The 30 Best French restaurant in Cardiff

“Absolutely superb dining experience. Thank you to Donna, Clare et al, for making my 50th birthday so very special. Scallops to start, the Lamb for my main and a treacle tartlette for dessert with an additional birthday surprise. They accommodated my daughter's special requirements and indulged me one of mine. This is something I'll not forget in a hurry, if ever. The staff go above and beyond with the bonus addition of three gorgeous spaniels who were super well-behaved. Highly recommended gold star!”

“The ambiance in this restaurant is first class. Ive dined there twice in the last year and the music selection / vibe was the first thing that I tuned into on both visits. Felt so welcome, special and looked after. The food was super tasty and an intriguing selection (would have been happy with anything on the menu really). Echo the comments in the other reviews on the Spinach gratin and short rib croquette. Cocktails visually decorative and well mixed and went down a storm with our party. Especially in Nightshade. Service excellent - Isabella (Italian)? Was fantastic with us but all staff very attentive. Simply can't wait to return.”

“We stayed one night to do the vineyard tour and tasting We decided to have lunch before hand, and it was so lovely to enjoy the sunshine and try some wines before hand. The lunch menu was extensive and the food was beautifully presented and very flavoursome with garnishes that complimented the dishes perfectly. We also join the restaurant for Dinner and again were not disappointed. My partner even had a birthday dessert cheesecake. Nothing was too much for trouble for any of the serving staff and the gentleman who greeted us was outstanding throughout our whole stay, unfortunately we didn't get his name.”

“Booked last minute for an early table on new years eve, before a visit to the glee club in Cardiff - all I can say is WOW the food is incredible!!! first time here but def wont be the last, the BEST tsatsiki ive ever had in the uk - everything was tasty & very well presented - we were even given complimentary baklava which was also delicious! We will definitely return :)”

“What am amazing pleasant experience dining here was last night, the staff were so friendly, service was so good and the food was amazing. I went for the specials, an amazing burrata, pesto and cherry tomato dish for starters which is so so good. For main the special was a fish ravioli, the ravioli was made from black ink pasta and (normal) pasta so it was white on one side and black on the other, it was filled with sea bass and prawns and the fish sauce was amazing. Such a delicate dish. It's nice to dine somewhere where you get such good food and service and still get get a decent bottle of wine for under £23. (The expensive pallet was also catered for with an extensive wine list available). Thanks for making us feel so welcome, and a lovely evening.”

“Portions are very generous, food very tasty! I shared some beautiful pierogi (potato, cheese and onion) to start and potato pancakes for my main. I had to take some away as I couldn’t finish it!”

“Mamma Lina's Italian restaurant is an absolute delight! Their special seafood platter was a standout, boasting incredible freshness and flavors. Every bite felt like a culinary journey to Italy. Exceptional service and a cozy ambiance added to the memorable experience. Highly recommended!”

“We love it here. I have come to Ty Madeira for years. The Espetadas are the main event, always cooked perfectly. I think over the years I have had the Fish & Prawn, the Fillet of Beef, and the chicken. Always cooked to perfection. The battered cauliflower that comes with the meal is fantastic. Perfectly cooked, not oily, with a lovely flavor. The service is always fantastic, where the servers build a rapport with you and are happy to laugh and joke with you whilst being very attentive and not overbearing. A definite visit if you are visiting Cardiff.”

“I don't know why this place was recorded as permanently closed. I would be devastated if it was! So I reported this as incorrect, and now Google shows it as being open again. I've been coming here - with friends, colleagues and family for over 10 years. It's one of the few cafes who will happily swap something you don't like on the set menu, for something you do. If the owners are reading this - you'll hopefully know me, as I always have a large breakfast, and swap the black pudding for an extra hash brown. The staff are so lovely - especially Maria - so patient and calm even if a million things are happening at once. Amazing. The food is never swimming in grease - and it's never too dry - they cook bacon in a way that makes me drool and salivate with every bite! The whole plateful is just divine perfection. They seem to know exactly how I like my food (and that's always slightly overcooked). The coffee is pretty lush too - you don't get a skin on the top - it's a really nice blend. Oh - and the price is right too - I spent £13 on two meals and 3 cappuccinos. Look how much you get!!! But beware - this is a *very* popular cafe - if you don't time it right - you might have to wait for a table - but they'll squeeze you in somehow!”

