STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE TOUR - SECOND STOP: SUSSEX STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!
STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE TOUR - SECOND STOP: SUSSEX!
Can you believe it’s March already? We sure can’t! The summer months are creeping up on us, and it’s all stations go at the Street Food Warehouse Headquarters. It's come around quick, and we're absolutely buzzing to announce our second destination for the Street Food Warehouse Tour of 2019.So, without further ado, the second stop of our Street Food Warehouse tour is the delightful county of Sussex! Street Food Warehouse returns for its second year to the picturesque seaside town of Hastings, pitching up at The Stade. Joined by a whole host of creative and unique street food vendors, we will also be joined by our very own sister company, Pop Up Bar Hire, who will be keeping your glasses full for the entire weekend. Street Food Warehouse will welcome eager customers, curious foodies and Sussex locals from 12pm until 10pm over a three-day food extravaganza, so you can join us for every meal of the day; a late breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, dessert and supper, there’s something for everyone and every meal.Wake up your taste buds with flavoursome and spicy Vietnamese morsels; gorge on all things cheesy with gorgeous halloumi fries, worthy of an Instagram cheese-pull; travel to Thailand for some tantalising Thai food. Did you know the Spanish delicacy, the churro, is a favourite breakfast food across Portugal, Spain, France and the Philippines? We know what we’re having for breakfast come the weekend of 25th May!Whether you’re a savoury kinda dude or in need of a sweet treat, Street Food Warehouse and our wonderful crew of street food vendors have got you covered. However, you’ll certainly need a drink or two in between courses. Thankfully, Pop Up Bar Hire will be on hand to provide the goods, be it a pint of craft beer or a zesty, refreshing mojito in the hot, summer weather. Designated driver? Pop Up Bar have a delicious range of non-alcoholic drinks to be purchased too!So, apart from you, of course, who else will be attending? Tiny Thai, Chopperwhoppers, Polentista, Manjula, CaPhe Republic and The Tipsy Texan are just a few of the vendors who have been confirmed. Keep your eyes peeled for more local and national vendor announcements over the next few weeks!At Street Food Warehouse we ensure that everyone is catered for. Our selection of street food vendors travel from all over the UK with their tasty dishes and have the ability to cater for gluten and dairy intolerances, vegans, veggies and carnivores alike! This family-friendly event has something for everyone... even dogs, who are always welcome to our events!We feel like we’re forgetting to mention something? Hmmm... Perhaps that 2019 is the year that Street Food Warehouse will be sponsored by the UK’s number one hot pepper sauce brand, Encona! At Sussex Street Food Festival, a number of our vendors will be incorporating Encona’s range of sauces into their favourite dishes ready for you to try!A weekend of outstanding food, refreshing beverages and good vibes - the only thing missing is you! Tickets are free, so you’d really struggle to find an excuse to not come along. Register for your free tickets here!We’ll see you soon, Sussex!
STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE x CANCER RESEARCH UK'S 'RACE FOR LIFE'
STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE x CANCER RESEARCH UK'S 'RACE FOR LIFE'
Street Food Warehouse are incredibly proud to announce our latest partnership with Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life for the coming Summer. We feel humbled to be a part of something that's so close to so many hearts, and we’re excited to do our bit in the fight against cancer.
In 1994, Cancer Research began hosting the Race for Life with over 6 million participants running the race and fighting the fight between then and now, raising over £493 million for the charity. With multiple races across Britain, Cancer Research have expanded their range of races, with 5K runs, 10k and the Pretty Muddy races. Not only have Cancer Research expanded upon the types of races but 2019 will be the first year that men can also participate in the race - how cool is that?
With the help of people like you and us, the money raised for Cancer Research goes towards the funding to find a cure for cancer; they’ve even assisted in developing policies with the government in relation to cancer and research!
So it’s safe to say when the opportunity arose for Street Food Warehouse to partner with Cancer Research and the Race for Life, it was a no brainer.
So, just what exactly will Street Food Warehouse be doing?
