Cardiff has dozens of coffee shops, but finding the truly exceptional ones among chain outlets can feel overwhelming when you’re exploring the Victorian arcades, Pontcanna, or Cardiff Bay.
This guide covers 18 outstanding coffee destinations across Cardiff, from Hard Lines Coffee’s precision roasting techniques to Quantum Coffee Roasters’ scientific brewing methods and hidden gems like Waterloo Tea’s Victorian tearoom serving specialty loose-leaf teas in a Grade II listed arcade. You’ll find exact locations, must-try drinks, atmosphere details, neighborhood guides, and what makes each spot special – helping you discover Cardiff’s best independent coffee experiences.
Short Answer
The best cafes in Cardiff are Hard Lines Coffee, The Little Man Coffee Company, Uncommon Ground Coffee Roastery, KIN+ILK, Coffee Barker, and Lufkin Coffee. Most are concentrated in the Victorian arcades, Pontcanna, Roath, and Canton areas.
Cafes And Coffee Shops In Cardiff
Waterloo Tea
Where: 21-25 Wyndham Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1FH
Waterloo Tea occupies a Heritage setting within Wyndham Arcade, a Grade II listed arcade showcasing ornate Victorian architecture and vintage charm.
This independent tea house specializes in extensive tea selection featuring speciality loose leaf teas including oolong varieties, rare tea selections, Earl Grey blends, and herbal infusions alongside specialty tea imports.
The traditional tea room atmosphere embraces proper brewing methods with ceramic teapots and aromatic tea varieties served by knowledgeable staff demonstrating tea sommelier approach expertise.
Their afternoon tea service includes homemade scones with clotted cream service, fresh sandwiches, and delicate pastries. The Victorian shopping arcade location provides Instagram worthy interior with cozy seating arrangements perfect for tea tasting experience rituals.
Hard Lines Coffee
Where: Ground Floor Unit, St Cannas Court, Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF5 1GX
Hard Lines Coffee operates as specialty coffee roaster with in house roasting producing small batch roasting of rotating single origin beans with seasonally changing menu options.
The minimalist interior design features light filled space, concrete floors, exposed brick walls, and Scandinavian inspired aesthetic creating a quality control standards environment.
Cardiff coffee roasters here emphasize coffee origin transparency through displayed roast dates, cupping notes, tasting scores, and origin stories shared about farmer relationships.
Their espresso bar standards include V60 brewing, Chemex preparation, AeroPress options, and batch brew options prepared by skilled coffee preparation teams demonstrating latte art expertise.
Milk alternatives variety includes oat milk offerings alongside traceable coffee beans showcasing ethical purchasing and specialty grade coffee commitment.
The Little Man Coffee Company
Where: Ivor House, Bridge Street, Cardiff CF10 2EE
The Little Man Coffee Company serves as Cardiff based roaster operating independent micro roastery with multiple Cardiff locations including flagship store presence on Bridge Street.
This local coffee pioneer maintains established coffee reputation through house roasted beans sourced via direct trade relationships emphasizing ethical coffee sourcing and small batch artisan roasting techniques.
Their artisan coffee approach includes signature blends creation, espresso blend development, and filter roast profiles featuring coffee bean varieties with origin diversity across natural processed coffees, washed process beans, honey processed options, and experimental fermentation batches.
The Welsh coffee industry leader offers coffee subscription service, wholesale coffee supply, and barista training programs alongside community coffee events and tasting workshops hosted regularly, demonstrating specialty coffee advocacy and sustainability commitment through recyclable packaging.
Uncommon Ground Coffee Roastery
Where: 10-12 Royal Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1AE
Uncommon Ground Coffee Roastery anchors Royal Arcade as residential area café and local community hub within family run establishment offering intimate café atmosphere.
The on site roasting operation provides freshly roasted coffee daily with coffee roasting visibility allowing transparent roasting process observation, plus guest coffee roasters featured through collaborative roasting projects creating rotating coffee offerings.
Their breakfast menu offerings include homemade granola bowls, avocado toast options, fresh pastries daily, and sourdough bread selection complementing seasonal bean selection brewed through manual espresso machine and precision brewing techniques.
The neighborhood coffee spot maintains friendly neighborhood vibe with regular customer base, dog welcome policy, outdoor seating area, and local artwork displays throughout comfortable seating mix, establishing community gathering space ideal for working friendly environment.
