Café du Chat Noir

Head down Wellfield Road towards Cathays and you'll find yourself in a proper neighbourhood bistro—the kind where regulars know their table and the staff remember your order. Café du Chat Noir does the French basics brilliantly: think beef bourguignon, duck confit, and seafood done without fuss or pretension. The room's got that lovely lived-in charm, all dark wood and intimate corners, which makes it ideal whether you're on a date or catching up with mates over wine. Prices won't break the bank either, which only adds to its appeal.