Street Food Warehouse have been tasked with putting their street food expertise into finding and supplying delicious, unique and flavoursome street food to feed hungry racers and peckish spectators. We’ve dived head first into the task, with applications now open for street food vendors to take part in this tremendous opportunity. Street Food Warehouse will partner with Cancer Research Race for Life in Swansea, Bridgend, Cardiff, Llanelli and Haverfordwest from May - July 2019.You can find Street Food Warehouse and a variety of excellent street food vendors at the following events:
- Swansea: 12th May
- Bridgend: 2nd June
- Llanelli: 9th June
- Cardiff: 6th July
- Cardiff: 7th July
- Haverfordwest: 14th July
- Swansea: 20th July
So why not come and say hi? Whether you’re a runner or spectator cheering on from the sidelines, everyone is welcome and there’s plenty of food to go around! Perhaps we’ve inspired you to go from spectator to sprinter, well good news! You can apply for a race near you from the Cancer Research website: https://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk.org/find-an-event (We’re not kidding when we say there’s plenty to choose from!) We’re so excited to do our part to support Cancer Research Race for Life, we hope you’ll join us in fighting the fight this Summer!
Street Food Warehouse support Cardiff Music Awards 2019
The biggest night for music in Cardiff is back, and Street Food Warehouse will be rolling in with a delicious offering...
We get around. From Hastings in Sussex, to Ilfracombe in Devon, to Aberystwyth in West Wales, we bring our touring street food collective all around the UK, but we are Cardiff based and supporting this wonderful city is something we feel very strongly about. Big up the 'diff! So, when we were given the opportunity to supply one of our outstanding street food vendors for the Cardiff Music Awards 2019 we jumped at the chance!
The Cardiff Music Awards begun in 2015, making this year's awards ceremony the fourth annual celebration of Cardiff's music talent. Over the years the project has expanded to take into account new categories, new talent and is fastly becoming a seal of approval of up and coming music talent, in Cardiff and beyond. This year's event is taking place in Tramshed on 29th March, and we are buzzing!
There were over 3000 nominations for this year's event and the 200 + finalists have been announced - you can find a full list here. Alongside the 20 bespoke awards such as Best Group, Best Venue, Best Breakthrough Act, Best Club Night and Outstanding Contribution to name just a few, there will also be performances from CHROMA MADI, Mace, HANA2K and DJ Jaffa. As if that wasn't enough, this year will also be hosted by Best DJ winners from 2018 GRLTLK.
So, what about the food we hear you ask....don't worry we've picked a tasty one. Always the most colourful vendor at any event, we present to you Little Marrakesh who will be serving up delicious Chicken, Lamb and Vegan Chickpea Shawarma wraps stuffed full of tasty couscous and fresh salad.
18:00 until late you will be able to grab some mouthwatering Moroccan morsels, while enjoying Cardiff's hottest talent....what more could you want?
Tickets are just £15 and you'll receive a fresh and fruity free cocktail on entry from Barti Rum, one of the event’s sponsors. Great music, banging street food, free cocktail - we're sold!
STREET FOOD HACKS: How to stuff yourself for under £15 at Swansea Street Food Festival!
STREET FOOD HACKS: HOW TO STUFF YOURSELF FOR UNDER £15 AT SWANSEA STREET FOOD FESTIVAL!
Yikes! We hate to admit it, but eating out is expensive and street food is no different. Whilst our vendors prices aren’t extortionate, it’s difficult to sample everything you like the look of (and we’re aware there’s a lot) as an individual, let alone as a family. So, this year, we’re releasing a series of Street Food Hacks for the festival season - starting with “How to Stuff Yourself for Under £15.00 at Swansea Street Food Festival.” As always, there’s something for everyone.
