FINDING THE BEST CHOCOLATE SPOTS IN WALES THIS EASTER!
FINDING THE BEST CHOCOLATE SPOTS IN WALES THIS EASTER!
Easter is here, which means one thing: chocolate. Loads and loads of chocolate. So much chocolate you end up splayed out on the sofa in a deep stupor, watching a Pixar film you’ve probably seen about 18 times before, experiencing simultaneous feelings of deep elation and regret. Or maybe that’s just us.
But if you’re going to eat yourself into a chocolatey oblivion, it might as well be with some properly good gear – and there’s loads of it in Wales. So, join us as we embark on a Homer Simpson-esque romp through the land of chocolate…
Nom Nom, Llanboidy
Deep in the Camarthenshire countryside, there’s some Wonka-level chocolate alchemy going down. Chocolatiers Nom Nom – the name, as you might have gathered already, being a play on the literal sound of chocolate being guzzled – are doing some seriously next-level things with cocoa. Seriously, this isn’t your average chocolate: bee pollen, pink peppercorn… or how about the Limited Edition ‘Old Books’ which has flavours of tobacco, hazelnut, essence of leather, frankincense, myrrh and oak-smoked Welsh sea salt? The company is currently crowdfunding a new chocolate factory and visitor centre, but you can buy their wares online for now.
Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Company, Haverfordwest
Any certified chocoholic will go positively hog-wild for a visit to the Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Company. Celtic husband-and-wife duo Mark and Karen don’t just make some fantastically off-the-wall chocolate, they also have a chocolate café and a chocolate deli where you can sample all sorts of cocoa-derived delights. How about chocolate pizza, or a chocolate kebab? Truly the stuff dreams are made of.
Cwtsh Chocolate, Llanelli
Peter Lloyd, proprietor of Llanelli-based Cwtsh had interesting journey to becoming a chocolatier – he used to be mechanic before he launched the company. They sell a range of flavours from their online shop – including bubblegum, confectionary fans. They also have a tantalising range of hot chocolates and do weddings too – what better way to say ‘I do’ than with a Welsh chocolate lovespoon?
Forever Cacao, Powys
“Oooh baby I like it raw” – or so quipped rap artist ODB in his 1995 chart smash ‘Shimmy Shimmy Ya’. If, like Dirty, you like it raw, Forever Cacao will be right up your street. Suppliers of unroasted chocolate, this is one for the heads. They also sell ceremonial grade cacao, which is very potent stuff by all accounts. This is chocolate with a purpose: owner and head craftsman Pablo Spaull has made it his mission to help safeguard the cocoas strains of the Ashaninka, the native people of Peru and Brazil who supply Forever Cacao’s raw material.
Gower Cottage Brownies, Swansea
When Kate Jenkins launched started selling chcolate brownies to make a bit of money back in 2007, she probably didn’t imagine that her wares would be in demand all over the world. But so renowned are the choco-tastic delights emanating from her HQ that they’ve had to move to a bigger premises to meet demand. And it’s not just brownies – how about a spreadable brownie butter? It’s so good that it had noted media gourmand Jay Rayner in a later – he gave props to it in his weekly Guardian column back in 2017. You can pick up Gower Cottage’s wares in selected shops around Wales, but best bet is to visit their website.Where are your favourite spots in Wales for a choco-tastic treat? Tell us on Twitter and Facebook.
STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE HEADS TO LYME REGIS FOR DORSET STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!
STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE HEADS TO LYME REGIS FOR DORSET STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!
Last year, Street Food Warehouse took our street food tour to Lyme Regis for the first time. After a fantastic and super successful outing in lovely Dorset, fast forward to this year - yep, we're getting the gang back together.Those of you who came to the 2018 event will recall the following: beaming sunshine, incredible food, plenty of drinks and good times aplenty. Same again this year then? Absolutely, as between 12th - 14th July, Dorset Street Food Festival returns.Joined by a whole host of creative and unique street food vendors, Street Food Warehouse will welcome eager customers from Lyme Regis and beyond to Dorset Street Food Festival; curious foodies, festival lovers and and sun-soakers alike. From 12pm until 10pm over a three-day food extravaganza, there are menus brimming with the exciting, the exotic and the extraordinary.
