Out in Cardiff for... Lunch

Going Out editor Rachel Clare picked out two of the best in both the town centre and Cathays

TOWN The Plan/ Morgan Arcade

This is a treasure in the midst of second hand bookshops, a small art gallery and retro clothing boutiques. It has massive windows and is really light and airy with high ceilings and is sort of a modern version of an old style tearoom. It sells local, organic and seasonal foods with many fair-trade options. Its seasonal soup is very popular with shoppers at this time of year; you get a huge bowlful and a big chunk of crusty baguette alongside. The cheese and onion jacket potato with added mushrooms was the best jacket potato I’ve tasted, what with its fresh salad and homemade coleslaw, with melted cheese oozing from it. What really surprised me about this place is its range of coffees and teas. It sells over 14 different types of coffee some of which are very obscure such as Indian Coffee Monsooned Malibar and Kenya AA (best of Kenya’s Arabic beans). The eleven types of tea it sells range from Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe to Superior Fancy Formosa Oo long. But don’t worry, you can still just get a regular tea and coffee too! The only downside to this place is that it’s a little on the expensive side, with drinks mainly over £2 and lunchtime snacks nearing £50 but, all in all it’s the best place for when you want to treat yourself.

TOWN Fresh: The Baguette Bar/ Royal Arcade

This place has the friendliest staff you will possibly ever meet on a busy lunchtime. They seem really into what they are doing and try and make your lunchtime experience as happy as possible which is always good when you’ve been dragging your feet around the shops. They have a fantastic range of fillings for baguettes and panninis, such as Malaysian chicken, parma ham, roasted onion and cheese. There’s not much room to sit down so it’s better to take out. A good place to grab a baguette!

CATHAYS Kappuccinos/ Cathays Terrace (outside Lidls)

This popular haunt for humanities students serves the most delicious homemade muffins you will have this side of… Cathays. No, they really are delicious, big, homemade, fresh and only cost 95p! They serve a good range of tasty baguettes, sandwiches and salads, such as sun dried tomato and mozzarella, or chicken, bacon and mayonnaise. They are cheap as well, ranging from £1.90 to £2.30; a good deal cheaper than the Humanities café anyway! A word of warning though- 12:30 to around 1:30 the queue is usually out the door and there is never anywhere to sit, so it’s best to get in there early.

CATHAYS Hoffi Koffi/ Woodville Road

This is the perfect meeting place, with lots of comfy seating, 10% student discount and a gorgeous range of cakes. I’d recommend the caramel slice which is perfect with a hot chocolate. The sandwiches are small but very good value. In fact everything here is really cheap so it’s a good place to while away an afternoon. Hoffi Koffi is also available for the evening and is fully licensed so could be an excellent party place too.