Wasn’t sure where else to put this, so I’ve put it here.
Went to Tafwyl this weekend and had a bit of time either side to explore some places which might interest others;
Canna Deli
Does very good quality food - sandwiches, pastries, warm food etc. A lot of the staff here seem to speak Welsh including the people on the till. The menu was bilingual. From what I could hear, the staff were talking to each other in Welsh and most of the customers in the queue ahead of me ordered in Welsh.
Ffloc
Serves mostly cheese toasties with interesting fillings and breakfast items. The toastie I had was a Reuban, with garlic fries, very nice. The lady who served me and the chef both spoke Welsh.
Slizza
A bar with a pizza place attached, used to be St Cannas Ale House which had Welsh speaking staff, I popped in to see what it’s like now. The guy serving didn’t speak Welsh but said quite a few of his colleagues did so might be worth a try.
Seemed very nice, didn’t eat but the pizza smells nice, they’ve got 2 ales on gravity if thats of interest to anyone.
Bragdy Twt Lol
A brewery with a shop and bar/tap that is open every Friday. The brewer (who also serves you) speaks fluently, and very nicely took time to have a good chat with me. They have a group that meets 4pm-5pm which includes fluent speakers and learners.
These were all excellent, independent businesses which support the use of Welsh one way or another, so please, if you’re in the area think about giving them a try!
Does anyone else know of other places in Cardiff to use Welsh? And is there a “where to Welsh in Cardiff” thread that this should be added to?
What an excellent idea @charlie-o ! I would also add the two Welsh bookshops Cant a Mil on the Whitchurch Road (who had a stall at Tafwyl), and Caban (not far from the Canna Deli).
If you’re in town, the guys who run Ffwrnes Pizza upstairs in the Market are Welsh speakers (they’ve had a few TV series about them the “Pizza Boys”). It is also excellent pizza And one of them has just started up a new place called West Pizza, which is a bit more out of the way in Canton (also excellent pizza) - I don’t know if all the staff there speak Welsh, but it’s definitely worth a go… (The tables are labelled a, b, c, ch, d, dd )
Just following on from this, went to Cardiff a couple of weeks ago to see the bilingual Romeo and Juliet at the Sherman Theatre. Happy to say that the staff there all spoke Welsh. I was even in the queue next to James Dean Bradfield (Manics) who ordered in Welsh. I knew he was learning but great to see.
On top of that used Welsh in some of the usual culprits; St Fagans, Castell Coch and Caerleon Roman Baths Museum (not the Roman Legion Museum) - incidentally Caerleon was really worth a visit if you’re into Roman history.
I’m still looking for a restaurant and pub in Cardiff where I can reliably speak Welsh if anyone has any ideas?
Have you tried around the Pontcanna/Treganna area? When I lived in Treganna, there were usually a few about where Welsh speakers tend to gather, but as one waned in popularity another would become the place to go, so I’m out of touch these days. You could try asking in the Caban bookshop, Kings Road. They have Welsh-speaking staff who may be able to suggest somewhere.
I know a couple of cafes round here to suggest - the Canna Deli just off Kings Road is one. I think also Ffloc further down Cowbridge Road East (if you’re in luck). I’ve also had waiters that speak Welsh in Milkwood on Pontcanna Street.
And I haven’t been for a while, but there used to be Welsh-speakers in the Lansdowne pub (on Lansdowne Road in Treganna) and the Grange pub (in Grangetown, on Penarth Road). Both Treganna and Grangetown are increasingly Welsh-speaking areas, so you might be lucky there?
But there’s nothing I know of like the old Mochyn Du, where you would be guaranteed Welsh service. Sadly missed.
Hi Sara,
Thanks for this. I can confirm that Ffloc and Canna Deli (especially Canna Deli) are good places to speak. Haven’t tried in Milkwood yet.
Love the Grange and Landsdown, just don’t get as much chance to go there as they’re that bit further out. Next time I’m in I will try though. As you say the Mochyn Du is very badly missed
And one of them has just started up a new place called West Pizza, which is a bit more out of the way in Canton (also excellent pizza) - I don’t know if all the staff there speak Welsh, but it’s definitely worth a go… (The tables are labelled a, b, c, ch, d, dd 
)