There are some seriously wholesome vendors booked at Dorset Street Food Festival, with regular SFW bookings and some newbies too, all serving delicious food with a smile and a story behind them. Joining our gang of innovative and unique food professionals will be our sister company
Pop Up Bar Hire. They'll be on hand to provide the drinks, 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!
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, veggies and vegans. 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 Dorset 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 awaits – the only thing missing is you! Tickets are free, so no excuses. Register for your free tickets here and you’ll be in with a chance of winning x4 street food meals and cocktails, all sponsored by Encona!
Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for a number of foodie competitions that'll be running as we build up to the big weekend.
We’ll see you soon, Dorset!
SEASIDE DELIGHTS AT SWANSEA STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!
SEASIDE DELIGHTS AT SWANSEA STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!
At Street Food Warehouse, we reckon summer is best spent by the coast. Here's a fun fact: in southwest South Dakota, US, there's a town called Allen that's located around 1,023 miles from the nearest coastline. Over a thousand miles from the beach - can you imagine? None of that for you though, right Swansea? And what's better to do on the coast than eat delicious food in the sun? There are certain types of food that are synonymous with a summery UK day on the beach, and of course they're all being served atSwansea Street Food Festival! So get your suncream and flip-flops on, and head straight toward these vendors for the tastiest seaside delights you'll find all summer.
The Pod
Based in Newport,The Podis a street food restaurant located on the River Usk, slap bang in the centre of the city. Whilst their main outlet thrives, they also take their great food on the road. Seafood is one of their customer favourites, so it figures that The Pod serve up mounds of succulent, crispy squid for hungry customers from their food truck. Whether it's paired with Szechuan pepper and pickled veg or sweet chilli sauce, The Pod deliver a seaside flavour explosion, and are always a hit where ever their truck drops its anchor. What better for a seaside treat with a twist?
The Grub Shed
Chips by the seaside. Quintessentially British, isn't it?The Grub Shedare trading at Swansea Street Food Festival, and they're bringing all the chips. Or should we say... Loaded fries. So, you've got your seaside chips, but with a whole bunch of other tasty add-ons. Dreamy. The Grub Shed carefully select their local producers to compliment their delicious fries and list an eclectic menu, with the likes of beef brisket, bacon or chilli on offer to go with your chippies. Hearty beachside food with a naughty twist.
3 Little Pigs
Another favourite past-time for coastal dwellers is lighting up a barbie at the beach. Hopefully Swansea will be bringing the sunshine, but who's bringing the BBQ? Look no further than3 Little Pigs
, who will be on hand for all of your grilled chicken needs.
According to this lot, charcoal is an ingredient. Thinking about it, there's nothing quite like the flavour of chicken souvlaki straight from the barbecue. Pairing them with a host of Greek-style ingredients means the 3 Little Pigs gang are nailing down the great sunny past time of bbq'in, and topping it with a Hellenic twist. Expect feta and tzatziki on tap.
Assembelly
More seafood-y goodness here, as we take a look at what the lovely folk ofAssembellywill be cooking up for you this summer. The main man - Welsh chef Toby Bradley-Watson - has worked in some of the most famous restaurants in the world (including Rick Stein's flagship seafood restaurant in Padstow), so we're buzzing to have him bring his dab hand to Swansea Street Food Festival again this year. Whilst the menu is ever-changing, it's always playing to Toby's strengths in the seafood scene. Whether its salmon or trout, scallops or seaweed, we've no doubt this is as good as seaside delights can get at this year's festival. 
Ice Green
You didn't think we'd write about seaside treats and leave out ice cream, did you?! A trip to the coast isn't complete without a fat scoop of your favourite flavour, so we're pleased to be bringingIce Greenback to Swansea Museum Park with us for 2019. Luxurious, dairy-free and vegan. All your favourite flavours. Saving the planet and chowing down on ice-cream - sounds like a great bank holiday weekend to us. For exclusive info on event announcements, street foodie competitions, and our lovely vendors, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
HARBWR Brewery Tenby join the Street Food Warehouse 2019 tour!
HARBWR BREWERY TENBY JOIN THE STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE 2019 TOUR!
