CARDIFF
WALES
The Welsh capital is quaint and cosy yet lively and energetic when the evening kicks in.
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Take in a rugby match, drink local ale or ciders and seek out the castle just at the end of the high street. The sight never gets old.
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Fall in love with soft magic of the city, it's really quite beautiful.
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Photography: @williammorgan.photo & @iamsamball
Recommendations: @elizabethmaryj_, @stylerarebit, @bethanmillerco & @iamsamball
Words: Sam Ball
CITY OF ARCADES
SHOPPING
TROUTMARK BOOKS
RIPPLE LIVING
££
££
Troutmark Books is the most incredible second-hand bookstore in Cardiff, filled to the brim (literally ceiling to floor) with literature, comics, fiction, non-fiction, first editions, annuals, and more across a number of fields for you to peruse and devour until your hearts content.
There really is something for everyone in there so be prepared t spend a good hour or two just browsing (that's before deciding on which of the thirty books you've picked up that you actually want to buy!).
Opened in 2018, Ripple is Cardiff's ethical lifestyle and zero waste store offering sustainable homeware and clothing, with many bits and bobs in between that will relieve you of any spending guilt.
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What better way to treat yourself than also buying something that's better for the planet?
Castle Arcade,
CF10 1BW
102 Albany Rd
CF24 3RT
KELLY'S RECORDS
KITI CYMRU
Located in the heart of Pontcanna, Kiti Cymru is a wonderfully independent fashion boutique showcasing the finest European labels.
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Whatever you're looking for, individual, classic, feminine, modern, or elegant, you're find something unique from one of their collaborating labels. Not only are they affordable, but they also offer a personal service and will help you fine something special.
Founded in 1969, Kelly's Records remains one of the biggest independent record stores in Cardiff and thrives in the city's central market, taking over a large part of the balcony area upstairs. Often missed, yet definitely well loved, they specialise in preowned rare and collectable vinyl. In addition, they also sell CD's, DVD's, and more.
If you get home after a trip to Kelly's and regret not buying something, fear not, they're also available in limited places online.
Central Market,
CF10 1AU
££
Pontcanna Mews, 200 Kings Rd,
CF11 9DF
££
KELLY'S RECORDS
SCIENCE CREAM
EAT, DRINK & HANGOUT
Cafe's & Restaurants
PENYLAN PANTRY
THE DANISH BAKERY
Penylan Pantry bring together food, groceries and home made delicious treats. They carefully select and work with local, small producers for their organic and/fairtrade products to provide the best for local business and for their customers.
The Pantry offers freshly baked bread, pies, scotch eggs, milk, eggs, pastas, chutneys, jams, flours, sauces and everything else you would expect from such a wonderful little haven of a store.
“We are very much a deli and corner shop with a little café”. So pop in, have a bite to eat, a cup of tea or two and purchase some jars and unusual treats to take home with you.
Also called Brød, The Danish Bakery says all it need to in the name. Specialising in providing Cardiff with the best treats and breads that Denmark have to offer, Betina Skovbro brought her dream to life by bringing a piece of home with her to her new home of Wales.
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Feast on all the delicious Danish pastries and cakes or savouries and breads if that's more your flavour.
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There's also plenty of coffee, tea and soft drinks to cleanse your palate and make you hungry for more!
£
££
72 Kimberley Rd,
CF23 5DN
126 Wyndham Cres,
CF11 9EG
SCIENCE CREAM
COSY CLUB
Science Cream is Wales’ first and only liquid nitrogen ice cream and desserts parlour where they combine the ingredients you want and freeze is right before your very eyes so everything is made fresh for you.
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Even if you're unsure whether you want to try it out or not, it's always entertaining and mesmerising to watch it being made.
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However, if you're craving ice cream and your best friend isn't, they also sell gooey homemade cookies to delicious banana splits for something not so ice cold.
Although not strictly Welsh (trust us, it takes something special to not keep it small and independent), Cosy Club is definitely worth being the exception. It’s, as it’s name states, cosy, welcoming and relaxed dining/drinking at its finest. They invite you in to try their classic comfort food, a range of delicious sandwiches, as much tapas as you could wish to consume and a cheeky tipple or five to keep you content.
Cosy Club are the quirky and eccentric cousin of dining, so pop in for a a quick coffee and cake stop, or a lengthy leisurely dinner evening. We much warn you, book in advance because this place fills up fast, and rightly so!
28 Castle Arcade,
CF10 1BW
££
1 Hills St,
CF10 2LE
££
THE PLAN
THE PLAN
COCORICO PATISSERIE
Situated in the centre of Morgan Arcade, The Plan Cafe is the perfect little getaway when you want to be out and about but experience the same home comforts. As a unique gourmet cafe bar, and locally sourcing many organic ingredients, they are fresh, relaxing and supportive of local Welsh produce.
They serve loose leaf teas, a carefully selected range or wines, bottled beers, and local Welsh cider to enjoy with your meal. Not to mention the vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options that are available too. Nothing is too much trouble for The Plan.
Independent, French pastries, afternoon tea, macarons & ‘in Cardiff ’ are all music to our ears, it’s heaven under one roof. Cocorico Patisserie specialise in delivering mouth watering food, a range of sandwiches, personalised celebration cakes and bringing the best of French fancies to Cardiff in a way only the Welsh could do.
Whether you’re after an afternoon tea break or you want to snap up a box of beautiful hand made macarons to gift to a loved one, CP are the ultimate go-to.
28 - 29 Morgan Arcade,
CF10 1AF
££
35 Whitchurch Rd,
CF14 3JN
££
SNAILS DELI
THE SECRET
GARDEN CAFE
In the quaint village of Rhiwbina sits Snails Deli, the delightful little food place that serves up the quintessentially Welsh dishes. Taste test their Welsh rarebit, sample their chutney’s and jams or take home some mouthwatering homemade quiches, pies and tarts.
There’s free Wi-Fi to keep updated with your friend or do a spot of work, regular live events and a relaxing garden space, what’s not to love about this place?
The Secret Garden Cafe is an environmentally conscious established (not so secretly) situated in Bute Park. They have the heart to locally source produce, they recycle 90% of their own waste and where possible only use recyclable or compostable materials.
Now under the care of Penylan Pantry, TSGC has been given a tasty makeover and a new life to the cafe. Be mesmerised by the walled garden and iron gate leading you in with the smells that make your tastebuds tingle.
6-8 Beulah Rd,
CF14 6LX
££
Bute Park, North Rd,
CF10 3ER
£
CARDIFF BAY
PHOTOGRAPHY
INSOLE COURT
CARDIFF BAY
Whilst one of the most notable areas of Cardiff (we know, we know, that's not the point of ARDENT), there are some wonderful eateries, boat trips and sights to see just by wandering around the area.
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Take a photo outside of Portland House, see the Norwegian Church Arts Centre, marvel at the magic that is the Wales Millennium Centre or take a book and sit on the bench decking towards the far end of the pier-head. There’s plenty of tranquil spots to take a moment away from the busy city.
Burrowed in the Cardiff suburb of Llandaff, Insole Court is a mansion house with impressive grounds, a charming cafe and a rich history. The once derelict 160 year old house has been saved by the community, refurbished and brought back to life for visitors, tourists and residents alike. The mansion is open 6 hours a day, 7 days a week and the Potting Shed cafe is open 7 days a week.
With free entry to the grounds and mansion (although donations are very welcome), they offer public events such as concerts, film screenings, market days and heritage tours to keep visitors come back again and again.
Fairwater Rd,
CF5 2LN
Bute Pl, Cardiff Bay
CF10 5AL