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    Cardiff Central Market

    4.3 (46 reviews)
    ModeratePublic Markets
    Open 8:00 am - 5:30 pm

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    David J.

    Cardiff's central covered market is an excellently preserved example of a late Victorian market, with a first floor gallery, all sheltered under a huge overall glass roof. Opened in 1891, to the design of the borough engineer William Harpur, it is still an important attraction for Cardiff shoppers. It replaces an earlier market erected in the 1830s, itself a successor to the market held under the old town hall, built in the 1740s. Today, the stalls inside sell a wide variety of both food and non-food items. Probably best known are the fresh meat counter and fresh fish counter at the entrance, but there are also greengrocers, bakers and delicatessen too, with provisions at prices which compare favourably with the supermarkets. Upstairs are cafes if you need a break from shopping, or you can even have your future told by a clairvoyant, if you believe in such things. Other stalls sell everything from second-hand books, to spare vacuum cleaner parts, sports wear, jewellery and pet supplies. On my visit, an intrepid young woman was lugging a huge rabbit hutch home on her own

    Moon D.

    Absolutely love this place! Vendors were all friendly and welcoming! Prices excellent. Be prepared with cash as not all vendors accept cards. Great variety of products... walking sticks, food , candy, fresh produce snd cheeses, jewelry, books! Just go and enjoy!!!!

    Sam B.

    It says a lot that I've lived on the same road as the market for about a year and a half and have only been in here once or twice. It certainly gets overlooked and it's somewhere I don't usually think of visiting. I figured it would all be meat and fish counters which is only about 20% right. I only went in as I needed some string and figured the market would be perfect. I must say, as far as buying string goes, my experience was flawless. The woman behind the counter was possibly the least friendly person I've yet come across who obviously thought that pleasantries only serve to get in the way of an efficient, no-nonsense transaction. I didn't mind too much though - I had string to buy and no time to waste. Waste time I did though, and spent about an hour wandering round, kicking myself for overlooking this magnificent place. My preconceptions that it was all fish and meat were quickly blown out of the water as I spent 20 mins checking out the used book stall. Great prices and a great selection. I also liked that alot of the books were randoly put on the shelf, so you could have a proper browse around without alphabetical order sucking all the fun out of proceedings. I often find that it's hard to have a proper browse in the larger chain bookstores for that very reason and found books here I had previously thought of buying, and some I've never heard of which also looked good. There's a great record store upstairs where I also lost a good chunk of time. To be honest I wasn't wowed by the meat counters or anything like that purely because they all look the same to me anyway. The pig's heads quite literally caught my eye though, which freaked me out a little as their mouths make it look like they're smiling. And that's weird. Even though I spent an hour aimlessly browsing, I certainly didn't check everything out, and I will definitely be going back regularly (when I have money!) to blow a fair chunk on some decent books. There's something for everyone in here and it also has great shops for home stuff where I picked up 10 picture hooks for about 50p. A must-visit indeed.

    http://www.cardiff-market.co.uk/content.asp?nav=4&parent_directory_id=1
    Tanya P.

    As with so many markets, there are a lot of different stalls. Some are hits and some are misses. Fortunately most of the stalls in Cardiff Market provide good products are service. It's certainly worth taking a gander at and a wander around if you're not already familiar. The most useful thing for most people's daily lives (key cutting and the like I don't count as a daily need) is surely the fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat. I think most people who know Cardiff well will be familiar with that lovely smell of the fish stall in one of the entrance ways. People either spend ages there choosing their dinner, or run through with their hand firmly clamped down over their nose. Either way, I think most people who agree that this is the best place for seafood. When I was a kid, one of the highlights when coming in to the city centre was surely going to see the pets on the upper level. There is a balcony that runs around the edge of the market from which you can look down on all the hustle and bustle below. Here you'll find puppies, kittens and bunnies. Oh, and fish and hamsters probably, but they're boring.

    Christopher K.

    The Cardiff Market! A place where all the locals go and all the tourists should visit. Cardiff is a proud city, and it certainly shows in the market. Once you enter the market you are hit by different smells from every store whether it's from the meat stand, the fish bar, the fruit and vegetable stall, the bakery or even the pet shop. No matter what, Cardiff Market has it all! It has such a vibrant atmosphere that you will be turning your head every way to see all the different stalls and sounds. When I go to the market I always get my fruit and vegetables from there partly because it's fresh and looks more appealing. But mainly it's because they are at great low prices. Better than buying from your local supermarket! The people who own the stores are always happy to help and sell you the offers that are on display. I would check out both levels of the market, as there is more to see with plenty of pet shops and technology stores. I bought my fish and tank from there. We named him Bob! I remember looking for a door stop all over town and the last place I went to was the market and they had plenty. I would visit the market whether you are a local or a tourist because it's what Cardiff is all about! You are bound to find something in there that you will like at a great price.

    View from the market's balcony
    Rebecca B.

    I used to avoid Cardiff's indoor market because I hated the smell of fish from the fishmonger's, which is positioned near one of the entrances, but I've got over this phobia now and occasionally pop in to visit the pet shop (which is a bit rubbish, but is the only one I know of in the city centre) - or to pick up hard-to-find bits and bobs such as watch batteries or sewing cotton. There are two entrances to the market: the main entrance on St. Mary Street, and an additional entrance from pedestrianised Trinity Street, opposite St. John's Church. Housed in a grand Victorian building, hundreds of stalls occupy the market floor, and you can pick up meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, freshly baked bread, a wide variety of cheeses, and cold meats. But it doesn't just focus on food - there are also cheap home ware shops (a favourite with students), sewing shops, greeting card shops (selling some rather tacky designs), and places selling jewellery, handbags, and other accessories. If there's something you're after and you can't think of a shop that sells it, it's quite likely you'll find it in the market.