As a Welsh-based business, the Street Food Warehouse team love nothing more than touring our street food events across some of the most beautiful parts of the homeland. Last year saw us hitting Swansea, Pembrokeshire, Aberystwyth and Milford Haven with a horde of our favourite street food vendors, and this year we’ll be returning to these four destinations on our Street Food Tour for another summer of glorious food and, hopefully, weather.A question: what are the finest things to have come out of Wales? Well; Dylan Thomas, Welsh cakes, Gareth Bale, and of course – Street Food Warehouse, to name a few. But here’s another for you to add to the list: HARBWR Brewery Tenby.
Across our Welsh street food festivals this summer, HARBWR will once more be the official suppliers of ale for Street Food Warehouse’s sister company, Pop Up Bar Hire, and we couldn’t be more excited to have them back on board. A family business with a wealth of experience in high-end food and drink, the HARBWR gang began their brewing adventure in the late summer of 2015. With a newly refurbished brewery situated in the heart of Tenby’s charming and bustling harbour, the team endeavour to capture their wholesome and quintessentially Welsh surroundings, producing high-quality beers with a personal touch.
Backed by the Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire Lottery in the brewery's building development, HARBWR is already on its way to becoming an institution; now recognised as one of the must-visit spots in Tenby, the team have already started racking up awards. Last year, Rob Luly of the HARBWR team collected the coveted Bronze award for British Premium Cask Bitter for the brewery’s ale ‘RFA Sir Galahad’, beating off over 180 other cask ales. Huge!We’re absolutely buzzing to be pairing up with HARBWR again after the raging success of last year, and can’t wait to sample their much-celebrated ales in the sun. Not before we've poured you a pint first, of course…
For more information about our exciting partnerships, as well as information about competitions and the vendors at our festivals, head over to our Facebook or Twitter.
SOUTHEAST ASIA IN THE SOUTH EAST OF ENGLAND | SUSSEX STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!
SOUTHEAST ASIA IN THE SOUTH EAST OF ENGLAND AT SUSSEX STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!
There's no denying it: we're absolutely ready for a bit of sun here at Street Food Warehouse HQ. The winter's been a long one, and all through the cold months we've been reminiscing about last year's summer of sun and street food. But as the season creeps up on us once more, it's time to start daydreaming about this year's packed-out summer. If last year is anything to go by, there'll be no need for any of us to be jetting off to foreign climes for hot weather and faraway food; if you're heading to The Stade on 25th - 27th May, the range of vendors on offer will take you to all corners of the earth. So if you're an adventurous foodie looking to go global then this one's for you, as the Street Food Warehouse team take you to Southeast Asia... via the South East coast.
CHU CHU BURMESE KITCHEN
Our first stop isChu Chu Burmese Kitchen.With a range of spicy and tasty curries on offer, the Chu Chu team delight punters across the country with the beauties of Burmese cuisine. Jet-setters Martin and Tara, who met at a youth hostel in Hawaii (which is... incredible?!), put their heart and soul into their unique dishes, which are inspired by Tara's Burmese heritage. Citing influence from family and the Burmese beyond, Chu Chu's dishes aren't to be missed on your Asian foodie voyage.
TINY THAI
Next up is Thailand, as we zoom in on one of our favourite vendors, Tiny Thai. A mother and daughter combo, Tiny Thai are about as wholesome as street food gets. Nooch arrived on British shores in 1992, and in 2001 opened up her first business, Thai Thai Takeaways. After a highly successful run of restaurant ownerships, Nooch decided to call it a day on the catering world. But the love of good food never leaves the heart of a true chef, and now she and her daughter are the Tiny Thai team.
Consisting of classic Thai dishes, their menu lists numerous mouth-watering options for meat eaters and veggies alike. Spring Rolls, Chicken Satays, Thai Fish Cakes and of course, their pièce de résistance - Pad Thai. Great food by great people.
CAPHE REPUBLIC
TheCàPhê Republicteam are bringing the best of Vietnamese to Sussex Street Food Festival this summer. Fewer places in the world do street food better than Vietnam, and having travelled far and wide across the country from SaPa to Ho Chi Minh, this lovely lot will be recalling their adventures through the medium of food to take you back out there with them. What's on the menu? Bánh mì, the classic baguette full of bbq goodness, and Pho, the Vietnamese soup that's taking the world by storm, plus plenty of other snacks both delicious and hearty, all originating from the home of street food.
