Cafes, Bakeries, and Sweet-tooth Saviours
Bakeries, patisseries, dessert shops and ice cream parlours – you’re never far away from satisfying that sugar craving. From the humble Welsh cake to the fancy cupcake, Wales has a selection of confectionery to suit every sweet tooth.
THE ANGEL BAKERY
Lower Castle Street, Abergavenny
Brimming with croissants, pain au chocolat, brioches, brownies, cupcakes, doughnuts and tarts, all of which are made onsite with organic flours and grains sourced in the UK, the business is run by experienced chefs Sophie Kumar and Polly Hunter, with a team of staff who take their time to produce pastries and cakes with lightness and depth. The shop is cool and contemporary, with large windows so customers can watch the bakers at work. The Angel Bakery also sells enriched breads, Round Hill Roastery coffee and homemade ice-cream.
Info: 01873 736950 / www.theangelbakery.com
SCIENCE CREAM
Castle Arcade, Cardiff
The first and only liquid nitrogen ice-cream parlour in Wales, Science Cream like to experiment by mixing the classic with the unexpected. Along with designated ‘classics’ – brown butter caramel; roasted banana, peanut butter and chocolate; salted caramel and caramelized white chocolate – you’ll find flavours such as bacon and egg, black coconut charcoal, ‘Elvis – The Fat Years’, frankincense and myrrh, and Christmas tree (which it apparently smells and tastes like!). These “ice-creams to try before you die” are homemade and super smooth, with something new to try every week; its reputation is nationwide, and what’s more, it is very reasonably priced.
Info: 029 2037 2391 / www.sciencecream.co.uk
SIMPLY STEVE’S PATISSERIE
Clifton Street, Roath, Cardiff
A thriving intercontinental patisserie and bakery with a selection of handmade cakes, sweets and treats made fresh on site every day. Whether you prefer traditional home baking – bread and butter pudding, brownies, flapjacks, cereal bars – or something fancier, Simply Steve’s products are gourmet quality and will suit all budgets. They also offer outside catering and their bespoke cakes are freshly made to order.
Info: 029 2025 0760 / simplystevespatisserie.co.uk
BLANCHE BAKERY
Mackintosh Place, Cardiff
Set up in 2015, this is Cardiff’s first vegan bakery and coffee shop. Welsh cakes, cupcakes, ice-cream with chocolate sauce and marshmallow, creme egg donuts – everything is 100% animal and dairy-free and can be made without nut ingredients and gluten for customers with allergies. Blanche Bakery is a welcoming and friendly place to hang out, with a relaxed vibe. Their cupcakes come in a variety of flavours such as cookie dough and lotus biscuit; there’s always something new to try, plus vegan savouries if you’re not in the mood for something sweet.
Info: 07426 000528 / facebook.com/blanchecardiff
THE CHOCOLATE KEBAB HOUSE
Castle Arcade, Castle Street, Swansea
The first chocolate kebab house, not just in Wales but the world. Run by husband and wife Simon and Stephanie Mills, who are constantly inventing new sweet concoctions such as Kinder Bueno custard slices, Nutella muffins and – of course – the chocolate kebab, shaved from a special chocolate rotisserie. For pure indulgence, why not try their gravity-defying stacks of waffles, and ice cream wraps and churros – all with an assortment of fruit, sauces and sprinkles that you can choose yourself from the fresh fruit bar or sweet bar. And the gut-busting milkshakes will give anyone a sugar rush.
Info: 07519 86397 / facebook.com/the-chocolate-kebab-house-1570689819920524/
COCORICO PATISSERIE
Whitchurch Road, Cardiff
A very artisan cafe where you can relax and watch your treats being made in the ultramodern open kitchen. The passionate and creative pâtissiers combine flavours to produce desserts with such names as Rumble On The Crumble, Mille Feuille, Pear Of Tarts, Praline Spinner and Paris-Brest. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan or anything in between, there is something here to suit all palates – all made with the best ingredients and in a very European setting. Cocorico also serves gourmet savoury dishes.
Info: 029 2132 8177 / www.cocoricopatisserie.co.uk/#cardiff-patisserie
BRØD
Wyndham Crescent, Cardiff
For those looking for a more continental feel to their morning coffee, the Danish bakery Brød is the place to go. Serving a variety of Danish pastry, all cooked in the ‘authentic’ Scandinavian style and situated in the leafier area of Pontcanna, this cafe sure makes hygge seem a cosy Nordic alternative to the Welsh cwtch.
Info: 029 2025 1822 / www.thedanishbakery.co.uk
THE LITTLE MAN COFFEE CO.
Bridge Street, Cardiff
Situated just outside the corporate behemoth that is St. David’s shopping centre, The little Man Cafe is a refreshing breeze of humility, independent attitude and cool. With a wide variety of teas and coffees to try out, as well as snacks both savoury and sweet, this is easily one of the best cafes in the city centre, managing to stand apart in the sprawl.
Info: http://www.littlemancoffee.co.uk/
LYNDA NASH