For the cheese-lovers:
There’s all kinds of cheese at Swansea Street Food Festival, in every shape and form of cheesy goodness you can imagine. (Note: The reality is probably far better than you can ever imagine).To start, we’d recommend a not-so-light but hella cheesy Mr. Croquewich’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich for £6.00. Britain's sweetheart Holly Willoughby called it the “best grilled cheese,” she'd ever tasted, and Mr. Croquewich is a favourite amongst many. There are plenty of extra goodies to fill out your choice of grilled cheese and most recently, Mr. Croquewich has replicated all of his favourite sandwiches with vegan alternatives! What can’t you do, Mr. Croquewich?!For the main course, you’re a bit spoilt for choice! Clark’s Kitchen specialises in a national favourite, halloumi. Cooking up a storm, Clark’s halloumi fries make for a notorious cheese-pull on the 'gram, and as if halloumi fries don’t sound great enough, they come topped with a whole host of extra bits! We’d recommend the homemade tzatziki and a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds.However, you may be after something a bit more filling! Clark’s Kitchen whips up a mean halloumi burger; a deep fried halloumi patty topped with cheddar slices, salad and sweet chilli sauce to compliment, all packed into one brioche bun. It’s no wonder it’s known as the ultimate cheeseburger. Grab either the fries or the burger for £6.00.If you’re still on the hunt for delicious dairy, Urban Cheesecake is most definitely the place for you. Built upon a delightfully crumbly biscuit base, Urban Cheesecake whip up the perfect storm, creating the angelically sweet and creamy topping they are known for so well. Topped with a mountain of treats and drizzled with complimentary sauces, a slice of heaven comes in at £3.00.
Total: £15.00
For those who are vegetarian/vegan:
The world is split on the vegan movement, but here at Street Food Warehouse HQ we say heck yeah to veganism! A delicious movement that helps save the planet, how can anyone disagree with veganism? Luckily for dedicated or budding vegans and vegetarians, we have a hoard of vendors replicating original recipes with vegan alternatives and delving head first into the world of veg.Starting in Morocco, Little Marrakesh, lives up to its namesake and is one of the most colourful vendors in Museum Park. There’s nothing little about Little Marrakesh; big colours and big portions allow the Moroccan-style vendors to leave a big impression in the city of Swansea. Start your day the right way with an abundance of veggies within the vegan chickpea tagine, coming in at £6.00.Another colourful vendor follows suit in the form of Murray May’s. Inspired by the cuisine and culture of Istanbul, Murray May’s dishes are certainly easy on the eye and on the taste buds. Each dish is generously topped with Eastern spices, rainbow veggies and a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds. Try their fire roasted aubergine kebab/wrap for £6.00.End the day on a lighter note with Ice Green, it’s like ice cream just without the, well… cream. Find Amy, the genius behind the vegan friendly and dairy-free ice cream movement in her pretty, pastel-coloured caravan. Serving up all of your traditional favourites, Ice Green go the extra mile with flavours such as Black Forest, Rhubarb and Custard and Caramel Honeycomb to name just a few! Better yet, all ice creams are served in a homemade and (yep, you guessed it) gluten-free cone! All for the price of £1.50, extra toppings are 50p each.
Total: £14.50/£15.00
For those on a Treat Day:
If there’s one thing you’re pretty much guaranteed to get at a street food festival, it’s larger than life portions of great, hearty and probably not-so-healthy food. But hey, everyone deserves a treat day once in a while! Burgers, pizzas and monstrous milkshakes are just the basics of what’s on this menu. You won’t find a cheaper treat day than this anytime soon.Make a statement with your first choice for the day and begin with Spicer’s Meat Wagon. This meat wagon is your answer to the perfect summer BBQ, serving up low and slow American style BBQ meat with a unique twist. Kick off this summer’s day with a life changing BBQ burger, the 'Coke and Bourbon Chicken Burger', for no more than £6.00.Modo sure know their Italian food. They return to Museum Park with their infamous Arancini Balls and that chocolate filled calzone we all know and love so well, the panzerotti. However, if we really want to indulge in a proper treat day and get the most for our money, the Italian style, wood-fired pizzas are the way to go. With a variety of toppings available, these pizzas vary in the price range of £6.00 to £7.00, but we assure you they’re totally worth the extra £1.Does anyone really need a 20oz milkshake? Well, now you do. Orgazmic Milkshake serve up a variety of milkshakes that range in size from 12oz to the whopping 20oz. These cheekily named vendors are always a hit at Museum Park and it’s not hard to see why, with a 20oz milkshake for £5.00. We’re already making our way to the queue!
