First off let me just say I LOVE ITALIAN FOOD! And very happily Zio Pin is a brilliant italian with great authentic food. I have lived on or just off Albany Road for 6 years now since moving to Cardiff for University. And living right by Zio Pin means we ventured there quite early on after moving here and it has steadily become one of our favourite restaurants, especially with my parents who love having lunch there when they come to visit. From the outside it doesn't have the best of looks but things like that don't tend to bother me too much. The interior is traditionally italian, but with a charming cozy family kind of sense, mismatched chairs and tables and the like. There is a well stocked littel bar at the front where you can wait to be seated if you wish (although we have always been seated immediatly). And it is always clean there! During the day there is a set menu option if you wish with 2 courses and a tea or coffee for £7.95. This is usually what we opt for as it is such good value and know we like nearly all the dishes. For us specifically the Pate and Grilled Brie are the starters we opt for, then a pizza (as they are amazing and made fresh) or the Lasana or Chicken with mushrooms and white wine served with a side portion of seasonal veg and choice of potatoes (go with the sautee! they are lovely!) The evening menu includes all the day options and a great selection of other dishes and the specials are always worth a look. Plus with mains only costing around £8-£10 the price is very reasonable! The food is always well cooked and tastes beautiful, plus the portion size is great, I always leave feeling full and satisfied. But I think possibly one of my favourite things about this place is the staff! As I usually go in the day time I am served by either the elderly gentleman that works there (I assume the owner?!?! Correct me if I'm wrong) who is an italian and a really lovely man or the younger very italian man with a gottee (or beard sometimes!) who I'm pretty sure is called Jean Paul! (Again I could be wrong) he is brilliant!! Always happy to have a chat if you wish, very friendly, polite and helpfull. He will offer suggestions with what they have specials wish and make suggestions on choseing wine to accompany if you wish. He is so used to seeing us now that he always says hello even when we are out of the restaurant and stops for a chat. So I will give it a 5 star all round and advise anyone if they are wanting an authentic italian meal at a good price, and dont want to be in a big chain to visit Zio Pin! read more