KIN+ILK
Where: 31 Cathedral Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9HB
KIN+ILK occupies Cathedral Road location in Pontcanna featuring modern café design with plant filled space, natural light abundance, and contemporary interior styling across thoughtfully designed layout.
This popular brunch destination combines specialty coffee excellence with breakfast all day service showcasing Middle Eastern inspired dishes including shakshuka specialty, halloumi options, homemade hummus offerings, and Mediterranean flavors using fresh ingredient focus and seasonal produce use.
Their inventive food menu provides dietary accommodations available through vegan menu items, vegetarian friendly choices, and gluten free options provided alongside artisan bread service.
The coffee menu variety features guest coffee roasters rotation, brew bar selections, and creative latte flavors with food and coffee pairing expertise. Weekend queues expected make reservation recommendations essential for attentive table service at this Instagram worthy presentations venue.
Coffee Barker
Where: Unit 1-13, Castle Arcade, High Street, Cardiff CF10 1BU
Coffee Barker serves Castle Arcade as dog friendly café concept with comprehensive canine welcome policy including dog treats available, water bowls provided, and cozy seating arrangements making it ideal dog walking stop.
Located within the Victorian arcade in the city centre, this pet friendly atmosphere café attracts pet owner community and neighborhood regulars gathering for weekend dog gatherings.
The community café spirit delivers specialty coffee served using guest beans featured through rotating roaster selection alongside espresso drinks prepared and filter coffee options.
Their homemade cake selection, baked goods daily, sandwich menu available, and light lunch offerings complement the relaxed casual vibe.
Independent café ownership maintains neighborhood fixture status through welcoming staff presence, laid back environment, local artwork featured, and affordable pricing structure.
The Plan
Where: Morgan Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1AF
The Plan café operates as city centre institution within Morgan Arcade location, a Victorian arcade setting providing architectural heritage space for this long established presence.
This Cardiff café institution serves mixed age clientele and diverse customer base through all day dining service spanning breakfast through dinner with extensive food menu including Welsh breakfast offerings, full breakfast platters, vegetarian breakfast choices, lunch specials daily, and dinner menu available.
The comfort food focus delivers generous portion sizes of traditional café fare alongside coffee and tea service maintaining reliable coffee quality.
Booth seating arrangements and table service provided accommodate busy lunch periods making it popular meeting spot. Central location advantage near shopping district proximity creates tourist friendly venue with local favorite status through affordable meal prices, value for money dining, and family friendly environment with accessible entrance.
Lufkin Coffee
Where: 183A Kings Road, Cardiff CF5 1FJ
Lufkin Coffee occupies Kings Road premises in Pontcanna as neighborhood café featuring modern industrial design through warehouse conversion space with exposed steel beams, polished concrete surfaces, high ceilings featured, and spacious interior layout.
The specialty coffee focus includes house coffee blends, guest roaster collaborations, and seasonal coffee rotation across espresso based menu, batch brew availability, cold brew offerings, and iced coffee selections.
Their breakfast menu served extends to brunch options available and lunch service provided featuring fresh salads featured, sandwich selections daily, pastry case displays, and cake varieties offered.
This laptop friendly workspace provides power outlets available and WiFi connectivity provided creating working environment suitable for meetings accommodation possible, attracting local professionals and weekend visitor crowds in the residential Pontcanna area.
Corner Coffee
Where: Albany Road, Roath, Cardiff
Corner Coffee serves Albany Road location as Roath district positioning neighborhood corner spot functioning as local community café within compact café space offering cozy intimate setting despite limited seating capacity.
This takeaway coffee focus establishment specializes as commuter friendly service and morning rush specialist delivering quick service delivery through efficient barista work maintaining specialty coffee standards with quality beans sourced.
Their espresso drinks excellence includes flat white expertise, cappuccino preparation, cortado offerings, and filter coffee available with alternative milk options including oat milk preference and soy milk provided.
The pastry selection limited features croissants available, muffin varieties offered, and cookie options present.
Friendly barista interactions create personalized service approach with regular customer recognition building neighborhood loyalty built through affordable coffee pricing, good value proposition, sustainable cups used, and reusable cup discounts demonstrating environmental consciousness shown.