Total: £15.00
For the couple that love sharing:
Ok, we should mention that this section isn’t exclusively for couples because if we’re talking from experience, we don’t know many couples who are actually willing to share food with one another? You can be best friends or a person who just doesn’t listen to serving portion guidelines, we’ve all been there and your lying if you haven’t. Remember that share bag you totally didn’t share? Yeah.Returning to Morocco for Little Marrakesh, these street food vendors make a delightful sharing platter for two (or one, there’s no judgement here) for under £10.00. Fork out £4.50 each for this heavenly platter for two. £9.00.It’s not just ice cream that Ice Green specialise in, prepare yourself for a hefty portion of waffles and ice cream. If you’re trying to convince your S.O that vegan-friendly doesn’t have to be a “bowl of leaves” then this is the time to do it! Stock up on all of the gluten-free waffles topped with dairy-free, vegan ice cream while you can! £5.00, spruce up your ice cream & waffles with extra toppings for 50p each.
Total: £14.00
For those who wish they were in Mexico:
The weather may be hotter than we could have imagined, the sun might well be blaring down on Museum Park and the beach is only a few steps away. But somehow, even when we’re stood in the best of Swansea weather with a crisp, refreshing beer in hand, we still can’t help but pine for foreign lands. Well, make the most of the situation and eat the best Mexican food in the park. One bite in and we’re convinced we’re sunning ourselves in Cancun.First stop, Dog House. Known for their gourmet hot dogs that would sure enough beat any German hot dog you’ve consumed at your local Christmas market, Dog House are also responsible for some of the best nachos to ever grace the city of Swansea. Start small and light with a portion of their cheesy nachos for the unbelievably small price of £3.00 or go big with their full blown chilli cheese nachos for £6.00.Dogs can even receive a free bag of sausage slices from the lovely people behind Dog House!The next stop in Mexico, Bearded Taco. These tacos are pretty extraordinary and not because they’re bearded. Bearded Taco allow you to travel the world without leaving Museum Park, we’re talking German Schnitzel Tacos, Vietnamese Bahn Mi Tacos or even Britain’s favourite, the fish finger taco. Veggie, vegan and meaty options available, these tacos come with the added bonus of being £6.00 for two!
Finish the day with a street food classic. These delightful, deep-fried dough pastries are better known as churros, popular in countries such as Spain, Portugal and the Philippines. Originating in Spain, this fried dough dish is blanketed in sugar or alternatively cinnamon sugar is complimented wonderfully with a chocolate dipping sauce. All for the price of £3.00.
Total: £12.00/£15.00
For those who want to travel the world in 8 hours:
We’d be lying if we said we hadn’t felt inspired by that American couple on Facebook who sold all their belongings to travel the world in their decked out old school bus. However, for some of us it’s just not feasible (who would arrange these wonderful street food festivals for you if we were to leave?!) So, we’re here to offer the next best thing. Forget travelling the world in 80 days, travel in just 8 hours.Starting in Malaysia with Makasih, these street food vendors have been inspired by Malaysian culture, cuisine and through the use of original recipes, Makasih should certainly not be missed on your trip around the world. Opt for their Laksa noodles, made up of chicken, bamboo shoots, rice noodles and egg cooked in a coconut milk broth for £6.00.Next on our Bucket List is Greece, where we return to easy-on-the-eye Murray May’s for a taste of their Chicken Shish Kebab. Fresh, homemade pitta dough wraps this tender, juicy chicken with an assortment of delicious veggies, eastern spices and homemade tzatziki that makes Murray May’s famous Shish Kebab. All for £6.00.Finish the day back in the comfort of your own home with the best of Welsh doughnuts. A famous figure in the city of Swansea, Gower Doughnut Co. sets up in Museum Park for the first time to sell their delicious and very affordable treats. Changing their flavours seasonally, who knows what they’ll have in store for us this summer but with previous flavours such as lemon drizzle, salted caramel and even Snickers for the price of £2.00 each, we’re sure we won’t be disappointed.
