
The Ivy Cardiff
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Quick info
About The Ivy Cardiff
The Ivy Cardiff is a British restaurant in Cardiff at 69/70 St David's, arranged over two floors. The upstairs dining area features an acacia tree, and the women's toilets are decorated like an art museum, so the building offers a few things to look at between courses. The menu covers seafood and meat dishes, with fish and chips, shepherd's pie and The Ivy Classic Burger among them. Cocktails and wine run alongside the food, and brunch is served at weekends. The dress code is smart casual, and a cloakroom handles coat check. For celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries, the team brings out a complimentary dessert.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention upstairs toilets decor, acacia tree upstairs, complimentary celebration dessert and shepherd's or cottage pie.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention upstairs toilets decor, acacia tree upstairs, complimentary celebration dessert and shepherd's or cottage pie.
Customer Review Summary
Diners most often single out the decor, from the acacia tree upstairs to the women's toilets that one reviewer compares to an art museum, alongside food described as well presented. Among the dishes named, the steak, the shepherd's pie, the zucchini fritti, the fish and chips and the gluten-free cottage pie draw praise, and a minute steak is called perfect. Several describe staff as friendly and welcoming, including a doorman who reassured a casually dressed guest, and a number mention a complimentary dessert or birthday cake for a celebration. The caveats are about service and value. One reviewer says a cocktail ordered at the price listed arrived in a small wine glass tasting of no alcohol, an Aperol spritz came out as appletiser and lemonade before staff replaced it, and tap water was still charged. Another says a starter arrived before the pre-meal cocktail and the wine came after the main course. One reviewer was surprised by a 10% service charge, and another objected to laptops at nearby tables and a football shirt despite the stated dress code. Several say they plan to return.
Customer Review Summary
Diners most often single out the decor, from the acacia tree upstairs to the women's toilets that one reviewer compares to an art museum, alongside food described as well presented. Among the dishes named, the steak, the shepherd's pie, the zucchini fritti, the fish and chips and the gluten-free cottage pie draw praise, and a minute steak is called perfect. Several describe staff as friendly and welcoming, including a doorman who reassured a casually dressed guest, and a number mention a complimentary dessert or birthday cake for a celebration. The caveats are about service and value. One reviewer says a cocktail ordered at the price listed arrived in a small wine glass tasting of no alcohol, an Aperol spritz came out as appletiser and lemonade before staff replaced it, and tap water was still charged. Another says a starter arrived before the pre-meal cocktail and the wine came after the main course. One reviewer was surprised by a 10% service charge, and another objected to laptops at nearby tables and a football shirt despite the stated dress code. Several say they plan to return.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“I had such a lovely experience at The Ivy Cardiff on my first night in Cardiff. I had just arrived from the train and was dressed very casually from travel, so I was worried I might not fit the dress code. The gentleman at the door was incredibly kind and welcoming, told me not to worry, and made me feel comfortable right away. The service was gracious from start to finish, and the food was absolutely delicious. I ordered the shepherd’s pie and it was fantastic, beautifully presented, comforting, and so flavourful. The first bite was honestly wonderful. Thank you to the team for being so kind and hospitable. It made my evening in Cardiff feel special. I would happily come back.”
- Google user
“Firstly the negatives, Not alot really to say apart from a couple of bug bears. This mainly pertained to other customers. In the dress code on the website it says smart casual etc etc, it says about football shirts not to be worn. But a man and his wife came in and he had one on and was allowed to eat. This annoyed me slightly because if you are going to advertise a dress code then stick to it and not when it suits. Secondly, my partner and I was have a lunch date and two tables away 4 people were having a work meeting, it's not the work meeting that bothered me but the fact 2 of them got their laptops out on table both before and during their meal. I just think that when I go to an established place like the Ivy, it is for an occasion. Not to feel like I'm in an office or in Starbucks. If they wanted to do that then ask for a area more quiet. Apart from the ruined experience visually of these customers, everything else was nice. The food was nice and very well presented. The decor was lovely and the leather seating we had felt lovely. The upstairs toilets in the ladies apparently was Instagram worthy. The tree up stairs was also great for photos. Price wise, yes you will pay a bit more being in the ivy, but it's not massively more expensive for a couples date. I would like to try a different venue and the Ivy Asia also.”
- Google user
“A wonderful dining experience at The Ivy in Cardiff. The restaurant has a beautiful and elegant environment, with a lovely atmosphere, while the prices are very reasonable for the quality of food and service. I had the fish and chips, which were delicious. I especially appreciated the thoughtful touch of having the lemon wrapped in a transparent covering — such a simple idea, but it made it completely mess-free and easy to enjoy. My friend had The Ivy Classic Burger, which she described as absolutely divine, and another friend enjoyed the gluten-free cottage pie, which was simply scrumptious. Every dish was beautifully presented and clearly prepared with great attention to detail. We were celebrating my friend’s 80th birthday, and The Ivy made her feel truly special by surprising her with a beautiful dessert, complimentary from the restaurant. It was such a kind and thoughtful gesture, and it made the occasion even more memorable. The service was spotless — professional, friendly, and attentive throughout our visit. The women’s toilets deserve a special mention; they feel more like an art museum than a restroom, with beautiful décor and unique touches. I also loved the beautiful acacia tree feature upstairs in the dining area, which adds a magical and unforgettable element to the space. A truly memorable visit. I would highly recommend The Ivy Cardiff and look forward to returning.”
- Google user
“I have emailed but no response, I had my graduation meal booked at the ivy and considering the prices etc it was disappointing. The food was great and can’t fault that, but the service was not. Got charged £12.95 for a cocktail that was served in a small wine glass, no fruit, tasted like no alcohol, I’ve attached a photo - definitely not worth £12.95! We ordered an Aperol spritz and received a appletiser and a lemonade? We brought this to another staffs attention who then rectified the issue and brought out the spritz. We was offered water for the table, which we was brought a bottle, we then asked for more water and got it filled from the tap but still charged for it? So we had a bill for water of £9.90 when it was tap water not even bottled? Won’t be returning again, it was super disappointing especially the cocktails for the price. The photo attached shows the rectified Aperol spritz and to the left my ‘cherry blossom cocktail’ …”
- Google user
“Beautiful decor. A bit noisy when staff start dragging chairs around the floor. But most time service is good -except when starter is served before the cocktail ordered to be served before the food. And wine comes in after the main course is served. But food is good.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Trendy, eclectic eatery serving seafood & meat dishes, plus weekend brunch, unique cocktails & wine.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Restaurants near The Ivy Cardiff
- The Ivy Asia Cardiff4.62,4760 mi
experience tasting menu, pork belly, cocktails
- Greek Village4.43150 mi£10–20Wheelchair accessibleGood for kids
chicken gyros, lamb souvlaki, sharing platter
- 0 mi£10–20Outdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
pan-fried sea bass, eggs benedict, pancakes with bacon or berries
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Ivy CardiffWheelchair accessible | 4.42,159 | — | — | upstairs toilets decor, acacia tree upstairs, complimentary celebration dessert |
| The Ivy Asia Cardiff | 4.62,476 | 0 mi | — | experience tasting menu, pork belly, cocktails |
| Greek VillageWheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.4315 | 0 mi | £10–20 | chicken gyros, lamb souvlaki, sharing platter |
| Bill's Cardiff Central RestaurantOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.33,622 | 0 mi | £10–20 | pan-fried sea bass, eggs benedict, pancakes with bacon or berries |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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