A proper pub with a fantastic atmosphere. Historic building with loads of character. Good range at…read morethe bar, friendly staff and excellent food.

This is a top notch little boozer! I say little but with the restaurant and in the summer, the…read morebeer garden, this 14th century welsh long house is surprisingly big. The lounge has a lovely calm feel about it and the bar is proper cozy. Winter is the best time to visit when the log fires are burning. A good range of beer, wines and spirit and bar snacks. The food is really good. The menu and daily specials board has a good choice and at the time of writing, the current chef puts a lot of effort into turning out quality food with a touch of flair. The staff are all very friendly and professional. All in, this is a good place.

This place is CLOSED permanently, but has been replaced with "Maple and Bacon". Good full…read morebreakfasts and we recommend it.

This is a restaurant in a former vault. It is very beautiful and has great ambience. The service…read morewas wonderful and the Servers were very attentive. The food was fresh and delicious. They did some great takes on traditional ingredients.

I visited here on one of the coldest days in Cardiff and had about 3 places in mind to try Welsh…read morefood but decided to give this one a try because it was closest to the train station and I was super hungry. They have a fairly small Welsh menu and I was hoping to try some rarebit but unfortunately they took it off the menu now. So, I had the lamb cawl and beef and cottage pie. The pie was absolutely amazing, one of the best I have had so far. Lamb cawl was mediocre but I didn't have too much expectation from it to begin with. Everything was very reasonably priced and you can order from the table using their app and have the food delivered at the table which was amazing for a small town like Cardiff. The place in itself is amazing, its an old movie theater converted to a pub and like other reviewers mentioned they did not tear down the theater but just built the seating around it (good decision). The seating upstairs is more private and gives a good view of the whole theater.

Good spot to try some traditional Welsh food, well for a tourist like me anyway. The lamb meatballs…read morewith mash, sauce and peas are very good. All covered in sauce. Light and airy lamb meat balls. The sausage and mash even better, also very light in texture made of leeks and onion. Welsh rarebit comes out proper hot, very good classic. Reasonable prices. Didn't get a chance to try the Welsh fruit cake because the kitchen closed at 10pm. It's a fun, lively pub atmosphere.

The North Star is a vast pub cum restaurant and music venue occupying a prominent position on North…read moreRoad in the Maindy / Gabalfa area of Cardiff. It is an incredibly inspiring and important addition to the cultural wealth of the city. Opened in October last year, it is already the home to a cosmopolitan mix of locals, business people and students, as well as regular visitors from all over the city and beyond. When you walk into The North Star you can appreciate why it has such a draw. The old Victorian mansion-sized building has been lovingly refurbished with impressive style. The modern look, embellished with antique flourishes and an eclectic use of period furniture, has been created by Tim Rice, one of Cardiff's most successful designers, leading The North Star to be shortlisted for 'The Best Bar and Restaurant Design Awards' within months of its unveiling. It also scooped up another accolade when it was voted the fifth best 'cheap eat' in the UK by The Guardian. There's more to say about The North Star than I've got space here on Yelp. It's a multi-faceted business that offers a lot, to many. Managed by a brother and sister team, with Alex taking care of front of house, and her brother conjuring up epicurean delights in the kitchen. The food, organic and locally sourced wherever possible, is extensive in range and all homemade from scratch, including the relishes, dough's and even the Yorkshire puds! Dishes are predominantly Italian, but the menu frequently includes Welsh favourites like cockles and lava bread, Monmouthshire lamb and potted pig. With deals like '2 for 1' operating from Monday to Friday, customers are visibly increasing on a weekly basis. Specialty dishes are changed regularly, usually prompted by the advice of their local butcher, J T Morgan, who tips them the wink about all the best seasonal cuts on offer. Established in 1861, J T Morgan Butchers have occupied a position of importance at the indoor market, in central Cardiff, for more years than anyone can remember. A family butchers that have moved with the times, they are presently one of the most recognized purveyors of free range and organic meat and poultry in South Wales. Not surprisingly, The North Star makes the most of a good thing. As well as fantastic Sunday lunches, boasting the most succulent roasts in town, they're also hosting BBQ's on Friday and Sundays over the warmer months. Live music is on offer most days of the week, kicking off on Wednesdays with the Open Mic Night hosted by Rowan Liggett, who is also Co-Director of The Miniature Music Press, a really well produced A5 music magazine and 'What's On', that you can pick up for free at a whole host of places around the city. The North Star also has a sister pub worth mentioning; The Vulcan in Cathays on Wyvern Road, another haunt of the ubiquitous Rowan Liggett, who runs the Open Mic nights here as well. Frequented mainly by students, this is a cool live music pub, also designed by Tim Rice, that is equally well worth checking out. www.theminiaturemusicpress.com/