Quantum Coffee Roasters
Where: 58 Bute Street, Cardiff CF10 5BN
Quantum Coffee Roasters applies scientific coffee approach through precision roasting techniques, data driven roasting, temperature control mastery, and roast profile optimization demonstrating coffee science application across analytical brewing methods.
Their specialty grade beans sourcing emphasizes direct sourcing relationships including origin farm visits and producer partnerships established ensuring transparency in sourcing and coffee quality assessment through sensory evaluation protocols.
The roasting equipment advanced includes state of art roasters maintaining quality consistency maintained via batch tracking systems and freshness guarantee provided for coffee subscriptions offered and wholesale roasting services.
Quantum conducts cupping sessions regular for flavor profile analysis and tasting note accuracy while offering barista training available, brewing workshops conducted, and coffee education programs sharing technical knowledge shared.
Their experimental coffee processing and innovative roasting trials advance Welsh specialty coffee within Cardiff roasting scene through sustainability practices adopted and packaging sustainability focus.
Da Coffee
Where: 156 High Street, Swansea SA1 1NE
Da Coffee champions Italian coffee tradition through authentic Italian espresso using traditional Italian methods and Italian coffee culture within espresso bar style space featuring standing room tradition for quick espresso service.
Italian baristas employed demonstrate authentic preparation techniques using Italian coffee beans, traditional roasting methods, and espresso blends used with crema quality emphasis and proper extraction timing achieving espresso shot perfection.
The Italian pastry offerings include cornetti available, biscotti selections, and tiramisu served within authentic Italian ambiance creating European café atmosphere where Italian language heard accompanies continental breakfast style service.
Their macchiato specialty, ristretto options, lungo preparations, and cappuccino artistry embrace Italian coffee rituals and morning coffee culture catering to coffee strength preference and intense flavor profiles.
Italian hospitality shown through warm welcome provided complements espresso focused menu where coffee purity emphasized maintains Italian authenticity maintained with minimalist food offerings.
Sibling
Where: 39 Lochaber Street, Roath, Cardiff CF24 3LS
Sibling café positions in Roath as neighborhood newcomer introducing contemporary café concept through modern minimalist design featuring clean aesthetic lines, neutral color palette, natural wood accents, pendant lighting fixtures, and Instagram worthy interior creating photogenic space created for social media appeal.
The specialty coffee program rotates through rotating guest roasters including UK specialty roasters featured and European coffee imports showcasing diverse coffee origins via brew method variety across pour over station, espresso bar modern, and alternative brewing techniques.
Their food menu creative emphasizes seasonal menu changes using locally sourced ingredients with Welsh produce prioritized in innovative dish combinations spanning brunch menu standout weekend brunch service, creative breakfast items, lunch offerings fresh with salad bowls crafted and open sandwiches served.
The vegan friendly menu and plant based options ensure dietary requirements accommodated while attentive staff service provides knowledgeable recommendations given for specialty drink creations and signature beverage menu selections.
Bloc
Where: Victoria Park, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF5 1JN
Bloc coffee shop operates at Victoria Park location established as residential neighborhood café and community focused venue functioning as local gathering place through independent café operation demonstrating specialty coffee commitment.
Their house roasted options and guest coffee rotations deliver espresso quality high across milk based drinks perfected with alternative milks stocked and filter coffee selections complementing breakfast menu extensive spanning all day breakfast served and brunch menu popular through lunch offerings available.
The fresh food prepared includes daily baked goods, sourdough toast served, eggs benedict specialty, avocado dishes featured, salad options healthy, sandwich menu varied, homemade cakes displayed, and pastry selection fresh accommodating vegan options available and gluten free choices where dietary needs considered.
This dog friendly policy venue with outdoor tables provided creates family friendly atmosphere where children welcome with highchairs available within relaxed environment maintained despite weekend crowds expected, earning neighborhood institution status among regular customers loyal.
Pettigrew Tea Rooms and Pettigrew Bakes
Where: West Lodge Castle Street Bute Park and Arboretum, Cardiff CF10 1BJ Wales
Pettigrew Tea Rooms and Pettigrew Bakes celebrate traditional Welsh tearoom heritage through heritage tea service offering classic afternoon tea featuring Welsh cakes served, bara brith featured, and traditional Welsh recipes within homemade baking daily including fresh scones baked with clotted cream served and jam selections various.