Total: £14.00
For those who are Really Just Big Kids:
Quick! Unleash your inner child! Whether you can’t trust yourself around sugary delights at home or perhaps your S.O is strict on sweet treats in the house, now is your time to run wild and free. Avert your eyes if you like olives and other savoury “treats.”There’s a noticeable increase of vendor stops on this list than the previous, which may require more walking. But fear not, the amount of sugar you’re about to consume should have you running around like a six year old in Disneyland fuelled by nothing but pure fizzy drinks and sweets.Beginning at Ice Green, it may not be the typical ice cream that you may have wanted as a kid but just like children. You can’t tell the difference. Treat yourself to two scoops of Ice Green’s delicious dairy-free and vegan friendly ice cream for £3.00 and let your inner child pick the toppings for 50p each. Price will vary from £3.00 - £5.00. I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice Green!Next, run to Chock-Shop where you will collect the gooiest, chocolatey brownie to ever touch your lips. Whether you’re a corner person or middle piece picker, these brownies are guaranteed to change your life. Who wants a life changing experience for £3.00? We do! We do! We do!This would be a really great time for your trainers to light up, as you speed away to your next stop. Back to the cheekily named vendors, Orgazmic Milkshake, for a whopper of a milkshake. The 20oz is big enough to defeat a large man, but not you and your inner child, there’s no stopping the sugar rush and the sugar rush is certainly not stopping you. 20OZ milkshake please sir. £5.00.There’s £2.00 left of your pocket money. Where do you go? Of course you head straight to Gower Donut Co. for those sugar covered, doughnuts that ooze with the best homemade flavours. Mouthwatering. Finish your day with a sugar filled and sugar coated Gower Doughnut Co. £2.00.*Sugar crash.*
Total: £13.00/£15.00
For those who Love the Taste of Italy:
It’s undeniable that Italy have produced some of the best food. Ever? Ever. Have you ever met a person who doesn’t like Italian food? Chances are - no. But if you are unfortunate enough to bump into one, don’t trust them. How can you trust someone who doesn’t like the doughy texture of pizza that oozes with cheese and toppings of your choice, or someone who isn’t comforted by the warm, homely, filling taste of pasta. The price of good Italian food can be quite unfriendly to the contents of our wallets but it’s the price you pay for delicious food. Nevertheless, we’re about to show you how to have a good time with Italian food whilst still having change in your purse.Where else to begin but Modo? Formerly known as Fritti Italian, they have been major hits in Swansea over previous years with their infamous arancini balls. Risotto is cooked and mixed with mozzarella, moulded into balls and covered in breadcrumbs before being deep fried. Buon Appetito, Arancini Balls! Get 3 for £6.00.Mac’n’Cheese, it’s a bit of a controversial one. Has the meal become too americanised or as a pasta based dish do its roots still lie deep in Italia? For the sake of this blog, we’re saying Italy. Gooey, cheesy and oozing guilty pleasure, as if Mac’n’Cheese isn’t all we could have wished for and more, Gourmet Street Kitchen go ahead and offer us a world of toppings to add extra flavour to an already delicious cuisine. Welsh bacon bits, mushrooms and garlic are just a few of the toppings available. Oh, Gourmet Street Kitchen you really have spoilt us… And all for £6.50.Ice Green, Ice Green… You just never disappoint. But what other dessert could you possibly finish off a day of Italian food with other than ice cream? Grab yourself 1 scoop of Ice Green’s finest for £1.50.