MANJULA
The word Manjula is a popular Hindu name, meaning "lovely". Highly fitting indeed then, for this vegan street food team of Asian food lovers! Business owner Brad began theManjulajourney after competing in the Mongol Rally (a 5000 mile race from London to Mongolia). Clearly one for an adventure, Brad opened up his now highly popular food truck, serving up all manner of spicy delights, and he's not looked back since.The Manjula menu draws upon influences across the Asian continent; there are plenty of Indian-inspired curry dishes, but there's also got some seriously tasty Thai on offer. Our pick is the Thai Burrito: Massaman Curry with rice, Asian 'slaw, avocado and jalapeños, rolled up in a large tortilla wrap. No doubt you'll catch us outside the Manjula truck at some point during the Sussex Street Food Festival weekender, whether it be queueing or munching depends on how fast you get there!
The Street Food Warehouse team couldn't be more excited about our weekend in Sussex, on 25th - 27th May. Eclectic, exciting and the envy of street food lovers across the country, make sure you secure your free ticket to the event here, and you'll be in with a chance of winning a whole bunch of street foodie prizes.
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to keep up to date with all things street food.
TOO GOOD TO GO x STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE
STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE PARTNER WITH TOO GOOD TO GO!
Street Food Warehouse are excited to announce their partnership with Too Good To Go for the 2019 Street Food Tour! The Too Good To Go team have been working tirelessly since their launch in 2016 to reduce the negative environmental impact of wasted food, and in that time have saved 507, 692 meals in the UK alone - the equivalent of 1,015,924 Kg of CO2!Our partnership with Too Good To Go will run across all nine of the Street Food Warehouse events across the summer, with the intention of facilitating a reduction in food waste at our festivals. We pride ourselves on the ethics of our vendors, and the steps that they are already taking to reduce their carbon footprint; working with Too Good To Go was the next logical step in our endeavour to go even greener. 
So, what exactly are Too Good To Go all about? They're an international team that are more than doing their bit to save the planet, and what's more, they're super accessible. Now available in nine countries since their launching in Copenhagen, their app (available for download on all smart phones) enables users to save surplus food from restaurants in their local area, at a highly discounted price. Now boasting 12,149,37 meals saved globally (although that's probably risen by the time you've finished reading this article), we couldn't be happier to be working with these waste warriors!
Over the channel in France, the Too Good To Go gang are now petitioning to alter the labels on foods from “Best before” to “Best before, not bad after” as another way of reducing food waste in the home, and they've racked up over 60,000 signatures already. Amazing!So whether you're making your way to any Street Food Warehouse festival along the tour, or are looking to save some cash and save the planet, be sure to download the Too Good To Go app and become a waste warrior! Hear more about our partnerships, competitions and new festival announcements on ourFacebookorTwitter.
THE BEST MEATY TREATS AT SUSSEX STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!
THE BEST MEATY TREATS AT SUSSEX STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!
Winter is slowly petering away, with spring shaking off the shackles of the cold seasons to pave the way for what promises to be a summer of glorious sunshine, if last year is anything to go by. And what do we associate with British summertime? The warm and fresh seaside air, cold drinks, and the wafting smell of barbecued delights, perhaps? Absolutely nail-on-the-head stuff for us at Street Food Warehouse HQ, and hopefully for you street food lovers too. So then, Sussex. You bring the seaside, we'll bring the cold drinks - but who's bringing the meaty treats to The Stade this bank holiday May (25th - 27th)? After a bit of digging, we've nailed down the best meat-based vendors and the dishes you'll be making a beeline for. Our mouths are watering already. Tuck in below.
Tipsy Texan
The American BBQ specialists unveiled their new crowd-pleaser, The Smoker, and holy cow, look at it! From their little grey van, Tipsy Texan are now serving what may well become a street food favourite for the carnivores amongst you. Their slow-cooked brisket, complimented by a hefty handful of gherkins and their BBQ sauce, and thrown into a soft brioche bun, suggests there's gonna be queues for days for these 'Murican connoisseurs.
