Top 10 budget restaurants in Cardiff
Embarking on a culinary journey through Cardiff doesn't have to strain your wallet. The vibrant capital of Wales is a treasure trove of gastronomic delights that cater to budget-conscious travelers without compromising on flavor or experience. In this guide, we'll unveil the city's hidden gems – the top 10 budget restaurants in Cardiff – where you can savor delectable dishes, immerse yourself in the local culture, and savor every moment of your Cardiff holiday, all while keeping your expenses in check. From traditional Welsh eateries to international flavors, these dining establishments promise to tantalize your taste buds and make your visit to Cardiff truly unforgettable.
For those seeking an affordable yet convenient stay in Cardiff while indulging in the city's culinary scene, hotels near Principality Stadium offer a strategic location. Situated in the heart of the city, these accommodations provide easy access to some of Cardiff's top budget restaurants. After a satisfying meal, you can stroll back to your cozy room and unwind, knowing that you're just moments away from the vibrant atmosphere of Cardiff's dining and entertainment offerings. Whether you're fueling up for a day of exploration or winding down after an evening of flavors, these hotels provide the perfect base for a memorable Cardiff holiday without breaking the bank. If you prefer a more intimate accommodation option, Cardiff Bed & Breakfasts are an excellent choice. These cozy establishments offer a personalized experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local charm of Cardiff.
Discover the Delightful Combination of Madame Fromage and Science Cream
Indulge in a culinary adventure at Madame Fromage, a beloved deli and cafe located in Castle Arcade. This charming establishment captivates visitors with its dedication to serving "real homemade food" that is both visually stunning and delectable. The delightful array of produce and baked goods on display throughout the restaurant adds an inviting ambiance to the dining experience.
Featuring a daytime menu that showcases the best of Breton and Welsh cuisine, Madame Fromage offers a variety of mouth-watering main courses, including filled galettes, baked camembert, beouf bourguignon, and rarebit, all priced around £8. If you prefer a takeaway option, you'll be thrilled to discover generous discounts available. Imagine savoring a pot of legendary lamb cawl, its well-seasoned, vegetable-packed stock brimming with rich flavors and tender, succulent chunks of lamb, alongside a tempting slice of cherry and chocolate tiffin, all for an incredible £5.
While visiting Castle Arcade, don't miss the opportunity to tantalize your taste buds at the remarkable Science Cream. This unique dessert destination is sure to enchant both children and adults alike. With its captivating science lab setup in the kitchen, Science Cream takes pride in offering made-to-order ice cream created using liquid nitrogen. This freeze-at-your-command technique results in incredibly smooth ice cream with tiny ice crystals, allowing the flavors to shine through in every tantalizing scoop. Indulge in this extraordinary treat, and you'll understand why Science Cream is hailed as one of the finest ice cream parlors this side of Heston Blumenthal's renowned Fat Duck.
Plan your visit to Madame Fromage and Science Cream to experience an unforgettable gastronomic journey, whether you're seeking a delightful sit-down meal or a satisfying takeaway option at affordable prices. Explore more about Madame Fromage at madamefromage.co.uk. Madame Fromage is open from Monday to Friday, 10am-5.30pm, Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm, and Sunday noon-5pm.
If you're in Cardiff and looking for a budget-friendly option to enjoy delicious tapas, look no further than Bar 44. With its sleek bar-restaurant setting, adorned with vibrant Spanish influences like neo-Moorish tile work and vintage Tío Pepe adverts, Bar 44 is sure to impress. For just £10 between noon and 6pm on weekdays, you can savor three tapas or try their daily-changing £6 one-pots, including a tempting Galician fish stew and a mouthwatering slow-cooked meat-and-chickpea concoction known as cocido.
Among the standout tapas dishes at Bar 44 is their salad of fried crispy chickpeas, tomatoes, and aged zamorano cheese, bursting with flavor. Equally exceptional are the croquetas of jamon ibérico, where the crispy shells reveal a decadent and rich béchamel filling with a distinctly truffled earthiness. This delightful flavor is achieved, in part, thanks to the inclusion of the complex and savory ham.
Situated at 15-23 Westgate Street, Bar 44 is conveniently located opposite the Millennium Stadium. You can find more information and browse their menu on their website: bar44.co.uk. The restaurant is open from Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 11.30am to 11pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11.30am to midnight.