Total: £15.50 (Some things are worth making 50p sacrifices for)
So - options aplenty down at the Swansea Street Food Festival as a weekend of full bellies awaits. To secure your entry at peak times, and to be in with a chance of winning x4 free meals and cocktails at the festival, head over to book yourself a free ticket here.
In Praise of... Cardiff Market
IN PRAISE OF... CARDIFF MARKET
In town? Hungry? Want something a little out of the ordinary but don’t fancy paying an enormous amount of money? Then you’d better make a beeline towards Cardiff market.This double-floored retail warren, operating since the 19th century - is home to local businesses old and new – everyone from Ashtons Fishmongers who’ve been trading since 1866 to cheeky third-wave coffee scamps Hard Lines, purveyors of some of the city’s finest caffeinated brews – and non-caffeinated for that matter, as they’ve just launched their first decaf.Here’s just a few reasons why we love it…
There’s absolutely loads to choose from
While the market traditionally was a place to get a cheap greasy breakfast or a filled roll for lunch the past few years have seen a cluster of new eateries spring up.There’s certainly a lot to chose from: Thai Delish serves up spicy curries and pad Thai to an eager queue of builders and office workers every day, hot and straight from the wok. A few steps up, the Penylan Cheese Pantry doesn’t just proffer a salivating array of lactic delights, it’ll knock you up a gourmet toastie comprised of some of its wares for a fiver or less.Upstairs, you’ll find the new home of travelling pizza wizards Ffwrnes. Theirs is some of the best pizza in the entire city and you can enjoy it with a marvellous view of the market at no extra cost.
You don’t have to spend much money
Even though the market has gone quietly upscale the past few years, you don’t have to splash the cash.In fact, one of our favourite bites to eat here is the chili paneer roll from Clancy’s. At just £1.80 warmed up it represents outstanding value for money.You can also bag yourself a little something sweet for pennies too – warm Welshcakes, straight of the griddle will cost you 35p. Or how about a cheese bap for the princely sum of £1.20?
There’s lots of vegetarian stuff
Yes, the various butcher shops which occupy the one wall of the market might be home to some rather visceral sights which would challenge the most ardent carnivores – pig trotters and heads, cow tongues and the like. But there’s plenty to enjoy for vegans and veggies too. Not least Milgi, the much-celebrated City Road vegetarian eatery and cocktail bar which has a fabulously appointed store in the market.
All life is here
Whether you’re picking up some fruit and veg or biting into a gourmet scotch egg, there’s few better places for people-watching and ear-wigging than the market.And then there’s the shops: from hardware and haberdashery to wigs and Welsh souvenirs, Cardiff market’s got the lot.
New things are popping up all the time
The market is on a bit of a roll at the moment, with new vendors popping up all the time. Newcomer Sage for instance, is currently causing a stir with its sandwiches and salads.It’s super-cheap to set up here – £24 a week to be precise – which means that it’s a perfect place for people to experiment with ideas or for travelling food stalls to set up their first permanent shop. In fact, two stall have recently become available… who know what we’ll be seeing in the market next?
SWANSEA STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!