So the North Star has recently undergone a big renovation which is probably why I got some discount…read morevouchers to go and test it out. Its in a bit of an odd place really and right on the middle of the student area which is why I guess I had never been tempted to go there sooner. Went for an early dinner, the food was nice but not outstanding. I liked the relaxed atmosphere of the place and all the comfy looking leather sofa's. It would be a lovely Sunday place hangout I think. Prices are probably aimed at the students so its fairly cheap and there seems to be lots of events going on. Just wish parking was easier round there.

The Pen and Wig is a favourite hangover haunt for myself and friends and is where I can be found…read morealmost every Sunday lunchtime, more often than not with Ham, Egg and Chips, a can of Red Bull and a palpable sense of regret. A great menu, with curry nights and steak nights and the like. There's a cheap section where you can get fish and chips, ham, egg and chips etc for just £3.99 but there are more substantial offerings aswell. Plenty of drinks too, and they will offer a varying specialist selection of beers and ales throughout the year. An example of this is when Neil Morrisey was in Cardiff for "Rain Man" in the New Theatre, they brought in Morrisey Fox Ale on tap. They always have different ones to sample though. On the whole, you don't begrudge the prices at the Pen and Wig, but nor do they strike you as being especially cheap. There is a great deal for Rose though and for £5 you can get a decent enough bottle. If low on cash, or just intent on getting hammered, a great deal all round. The decor inside is inside pretty standard fare, and, as mentioned previously it does tend to feel like you've been in this type of pub a hundred times before. Even though I must have been inside the Pen and Wig at least 50 times I cannot recall much of the interior decoration at all. I think of this as a compliment. If there is ever a traditional pub where I can remember specific features of decoration, it's usually been because I've been so bored that I've had to resort to staring at pictures on the walls. It tends to have gotten a little too busy for me these days, and, although it's got a great, large outdoor seating area, it's a rare occurence that one is available for long enough to be snapped up. For that reason, nowadays I mainly tend to visit the Pen and Wig for a mid-week drink and it is truly one of the best bars in Cardiff to enjoy a pint outside on a sunny day.

There is a distinct studenty / indie feel to this place but don't let that put you off as it has a…read moregood little beer garden, nice bar staff and the prices are reasonable. I've never eaten here but have seen other peoples food and frankly it didn't tempt me. Having said that a mate of mine says they do a good Sunday roast. There is a comedy on a Tuesday plus you can play board games supplied by the pub for a refundable deposit of £5. It's a little off the beaten track so if you haven't been here before it may take some finding its worth it and its a pub you would seriously consider being your local - if you lived local.

Excellent neighborhood pub and restaurant!…read more Inside it has the character of the once home now converted restaurant/pub. Fancy sitting in the "parlor" or outside in the garden. Outside diners order at the bar and food is served to them. Where as inside diners have full wait service. Love the rotating menu, and the wonderfully plated food. Food is well seasoned and not your typically "pub" food. Well done! Plus for duck eaters, there is pan seared duck on the menu, which is fabulous!

Wonderful service and the food was excellent. Visiting from the US and I Would say this is a…read moredefinite must!