If you're looking for affordable dining options in Cardiff, the city's Victorian shopping arcades are a great place to start. One standout venue is The Plan, a friendly and laid-back cafe-bar that embraces the stripped-back simplicity of its grade II-listed building. The kitchen takes pride in using locally sourced ingredients and preparing scratch-cooked meals, offering a menu that ranges from organic chilli or aubergine curry to delicious filled jacket potatoes.
When it comes to breakfast, The Plan delivers on every front. Their Eggs Benedict is a true delight, featuring organic Welsh eggs that are creamy and fresh, served on proper breakfast muffins with a light and lemony hollandaise sauce. This cafe-bar also takes its coffee seriously, with their head barista Trevor Hyam being a finalist in the UK Barista Championship. Make sure to try their impressive flat white for just £2.35.
With prices starting at £3.75 for breakfast dishes, £5.70 for sandwiches, and £7.10 for mains, The Plan offers excellent value for money. You can find them in the beautiful Morgan Arcade, or visit their website at theplancafe.co.uk to learn more about their offerings and opening hours. Whether you're exploring Cardiff on a budget or seeking a casual dining experience, The Plan is a must-visit destination.
Located on Cardiff's waterfront near the Millennium Centre, Pizza Pronto is a unique dining experience housed in a shipping container kitchen. Catering to both office workers and visitors, this establishment serves delicious 8-inch oval pizzette with a range of mouth-watering toppings. The tomato sauce is fresh and the pepperoni has just the right amount of heat, making each bite a flavorful delight.
While dried herbs may not enhance the pizza, the base remains delightfully crispy and fresh. Pizza Pronto offers great value for money, and food enthusiasts will be delighted by their specials that incorporate trendy Italian ingredients like the soft and spicy sausage 'nduja. If you're craving dessert, a short walk to Portuguese bakery-cafe Nata & Co on Bute Street will reward you with the chance to indulge in a fantastic pastel de nata custard tart for just £1.
In addition to Pizza Pronto, there's another exciting option for food lovers in Cardiff. The warehouse-based Winter Social by Depot offers a pop-up experience every Friday and Saturday until 19 December. Here, you can sample culinary delights from renowned Cardiff ventures like Hokkei, Brother Thai, and Science Cream. It's the perfect opportunity to explore the city's vibrant street food scene.
You can find Pizza Pronto at 7-8 Bute Crescent or visit their website pizzaprontopenarth.co.uk to check out their menu and operating hours. They are open Monday to Thursday from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm, Friday from 10.30 am to 11 pm, Saturday from 12.30 pm to 11 pm, and closed on Sundays.
If you're looking for a truly colossal meal in Cardiff, then look no further than the legendary New York Deli. Known for their stuffed-to-bursting bagels, hotdogs, meatball grinders, and hoagies, this American-owned cafe and sandwich bar is a troff-spot favorite. With an impressive selection of deli meats, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and sweet gherkins piled high on their New York hoagie, you won't be disappointed, even if the pastrami could use a bit more kick.
While the sandwich prices may be slightly higher (around £5 for a hoagie), the sheer portion size guarantees that you won't need to eat again for hours, if not days. So grab a knife and fork, stock up on napkins, and get ready to tackle a mammoth beast of a sandwich at New York Deli.
For more information and updates, you can visit their Facebook page.
Café Malaysia, despite its unassuming appearance, offers an unforgettable dining experience. This hidden gem may lack street signage and boast a mishmash of styles, but what it lacks in aesthetics, it more than compensates for with its exceptional Asian cuisine.
The menu at Café Malaysia is a symphony of flavors, with stir-fries, curries, and noodle soups that showcase the precise artistry of the chefs. Every dish is rich in authentic touches, like the delicate, salty dried anchovies that crown the nasi lemak, a traditional Malaysian dish. The depth of flavor in each element of this dish is astonishing, from the coconut-infused rice to the moist and crispy turmeric fried chicken. The hot and savory gravy, along with the fiery chili-packed sambal, adds delightful layers of taste.
Even the smallest details are meticulously attended to at Café Malaysia. Even the cucumber garnish is fresh, cool, and chopped to perfection, elevating the experience of every bite.
Whether you visit for lunch or dinner, the prices at Café Malaysia are surprisingly budget-friendly. With starters and mains starting from just £7.50, it offers an affordable option for those looking to explore the vibrant flavors of Malaysian cuisine. And if you can make it for lunch, you can indulge in a starter and main for just £10.
