5th Birthday Guest Post: Big Bites and Little Nibbles
Hannah lives in Victoria Park with her partner and their young daughter. Hannah works in Public Relations and tweets under @CardiffMums, sharing tips on where to go and what to do with your little ones in the Cardiff area.
Since my little girl was born 17 months ago I’ve become well acquainted with Cardiff’s cappuccino culture – particularly west of the river, as I live in Victoria Park. Those first few months of motherhood can be pretty intense, and I didn’t stray far from home. But how fab to discover such a wide range of baby-friendly cafes and coffee shops within a stone’s throw of home.
Here’s my top ten list of the best in the area:
1. Chapter – the ‘daddy’ or should that be ‘mummy’ of them all. A lifeline in those early days – somewhere you can drop in at any time with the baby and buggy. There’s loads of room and it’s super pram-friendly. It’s a breast feeding friendly venue and the cafe serves plenty of hearty food – which you need if you’re breast feeding. They even do a Carry on Screaming film showing every Friday morning for mums and babies up to one year old.
2. Waffle on Clive Road serves the cutest babyccinos in Cardiff – frothy milk in an espresso cup topped with mini marshmallows. There are high chairs, baby-changing facilities and a good-value children’s menu for when your little ones are a bit older. They do a great all-day breakfast, as well as their speciality sweet and savoury waffles, and there’s always a warm welcome.
3. St Luke’s cafe opposite Victoria Park is another favourite. I think they make the best cappuccino along the Cowbridge Road drag and delicious home-made food too – their spinach and mushroom lasagne is especially nice.
4. Wesley’s cafe, near the Cowbridge Road/Clive Road junction is also good. It has great access – automatic doors, ramps and disabled toilet/baby changing facilities – with good-value sandwiches, baked potatoes and cakes.
5. The Victoria Park cafe itself can be a welcome pit-stop. Friendly and family-run, they serve coffees, teas, toasted sandwiches and chips as well as ice cream, chocolate, pop etc.
6. The Gusto deli on Ely Road serves great home made goodies – filled ciabattas and focaccias, goat’s cheese and caramelised onion quiches, empanadas, pizza and pasta dishes . There are only a few places to sit in, so take-away is best.
7. Oscars on Romilly Road (the old Le Gallois) is a new, upmarket addition to the range of family-friendly venues in the area. The staff are very accommodating; they’ve got high chairs and crayons and other stuff to keep your youngsters entertained.
8. Brutons the bakers – not strictly a cafe, I know, but their Victoria buns are delicious and it’s a great place to get a picnic for the park if you’re out and about.
9. Moving a bit further afield, the Bute Park Summerhouse Kiosk is great for dining al fresco in the fine weather. It’s a sociable place, a well-run cafe offering usual fare, with high chairs available too.
10. Finally, Cardiff Castle. If you live or work in Cardiff you can get a Castle Key which allows you free access to the castle grounds and certain apartments. There’s a nice cafe on-site – and it’s also a surprisingly peaceful city centre venue for a summer’s picnic.
Since my little girl was born 17 months ago I’ve become well acquainted with Cardiff’s cappuccino culture – particularly west of the river, as I live in Victoria Park. Those first few months of motherhood can be pretty intense, and I didn’t stray far from home. But how fab to discover such a wide range of baby-friendly cafes and coffee shops within a stone’s throw of home.
Here’s my top ten list of the best in the area:
1. Chapter – the ‘daddy’ or should that be ‘mummy’ of them all. A lifeline in those early days – somewhere you can drop in at any time with the baby and buggy. There’s loads of room and it’s super pram-friendly. It’s a breast feeding friendly venue and the cafe serves plenty of hearty food – which you need if you’re breast feeding. They even do a Carry on Screaming film showing every Friday morning for mums and babies up to one year old.
2. Waffle on Clive Road serves the cutest babyccinos in Cardiff – frothy milk in an espresso cup topped with mini marshmallows. There are high chairs, baby-changing facilities and a good-value children’s menu for when your little ones are a bit older. They do a great all-day breakfast, as well as their speciality sweet and savoury waffles, and there’s always a warm welcome.
3. St Luke’s cafe opposite Victoria Park is another favourite. I think they make the best cappuccino along the Cowbridge Road drag and delicious home-made food too – their spinach and mushroom lasagne is especially nice.
4. Wesley’s cafe, near the Cowbridge Road/Clive Road junction is also good. It has great access – automatic doors, ramps and disabled toilet/baby changing facilities – with good-value sandwiches, baked potatoes and cakes.
5. The Victoria Park cafe itself can be a welcome pit-stop. Friendly and family-run, they serve coffees, teas, toasted sandwiches and chips as well as ice cream, chocolate, pop etc.
6. The Gusto deli on Ely Road serves great home made goodies – filled ciabattas and focaccias, goat’s cheese and caramelised onion quiches, empanadas, pizza and pasta dishes . There are only a few places to sit in, so take-away is best.
7. Oscars on Romilly Road (the old Le Gallois) is a new, upmarket addition to the range of family-friendly venues in the area. The staff are very accommodating; they’ve got high chairs and crayons and other stuff to keep your youngsters entertained.
8. Brutons the bakers – not strictly a cafe, I know, but their Victoria buns are delicious and it’s a great place to get a picnic for the park if you’re out and about.
9. Moving a bit further afield, the Bute Park Summerhouse Kiosk is great for dining al fresco in the fine weather. It’s a sociable place, a well-run cafe offering usual fare, with high chairs available too.
10. Finally, Cardiff Castle. If you live or work in Cardiff you can get a Castle Key which allows you free access to the castle grounds and certain apartments. There’s a nice cafe on-site – and it’s also a surprisingly peaceful city centre venue for a summer’s picnic.
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