starbucks is perfectly placed for all your lunch and breakfast needs. The team of baristas have turned coffee into an art form, and there are also tea, hot chocolate and blended iced drinks to choose from, plus a great range of sandwiches, salads, bagels and cakes.

Must try: An iced Caffé Mocha on a hot day is bliss!

Krispy Kreme Town Wall South & Lower Level Grand Arcade We have to admit we come over a bit Homer Simpson when confronted with the array of doughnutty goodness at Krispy Kreme. With so many flavours to choose from, including Strawberries & Kreme and Nutty Chocolatta, they’re the ultimate sugar fix after a day shopping.

If you want to be really popular you could grab a dozen to take home or back to the office.!

Must try: The new doughnut bites

BB’s Coffee and Muffins Town Wall North BB’s mouth-watering muffins are baked fresh daily. Pair one with a coffee to go, or enjoy lunch at leisure – there’s much more to BB’s than just muffins, with toasties, wraps and sandwiches available. Set over two floors, it’s a lovely place to kick back, relax and make the most of our free wi-fi.

Must try: The double chocolate muffin

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cafés

Nata & Co Lower Level Grand Arcade One of the newer arrivals at St David’s, local success story Nata & Co has won our hearts. Operating from a cute traminspired kiosk, you’re sure to be tempted by the delicious selection of homemade pastries, cakes and their famous Portuguese tarts!

Must try: The pasteis de nata, of course!

Thai Khrim Town Wall South

Caffè Nero Cathedral Walk The skilled baristas at Caffè Nero handcraft espressos in the classic Italian way and use them as the base for all their popular classics, including lattes and cappuccinos, so you get a perfect cup of coffee every time.

If you’re hungry we highly recommend the paninis, pastries and much-loved muffins.

Must try: The salted caramel and apple muffin

Spudulike Lower Eastside

Stop by Thai Khrim to get yourself an ice cream fix, and watch in awe as this treat comes with a difference. Made in the same way as you would see in Thailand, this ice cream is made in front of your eyes on a cold steel plate, in under two minutes! After the spectacle is over, you’ll love tucking into this one of a kind dessert.

Fresh, healthy and satisfying, Spudulike’s British-grown potatoes are baked to perfection before being filled with the best quality ingredients. Choose from a huge list of fillings, and look out for the great-value meal deals. Nothing beats a jacket spud when you’re really hungry during a day out shopping.

Must try: The Classic Nutella or Classic Oreo

Must try: Chilli-con-carne jacket potato

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cafés

Patisserie Valerie Lower Eastside There are few things more indulgent than a beautifully decorated, gooey slice of cake, and Patisserie Valerie is just the place to find one! Located in the centre of Lower Eastside, you’ll find it hard to walk past without admiring the colourful treats.

There’s also a great range of sandwiches, savoury croissants and quiches if you’re planning to stop for lunch.

Must try: Treat yourself to the Madame Valerie Cream Tea and watch the world go by!

Pret a Manger Lower Eastside Pret’s gone heavy with the veggies lately and we love it! There’s now an incredible menu that vegetarians and omnivores alike will love. Think macaroni cheese, kale and cauli or a poached egg, mushroom and beans Power Pot. Aside from that the long-standing favourites like chicken avocado sandwiches are just SO good.

Must try: Swedish meatball hot soup

Muffin Break Lower Eastside With an irresistible range of tempting muffins, cakes and pastries, Muffin Break is the perfect spot to enjoy a cuppa and a sweet treat after a day around the shops.

There’s also a tasty lunch offering including toasties, savoury tartlets and a new range of wrap fillings including New York Deli and Red Pepper and Houmous.

Must try: The latest Curious Creations flavour from the Muffin Break Muffin Lab.

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Marks & Spencer Café Cathedral Walk Serving toasties, sandwiches, soup, hot meals, tasty cakes and much more, the Marks & Spencer Café is a great place to stop for lunch or a cuppa. The children’s lunch boxes are great for keeping little shoppers happy, while the afternoon tea is lovely for an inexpensive treat. Bag yourself a window seat and watch the world go by down on Queen Street below.

Must try: We love the Emmental cheese and mushroom toasties.

Insomnia Café at Debenhams First Floor, Debenhams Stop by at Insomnia in Debenhams for a hot or cold breakfast, a gourmet sandwich for lunch or a quick coffee or hot chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll love the amazing selection of cakes - they’re regularly changing, with some real show-stoppers every month.

Must try: The daily fresh soup option

Debenhams restaurant Second Floor, Debenhams Serving all day, this is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious great British breakfast, succulent roast carvery meat, seasonal salads, indulgent treats and a great selection of children’s food. The restaurant is spacious and family-friendly, with lots of options on the menu for vegetarians too.

Make sure you stop by when you’re next in town.

Must try: The tuna niçoise salad is lovely!

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