My favourite cafes for studying in Cardiff
30 May 2023
As essay and exam season comes to an end and summer comes closer it may be helpful for Cardiff University students to have a straightforward list of some of the best cafes for studying or relaxing in Cardiff. This blog aims to provide you with some of Cardiff’s current student’s favourite cafes which you should visit.
Rhostio, Crwys Road
Rhostio is a popular coffee spot on Crwys Road, Cardiff. With a large roof terrace for sunny days and an intimate indoor space adorned with plenty of greenery, Rhostio is a great local spot to meet up with friends or go solo to catch up on work. With 90 minutes of free Wi-Fi with each purchase, this is the perfect place to enjoy a coffee while getting work done in a comfortable, relaxed environment. Additionally, providing evening entertainment which you can find on their Instagram and a happy hour with great cocktail deals, this can be a great evening destination too.
200 Degrees Coffee Shop & Barista School, Queen Street
Based in the city centre, 200 Degrees is a fan favourite, I had many friends recommend this coffee shop and barista school to me before I finally visited. With great free Wi-Fi and dark wood interiors, this makes for a cosy coffee shop to be social, take a book or do last-minute revisions for your final exams – while supporting a local business.
Starbucks, St David’s
Located in St David’s shopping Centre, in the heart of Cardiff, this is a busy café for a good reason. With large windows, this is a bright and airy space to stop by to get work done and is open until 8 pm, so perfect for an evening study session. However, due to it being too busy, I would suggest going on weekdays when there are fewer shoppers around to ensure that you get a good table.
Hanoi 1991 The Vietnamese Coffee House
Finally, Hanoi 1991 is the perfect escape to enjoy traditional coffee or try something new. I particularly enjoy an iced Vietnamese Brown Coffee – coffee with condensed milk – it is the perfect measure of sweet and bitter. The menu included plenty of snacks and meals to try new and interesting delights and the interiors are perfect for a chat with friends or taking a book. I’ve personally easily spent hours here passing time chatting to friends. Also, being located in Royal Arcade in the city centre, this is a great place to stop in after shopping or while exploring the arcade itself, with many local shops to look around.
In conclusion, there are many great local coffee houses to visit in Cardiff. This list only scratches the surface but some of these cafes have taken me over a year to find through trial and error and are all worth a visit for coffee-lovers and adventurers alike.