This isn't just any old meal - it's a date night dinner, and you're going to want it to go as smoothly as possible. That's where we come in. To help you lovebirds out, we've created this list of Cardiff's romantic restaurants, from cosy Italian nooks fronting amorous eats to trendy candlelight hotspots known for top-quality Welsh delights.
A pretty dining destination in St David's Shopping Centre, Giggling Squid is a popular Thai restaurant that's ideal for couples. The stylish space features gorgeous floral decor and cool neon sings, with comfortable leather booth seating to relax in.
Tuck into the likes of chilli and basil chicken stir-fries, slow-cooked beef red curry, vegetable massaman and so much more. What's more, they serve delicious cocktails here, both classic and signature.
Feasting brings people together and you'll be in for a cracking one at Brother Thai. Dine among minimalist decor on tan, leather chairs and take your pick from a fragrant menu courtesy of Andrew Chongsathien. There's something for all, including great vegan options, so get your chops around some roti and seitan satay before you get them round each other.
A lovely, Instagrammable dining destination if we ever saw one, The Botanist is sure to impress the pants off your beau. If you're after the best romantic restaurants in Cardiff, this joint is sure to do the trick, whipping up a cheesy, sharing feast, their famous hanging kebabs and gooey cookie dough desserts.
Located in the heart of Cardiff, The Cardiff Townhouse breathes vibrant new life into the landmark David Morgan building. Spread across two beautifully designed floors, this all-day destination seamlessly caters to intimate dinners. Highlights include a relaxed cafe with a sunshine terrace, a chic lounge bar, and a centrepiece atrium cocktail bar flooded with natural light.
The venue's dining spaces - ranging from a tranquil brasserie to a casual main restaurant - offer an expansive menu available from breakfast through dinner. Culinary standouts feature chalk stream trout served with rainbow chard and aioli, alongside hand-crafted pasta plates and fresh sourdough pizzas, making it a versatile go-to for date night.
Charming, eye-catching and oh-so-stylish, Mowgli Cardiff is the city centre dining destination that's caught our hearts. When you're not checking out the beaut, twinkly interiors, dive into the menu of Indian street food, which showcases delights such as bhel puri in a sweet and sour dressing, as well as the house chicken curry.
While this joint may not be exactly up there with cheap romantic restaurants in Cardiff city centre, it's certainly competing for the prettiest, so it would be impossible not to mention The Ivy as a hotspot for wooing, thanks to its dazzling, botanical interiors. The menu is a hit too, with the likes of smoked haddock and salmon fishcakes, plus chicken supreme Milanese with a truffle sauce.
Uisce by Heany's operates on a walk-ins-only basis, so be quick if you want to snap this joint up for a romantic meal. It's the second restaurant for Great British Menu Chef Tommy Heaney and offers a relaxed atmosphere with seasonal cocktails and a fish-heavy menu.
This award-winning Indian restaurant is sure to get hearts racing. Not only does Purple Poppadom have the perfect ambience for a night of romancing, providing warm lantern lighting and patterned wallpaper, but it also rustles up a regularly changing menu of authentic grub.
If you're on the hunt for the most romantic restaurants in Cardiff city centre, The Potted Pig is sure to earn you serious brownie points. Fronting bare-brick walls, intimate tables illuminated by candlelight and a cosy ambience, this former bank vault will really set the scene for your couples night. Tuck into rolled pork belly with cauliflower puree or a balsamic glazed onion tarte.
If date night requires one of the posh restaurants in Cardiff city centre, then book a table at Gaucho. This swanky venue is decked out with dangling gold light fixtures and plush feathers to give it that flirty feel. Get cute and cosy over a bottle of wine and one of their seriously scrumptious steaks.
Gorse's elegant dining room, all wood panels and statement lighting, makes for a brilliant backdrop to your next date night or anniversary meal. From head chef Tom Waters, formerly of Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck, there's plenty to fall in love with on the menu too.
Expect dishes that centre on seasonal ingredients and only the finest Welsh produce, like wild mushrooms gathered in the Vale of Glamorgan and Breconshire fallow deer and wild bilberry. With a Michelin star secured just eight months after opening its doors, every dish in this place is a show-stopper.
Get down to Curado to add a little oomph to your date night, as it offers some of the most romantic meals in the city. Featuring contemporary interiors, Spanish wines and a delicious menu of pintxo, jamon and tapas, it's sure to win over the heart of that special someone.
There's just something about Laguna Kitchen and Bar that smacks with charm. Perhaps it's the sleek and stylish interiors, or possibly the fantastic menu that boasts fusion flavours and heart-warming dishes, as well as the impeccable Sunday roast. Either way, this is one gorgeous pick for date night.
Boasting stunning, panoramic views of Cardiff, The Classroom is sure to bring a romantic atmosphere. Hailed for its luxe British and Welsh cuisine, the experience is elevated by the floor-to-ceiling windows proudly displaying the city below. Devour dishes from its seasonally changing menu and fresh bread from it's inhouse bakery.
If you're looking for an impressive meal, you'll find one at Thomas, located in the heart of Pontcanna. MasterChef: The Professionals star Tom Simmons takes inspiration from French and British cuisine to create innovative dishes with Welsh produce at the forefront. Previous plates have been roast saddle of lamb with black garlic and a trendy take on fish and chips.
A cosy, intimate restaurant in Pontcanna, Ember at No.5 is a stylish choice for date night. It's warm and bursting with atmosphere, serving a British menu full of bold, flavour-led, fire-cooked dishes.
On the menu? Everything from crispy pig's head with salsa verde to confit garlic hake and asparagus fusili, as well as spectacular Sunday roasts.
Flaunting plush banquet seating, vintage chandeliers and unique artwork lining the walls, this beauty is a must-visit. As one of the more fancy restaurants in Cardiff Bay restaurants, Duchess of Delhi slings out a mix of Indian and South Asian dishes, including chicken ruby Murray and butter paneer masala.