Located at 101 Woodville Road, Café Malaysia may be hidden from view, but the culinary journey it offers is well worth seeking out. To learn more about this unique eatery, visit their website at cafemalaysia.co.uk.
Opening hours are from Monday to Saturday, with lunch served from noon to 3pm and dinner from 6pm to 10pm. Take note that Café Malaysia is closed on Sundays.
When seeking out affordable dining options in Cardiff, head straight for Cathays, a student hub located just north of the city center. Here, you'll find Hogwurst, a charming and cozy café adorned with books and bric-a-brac. Start your day with their enticing breakfast menu featuring creative porridge dishes and mouthwatering bacon sandwiches topped with crumbled hash browns. And don't be fooled by the name, Hogwurst also serves up exceptional hotdogs, using high-quality franks sourced from Gloucester's renowned Native Breeds and accompanied by heavenly light brioche rolls from Cardiff's very own Allen's.
What sets Hogwurst apart is their eclectic variety of toppings, from classic sauerkraut and crispy onions to indulgent combinations like southern fried chicken bites with caramelized onions and barbecue sauce. It's not just about the food either – Hogwurst creates a student-friendly atmosphere, offering a 10% discount to students and allowing you to bring your own alcohol. And with the inviting slogan, "Relax, it could be wurst," emblazoned on the ceiling, you know you're in for a fun and affordable night out.
So if you're looking to indulge in delectable hotdogs, cozy up in a quirky setting, and save some money, head to Hogwurst at 56 North Road or visit their website at hogwurst.co.uk to discover more.
Indulge in a unique falafel experience at Falafel Kitchen, where you can witness the art of handmade and deep-fried falafel right before your eyes. The mouthwatering falafel, with its light and fragrant texture, practically dissolves like couscous in your mouth, making it a delight to savor. Served in a fluffy, soft pitta, generously layered with delectable hummus and a variety of toppings and sauces from their self-service salad bar, including tahini, baba ganoush, red cabbage, and Moroccan seasoned carrots.
Alongside their falafel creations, Falafel Kitchen also offers an enticing menu featuring dishes like sabich (fried aubergine) and chicken shawarma served in pittas or as salad plates. To enhance your dining experience, you can enjoy refreshing bottles of Budvar for just £2.50 each. Located at 76 Crwys Road, this charming lunch-only cafe is definitely worth venturing out of the city center to explore. falafel-kitchen.co.uk
Got Beef is a popular burger joint located just outside the city center in Cathays, Cardiff. Known for its modern and on-point offerings, including skin-on chips and delicious brioche buns, this restaurant is a go-to spot for burger enthusiasts in the area.
The highlight of Got Beef's burgers is their unique Welsh Black, steak-style patties, which are sweet and densely packed. While this differs from the loose-packed, coarse ground patties preferred elsewhere in the UK, the flavor is still enjoyable. The tangy "secret recipe" sauce, reminiscent of the garnish on McDonald's Big Mac, adds an extra layer of deliciousness to these burgers.
You can indulge in a satisfying meal at Got Beef starting from £8.95. Located at 83 Whitchurch Road, you can find more information and browse their menu on their official website gotbeef.co.uk. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from noon until 10pm, and closed on Mondays.
If you're strolling along City Road in Cardiff, you might easily overlook Kumar's amidst the sea of restaurants. But don't make that mistake, because this unassuming South Indian eatery is serving up some seriously delicious and expertly spiced food. One of their standout dishes is the dosa, a lacy, pancake-like creation that's crisp on the edges and slightly chewy in the center, with a delicate lactic flavor. Served with a variety of chutneys and a flavorful sambar, it's like being embraced by a warm and savory winter broth.
Another highlight of Kumar's menu is their stellar selection of dhals. The yellow lentil and spinach palak dish is bursting with layers of flavor, thanks to the generous use of fresh spices and chillies. Every forkful delivers a satisfying explosion of taste that will have you coming back for more.
For those looking to explore something new, a visit to Katiwok on Crwys Road is highly recommended. This eatery is famous for its kati rolls, a type of Indian street food that features spiced and grilled meats wrapped in a paratha, similar to an Asian burrito. With prices starting from £4.99, it's an affordable and flavorful option.
If you're planning a trip to Cardiff, make sure to include Kumar's on your list of must-visit budget restaurants. With set lunch options priced around £7-£8 and mains starting at approximately £6, it offers exceptional value for money. You can find them at 129 City Road, and for more information, check out their Facebook page.
