Nestled in the heart of Cardiff in the Morgan Quarter, The Cardiff Townhouse Coppa Club is the latest gem to grace the city’s vibrant dining scene. This new establishment promises an inviting blend of contemporary charm and classic elegance, catering to both casual diners and discerning foodies.
With its warm, welcoming atmosphere and meticulously curated menu, The Cardiff Townhouse offers a dining experience that is both sophisticated and accessible.
Whether you’re seeking a leisurely brunch, a refined dinner, or simply a cosy spot to unwind with friends, The Cardiff Townhouse is poised to become a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.
From a cosy workspace in the café terrace to the elegant atrium cocktail bar set beneath the historic skylight from the David Morgan’s, The Cardiff Townhouse offers diverse and inviting spaces for every occasion. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the Brasserie, or host a gathering in the private dining room and snug, perfect for groups of 10 or more with a window overlooking Morgans Arcade. Whether you’re planning a meeting, event, or large social gathering, this stylish venue provides the ideal setting.
Join us as we explore the culinary and cocktail delights in unique ambiance that make this new Coppa Club location a must-visit for any food enthusiast.
Whilst waiting for our table we sat in the light and airy atrium cocktail bar, a hubbub of energy from workers starting the bank holiday weekend early with some refreshing cocktails.
We tried a few of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks they had on offer. Starting off with, HONEYBEE (Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla, honey, ginger, lemon) and a POPSTAR MARTINI (passion fruit, pineapple, vanilla, Lyre’s Classico 0% sparkling).
The Honeybee Cocktail is a delightful and refreshing concoction that perfectly balances sweet, spicy, and citrusy flavours. Featuring Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla, a gin infused with the essence of Seville oranges, this cocktail starts with a bright, slightly bitter orange note.
The addition of honey brings a natural sweetness and a smooth, velvety texture, while the ginger adds a subtle, warming spice that complements the citrus. Fresh lemon juice ties the ingredients together with a zesty, tangy finish, enhancing the overall freshness of the drink. The result is a harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, and citrus flavours that create a lively and invigorating cocktail experience.
With the Popstar martin, it has all the vibrancy and indulgence of its alcoholic counterpart, which is well known for its sweet, tangy, and tropical flavours. It features a base of vanilla, giving it a smooth and slightly creamy undertone.
The addition of fresh passion fruit juice infuses the drink with a bright, fruity sweetness and a hint of tartness, creating a delightful contrast. Often served with a shot of prosecco on the side – this version has the Lyre’s Classico 0% sparkling in its place.
The Popstar Martini overall taste is a harmonious blend of creamy vanilla, exotic passion fruit, and a refreshing sparkle, making it a popular choice for those seeking a deliciously indulgent cocktail.
The other drinks we tried were the TROPICAL (Ciroc Passion, pineapple, coconut) and the CRODINO SPRITZ (The classic Italian alcohol-free aperitivo).
Starters and Nibbles
FILLET OF BEEF TATAKI (£11)
pickled mooli, black garlic mayo, crispy shallots, shiso cress
The fillet of Beef Tataki with pickled mooli, black garlic mayo, crispy shallots, and shiso cress offers a sophisticated and multi-layered tasting experience. The dish starts with the fillet of beef, which is delicately seared on the outside while remaining tender and succulent inside, providing a rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
The pickled mooli introduces a refreshing, tangy crunch that cuts through the richness of the beef, adding a delightful contrast. Black garlic mayo contributes a deep, umami flavour with a hint of sweetness and a creamy texture that complements the savoury notes of the beef. Crispy shallots add a satisfying crunch and a touch of sweetness, enhancing the dish’s overall texture and flavour profile. Finally, shiso cress imparts a fresh, slightly peppery note with subtle hints of mint and basil, rounding out the dish with a light, herbaceous finish.
Together, these elements create a harmonious balance of rich, tangy, crunchy, and fresh flavours that make each bite a complex and enjoyable experience.
PARMESAN CROQUETTES (£5.5)
Parmesan croquettes are a delightful treat, offering a rich and savoury flavour experience. These crispy, golden-brown bites feature a creamy, cheesy interior made primarily of smooth mashed potatoes blended with Parmesan cheese. The Parmesan imparts a distinct, nutty, and slightly salty taste, enhancing the overall richness of the croquettes.
When you bite into a Parmesan croquette, you expect to first encounter the satisfying crunch of the crisp, breadcrumb-coated exterior. The overcoat was lacking that crispiness but it was very satisfying to see them fall apart. This gives way to the luscious, velvety centre, where the flavours of the potatoes and Parmesan meld together perfectly. The result is a harmonious combination of textures and flavours: slight crunch on the outside, creamy and cheesy on the inside, with the Parmesan’s umami depth making each bite incredibly moreish.
Mains
PLANCHA-GRILLED CHICKEN (£16.5)
garlic & herb oil, seasonal slaw, fries ADD roasted garlic aioli (£2)
The chicken, cooked on a plancha grill, achieves a beautifully charred exterior while remaining juicy and tender inside. The garlic and herb oil infuses the meat with aromatic flavours, providing a savoury blend of garlic’s pungency and the fresh, earthy notes of the hers (usually rosemary, thyme, and parsley).
