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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Jessica Walford

Milgi is closing its vegetarian restaurant and Cardiff Market stall after 13 years in the city

A popular Cardiff cafe that was one of the first to serve vegetarian food is set to close after 13 years.

Milgi, on City Road in Roath, and the market stall at Cardiff market, will shut their doors for good on Sunday, April 14.

Sisters Gabrielle Kelly, 39, and Rebecca Kelly, 37, who set up the business in 2006, said it was "time to move on".

"We are very sad," Gabrielle said. "But it's time to move on.

"Running an independent food and drink business comes with challenges. It’s been hard but, we have enjoyed every moment and, this has been a difficult decision to make.

"Closing our doors is another stage in this journey.

"We won’t have four walls that we can call home but, we will have the same ambition, ethos and appetite to bring plant based food to everyone."

Sisters Gabrielle and Rebecca Kelly who set up Milgi (Milgi)

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Milgi first opened at 213 City Road in 2006 after a post grad trip to New York.

Four years later, the sisters made the decision to only serve vegetarian food - one of the first in Cardiff to do so.

"We definitely led the way and we pioneered vegetarian cooking," Gabrielle said.

"We switched over in 2010 when we realised we wanted to go down that road.

"We did a vote to go vegetarian and it was a massive majority.

"So we did and that was a massive turning point in our busineess. It flourished.

"We've been pioneering vegetarian since then and we are true to what we do.

"We do feel like trends come and go but we've got a true style and will still true to that beyond these four walls to bring vegetarian food to everyone."

A vegan burger from Milgi (Bwyta)

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The market stall that Milgi operate at Cardiff market will also be closing on April 14.

The sisters plan to take the business on the road, to food festivals, weddings and events.

They also plan to bring out a cookbook in the Autumn.

But they won't be returning to a permanent setting any time soon.

"We won't be going to a new venue," Gabrielle said.

"We have no plans for a new restaurant in the near future. But never say never.

"We would like to thank all of you for supporting us over the years. We truly appreciate the community we have nurtured and Milgi is as much yours as it is ours."

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