I've not eaten at the Vulcan but I have had a few cheeky drinks and I have to say, the atmosphere…read moreis really great. Being smack bang in the middle of student central, the drinks are dirt cheap but the interior is not compromised and is actually really pretty. Somewhere between classic, dark and moody old pub and trendy bar it provides something aesthetic for people who like to drink in an attractive setting.

This place was classy even before it got classy... if you know what I mean? The fact that it's now…read morehad a reburb that shows it in its true colours is simply a case of a place fulfilling its promise! It'll come as no surprise to many that the people behind the Vulan Lounge are the same people that transformed the North Star into a shining beacon of contemporary style. Tim Rice, the illustrious Cardiff based designer responsible for the magnificent results out in Maindy / Gabalfa is now working his magic in Cathays. And that's not all... The winning formula that has made The North Star such a manifold success is being down-scaled and transposed onto this centrally located pub cum lounge. That means great food, live music and high levels of customer satisfaction! Rowan Liggett, one of the people behind MMP (Miniature Music Press), and responsible for the music nights at The North Star is also providing the entertainment here. So, for those of you without a car.. well... rest assured, they're bringing the good times to you, instead of making you hanker for something that is just a little too far out of reach... The Vulcan is still closed mid week until the work is complete. Here's what I wrote about The North Star: The North Star is a vast pub cum restaurant and music venue occupying a prominent position on North Road in the Maindy / Gabalfa area of Cardiff. It is an incredibly inspiring and important addition to the cultural wealth of the city. Opened in October last year, it is already the home to a cosmopolitan mix of locals, business people and students, as well as regular visitors from all over the city and beyond. When you walk into The North Star you can appreciate why it has such a draw. The old Victorian mansion-sized building has been lovingly refurbished with impressive style. The modern look, embellished with antique flourishes and an eclectic use of period furniture, has been created by Tim Rice, one of Cardiff's most successful designers, leading The North Star to be shortlisted for 'The Best Bar and Restaurant Design Awards' within months of its unveiling. It also scooped up another accolade when it was voted the fifth best 'cheap eat' in the UK by The Guardian. There's more to say about The North Star than I've got space here on Yelp. It's a multi-faceted business that offers a lot, to many. Managed by a brother and sister team, with Alex taking care of front of house, and her brother conjuring up epicurean delights in the kitchen. The food, organic and locally sourced wherever possible, is extensive in range and all homemade from scratch, including the relishes, dough's and even the Yorkshire puds! Dishes are predominantly Italian, but the menu frequently includes Welsh favourites like cockles and lava bread, Monmouthshire lamb and potted pig. With deals like '2 for 1' operating from Monday to Friday, customers are visibly increasing on a weekly basis. Specialty dishes are changed regularly, usually prompted by the advice of their local butcher, J T Morgan, who tips them the wink about all the best seasonal cuts on offer. Established in 1861, J T Morgan Butchers have occupied a position of importance at the indoor market, in central Cardiff, for more years than anyone can remember. A family butchers that have moved with the times, they are presently one of the most recognized purveyors of free range and organic meat and poultry in South Wales. Not surprisingly, The North Star makes the most of a good thing. As well as fantastic Sunday lunches, boasting the most succulent roasts in town, they're also hosting BBQ's on Friday and Sundays over the warmer months. Live music is on offer most days of the week, kicking off on Wednesdays with the Open Mic Night hosted by Rowan Liggett, who is also Co-Director of The Miniature Music Press, a really well produced A5 music magazine and 'What's On', that you can pick up for free at a whole host of places around the city. The North Star also has a sister pub worth mentioning; The Vulcan in Cathays on Wyvern Road, another haunt of the ubiquitous Rowan Liggett, who runs the Open Mic nights here as well. Frequented mainly by students, this is a cool live music pub, also designed by Tim Rice, that is equally well worth checking out.

