ZI’S CAFE | FOOD REVIEW
94 Woodville Rd, Cathays, Cardiff. Info: 029 2021 6294 / www.facebook.com/ziscafe
As a former student in Cardiff I am no stranger to Woodville Road. The street isn’t often used by the non-students of the city but it is certainly worth a wonder for a few foodie gems, the crown of which is Chinese restaurant Zi’s Cafe. We first decided to wander into Zi’s doors after seeing the small restaurant constantly full of people. The ‘cafe’ title is apt in that this tiny place only holds four tables and a few window benches, but the food is much more than sweets and bubble tea. The friendly, family run place (this isn’t just a clichéd phrase, on more than one occasion the owners charming very young son has wandered around the cafe – taking everything in) has a large menu that includes everything you would expect fro a Chinese as well as a few more interesting dishes (roast duck in sweet and sour plum sauce and squid in chilli are just a few tasty examples). The point of Zi’s, however, isn’t the fancy menu choices but just that they do each dish so well. The double cooked pork is a dish we have order again and again, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. The same goes for the Singapore fried noodles and any of the fish dishes. We’ve been back more times than we can count, and every time we take someone new they love it just as much! If you want to get the most out of Zi’s Cafe make sure to get a good variety of dishes (any friends who are likely to just order fried rice and some prawn crackers should be left at home), this means the price isn’t the cheapest around but is certainly the best for what you get. Open in the afternoons as well as the evenings Zi’s is a great place for a big celebratory meal, or a delicious lunch.
words HEATHER ARNOLD
photo ELSIE HUI