Accompanying the chicken is a seasonal slaw, which adds a refreshing and crunchy contrast. The slaw, made with crispy red cabbage is lightly dressed to enhance its natural flavours without overpowering the dish. The slaw which we covered with fresh lemon juice provides a hint of citrus, which compliments the richness of the garlic and herb oil on the chicken.
With a choice of skinny fries, sweet potato fries or truffle and pecorino fries you’ll be able to change this dish each time. We opted for the sweet potato fries to complete the plate, which offer a sweet and savoury dimension. These fries are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with the savoury notes of the chicken and the tanginess of the slaw. The sweet potato fries’ slightly caramelised edges add an extra layer of flavour, making them a deliciously addictive side.
Together, the plancha-grilled chicken, seasonal slaw, and sweet potato fries create a well-balanced and satisfying meal. The combination of savoury, aromatic chicken, crisp and tangy slaw, and sweet, crunchy fries ensures a delightful culinary experience with each bite.
CHALKSTREAM TROUT (£18.5)
rainbow chard, aioli, charred lemon
Chalkstream trout with rainbow chard, aioli, charred lemon, and a side of zucchini fritti is a vibrant and flavorful dish that offers a delightful medley of tastes and textures.
The Chalkstream trout is incredibly fresh with delicately flavour, with a tender, flaky texture. Its subtle, slightly sweet taste is enhanced by the charred lemon, which adds a smoky, citrusy brightness that cuts through the richness of the fish.
Rainbow chard provides a burst of colour and a slightly earthy, slightly bitter flavour that compliments the trout. Its tender leaves and slightly crunchy stems add a pleasing textural contrast to the dish.
The aioli, a creamy garlic sauce, brings a rich and tangy element, with the garlic adding a pungent depth that pairs wonderfully with the mild flavour of the trout. The aioli’s creaminess adds a luxurious mouthfeel that enhances the overall experience.
Charred lemon adds a complex, caramelised sweetness and a hint of bitterness from the charring, which brightens the dish and balances the richness of the aioli and trout.
On the side, the zucchini fritti offers a mountain of delightful crispy texture. These golden, fried zucchini strips are light and crunchy, with a mild, slightly sweet flavour that doesn’t overpower the other components. Their crispness adds a satisfying contrast to the tender trout and the soft, wilted chard.
Together, these elements create a harmonious balance of fresh, rich, tangy, and crispy, making each bite an engaging and enjoyable experience.
Dessert
With so many delicious options to choose from, it wasn’t easy picking these.
CRÈME BRÛLÉE V vanilla, demerara sugar (£8.5)
Crème brûlée offers a luxurious and indulgent taste experience. The dish features a rich, creamy custard base topped with a thin, brittle layer of caramelised sugar.
The custard itself is silky smooth, with a velvety texture that melts in your mouth. It is made from a mixture of heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla, which together create a flavour that is decadently creamy and sweet, with subtle hints of vanilla. Slightly undercooked but the sweetness is well-balanced, never overpowering, allowing the natural richness of the cream and the delicate vanilla notes to shine through.
The caramelised sugar topping adds a contrasting texture and flavour to the custard. This topping brings a deep, slightly bitter caramel flavour that compliments the sweet, creamy custard below. The combination of the smooth custard and the crunchy caramelised sugar creates a delightful contrast that makes crème brûlée an exceptionally satisfying dessert.
BAKED VANILLA CHEESECAKE V
fresh strawberries, mint (£8.5)
Baked vanilla cheesecake with fresh strawberries and mint is a delightful dessert that combines rich, creamy flavours with fresh, fruity, and herbal notes.
The baked vanilla cheesecake itself has a smooth, dense, and velvety texture. Each bite reveals a rich, creamy taste with a pronounced vanilla flavour that adds a warm, aromatic sweetness.
Fresh strawberries on top of the cheesecake introduce a burst of vibrant, juicy sweetness. Their natural tartness balances the richness of the cheesecake, adding a refreshing, fruity contrast. The strawberries’ bright, slightly tangy flavour compliments the creamy, sweet vanilla, creating a harmonious blend of tastes.
The addition of mint leaves offers a subtle, refreshing herbal note.
Overall, baked vanilla cheesecake is a delicious combination of rich, creamy, sweet, and refreshing flavours. The creamy vanilla cheesecake is beautifully balanced by the bright, juicy strawberries and the cool, herbal hint of mint.
From the moment you step into The Cardiff Townhouse, a sense of calm and comfort washes over you. The warm, ambient lighting and thoughtfully designed decor create an atmosphere that feels both elegant and cosy.
The attentive yet unobtrusive staff ensures that you feel welcomed and well-cared for without being rushed. Each dish, carefully crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients, ample portions are presented beautifully, tantalising both the eyes and the palate.
The flavours are rich yet balanced, offering a delightful culinary journey. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet meal alone, a romantic dinner for two, or a leisurely gathering with friends, this restaurant provides a serene escape from the everyday hustle and bustle, making your dining experience truly relaxing.
So, would we return? We absolutely plan to return, whether it’s for a laid-back evening enjoying cocktails and delicious food with friends or for a romantic date night. We’re eager to explore more of the enticing dishes they have available.
Located at 18 The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1AH, open Monday – Thursday 9am – 11:30pm, Friday and Saturday 9am – 12:30pm and on a Sunday 9am – 11pm.