SWANSEA STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019: THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS
As many of us begin the countdown to the glorious summer season, here at Street Food Warehouse we’re counting down the weeks until the first stop on the Street Food Festival Summer tour of 2019.2019 will be the third year that Street Food Warehouse return to the glorious green grounds of Museum Park, Swansea for a long summer weekend of delicious street food and refreshing cocktails.The long weekend of May 4th - 6th will see not only Street Food Warehouse return to the green, green grounds of Museum Park but a hoard of unique and extremely talented street food vendors in tow. Catering for any dietary requirements and preferences, these street food vendors are the best of the best, offering a range of cuisines that cater for the gluten and dairy intolerant, vegans, vegetarians and carnivores alike!The long awaited event begins at 12pm and as all good things must do, comes to an end at 10pm. So, what can you get your hands on in this time? You can kick start your day with chargrilled chicken souvlaki, or some tantalizing tacos to tickle those tastebuds, followed by spicy Malaysian curry… Then again, it is the weekend? So why shouldn’t your first meal of the day be a handful of the crunchy, yet doughy, extremely chocolate-y churros?A long weekend of tasty, mouth-watering delicacies from around the globe will leave you needing a drink or two between tasters, for sure. Our sister company, Pop Up Bar Hire Co. will provide the drinks, both alcoholic and non alcoholic, to keep you hydrated over the course of this hot summer weekend. Whether you’re there for a crisp craft beer, a zesty mojito or a refreshing juice - Pop Up Bar Hire Co. has something for everyone. Similarly to Street Food Warehouse, Pop Up Bar Hire will not be attending this event alone. Tenby Harbwr Brewery will sponsor the third Swansea Street Food Festival, supplying the ice-cold pints perfect for a summers day.At Street Food Warehouse, we’re lucky to know such fantastic and creative vendors who are so enthusiastic to attend our annual events. The illusive Urban Cheesecake, Spicers Meat Wagon, The Bearded Taco and Gower Doughnut Co. being just a handful of the team joining us at Museum Park this May. Keep your eyes peeled for more delicious street food vendor announcements over the next few weeks! Finally, saving the spiciest announcement until last. The 2019 Street Food Festival Tour is proudly sponsored by Encona Hot Sauce, the UK’s number one hot pepper sauce brand. Be sure to try out some of our vendors takes on the Encona hot sauce range!So, if this sounds like your kind of weekend sampling quality food and drink in the May time sunshine then why not hang out with the Street Food Warehouse team at Museum Park, Swansea from May 4th - 6th? Bring the kids, your grandparents, even your dog - our festivals are family (and dog) friendly events and it’s free!Ensure entry when you register for your free ticketshere
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Arcade Fire: Eating Your Way Around Cardiff's Indoor Victorian Shopping Malls
Arcade Fire: Eating Your Way Around Cardiff's Indoor Victorian Shopping Malls
Cardiff’s indoor Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades are some of the crown jewels of the city centre. Aside from their very clear historical and architectural splendor, they’re home to hundreds of largely independent businesses – many of which sell very good food indeed.So, join us as we run down some of the best places to get a food fix whilst marveling at the twinkling lights and pondering Cardiff in days gone by…
High St Arcade
No mention of the High Street arcade would be complete without mention of New York Deli. It’s sarcastically humongous NYC-inspired sandwiches, bagels and hoagies are the stuff of legend. Luckily, they’ll let you take your leftovers away in foil in the likely event that you can’t finish your lunch.Over the way, you’ll find B’s Café – Bwyta Bwyd Bombay. It’s an inexpensive and thoroughly delicious take on contemporary Indian Street Food. The dosas and wraps are quite simply sensational and some of the best food in the city under a tenner.
Castle Arcade
Oh-la-la! Not only is Madame Fromage packing one of the city’s most impressive arrays of cheese, it’s also got a banging café which is just the ticket for a hearty lunch.A brief stroll will take you to Science Cream, which packs some serious wow factor – ice cream, prepared instantaneously before your eyes using the power of liquid nitrogen. The boffins at science cream reckon that this makes for a particularly smooth and delicious ice cream – and who are we to argue?“It ain’t easy being greazy”. Or so said rap superstar Method Man in his and Limp Bizkit’s 1999 hit ‘N 2gether Now’. Fortunately, in 2019 it’s exceedingly easy being greazy, thanks to the crew at Greazy Vegan, who’ve been serving up plant-based takes on junk food classics from their premises next to the castle entrance of the arcade since the beginning of the year.