“We visited Wed 22nd for a date night. It was sooo nice. The food was delicious, and the staff were great. One sauce top up was slow- But the staff had a difficult table next and the one girl said she was very new, to us so we appreciated them being under pressure. The table next to us were about 8 elderly people. They demanded quicker service as they were going to the theatre. They left saying they had waited 45 mins- They absolutely hadn’t, we were there before them and within 30 mins had ordered, and had drinks and starters. They ate all the bread (without covering any cost) then caused a scene leaving as their drinks were arriving. The staff dealt with it very well. The bourguignon was the nicest I’ve had, and my hubby demolished the mushroom side….. He doesn’t even like mushrooms! I must admit- If it hadn’t been for the Cardiff Devils discount we likely wouldn’t have visited- But we’ll definitely be back!”

“I would recommend Windsor Tea Rooms in Penarth. The staff are friendly and welcoming. The seating outside is dog-friendly. The food is lovely and a traditional home-style. We often pop into Windsor tea rooms after our weekend shopping in Penarth.”

“Hope they do well. Lunch time specials was good simple food, done very well. No pretentiousness to the food or price. Look forward to a breakfast / brunch visit. Best of luck to the owners.”

“Always amazing service at Cote, Cardiff Bay. The food, decor, quick service if going to see a show, friendly staff and French vibe always makes this our go to. A special thank you to Kremena and Melissa!”

“I visit regularly and the food is always wonderful. Freshly made delicious home cooked food. My favourite is the shakshuka. It's also well worth booking the curry club on a Friday or Saturday evening. Highly recommended.”

“To call my recent evening at Las Iguanas in Cardiff Bay merely a "meal" would be an injustice. It was an event, a culinary explosion that set a new standard for dining. The atmosphere? Electric! The Latin American flavours in every dish were nothing short of sensational, and the cocktails were masterfully crafted—a true triumph, especially with the phenomenal two-for-one offer. But let me be absolutely clear: the true star, the radiant force that elevated this experience from great to legendary, was our floor server, Sage. Sage didn't just serve; she orchestrated our evening with flawless precision and captivating charm. Her attention was hawk-like, anticipating our every need before we even voiced it. When we had a minor request, she handled it with a confident flourish and an immediate resolution that left us stunned by her professionalism. Her genuine warmth wasn't just friendly—it was magnetic. In a bustling, high-energy environment, Sage possessed a poise and a radiant positive energy that is incredibly rare. She made us feel like royalty, and that level of dedicated, passionate hospitality is priceless. Sage is, without exaggeration, a monumental asset to the Cardiff Bay location, representing the pinnacle of customer service. Do not just visit Las Iguanas; demand to be seated in Sage's section! We will be returning to revel in this extraordinary experience again and again. Five stars is barely enough!”

“Over the years I have stayed at many hotels, each usually with their own restaurant, few are good, some mediocre and many are poor. Out of all the hotels I've stayed at I'm happy to say that the Chefs at this restaurant are why I return and why I'd say it's somewhere within my personal top 3 hotel restaurants I've dined at. The food is always genuinely excellent, a particular favourite is the scotch egg with pea puree and bacon jam... a good reason in itself to return! The pork belly with fennel, cabbage, potato gratin and sage stuffing is another excellent dish, each element is clearly treated with care and skill which absolutely shows in the finished product. Thank you to the chef for making another night away from home a little more tolerable by way of excellent cookery.”

“Ate here tonight with the extended family which meant more young kids than adults. Always a difficult meal out but staff were really friendly, attentive and patient. Food was excellent, we had a variety of starters and mains and all were polished off with a smile. Children's food was of the same quality as well, real chicken strips with a nice crisp coating and decent portion sizes. A good selection of drinks and desserts and the atmosphere was really good, a busy Wednesday night after a cool and sunny day. The outside seating with fires for warmth looked really good. Definitely worth a visit and the seafront makes for a nice walk before / after the meal or both.”