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    Review Highlights - Cardiff Central Market

    It would be shame for newcomer to Cardiff to miss out on a visit to Cardiff Market when they're around the city centre.

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    Riverside Farmers' Market - C/o Gwilym Owen

    Riverside Farmers' Market

    4.4(11 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    ££

    If you're a fan of local produce, then this is certainly the place to come. Every Sunday this…read morelovely little market will set itself up along the banks of the River Taff and sell its wonderful wares to the unsuspecting (and suspecting) public. In fact, this is such a permanent and well loved fixture of the Cardiff local flavour, that even when the market is not in session, you'll find a series of fruit and vegetable sculptures in the same spot. These cross sections of cucumbers and apples can be looked through to see the grand Millennium Stadium beyond. If you're a fan of keeping your carbon footprint as small as possible, then this is the place for you. All of the products on sale here are very high quality and extremely local. This is a fantastic way to while away a Sunday afternoon. The only problem is that I'd like it to be larger with a better selection!

    I am a fan of fresh and local produce so when I heard about the market I thought I'd give it a go…read more Me and girlfriends got together and had a wander down to the Market which is on the embankment opposite the Millennium Stadium. It was perfect for a lazy, sunny, Sunday. I have to admit I didn't end up buying much apart from bread and cakes, but they did have a huge selection of cheeses and deli style foods across the 30 odd stalls. It also has craft stores and flowers and really, really good coffee. This is probably not the place for people on a budget to do the weekly shop but a great place to pick up some really special ingredients and a fantastic way to spend an afternoon away from the city centre. Open Sunday 10am- 4pm

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    Riverside Farmers' Market - Website Picture

    Website Picture

    Riverside Farmers' Market - Http://www.riversidemarket.org.uk/

    Http://www.riversidemarket.org.uk/

    Riverside Farmers' Market - Http://www.riversidemarket.org.uk/

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    Http://www.riversidemarket.org.uk/

    Roath Real Food Market

    Roath Real Food Market

    4.3(16 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    ££

    The little sister of the more widely known Riverside Market, you'll find the Roath Real Food…read moreMarket two blocks back from Albany Road, opposite The Gate. And what a little find it is too. If you love funny-shaped vegetables with the mud still on them, if you love the idea of eating wild boar or pheasant, if you love the idea of Indian food for breakfast, if you love beautifully presented and tasting coffee (for £1.50 a cup), if you love great big lumps of homemade bread, if you love bottled-conditioned beers from microbreweries (£2 a bottle from the Untapped Brewing Company stand) or if you love fresh and authentic falafel, then this should be your destination on a Saturday morning. Yeah, there are one too many people sporting flat caps or dreadlocks or letting little Tarquin run around instead of taking them to get his hair cut, but it's worth it for the quality produce and more than reasonable prices available here.

    This is the little sister of the Riverside Market and happens every Saturday between 9.30am and…read more1pm. Its a bit out of the way but easy enough to find from City Road. It has something for everyone, I find there's slightly fewer stalls here but its equally as busy. As ever with farmers markets I buy more cheese than I can really eat and give lots away. Good fresh meat selection and beautiful bread too. Nice to have a place to sit down and have a cup of tea while you take in the atmosphere. Its is open pretty earlier but its not a bad way to start the weekend and you can buy everything you need for the best cooked breakfast on Sunday mornings!

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    Roath Real Food Market
    Roath Real Food Market - Stalls at Roath

    Stalls at Roath

    Roath Real Food Market - Roath throngs with shoppers

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    Roath throngs with shoppers

    Canton Fruit Market

    Canton Fruit Market

    3.0(3 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    £

    Canton Fruit Market, though only a small shop, has an impressive array of fruits and vegetables on…read moreoffer. Located on Cowbridge Road East it's a great pit-stop for Canton residents who are looking for fresh produce. Items are displayed in crates either around the shop itself or out on the pavement on tables, and everything is loose so you can hand-pick exactly the pieces you want. Prices aren't bad either, and service is fine so if it's not busy you can be in and out in a few short minutes. The last time I was there I dropped in on my way past to grab an apple and only 30 seconds and 10p later I was on my way.

    Canton Fruit Market is Ronseal. It does exactly what it says on the tin slash sign. It's a fruit…read moreand veg shop in Canton. Obviously. But that's not the only thing going for it. It's also ruddy cheap and jam packed with plenty of items to set you on your way to five a day. No pre-wrapped nonsense here, everything is open for a good old fashioned fondling. I have a confession to make. I have no idea what I'm looking for when I pick things up in a greengrocer, I just feel I have to pick up and put down at least three items before popping something in my basket. It's like a ritualistic dance of fruity consumption. Closer to Christmas they start to stock nuts and sugary things and I think they do Christmas trees too, but I can't really remember as we always use a plastic one. Canton Fruit Market is cheap, friendly and convenient.

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    Canton Fruit Market

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    Cardiff Central Market - publicmarkets - Updated May 2026

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