
Coffee Barker
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Quick info
About Coffee Barker
Coffee Barker is a brick-clad coffee shop in Cardiff, at 1-13 Castle Arcade. The menu runs from coffee drinks and milkshakes to brunch and lunch, with a doorstep sandwich among the savoury options. Inside, leather sofas, soft lighting, and plant and candle accents sit within bohemian decoration. Ordering happens at the counter. Drinks are collected on a tray, and food is brought to the table by table number. A wait between ordering and food arriving is usual. Dogs are welcome, so visitors out walking with a pet can come in with them.
Good to know
- ParkingPaid parking lot · Parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, seating
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cappuccino with thick foam, hot chocolate, huge doorstep sandwich and gluten free bread and cake.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention cappuccino with thick foam, hot chocolate, huge doorstep sandwich and gluten free bread and cake.
Customer Review Summary
Brunch and lunch food draws the most praise, with reviewers describing generous portions and a huge doorstep sandwich that felt great value and filled them up. Close behind is the setting in Castle Arcade, called charming, cosy and bohemian, with comfy leather sofas, soft lighting and both indoor and outdoor seating. Drinks also earn mentions, including a delicious hot chocolate and a cappuccino with thick foam and a strong, slightly bitter base that one reviewer called decent. A gluten free and vegetarian diner liked the gluten free bread and the one gluten free cake, though the vegetarian sausages were not gluten free, and another wished for more vegan choice. Slow service is the recurring complaint. Reviewers describe a long wait for toast, a usual gap between ordering and food arriving, and a dish delivered to the wrong table. One found the first person at the counter abrupt. One reviewer whose friend had a stroke said she was handed a tray of coffees to carry, and most of the coffee ended up in the saucers.
Customer Review Summary
Brunch and lunch food draws the most praise, with reviewers describing generous portions and a huge doorstep sandwich that felt great value and filled them up. Close behind is the setting in Castle Arcade, called charming, cosy and bohemian, with comfy leather sofas, soft lighting and both indoor and outdoor seating. Drinks also earn mentions, including a delicious hot chocolate and a cappuccino with thick foam and a strong, slightly bitter base that one reviewer called decent. A gluten free and vegetarian diner liked the gluten free bread and the one gluten free cake, though the vegetarian sausages were not gluten free, and another wished for more vegan choice. Slow service is the recurring complaint. Reviewers describe a long wait for toast, a usual gap between ordering and food arriving, and a dish delivered to the wrong table. One found the first person at the counter abrupt. One reviewer whose friend had a stroke said she was handed a tray of coffees to carry, and most of the coffee ended up in the saucers.
Featured reviews
- Sharon Mc
“Took a friend who hadn’t been before, She is independent & wanted to order. She was asked to wait while they made coffee, then they were put on a tray for her to carry. This would have been ok, but my friend has had a stoke & can’t use her right arm. When I gave her our table number, I thought they would bring coffees to us. She didn’t have much coffee left in cups, mostly in saucers, a little awareness would have been good from staff, her hands shake as does her arm when she tries to use them.”
- May Gonella
“Good little cosy cafe for brunch or lunch. Huge doorstep sandwich which felt great value for money and filled you up so much Great variety of food, baked goods and drinks”
- Jo Patterson
“Lovely place for brunch or lunch. Portions are generous, good place to sit and watch world go by (literally and be in lots of tourist photo!!) Usually quite a wait between ordering and food arriving so cobsider if you are in a hurry. Have returned a few times and will again. Few independent cafes left in Cardiff, this is a good one!”
- Rose x
“Food was delicious! Did have an issue with it being delivered to the wrong table so had to wait an extra 10 mins. Beautifully presented. Do wish there was more choice of vegan options tho.”
- Claudia Nagy
“Lovely place, from location and atmosphere which are both great. Food is delicious, good service and tasty coffee. Highly recommend.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Down-to-earth, brick-clad cafe serving coffee drinks & milkshakes plus breakfast & lunch fare.”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Paid parking lot
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Takeout
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Offerings· 6
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Quick bite
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Popular for· 2
- Solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Parking· 1
- Parking
- Dining options· 5
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dessert
- Seating
- Crowd· 3
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
- Pet-friendly· 1
- Dogs allowed outside
- Highlights· 3
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 3
- Casual
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Coffee shops near Coffee Barker
- Corner Coffee4.77110 mi
flat white, mocha, matcha latte
- 0.2 mi£1–10Outdoor seating
chocolate brownie, coffee, cream tea
- Society Cafe4.7990.2 mi£1–10Vegan options
flat white, lemon cake, fresh fruit smoothies
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee BarkerWi-Fi / laptop · Outdoor seating · Vegan options | 4.4960 | — | £10–20 | cappuccino with thick foam, hot chocolate, huge doorstep sandwich |
| Corner Coffee | 4.7711 | 0 mi | — | flat white, mocha, matcha latte |
| Brodies Coffee - On The WallOutdoor seating | 4.890 | 0.2 mi | £1–10 | chocolate brownie, coffee, cream tea |
| Society CafeVegan options | 4.799 | 0.2 mi | £1–10 | flat white, lemon cake, fresh fruit smoothies |
The 3 nearest coffee shops by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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