The loose leaf tea selection employs proper tea brewing via teapot service traditional using vintage china used creating elegant tea setting and refined atmosphere created with old fashioned charm delivering nostalgic tearoom experience.
Welsh hospitality shown through attentive waitress service includes table linens used, tiered cake stands, finger sandwiches served, delicate pastries offered, cream cakes displayed, and celebration cakes available.
This special occasion venue accommodates birthday tea parties and group bookings accepted with reservation advised for popular tearoom destination status showcasing Cardiff Welsh traditions through cultural dining experience where heritage preservation valued maintains authentic Welsh atmosphere.
bigmoose
Where: 4-5 Frederick Street, Cardiff CF10 2DB
bigmoose coffee operated as social enterprise café and mental health charity with community impact focus where profits to charity funded mental health support including suicide prevention funding, therapy services funded, and counseling support provided advancing community wellbeing mission.
This charitable coffee shop maintained social purpose driven ethical business model with transparency in operations through donation tracking visible, impact stories shared, and customer contributions valued demonstrating lives changed counted and therapy hours funded.
The specialty coffee served maintained quality using guest roasters featured for espresso drinks quality alongside food menu available including breakfast items served, lunch options provided, and homemade cakes baked.
Their community space created hosted events regularly promoting mental health awareness and stigma reduction efforts with conversation starters provided within supportive environment fostered.
Cardiff charity café offered volunteer opportunities encouraging community involvement where social impact documented proved meaningful change.
Academy Espresso Bar
Where: Unit 1, Hood Road, Barry CF62 5BE
Academy Espresso Bar serves Barry waterfront location through professional barista team delivering espresso focused menu with technical coffee expertise applying precision brewing standards gained from barista championship experience and competition level skills demonstrating latte art mastery, milk texturing perfection, and espresso extraction expertise.
Their specialty coffee beans include rotating single origins and espresso blend house with filter options available brewed using brewing equipment professional featuring commercial espresso machines and grinder technology advanced maintaining temperature stability maintained and consistency standards high.
The grab and go service provides commuter convenience via quick service model and efficient workflow specializing as morning peak specialist with takeaway packaging quality supporting reusable cup scheme and sustainability focus maintained.
This historic Pumphouse location creates unique industrial atmosphere near Barry waterfront with outdoor seating, accommodating office workers and weekend visitors with lunch rush accommodation alongside extensive food offerings and simple menu options.
Coffee Spot
Where: 6 Barrack Lane, Cardiff CF10 2FR
Coffee Spot functions as local independent café and neighborhood coffee house creating community café atmosphere with regular clientele established through friendly service approach and welcoming environment created.
This casual coffee shop delivers affordable coffee prices with good value offerings across standard espresso drinks including cappuccino preparation, latte service, flat white available, Americano options, tea selections provided, hot chocolate served, and cold drinks available.
Their food menu basic features sandwiches prepared, paninis available, jacket potatoes served, soup options daily, cake selection rotating, muffins baked fresh, and cookies offered.
Seating comfortable includes tables spacious with WiFi available free making laptop working permitted within student friendly space offering study environment suitable with quiet atmosphere generally and background music low.
The local meeting spot serves as catch up venue with conversation friendly setting at accessible location with parking nearby available and bus routes accessible.
Coffi Clwb
Where: West Canal Wharf, Cardiff CF10 5DB
Coffi Clwb operates as Welsh language café with bilingual café atmosphere celebrating Welsh culture celebration where Cymraeg language heard among Welsh speaking staff within cultural heritage space embracing Welsh identity embraced.
This community hub Welsh welcomes language learning welcome with Welsh learners supported through coffee menu bilingual and friendly explanations given ensuring non Welsh speakers welcome with translation support available maintaining inclusive atmosphere maintained.
Their Welsh food traditions include traditional Welsh breakfast, Welsh rarebit served, bara brith available, and Welsh cakes fresh using local Welsh produce through Welsh supplier partnerships and regional ingredients sourced supporting Welsh businesses.
The cultural preservation mission extends beyond specialty coffee quality and locally roasted beans to food freshly prepared and homemade daily specials.
Welsh art displayed showcases local artists featured while Welsh music played accompanies cultural events hosted including Welsh language classes and conversation groups meet, creating welcoming community space where cultural heritage thrives.
