The sun’s shining in Costa del Cardiff so it’s time to find a suntrap rooftop for a cheeky pint
The sun’s shining in Costa del Cardiff, and you know what that means: it’s time to hunt down the perfect rooftop or terrace spot for a cheeky pint or a crafted cocktail. From hidden gardens and swish city-centre terraces to sky-high suntraps, Cardiff’s alfresco scene is seriously bringing the vibes this summer.
Expect thirst-quenching Aperol spritzes above antique shops, rooftop DJs, and bottomless brunches with plenty of fizz and tunes. Slap on some SPF, gather your squad and prepare to sip, snack and sunbathe around the balmy capital. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here
Rhostio
On a busy stretch of Crwys Road, amid a jumble of independent cafés, late-night takeaways, and student pubs, there’s a rooftop bar that feels like Cardiff’s best-kept secret.
Above a former car showroom, hipster hangout Rhostio has surprisingly cool rooftop terrace views over Crwys Road, the railway line and the city skyline. Down below, pedestrians might be blissfully unaware that just above them is one of Cardiff’s most underrated rooftops.
Along with a decent drinks offering and chill vibes, Rhostio has also cultivated a strong sense of community with a rotating calendar of events, from comedy nights and live music sessions to wine-tasting evenings and rooftop DJ sets that keep the party going as dusk falls.
16C Crwys Rd, Cardiff
The Botanist Cardiff Central
The Botanist is known for its fantastic brunch boards, carefully crafted cocktails, beautiful leafy décor and inviting roof terrace above Cardiff city centre.
Gather your squad and soak up the sunshine on their swish roof terrace, the perfect place for a sunset dinner and drinks in the city. Try one of their famous ‘hanging kebabs’ served with properly seasoned chips and follow with a summery Peppered Peach Mojito.
10 Church St, Cardiff
Flight Club
Since opening in 2022, Flight Club’s heated terrace adorned with botanical décor has become a firm favourite in the city. Sit in cosy cabins or a vintage circus caravan and pose for photos in a disco phone box.
With the roof terrace half under cover and areas like the shed also undercover, it’s a top spot to head to all summer, no matter what the Welsh weather is doing.
While known as a Social Darts hub, Flight Club has plenty of events and summer socials to keep you entertained throughout the year.
You can also toast the weekend in style with their two-hour brunch social from noon, which features Prosecco, beer, bottomless pizza, and a Social Darts sampler.
3-4 St Mary Street, Cardiff
Bacareto
Inspired by the laid-back bàcaris of Venice, Bacareto brings small plates, good wine and relaxed vibes to Cardiff. This informal bar and café is a fresh addition to the city’s food scene, serving tasty tapas-style dishes alongside cocktails, beers and spritzes.
Pop in on a Monday and grab an Aperol Spritz for just £6 all day. And if the sun’s out, head upstairs, there’s a hidden rooftop terrace perfect for soaking up the rays with a crostini in one hand and a cold spritz in the other.
13 Church St, Cardiff
Gin and Juice
Stylish, continental and effortlessly cool, Gin and Juice is the perfect people-watching perch in Cardiff. Inspired by the charm of Parisian cafés and New York’s West Village vibe, its cosy High Street terrace is ideal for sipping, snacking and soaking up the city centre buzz.
As you’d expect, gin is the highlight here, with more than 350 varieties, but there’s also a great selection of wines, beers and other spirits if you fancy something different. Pop in during the day for healthy breakfasts, fresh lunches or a virtuous juice if you’re keeping it light.
6 Castle Arcade, Cardiff
Brewhouse & Kitchen
This large pub and brewery in Sophia Gardens has two expansive outdoor areas for drinking and dining, one at the front and one at the back.
The dining area at the back of the venue is well covered and even has heaters if the Welsh weather suddenly turns.
Check out their tasty menu of proper pub classics and their signature ‘beer can chicken’ dish, which is coated in a dry rub and then roasted over a can of Brewhouse & Kitchen American Pale Ale.
Make sure also to sample some of their home-brewed signature beer or book one of their awesome beer masterclasses.
Sophia Cl, Pontcanna, Cardiff
Zero Degrees
Tucked away above busy Westgate Street, the rooftop at Zero Degrees is one of Cardiff city centre’s best-kept secrets and a proper little sun trap to boot.
While everyone else scrabbles for pavement tables below, head upstairs at Zerodegrees (you’ll need to be dining) and bag yourself a spot on the rooftop.
With views of the Principality Stadium, it’s the perfect perch for whiling away an afternoon and basking in the warmth. Order a freshly fired pizza, grab a pint of their ever-changing craft brews, and soak up the sunshine from one of the two outdoor terraces.
27 Westgate Street, Cardiff
Mocka Lounge
If you’ve spent any time on Mill Lane, chances are you’ve clocked Mocka Lounge—a sleek cocktail bar and alfresco hotspot that’s long been a favourite with Cardiff’s Friday night crowd.
Mill Lane comes alive when the sun’s shining, and Mocka is right at the heart of the action. As the outdoor tables fill up and the music gets louder, the whole street takes on a proper summer party vibe.
