Coffee #1

Wonderful cozy atmosphere with big comfortable leather chairs and tempting specialty drinks. Perfect right before or after traveling to or from the central station around the corner.

Lovely coffee place right next to the station. They serve great coffee and the food’s not bad either.

Serves the best coffee I have found in Cardiff, every time. Excellent vibe, lovely staff and a great mix of people from oldies waiting for their holiday coach to hipsters bent over their Mac Airs. The music is usually OK too.

Hmm, this coffee shop in itself is everything you could expect of a coffee place, it serves up coffee and other various coffee shop fare such as biscuits and cakes. This is one of the smaller chains of coffee shop that seem to be taking over the world. Sadly. I don’t go in chains but I had to purely for the reason that I was having an interview here.
As I sat down for my interview I was welcomed by the sight of some ruffian’s puffa jackets. They gathered round so that I could see them smashing each other’s possessions up whilst I had to think of intelligent answers to my interview questions. This would have been a great spot to sit and drink, it’s just let down by the folk that this part of Cardiff attracts.
But then again, I still am not a fan of chain shops I’m afraid and for this I mark you lowly, despite your delightful coffee.

Where does everybody go for coffee? Yes, you’ve got it: that chain with 5 branches next door to each other. Why would you when there are tons of other coffee shops and Cafes everywhere else? I am of course talking about Coffee #1. This is one of the nicest coffee places I have ever stepped foot in Cardiff. They care about the quality of their coffee and their service.
I am always greeted with a smile by whoever serves me asking about my day and who is constantly in a good mood. This immediately makes me remember the coffee bar and the person who served me, so naturally I am going to return there. The bar itself is not the biggest when your downstairs but there is an extra area upstairs with more sofas and chairs and tables. This area is perfect for students to study. I have seen many of them frequently visit in groups and discuss their work. There is also an outdoor balcony for all you smokers. Their quality of coffee tastes fantastic and looks great.
Please do go to Coffee #1. It may not be in the most ideal of locations. But when you leave Cardiff Central train station, keep in mind that it’s only around the corner. This definitely is the #1 place for coffee

This coffee lounge is in a prime location between Cardiff’s Central Railway Station and St. Mary’s Street. It’s a fairly small coffee lounge that offers a good range of hot drinks.
The range is as good as your average Starbucks, with some extra little delights to offer a change from the norm. For example, their chocolaty, creamy, nutty, caramely goodness drink. As well as this they’re much cheaper, with a clear way of telling what a small, medium and large are by using the words ‘small’, ‘medium’ and ‘large’ (something that allows you to avoid the insufferable requirement to try and pronounce Verde in other coffee chains)
It’s quite a small café, so during busy times it can be hard to locate a seat or a table, but they offer the usual takeaway service.

I had no idea this was a chain until I looked it up and was surprised to discover that indeed it was. The main reason I have decided to review this is because it is quite a small chain of coffee shop mainly in Wales and in the Bristol area and I thought it may be of interest to the average Cardiffer who may overlook coffee #1 in favour for one of the bigger chains. It can be quite easy to miss if you’ve just arrived in Cardiff but it’s such a nice place.
The coffee is good and it has some fantastic cakes and goodies as well as loads of space to sit and enjoy your tea, coffee or whatever you’re into but really (and the main reason I go there) it’s all about the 60p hot chocolate. Really 60p! And the only reason I know is cause I was late catching a train and noticed there was no cue and ran in asking for ‘the cheapest thing they had’ and it was amazing so rich and just enough to make me feel better about potentially missing my train.
I would recommend anyone to go there has it has lovely décor and really has a the feel of a independent coffee shop.

Coffee #1 was perfectly positioned here by the station way before Starbucks landed nearby (at the end of the Brewery Quarter on St Mary’s Street), so I feel a sense of loyalty to this place because it served me so well for so long.
It’s really conveniently located for picking up a coffee before you get on the train or bus at Cardiff Central, offering far better quality than you’ll find in any cuppa you can buy once you’re inside the station (from the likes of Upper Crust — grim).
They do really good cappuccinos and lattes, creamy hot chocolate, and their pain au raisin is a treat in the morning if you’re looking for food to grab and run for your train. I haven’t sat in to drink or eat here, but if you look up when you’re outside the café you can see they have a spacious roof terrace upstairs overlooking the street, as well as the cosy seating inside — so there are plenty of tables if you do have some time to kill.

From small beginnings on this busy street, just round the corner from the bus and railway stations, the Coffee #1 chain began. Yes, this is the first ever Coffee #1.
It’s hard to believe that from such small beginnings sprang one of Cardiff’s most inspiring success stories! But the people behind Coffee #1 gauged their ideas just right, timed their launch perfectly, and have rarely put a foot wrong since. Et voila!
Serving great coffee, with a good selection of cakes and light meals, in really pleasant surrounds, it’s no wonder that this well positioned café became such a hit.

I walked past this café many, many times before I finally went in, namely because I missed a bus and had to wait an hour. But I’d always thought, every time I went past, that I would venture in someday. And I’m glad that I did.
This is a splendid little café situated just off St Mary’s Street, heading towards Cardiff Central. It’s look quite small, and is nestled between a Spar and a Boots. There are usually people happily chatting in the window. Inside is pleasantly decorated, with some amazing quotes painted around the walls, from the likes of Dylan Thomas and Oscar Wilde.
There is also an outside seating area on the roof, which is a nice place to separate yourself a little from the hustle and bustle of a busy shopping day.
But where this café surpasses all others, is in these three important points: 1) They serve fantastic, well crafted coffees that taste so rich you want to marry it. 2) The staff are bright and witty. 3) They sell absolutely delicious welshcakes for 50p a pop!