When Christmas has been and gone but steely skies and soggy feet persist, a helping of zingy goodness is just the thing to banish those February blues. Lisbeth Burich counts down the restaurants that will transport you to far hotter places.
CHAI STREET
With three venues across Cardiff and a fourth opening in Roath, this Indian joint is racing through the capital faster than a tuk-tuk dodging Mumbai traffic. From the people behind celebrated fine dining restaurant Mint And Mustard, Chai Street is an altogether more casual affair – think breakfast bar tables, fairy lights, and walls covered with vintage Bollywood posters. An authentic Indian ‘thali’ provides a well-balanced meal served in compartmentalised metal trays – try a lamb thali with dal, pickle, soothing raita, poppadums, fluffy rice and moreish naan bread.
15 St Mary Street, Cardiff. Info: 029 2039 9399 / www.chaistreet.com
JALAN MALAYSIA
Nestled between Asian mini-markets and greasy takeaways on student-central Woodville Road sits pristine Jalan Malaysia with its white-washed walls and minimalist interior. A fitting décor for a restaurant that essentially does one dish: nasi lemak, a coconut rice dish served with peanuts, egg, anchovies, cucumber and a main of your choice, turmeric chicken or tofu for a meat-free alternative. This nutritious and flavour-packed meal is typically eaten at breakfast in its native Malaysia, but is served lunch- and dinner-time in its Cardiffian incarnation.
101 Woodville Road, Cardiff. Info: 029 2023 5616 / www.jalanmalaysia.co.uk
DUTCHY’S JAMAICAN JERK SHACK
Behind its unassuming exterior, Dutchy’s has all the colour, flavour and good vibes a seasonally affected Welshie could ask for. Often described as a hidden Newport gem, this is where you can tuck into fiery goat curry or a rack of ribs to the rhythms of reggae and ska. The cocktails are exquisite and very good value for money, too, which can only aid your mood’s upward climb.
15 North Street, Newport. Info: 01633 215048 / www.dutchys.co.uk
GARUDA
This family-run restaurant has been a go-to for authentic Indonesian cuisine for almost two decades now. The restaurant has only ever closed once, after owner Ani suffered a stroke, but was back on its feet just two months later. Guests have raved about the seafood here. Try an aromatic tauco udang – king prawns bathed in a spicy tomato sauce with ginger, lemon grass, lime leaf, and a yellow bean sauce.
18 St Helen’s Rd, Swansea. Info: 01792 653388 / www.garudarestaurant.co.uk
BANGKOK CAFÉ
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Thai restaurant, and if the bold interior – complete with fluorescent leather banquettes, bowls and cutlery – hasn’t already drawn your attention to this, the proof is in the menu. With a wide range of stir fries and curries characterised by fresh herbs and authentic flavours, Bangkok Café sends your taste buds direct to the bustling street kitchens of the Thai capital. A starter of thinly sliced beef dressed with chili, lime, coriander and fish sauce will make a decent warmup to your meal, in more ways than one.
207 Cowbridge Rd East, Cardiff. Info: 029 2034 0455 / www.bangkokcafe.co.uk