It’s not just about the drinks either. While soaking up the rays, you’ll want to tuck into some tasty food. And if you’re after something special, Mocka’s Bubbles and Brunch is where it’s at. For £35 a head, you get 90 minutes of bottomless Prosecco, Mimosas, Peroni, mocktails or soft drinks alongside a cracking three-course meal.
Expect big tunes, feel-good energy and plenty of fizz as you sip and brunch in style.
1-2 Mill Ln, Cardiff
The Pen & Wig
Situated in the heart of the city centre, the award-winning Pen & Wig has a large and busy beer garden, which is wildly popular with everyone from local students to city centre workers. It has a great selection of benches in its dog-friendly urban outdoor area and sheltered seats if it rains.
This reasonably-priced pub is a great place for outdoor drinking in the city centre that won’t break the bank. The pub has a brilliant choice of ales from local breweries and beyond, ciders, wines, and Welsh spirits.
Drinking and dining with mates? Try the Signature Combo, loaded with chicken goujons, chicken wings, crispy calamari and Camembert, served with cheesy garlic ciabatta and a selection of dips.
1 Park Grove, Cardiff
Ty Mawr
Perched on the edge of Cardiff with sweeping views over the Vale, Ty Mawr is a proper gem of a pub that feels far from the urban centre.
With its rustic charm, countryside setting and cracking beer garden, you’ll want to linger for a long lunch or a lazy afternoon in the sun.
Inside, there’s a smart restaurant and a lovely barn-style function space for bigger get-togethers, but on sunny days, the garden is where it’s at, especially as dusk falls and you can see city lights in the distance.
Round up your mates, order a round, and don’t miss the Hunter’s Chicken Schnitzel—breaded chicken topped with crispy smoked bacon, cheese sauce, melted mature Cheddar, a BBQ drizzle, and triple-cooked fries. Tidy.
Graig Rd, Cardiff
Pontcanna Inn
The Pontacanna Inn is another lovely terraced drinking establishment in Cathedral Road. This revamped venue has two fantastic terraces, one at the front and one at the rear of the pub, and also offers boutique B&B accommodation.
The back terrace has been overhauled in recent years, undoubtedly making it one of the most impressive in the city. Previously an empty car park, the pub has converted it to a huge outdoor space, with covers when needed, and can now hold up to 270 seats and double that standing.
The space can also be hired for private functions and has a range of craft beers, real ales, cider, wines, cocktails and spirits. It’s a great place to watch live sports on their huge TVS with your mates.
36 Cathedral Road
Lab 22
It may have been voted one of the best bars in the UK, but most won’t realise that the decorated venue has a tiny heated terrace in the middle of the city centre.
Sip on crafted, award-winning cocktails in luxurious surroundings. Book a table with your mates and prepare to be wowed by their daring mixology.
Their premium cocktails change regularly, so you never know what kind of shaken and stirred delights you may encounter on your next visit.
22 Caroline Street, Cardiff
The Heathcock
The Heathcock in Llandaff pairs great food with a laid-back pub atmosphere and a sunny garden. It’s a smart spot for sipping local ales in the sunshine and tucking into seriously good food from their award-winning kitchen.
This Michelin Bib Gourmand pub was recently named one of the UK’s best pubs with secret gardens by chef Tom Waters of Cardiff’s Michelin-starred Gorse. The Heathcock was the only Welsh pub to make The Telegraph list and was praised for its relaxed Sunday evening vibe and sun-trap garden.
The menu makes the most of seasonal produce from the Vale and Cardiff, with standout dishes like hake, lamb, pork belly, and their signature ham hock and leek pie. Out the back, the peaceful garden and fragrant herb beds make it a great spot for a long lunch or early evening pint.
58-60 Bridge St, Cardiff
The Dock
If you’re heading down to Cardiff Bay for a sunny pint, make sure The Dock is on your radar. It’s a top spot for a laid-back afternoon by the bay with two outdoor terraces overlooking the water. Inside, huge floor-to-ceiling windows mean you’ll still get cracking views while you tuck into your food.
The waterside terrace is especially popular in the warmer months, so if you bag a seat, settle in and make a day of it. And keep an ear out for the regular live music sessions, featuring some of Cardiff’s finest crooners adding smooth vibes to your sundowners.
Mermaid Quay, Cardiff
Laguna Bar and Kitchen
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Swanky Laguna bar at the Park Plaza hotel has a hidden outdoor terrace at the back that’s a bit of a local secret. It’s a quiet leafy terrace that offers a tranquil retreat from city life and overlooks a small stream. You can order drinks, feast on bar dishes, or treat yourself to delicious traditional afternoon tea.
Park Plaza, Greyfriars Rd, Cardiff
Jacob’s Antiques
Wine with a view over Cardiff’s skyline? Yes, please! And the best part? You can enjoy this idyllic scene from the rooftop of an antiques shop—one of the city’s best-kept secrets.
Above the Jacobs Antique Centre, this hidden oasis offers epic urban views (as long as the Welsh weather plays nice of course).
Don’t miss the Roof Garden Bar’s summer opening party on May 3rd, where you can soak up the views, groove to great tunes, and sip on cocktails. It’s the perfect spot to kick off the summer season in style.
W Canal Wharf, Cardiff