Morgan Arcade/Morgan Quarter
Wally’s Delicatessen is favourite of any gastronomically inclined citizen of Cardiff, and one of the oldest family businesses in the city. It has a stupendously appointed continental deli and food and drinks sourced from around the globe. As if that’s not enough, it’s Kaffeehaus upstairs is a hidden gem.If you spot a queue of ravenous-looking office workers forming round about lunchtime in this arcade, they’ll almost certainly be waiting (and quietly salivating) for their lunchtime sandwich fix at Fresh! Baguettes. It’s one of the most popular lunchtime spots in the city so make sure you time your visit right to avoid a long wait. (We find 2pm works well, if you can wait that long)
Wyndham Arcade
More tea vicar? You’ll be spoilt for choice at the incredibly popular brewed beverage purveyor, Waterloo Tea. But it’s not just brews, oh no. There’s an incredible array of cakes and lunches too.Just down towards the St Mary’s Street entrance you’ll find Cardiff institutions Servini’s Cafe. Having recently undergone a swish rebrand, this venerable institution is looking good, smelling right and ready to serve you a hangover-busting breakfast with a cheerful smile.
Which are your favourites, and what have we missed? Tell us on Twitter and Facebook.
The Best Places to Eat For The Six Nations in Cardiff
The Best Places To Eat For The Six Nations In Cardiff
The northern hemisphere’s most prestigious rugby tournament gets going on Friday 1st February when Wales play France in Paris.
The Principality Stadium is unique, as unlike other most other massive sporting venues its placed slap bang in a city centre. This means there’s a spectacular selection of eateries for every budget practically on the stadium’s doorstep.
Of course, you could join everyone else on Caroline Street for cheese, chips and curry sauce after the game, but you’d be missing out on some seriously good food if you did. So, read on for our selection of the best places to eat before or after the match, all of which are conveniently located a Brains SA-fuelled stumble away from the stadium.
PIZZAS & BURGERS
Café Cita is famed and wide for its wood-fired dough delights, but it can be difficult to get a table at the best of times - let alone match day. The Wood Fired Pizza Company has picked up rave reviews and has a bit more capacity. Brewpub OGs Zero Degrees are also famed for their pizzas (the Carne Asada bangs hard), and you can’t really get much closer to the stadium.
The cheeky scamps at Brewdog’s burgers aren’t to be trifled with, while Cardiff burger kingpins The Grazing Shed have a conveniently located outpost on St Mary’s St.
SPANISH & PORTUGUESE
While there’s no Iberian representation in the Six Nations tournament itself, there’s a trio of top Spanish eateries located in the looming shadow of the Principality Stadium. First up, Curado – this multi-storied affair occupies the site of the old Burger King restaurant on Westgate St. The days of the Whopper here are long-gone – now you’ll find a delicious line-up of tapas and a top-notch wine selection.
Further up Westgate St you’ll find beloved tapas joint Bar 44 and its sister restaurant, meat specialists Asador 44.
Speaking of meat, beloved Portuguese restaurant Madeira, formerly at Guildford Crescent is now serving up its formidable skewers and peri peri from its new home on St Mary’s St, Ty Madeira. It beats a Nando’s any day of the week.
CURRIES AND SPICY STUFF
Westgate Street’s Mango House is one of the city centre’s top destinations for a ‘Ruby Murray’. But if you’re up for something a little different, take a quick hop over the water (not literally - for heaven’s sake use the bridge) and check out Madhav in Riverside – attached to a world foods supermarket, it’s a welcome respite from the carnage in town and does exquisite dosas (crispy rice pancakes stuffed with curried potato) and thalis.
Elsewhere, the city centre branch of the excellent Chai Street mini chain and its delightful array of contemporary Indian food is located just a short walk from the stadium.
EVERYTHING ELSE
Mediterranean food fans have cause to cheer with two sumptuous new arrivals in the city centre. Firstly, Souvlike, which does an excellent (and eminently affordable) line in Greek food, with our pick being the next-level gyros. Meanwhile, Lezzet is a new Turkish restaurant on St Mary St, in a multi-levelled, pleasingly contemporary setting. The straight-from-the-oven pide - Turkish pizza, essentially - has certainly got our attention.
If you’re after some next level serious stodge before or after game then Pie Minister’s gloriously filling (and delicious) pie, mash and gravy plates will be just the thing you’re after.
What’s your favourite place for a pre-or-post match feed in Cardiff?