Surprise to me that the Conway was a bit out of the city center area However, that is the only…read morenegative given where our hotel was. Everything about this place was fabulous. We loved the service, the atmosphere and light decor to the food! We were first sat in the dining room but a large double family group was too loud for our liking so we requested to eat in the bar - which they accommodated. Starters of Scotch egg and Toasted Brie Cheese was a great to our meal. We both had steaks which were cooked perfectly which we enjoyed immensely. Last but not least we finished with the snickers bar tart which was inspired. So much so I want to try and mimic it at home. All in all, great food and service and we would love to go back.

Found this place near our Airbnb, really good food we had sausage and mash, lamb, as well as fish…read moreand chips. Whilst the kid's burger was a little over grilled, he loved the thin fries. And the staff was super friendly, overall we had a good time and enjoyed our dinner.

10 Feet Tall is a cooky and eccentric vintage looking bar sister to buffalo bar and Mr Smith's that…read moreserves so great meals with wonderful drinks. As if that wasn't enough it hosts live music certain nights and quiz nights. It once hosted a Doctor Who themed quiz night. If that's not enough to please you then I don't know what will! I was luckily enough to go to a staff party in their function room upstairs with a full bar. The whole mood and atmosphere is very relaxed and we all had an excellent time there. They even supplied us with their food. They food looks unique and tastes incredible. Although I was confused to deciding whether what I was eating was a roasted parsnip or a well cooked French fry. To this day I still don't know what it was. This bar is a great place to hang out in groups. It's a friendly place that offers a variety of cocktails and it has a happy hour. The only thing that brings it down slightly is the prices like it's sisters Buffalo and Mr Smith's. So prepare to dig a little deeper in your wallet. 10 Feet Tall is a wonderful bar where you can enjoy a lunch or have great night out with all the events that they host. Just be warned you may spend a little much. I would go after pay day!

I'm a real fan of this place, even if they have no idea what a Cosmopolitan is. They've never got…read moreit right, but the resulting drinks are always drinkable, at least. This bar opened just before I went away to New Zealand and it has been a very pleasant rediscovery on my part. Great nights have been had here, and as I'm not really a fan of just getting too drunk, this is a wonderful place to get tipsy and chat about the Enlightenment. Atmosphere really is the thing that sets this bar apart from others in the surrounding area. And atmosphere is the one thing that keeps bringing me and my cohorts back time and time again. It's classy and funky without seeming snobbish in the slightest. Which is quite an achievement, I think. An excellent place for a night out, or the beginning of a night, if you're that way inclined. Best to get there a little earlier to claim the seats and fill up on tapas.

Barocco is plush and grand, with a rather heavy, dark Baroque theme that's far more suited to a…read morewinter's evening than a sunny summer afternoon. The bar is the focal point, ornately carved and placed under a giant mirror, and many of the drinks have an Italian influence. The first time I went to this bar it was to see a gig, and it was packed out and great fun. It's not just an evening venue, though - they serve breakfasts, lunch and supper, and their cuisine mixes contemporary British with Italian influences, including things like antipasto and stone baked pizzas, although I haven't eaten there myself. The cosy booth-type tables are good for small groups, and in the evenings the low lights and candles make for a cosy atmosphere. It's also worth mentioning that they serve some delicious ice cream that's made in Carmarthenshire with local ingredients.

The décor in Barocco is interesting to say the least. When you enter this bar and restaurant you're…read moresurrounded by velvet chairs, candelabras, deep burgundy curtains, and black wallpaper. Whoever designed the interior clearly wanted to create a grand, opulent feel, but unfortunately the surroundings in Barocco merely come across as dark and oppressive. I do however really like and enjoy the food here, which seems to straddle between gastro pub and fusion (wild boar sausages, in a red wine gravy being one item on the menu). The food is also very good value, the main courses range between £7-£12, which is not bad considering the style and quality (I've paid well over double this for similar food in London). I've always found the staff accommodating (the waitress didn't bat an eyelid when I had 3 sides instead of a main). However due to the dark lighting it can often be a nightmare trying to make eye contact when you want to pay the bill (I often just end up going up to the bar to pay). Barocco also on occasion has live music, which is usually good. I would never come here just for a drink, but they do have a nice wine selection, which really compliments their menu.