Gourmet Griddle
The Kent-based grillers know their meat better than most, seeing as it's sourced from their very own free range farm. Using their state-of-the-art Trailblazer BBQ System, The Gourmet Griddle gang list an impressive selection of meaty dishes. Here at SFW, we recommend their packed out wraps - we couldn't decide between the BBQ Pulled Pork or the Low & Slow Roasted Pulled Duck. You can opt for either... or maybe both?
Meat The Chef
Boasting twenty-four years of experience in professional kitchens, the Meat The Chef squad swapped it all for a life on the road, and boy are we glad they did. Putting all of their worldly experience into making quality meat dishes has really paid off, and the outcome is food that's equally tasty and good-looking. Their tour de force is the Buttermilk Fried Chicken, and you can see why it's such a big hit. Accompanied with bacon jam and a multitude of other delights, this is another Street Food Warehouse favourite.
The Jerk Joint
When it comes to The Jerk Joint, they're all about the marinating. "All our meat's marinated for a no-messin' 24 hours solid," Kev and Viv proudly tell us. It's never a surprise, then, to see the wonderful Jerk Joint pair with a queue outside their vibrant van (which you'll spot a mile off) at our street food festivals. The Jerk Chicken, our top meaty pick here, soaks up the spices on a Jerk drum and is served up with rice, sweet potato fries, pea salad, coleslaw and a big ol' smile. If you're looking for some spicy Caribbean delight, The Jerk Joint's your kind of place.
Southside Wrappers
Thinking wraps are a light bite? Well, you'd be very wrong if you're in line at Southside Wrappers truck. Their absolutely ma-hoosive, meaty quesadillas and wraps are the talk of many a street food festival, and our pick of the bunch is their double-meat-filled, 12 inch wrap, 'I'm Chicken Hearted'. Ingredients? Cheese, chicken, chorizo, Chipotle and all the greenery. It's reeeeeal good. If you don't reckon you can manage the large wrap though, the quesadilla is a slightly lighter but equally meaty and tasty shout.
HAVE YOU GUARANTEED YOUR SPOT AT SUSSEX STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019 YET? GRAB A FREE TICKET NOW RIGHT HERE, AND YOU'LL BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING A WHOLE BUNCH OF FOOD AND DRINK PRIZES AT THE FESTIVAL. WE'LL SEE YOU THERE!
STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE ANNOUNCES PEMBROKESHIRE STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!
STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE ANNOUNCES PEMBROKESHIRE STREET FOOD FESTIVAL 2019!
Throw it back to last summer for a second. 2018: the heat, the good times and of course, the food. One of our favourite weekends of 2018 here at Street Food Warehouse Headquarters was the Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival. So, incredible news for all of us that on 14th - 16th June, we're bringing it back to Tenby for the third year in a row! 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 from West Wales and beyond; curious foodies, festival lovers and sun-soakers. From 12pm until 10pm over a three-day food extravaganza, 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.There are some seriously wholesome vendors booked at Pembs, with regular SFW bookings and some newbies too, all serving delicious food with a smile and a story behind them.Gourmet Street Kitchenbring their damn fine Mac 'n' Cheese back to Tenby, the face-fuzz taco wizards atThe Bearded Taco return, and there's another round ofIce Green
on the menu for those who couldn't get enough of their vegan dairy treats last summer.
At Street Food Warehouse HQ, we're not really sure what constitutes 'British' street food, eclectic as it is. What we do know though, is that at Pembrokeshire Street Food Festival you'll be offered food from all parts of the globe. Street Food South West will be serving up the Moroccan deliciousness; Meating Point are getting you to the Greek; Bao Selecta take you to Taiwan; Chai Street have got your Indian cravings covered.
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!
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 Pembrokeshire 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 and you'll be in with a chance to win x4 street food meals and cocktails, all sponsored by Encona!
We’ll see you soon, Pembs!
ENCONA SAUCES SPONSOR STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE FOR 2019 TOUR!
ENCONA SAUCES SPONSOR STREET FOOD WAREHOUSE FOR 2019 TOUR!
