Creative Parents Food Guide to Cardiff

So this is part of a series of suggestions for the creative, out-going, arty, stylish, fun parents who live in Cardiff who don't want to change there whole life because they have had a child but instead included their new member of their family into the activities they love. Now I really don't like the term "yummy mummy", to me it's a myth, I have neither wanted to or aspired to be one, but instead I focus on just being myself, which makes me think why should I always have to change where I eat or shop or chill out because I have a little one with me, as long as he is well behaved which he is, it shouldn't be a problem right? Both John and I are very hands-on parents and we have a passion for good food, music, cinema, art and fashion and we are well aware that some places are simply not suitable for young children but through many ups and downs and trial and error attempts we have learnt where to go to eat, shop and have fun in and around Cardiff. This article is about the best places (in our option) we have found that is child and baby friendly but still great for adults that are social and stylish and make you feel like your not missing out.

Recommended

Mad hatters Cafe at The Gate, Roath, Cardiff

Maybe not the most stylish venue but I cannot reccomend this place enough! They have a great menu (for children and adults) - the breakfast pancakes are amazing and the staff are so friendly and welcoming and are very accommodating towards small children. When we were there last, Mr A was teething so the waitress went to the back and brought out some cucumber sticks for him to chew on, he was so happy. The Gate also houses a small Art gallery, fitness classes and theatre productions and weekly events in the cafe, as well as excellent changing facilities. This is like a smaller more community based version of Chapter.

Good Coffee at mad Hatters - photo's by me.

Waterloo Gardens Teahouse, Waterloo Gardens, Penylan

Now this place can get very busy and if you want to have there famous sunday afternoon tea you really need to book in advance as you won't be able to get a table. It's not a very large cafe so bear that in mind if you have a very big buggy although they do have a lot of high chairs and good changing facilities and excellent tea and coffee. The atmosphere is always great and it's a very relaxing environment with well trained staff who are very welcoming to all the family, they also display local art on the walls. Tip - their Brie and cranberry Panini is very good.

A very young Arthur soaking up the Waterloo Atmosphere

Cafe Creme, Kings Rd, Canton

This place really is a little gem, bordering onto Pontcanna, where it always seems impossible to get a seat at the ever popular Cafe Brava and Cibo so this is a nice, quiet and stylish alternative with friendly staff, amazing changing facilities and a very welcoming feel to it. We also had one of the largest portions of amazing carrot cake here and the coffee was delicious.

National Museum and National Art Gallery of Wales

This place is designed (in part) for children in mind as they run events for kids to learn more about history and art throughout the year and a lot of the exhibitions are interactive as well. The Cafe serves some great welshcakes and coffee, has lots of space and high chairs and once your done you can explore the museum for free, which is perfect for those rainy days and the museum also houses the National Art gallery so you can get your culture fix as well.

Las Iguana's (Cardiff Bay or City Centre, Mill Lane)

Now I know this is part of a chain but for a place that has a great bar and drinks menu (cocktails, Mojitos and world beers) and has a more adult feel than a family one, they are very accommodating towards children and cater too all their needs with an excellent childrens menu including free organic baby food for babies. They also often run specials including sometimes children eating free and we really enjoyed what felt like an evening out but with Mr A who was very entertained by the crayons provided and loved the freshly squeezed apple juice. Tip - they also have a large gluten free menu.

Las Iguanas is great for all the family.

The Place to Eat, John Lewis

Now I know this is a bit pricey but we have to included it on the basis of there being excellent baby food and children's menu options as well as excellent changing facilities including a private breast-feeding area. It is also a large space so prams and seating is never a problem and the children's menu items are all priced at 80p each so for them it's very reasonable as well as having a lot of adult options from soups, salads and crepes to artisan cupcakes and freshly ground coffee.

Also well worth a try

Milgi Bar, City Rd - during the day they are very happy to accommodate babies, although I think they only have one or two high chairs and no real changing facilities but it's an amazing chilled out Art bar minus the pretentiousness serving super healthy vegetarian food and is on of my favourite bars in Cardiff

New York Deli, Arcades - they don't have a high chair but you can easily sit outside on the benches if you have a buggy. The staff always seem happy and ready to help and are young, fun and friendly and it's excellent value for money with hearty portions.

Ten Feet Tall, Church Street - we love the tapas at this bar and have taken Mr A a few time in the summer with us, although we always sit outside because of the buggy, but this never seemed a problem and the staff where always happy to help.

Yummy Ten Feet Tall Tapas

Tea and Cake, Wellfield Rd, Roath - really cute retro vintage inspired teashop with traditional sweets, ice-cream and homemade crafts. Very cramped seating area but does have high chairs and changing facilities and makes very good food, we love it, although avoid busy times.

Norwegian church, Cardiff Bay - A nice little pit stop if your planning to walk across the barrage from Cardiff Bay to Penarth. They served some really nice coffee and cakes and have high-chairs as well as free wifi. They too put on various classes and also have an art gallery upstairs which is well worth checking out while you are there.

BB's Muffins, St Davids - Funky little cafe in St Davids with quirky sofa's and chairs. Although a part of a chain it has the feel of an independent store and they do cute little mini muffins for only 45p! Perfect as treats for little mouths.

Chapter Arts, Market Rd, Canton - excellent facilities, serves up some healthy food (I love the falafel) and always has something going one whether that be theatre, cinema, new art collection or various classes including baby classes.

Maybe Not so much

The Plan, Arcades, Cardiff

We always liked the plan and I think if it's warm and you can sit outside it would not be a problem but first of all we struggled to get the pram through the door (no help from the staff even though it was very quite), they didn't appear to have any high chairs and the management seemed a bit put out that we had a baby with us and so did the fellow customers. Service was very slow and as soon as we got our drinks we drank our coffee and ate our scones as quickly as possible just to get out of what was a very unwelcoming environment - disappointing.

Kaffeehaus, Wallys, Aracdes

I used to go to Wally's a lot, especially since I am from South Africa and they stock South African food but since having my son I never go simple because there is so much he could grab or push over, it's some what pretentious and is not child friendly at all. The Kaffeehaus is impossible if you have a pushchair as it's up stairs with no lift and does not appear to have a highchair, it feels like they have no intention of making it child friendly either which is disappointing.

Blog tip - Use technology to keep all your finds and plans organised and click here to save money on a good laptop