It's no secret that coffee brings people together in the most wonderful way. United in their love for that warm, bitter mug of comfort at the start of the day or mid-afternoon pick me up, it's a reunion between friends, a first date, a power potion during exam prep or quite simply a time for self-reflection in each delicate sip.
And while Wales' capital city is teeming with coffee giants like Costa, Starbucks and the occasional Coffee#1, there's nothing quite like a freshly brewed cuppa from an indie coffee shop, whose heart and soul has gone into each and every espresso bean. With this in mind, we've rounded up some of our favourite local hot spots whose coffee will send your tastebuds soaring.
Do you have a favourite or is there one not in this list that you think should be included - then be sure to let us know in the comments and sign up at 2Chill and leave a recommendation.
Read More The brothers behind the tiny Cardiff coffee shop that's opened on top of a garage
Bro Coffi
Set up by brothers Harrison Jones and Peri Megas, Bro Coffi has been running out of a coffee bike since last summer before becoming a permanent shop in February of this year. As coffee lovers themselves, it's safe to say the coffee they serve is worth coming back for. And for those of you trying to reduce your caffeine intake, the pair claim to be serving Wales' best hot chocolate.
Where: Paper Mill Business Park, Canton
Hard Lines Coffee Roasters
With two locations already under its belt, this roastery and cafe prides itself on being more than just coffee. It says: "It’s about relationships, quality, design, and fun!" - although their coffee really is "really, really, really" good.
Hard Lines Coffee has been running for six years and its cafe serves not only coffee by the cup but sweet treats, bulging burritos and fluffy pancakes (to mention a few). And if you don't want to leave your house, fear not. You can order coffee beans online or in the shop to get the full experience at home too.
Where: Ground Floor Unit, St Cannas Court, Cowbridge Rd East / Cardiff Market
Lufkin Coffee
Started by husband and wife duo, Dan and Frances Lukins, Lufkin Coffee is set in the gorgeous surrounding of Canton's Thompson's Park. Beautifully designed with wooden furnishing, the interior and exterior offers scandi vibes complete with a log burner inside the cosy coffee bar.
Showcasing coffee - made with Lufkin's own speciality beans - hot chocalate, cold drinks and a selection of cakes and cookies, it's a perfect spot for a leisurely walk and catch up with friends or a stop off point during a dog walk. And that's not all. The Rangers' Hut also offers poetry evenings and more.
Where: Old Rangers Hut, Thompsons Park
Ground Bakery
Specialising in artisanal bread and coffee, this favoured brunch spot by locals will always be found with a queue out the door - a sure sign of a great coffee. Make a pitstop for some stunning simple sourdough toast or a croissant with soft serve ice cream to go with it.
Described by one reviewer on Tripadvisor as having "the best coffee in Cardiff", it's safe to say it's one for the list. They said: "From the detail on the coffee to the simplistic mouth-watering food there is nothing to fault. The staff were always smiling and checking in to see if we needed anything."
Where: 15 Pontcanna Street
Waterloo Tea
Having started off as a singular coffee shop in Waterloo Gardens, Penylan, Waterloo Tea has gone from strength to strength since it opened in 2008.
With four locations in Cardiff alone, all of which you'll never find empty, it's not just their tea that is to die for. With fabulously perfected latte art and an array of coffee options - from a swanky filter to a good old fashioned flat white - Waterloo Tea is "not generic but tailored".
And their teahouses themselves prove a lovely spot for some quality me-time or coffee-fuelled work day. Marvel at the paintings and prints from local as well as internationally renowned artists that fill the walls as you received top-class service with a smile.
Where: 21-25 Wyndham Arcade / 5 Waterloo Gardens / 41 Wellfield Rd / 190-192 Whitchurch Rd
Kin and Ilk
People are at the centre of Kin + Ilk's vision. So it's no wonder they have a number of bustling cafes across Cardiff. Their purpose, according to the website, is this: "Kin means family, Ilk is your kind. Operating sustainably, we serve speciality coffee and fresh, locally sourced food."
And with compostable vegware cups for their takeout coffees, a big part of their ethos is also environmental. Their aim is "to create amazing speciality coffee and delicious food without creating a huge waste and carbon trail."
.Where: 1a Hill Street / 31 Cathedral Road / 1 Capital Quarter (Smart Way) Tyndall Street
Sibling
Based in Roath this lovely sibling-run coffee shop, which opened last year on the site of an old brothel, is tucked away off the main road and well worth the trip.
With drinks, sweet treats and small plates made lovingly by Georgie and Will Thomas available throughout the week, their ethos focuses on community, coffee and speciality snacks.
And their interior is just as special as their culinary and speciality caffeine - which changes every few weeks - offerings. Its monochrome stools, hanging lamps, fairy lights and exposed brickwork in the outdoor seating area give it the ultimate cosy feel.
