Pillars

Featured reviews

• D

  Dylan Jones

  ·1 month ago

  “Not bad but not great is the best way of summing this place up, if your hungry and need quick food this is ya place, massive menu loads of choice and quick food as well, staff were very friendly enough good vibe in there. It was pretty quiet and they were unsure what table we were which is concerning if it is busy. Also some cutlery we had was dirty and hadn’t been washed properly. Overall a bang average spot if you are hungry”

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• B

  Ben (benji)

  ·2 months ago

  “If you’re looking for the ultimate hidden gem with actual soul, you need to save this spot right now. Hidden right in the heart of the city, Pillars is a genuine culinary time capsule. The magic starts the moment you walk through the doors and head down those iconic entrance stairs, stepping straight out of the busy high street and into a cosy, subterranean world that feels untouched by modern trends. This place runs deep in local history—my great-grandparents ate here, and some of my favourite childhood memories are having breakfast at these exact tables with my grandparents. In an era of generic café chains and overpriced avocado toast, Pillars keeps it beautifully traditional with classic, honest breakfast and lunch menus that are genuinely affordable, completely consistent, and wildly comforting. You grab a tray, browse the hot serving counter to eye up exactly what you want before you choose, and get stuck into proper home-style cooking. What really sets Pillars apart is the service. You won't find staff glued to their phones behind the counter here; the long-serving, seasoned team runs this floor with real old-school pride, moving non-stop between the kitchen and the tables to make sure everyone is looked after. It’s warm, attentive, and authentic in a way you rarely see anymore. It’s completely family-friendly with plenty of seating to spread out and full facilities on-site, making it an easy, stress-free stop whether you're dining solo or with the whole family. While there’s still a loyal crowd of regulars, footfall isn't what it used to be, and independent staples like this deserve to survive. Next time you’re in town for a quick lunch or an unpretentious hearty breakfast, skip the chain spots and support a real piece of city heritage.”

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• A

  Austin Walters

  ·3 months ago

  “What a fabulous place. Haven’t been here for years, nothings changed. Food is excellent quality - typical home made food style. Burger, chips and a capri sun for children £3.99 - wow great value.”

• K

  Kali Surman

  ·3 months ago

  “Don’t waste your money! Grease covered yet somehow cold chewy food. Horrible environment with flies and food over the floors and tables. Rude management, being able to hear them from down the room shouting at other staff members. Honestly one of the worst run restaurants I’ve been to and I would’ve loved to believe the praise I had seen on Facebook but in my own experience that’s complete fake media.”

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• P

  Phil Lee

  ·5 months ago

  “Always come to Pillars on our trips into Cardiff but I was really disappointed on this trip, waiting staff walking around aimlessly calling numbers, no real system to speak of. Received one meal 10 minutes before the rest even though we were asked if we wanted them all together, then one meal was wrong. We won't go into the food on the floor as if it were a Macdonald's. I know it was a busy day but there is no excuse for poor management of staff.”

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• J

  Johanne Gibson

  ·1 year ago

  “Place has gone down hill,visited this week ,before we could look menu we were asked what we wanted no smile or welcome . Ordered meal which took awhile to come out. When meals eventually came out they were on the same tray as another order which was ordered 5 orders after us .Meals cold asked if they could heat them up one was OK mine looked a mess baked potato looked like it been there ages and not hot .Asked to speak to manager and over heard waiter say that table there and we reheated it once . Now feeling like a nuisance the manager came over, I explained its still not hot .His reply sorry for that I'll give you your money back . Not even would you like something else. Not the Pillars it used to be , very disappointed and starving”

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• C

  Catherine Hunt

  ·1 year ago

  “We were visiting Cardiff and found this place for lunch. It was in a basement and the restaurant is spacious. The food and drinks were reasonably priced and delicious. The staff were very nice.”

• F

  Fara G

  ·2 years ago

  “I really enjoyed the vibes of this restaurant. The decorations, the service, the food, all are so nostalgic. We got jacket potatoe and cottage pie and cheesecake. They all were good quality and the prices are very reasonable. I highly recommend it and I will go back again x”

• D

  David Gillingham

  ·2 years ago

  “Good value, cellar restaurant that's been in Cardiff for years. There is a buffet style eatery or you can order off the menu. Good value for money, especially if you drink tea as it's only £1.71 a pot!”

• D

  Darren Coomber

  ·3 years ago

  “First visit, went in for a breakfast & decided on a large. Plenty of food, as per the picture... reasonably priced...quick & pleasant service...& overall, the food was ok. The only gripe I had was that the sausages were very salty, almost to the point that I couldn't eat them...I washed them down with some toast & tea, as I was starving. Saying that, I will definitely go there again & still have a big breakfast.”

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