Prepare yourselves for a hot summer! Summer 2019 will see the UK’s number 1 hot pepper sauce, Encona, travel the UK alongside Street Food Warehouse as they join us on this year’s Street Food Festival Tour.Starting in Swansea’s Museum Park, our Street Food Festival Tour in association with Encona kicks off on the 4th May 2019. Encona x Street Food Warehouse’s tasty summer tour stops at nine seaside destinations this summer, so keep your eyes peeled for more event announcements in the near future.A variety of the Encona sauces will be incorporated into a number of independent street food vendors delicious dishes. From low and slow, American style BBQ meat to Malaysian cuisine and seafood specialities, you can try it all at any 2019 Street Food Festival. Better yet, if you love the dishes you’ve sampled, the delicious Encona dishes will have their recipes published on our website, so you can create that street food taste at home!
Take this opportunity to become an Encona Taste Explorer and follow the entire tour from destination to destination. Try each vendor’s Encona incorporated dish to become a certified Taste Explorer and bag yourself an Encona x Street Food Warehouse T-Shirt!In the run-up to the festivals, we will be hosting a number of social media competitions and goodie giveaways in association with Encona sauces. Keep a lookout on our social media channels for more information!We’re extremely excited to have Encona on board for this year’s Street Food Festivals, making this summer even hotter!Stay up to date with all of the festival news on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
BREAD OF HEAVEN: CARDIFF'S BEST BAKERIES
BREAD OF HEAVEN: CARDIFF'S BEST BAKERIES
Something happened with British bread in the last century. While our European cousins would balk at the prospect of settling for duff loaves and rolls, Britain got used to the pallid, additive-rich floppy sliced white which shifts by the ton in supermarkets. While it might have had a longer shelf life than traditional bread, it certainly doesn’t taste as good.But we’re in the midst of something of a bread renaissance right now – shout out Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry - and the fair city of Cardiff is getting stuck right in, with some truly sensational bread being produced in and around the Welsh capital.So, join us as we take a look at some of the city’s upper crust.
Alex Gooch Bakery, Pontcanna
Top baker Alex Gooch has gone from being a one-man operation in Hay-On-Wye to supplying some of south Wales’ best eateries – including the feted Hardwick near Abergavenny and the Bar 44 Spanish restaurants in Cardiff and Penarth. He’s recently opened a bakery shop in the artisanal haven of the King’s Road Yard (where you can also find the Street Food Warehouse team!), which is open between Wednesday and Saturday.
Nata & Co, various locations
The Portuguese, it must be said, don’t muck about when it comes to bread - theirs are some of the finest baked goods on the entire continent. While this mini chain of Portuguese bakeries are famed (and rightly so) for their titular custard tarts, they’re no slouches when it comes to bread either. Whether it’s a crusty roll or their superb cornbread, don’t sleep on Nata.
Pettigrew Bakery, Victoria Park
A linchpin of the burgeoning Victoria Park food scene, Pettigrew Bakery has been serving up top-notch bread and assorted other baked goods since 2016. Their sourdough loaves and baguettes are spoken about in hushed reverence by bread aficionados across the city, and they also run day courses so you can get in on the yeasty action at home.
Riverside Sourdough, Riverside/Roath Market
Starting life as part of the Hungry Planet wholefoods initiative, Riverside Sourdough was spun out of the scheme when it wound down in 2013. Don’t be fooled by the name – the bread gets baked east of the river over in Cathays, at the Embassy Cafe. You can find its excellent wares at Roath and Riverside markets every Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Brød, Pontcanna
Scandi hygge merchants Brød have been dishing out some first-class baked goods to the already spoilt-for-choice denizens of Canton and Pontcanna since opening their doors in 2015. You’ll be hard pushed to find many sandwich loaves better that the ones you’ll find here.
Brutons & Co, various locations
We couldn’t write a list of bakeries in Cardiff without including the scene OGs. The Grangetown-based local chain has been in business since 1898, and survived a tough time which saw other local Welsh bakeries (pour some out for Ferraris) fall by the wayside, priced out by supermarkets and the unstoppable rise of Greggs. Brutons is your go-to for a no-nonsense loaf served with an extra helping of good old-fashioned Cardiff charm.Which ones have we missed? Tell us on Facebook on Twitter.