A trip down Newport Road in Cardiff seeking various forms of sustenance at the many restaurants, take-aways and cafes in the area. So far I am concentrating on the section of Newport Road between the River Rhymney and town.
Aroma Coffee, Capel i Bawb
This café and library are housed in what used to be the Royal Infirmary chapel which was built in 1921. The chapel closed in 1999 and the refurbished building opened in 2022. We had a very nice vegetation breakfast wrap followed by a caramel topped flapjack. It was then a wander over to a nearby computer to do some local history research.
Mercure Hotel
I remember this building when it used to be the Julian Hodge House building. When it was first built it was the tallest building in Cardiff and I remember going there on a trip with cubs 55 years ago and up to the top floor to survey the panorama. It was nice to have an excuse to return 55 years later! It is now ranked number twelve in Cardiff’s tallest buildings. I had a house burger and pint of Guinness and my wife had Gloucester Old Spot sausages with bubble and squeak.
Starbucks
Starbucks is in Shand House which used to be the Institute for the Blind when I was growing up and had wicker baskets and other products in the windows. The building is named after the inspirational Frances Batty Shand. Today I had a tomato and mozzarella panini with my coffee.
One Stop
One Stop convenience store is at the bottom of Shand House, itself named after an early charitable activist Betty Frances Shand who founded the Association for Improving the Social and Working Conditions of the Blind in Cardiff. At the side of the shop is some street art: a lovely painted flower. Today I had cheese based meal deal consisting of a variety of cheese sandwiches and some cheese and onion crisps.
Lilo’s Pasta
Lilo’s Pasta has been at this location since about 2018 and has a sister shop in Pencoed. I was pleasantly surprised to discover on a wet February day that the pasta in this case was served warm and that there was seating inside. Added to that my Chick ‘n Pesto on garlic and herb pasta was tasty and a generous portion. Good service.
Coffee Planet
Coffee Planet are a coffee company based in UAE with roasting, retail and café outlets. Cardiff is their first UK outlet and opened in 2018. I had a very nice flat white and a chocolate coconut flapjack and watched people walk by.
Domino’s Pizza
I thought having looked at the Domino’s Pizza leaflet that gets delivered to the house that it was going to be pricy here but discovered that they do a Personal 7” pizza which was ideal for lunchtime and a nice pizza. I also didn’t know that Domino’s Pizza started in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Cafe Rabaiotti
Having visited quite a few fast food and petrol station outlets on Newport Road it was a pleasure to come across this little gem, an independent outlet, Cafe Rabaiotti. What a rich history it has having had outlets in the past in Queen Street, Cowbridge Road and of course on the Esplanade in Penarth. I remember a knickerbocker glory was always the treat of the day when visiting Penarth. The fourth generation of the family is now working in the café. Great service. I had a tasty well-constructed falafel salad box.
Londis – ESSO Garage
Well, I’ve never been here for lunch before! I grabbed a meal deal and took it into town and ate it among the Christmas revelers in the grounds of Cardiff Castle. The egg and cress sandwiches were decent enough.
Burger King
Every now and then I do enjoy a Burger King. It may be my imagination but I tend to get the feeling there is quite a surcharge for those not using their app these days. Ordering certainly confused me. I think I had a crispy bacon melt burger with small fries and a coke but that’s only a guess.
Londis – Texaco Garage
A break in the wet November weather we’ve been having so time to head out for a walk. I grabbed a sandwich from Londis in the Texaco Garage on Newport Road. Ended up in the Forest of Dean overlooking the splendid Wye Valley when by lunchtime I’d built up a healthy appetite.
Two Guys
In a stroke of genius this burger trailer has set itself up on the opposite side of Newport Road to the fast food outlet Five Guys and called it Two Guys. Just a cheeseburger for me today. I was impressed I was offered a choice of cheeses – Cheddar or American. I was also impressed by the quality of the bun.
Taco Bell
I’ve been meaning to pay a visit to Taco Bell ever since they opened here in around 2021 and satisfy a craving I’ve had for Mexican food after first tasting it in USA. I chose the Crispy Chicken Burrito Combo. It was certainly crispy and tasty but not sure how authentically Mexican it is. Next time I’ll be brave and try a Volcano Burrito which may be closer to the mark.
Morrisons Petrol Station
Morrisons and the petrol station on Newport Road opened around 2013. I must admit in all those years I’ve never noted that it is actually called Morisons Daily. I purchased a Sweet Chilli Chicken wrap and ate it high on the Bwlch after I’d been walking for a few hours. That’s probably why it tasted so good.
Morrisons Cafe
A full breakfast breakfast at Morrisons certainly does mean a full plate even without the exta black pudding I ordered. The coffee machine was out of order but luckily there was another one elsewhere in the shop. It was only after I had started to eat did I spot the lack of hash browns (one of my favourite breakfast items) but that was soon rectified by the staff and all was well.
Cardiff Capers 