Where: 39 Lochaber Street
Brod
For a little taste of Denmark in the heart of the city centre, this bakery - founded in 2015 by Betina Skovbro, who came over from Denmark to Cardiff in 1998 - is a must.
She says: "It’s hard to tell where the idea of the Danish Bakery first began, but ask anyone who’s spent time in Denmark, and they’ll tell you that you're never too far from a bakery (bageri). It’s just a part of daily life. When I moved to Wales in 1998, I very quickly felt at home, but I did miss the bread. That was the catalyst for this adventure." Call in for a Kanel Stang and great coffee, with beans from Clifton Roasters, for the sweetest start to your day.
Where: 126 Wyndham Crescent
The Plan
If you're local to Cardiff, you will most likely be familiar with the long-standing and iconic coffee shop The Plan. Situated in the stunning Morgan Arcade, it's guests can sit in the window and watch the world go.
Tuck into one of their scrumptious cakes paired with a cup of coffee that one Tripadvisor reviewer said is "absolutely stunning". With sweet treats to match its reputation and hearty breakfasts and lunches with plenty of gluten free and vegan options, there's a reason its always packed.
Where: 28-29 Morgan Arcade
Social Eats
This modern café is set up at the bottom of Cathays before it merges with the city centre on Salisbury Road. Having quickly established itself as a regular haunt among the students populating the area, it uses colourful, aesthetically pleasing ceramic plates and mugs from local Matt Jones Ceramics and Instagrammable breakfast plates and smoothie bowls. The coffee is good, the sweet treat selection is top notch, and the service comes with a smile.
Where: 20 Salisbury Road
Uncommon Ground Coffee Roastery
Tucked away in the quieter arcades of Cardiff is this unusually designed independent spot. The neon sign, exposed brickwork and copper lighting creates an easy going atmosphere and it’s the perfect spot to take your laptop to sit and work, accompanied by great coffee. The independent, family run coffee bar is run by two local brothers, Paul and Ian Hayman and opened in March 2015.
Where: 10-12 Royal Arcade
Bigmoose Coffee Company
Even better than supporting independent - support charity. This not for profit coffee shop just off the high street works with charities helping with mental health, prevention of suicide and prevention of homelessness.
The cosy coffee is Cardiff’s top rated coffee shop on TripAdvisor for good reason, with almost exclusively five-star reviews. One review said, “I had the best coffee in a very long time at Big Moose".
Where: 4-5 Frederick Street
Brodie's Coffee Co
Brodie's Coffee Co is a longstanding member of Gorsedd Gardens between Cathays and Bute Park. Set up in a small coffee truck, it is well known and well loved in its community - so much so that it is rare to visit without having to queue.
The tiny cabin packs a punch, with brilliant coffee and sweet options to match. Their Smarties cookies are worth a mention. They have recently expanded their franchise to add a coffee shop just down the road called Bricks N’ Mortar on 56 North Road.
Where: Gorsedd Gardens
The Little Man Coffee Company
Tucked away where you would not necessarily think to look, slightly further than Cineworld in the city centre is this gem of a cafe. The Little Man Coffee Company is a simple cafe which prioritises doing things well and buys from roasters in Wales. It is a popular place for people to set up laptops and sit and work for the day while drinking high-quality coffee.
Where: Ivor House, Bridge Street
Organicafe
Run by northern Italians Luca and Michaela, this authentic Italian style cafe serves Italian produce to take away, including coffee, meats, cheeses, cakes, pasta and prosecco.
Pop in to try a fresh panini which one Trip Advisor reviewer called “the best panini I have ever had.”
The Brazilian organic coffee beans they use produce full of flavour, organic coffee which is taken straight to your table.
Where: 104 Caerphilly Road
Corner Coffee
A tiny coffee shop in Cardiff’s city centre you might walk past unless you know it's there - Corner Coffee rose to city fame over lockdown for their deliverable doughnuts. The cafe sits at the edge of the High Street Arcade and produces quality, speciality coffee, welcoming food and a chilled atmosphere. A Trip Advisor review said, “Have been coming here for almost 3 years and still consider it the best coffee in Cardiff.”
Where: 13 High Street Arcade
Quantum Coffee Roasters
Ensuring they source from the best ethical farms across the globe, Quantum Coffee Roasters hand roast their coffee in Cardiff which they serve in their cafe and sell online. They claim there is “culture in every cup” and use their social media platforms to promote the farms they source from.
This is great coffee served with passion, knowledge and enthusiasm. It also attracts repeat visitors - a sure sign of a great cafe.
Where: 58 Bute Street
Eartha
Part plant shop, part cafe and eatery, Eartha is a quaint venue in Roath on the bustling City Road. It prioritises working with local producers, growers and enterprises, promoting sustainability. It is a vegetarian cafe. Eartha is currently stocking coffee beans from Hard Lines, a coffee shop and roastery based in Cardiff.
Where: 213 City Road
