Just outside of Cardiff’s city centre is the capital’s student centre. Cathays is bursting with delicious restaurants and cafés – Abby Wilson rounds up the best.
BBK
Not GBK, but Cathays’ own BBK. Standing for Bagel and Burger Kitchen, this burger joint on Salisbury Road offers well-priced, delicious tasting burgers and bagels. Their chocolate bar milkshakes are definitely worth a try too.
98 Salisbury Road, Cardiff. Info: 029 2023 3329 / www.bbkitchen.co.uk
THE EARLY BIRD
The perfect place for brunch, bakes and brews. It’s quite small, and so is its menu, but everything on offer is heavenly. If you fancy something sweet, try the Nutella Fitzgerald (souped-up French toast for £7), or for something a little different, Don’t Worry, Brie Happy! (brie, mushrooms and garlic on sourdough, also £7).
38 Woodville Road, Cardiff. Info: 029 2132 0520 / www.earlybirdbakery.co.uk
IRIE SHACK
A Caribbean bar and grill located on Woodville Road, Irie Shack’s enticing menu features myriad traditional dishes. Generous portions and delicious, aromatic flavours will leave you full to the brim. Not sure what to have? Their famous one-pots are great.
106-110 Woodville Road, Cardiff. Info: 029 2037 3272 / www.irieshack.com
MOWGLI’S
On Crwys Road, Mowgli’s is a great-value-for-money Indian restaurant with friendly staff and mouthwatering food. A good Indian restaurant in the vicinity is practically a prerequisite of a student neighbourhood these days.
151 Crwys Road, Cardiff. Info: 029 2034 3705 / www.mowglis.co.uk
EMBASSY CAFÉ
Located at the front of the multi-functional Cathays Community Centre, Embassy is – like its parent building – a commendable project which strives for inclusivity. Their changing menus are all vegetarian and mostly vegan, but allay any fears of worthy mush and expect bright, worldly flavour combos. The Herbivore team also have a weekend residence here, reopening on Sat 18 May after a holiday break.
Cathays Community Centre, 36 Cathays Terrace, Cardiff. Info: 029 2037 3144 / www.cathays.org.uk