“One of my favourite places to eat in South Wales. Lovely atmosphere, great for brunch with a great selection included loads of vegetarian options. Chocolate brownie is decadent. The cafe/restaurant itself is lovely but what is good is that there is a secluded small but fun play area for children to play in whilst you wait for your food (it is outside!)”

“We had an amazing time at Mr Villa’s, the staff were extremely on top of everything and obliging to our every need. The food was exquisite and I would highly recommend the crusted cod to both seafood and non seafood eaters as it is amazing. We travelled a long way from Australia to enjoy the Uk seafood here and were not disappointed. Definite 5 stars.”

“Special & “an Experience” - there is no other way to describe it except to say good value too. The decor is amazing and the service formal but in a wonderful way. It’s not somewhere to dash in and dash out. Rather it’s somewhere to relax and soak up the experience. Arguably, other places can sell better perhaps but none will rival will rival the range of menu options or the experience. The central bar island is a work of art and the venue loaded with wonderfully tended plants and interesting art. Where else can you have Champagne for breakfast?”

“Absolutely stunning meal! I am fussy with my steak buy owner explained how he would cook it and it was the tastiest ,nicest steak ive had. Cauliflower wings to stary which again were full of flavour. Hot ,homemade chips - can't fault it! Definitely reccomend and cant wait to return again.”

“Beautiful setting! The boys really enjoyed Footgolf and it was great value for money (£10 game of footgolf & hot meal & drink). Highly recommend! Staff were great.”

“Booked for lunch. My wife had Spanish meatballs followed by halibut while I had salad, from the salad bar, followed by the home made beef pie. These were the 2 course lunch specials at £24 each. Both were delicious: the pie especially, with very tender meat, rich gravy and a light flakey crust (no pastry shell). Plus 2 drinks each and two coffees. Total cost £65. Excellent value, and excellent service. Highly recommended.”

“Lovely meal, well packaged, Delicious”

“Thank you for such a delicious meal for my birthday today. Freshly cooked piping hot delicious flavoured food. Staff were amazing too. First visit but definitely not the last. Thank you”

“Lovely pub. Visited today while on holiday and had a perfect meal. All of the food we ordered was delicious. Staff friendly and attentive. Reasonably priced considering such high quality. Highly recommended”

“We went here as we was totally depressed walking towards The New Theatre with the many chain restaurant options. No thanks. We food this little gem right at the end just across the road from the theatre. Very warm welcome sat down straight away to a table for two. Busy, lively and fun. Service was excellent, fast and attentive. Food was quick to come out but not rushed. Cracking food all round. I personally felt the starters was a bit pricey but was delicious so... Would definitely go again. Clean and tidy through out quick to take plates or empty bottles etc. Excellent meal all round.”

“Food was lovely. I had the breaded chicken breast with fries, coleslaw, and egg. My mum had a full english breakfast. Didn't like the capers on top though I think it kinda ruined the meal but It's my own fault for forgetting to ask to remove them. Full english breakfast was lovely. They take blue light card which is great if you want a decent discount. It took a very long time for staff to take our order and bring the bill, it was busy though. I'd recommend if its not busy and if you have a blue light card as the price would be worth it for the discount. Suitable for people with food allergies and had no issues with that.”

“Everything about The Botanist is lovely. The staff, food, atmosphere, and a big emphasis on the drinks. Monday through Friday from 4 to 7pm you can enjoy happy hour, I certainly did. With a nice price and a 2 for 1 deal, you certainly get all the drinks you need. I was there celebrating a family members birthday and they went above and beyond, including a decorative dessert board. The hanging kebab you’ll find no where else, it definitely doesn’t disappoint. This is a perfect place to have some nice photos at your table or the bar with its greenery and low lighting. Be mindful of all the steps (there is an elevator). The staff are also very understanding about arriving a few minutes late to your reservation time. Definitely make a reservation if possible. Earlier in the evening you should necessarily need one, but better safe than sorry to miss out.”

“Thoroughly enjoyed my visit as always to the centre! A great time with friends. What keeps us coming back is the great staff, especially Teigan who always takes the time to ensure everything is perfect for us. We are all looking forward to coming back soon.”