Pasture Restaurant Cardiff — Restaurant in Castle

Rocky start, but this might just be the best steak restaurant in South Wales.

We arrived 15 minutes early and were left waiting by the entrance for 10 minutes with little communication. Not ideal.

Once seated — three tables from the open kitchen, at a four-top tucked against the wall — things picked up quickly. Our waiter greeted us with a smile, talked us through the menu, and brought water. A few minutes later, she returned with the sharing steaks and explained each cut.

From then on, service was smooth. Drinks arrived, then orders were taken. One of our party has specific dietary needs, and the manager came over personally, having highlighted suitable options. We felt well looked after.

Cocktails and a solid wine and beer list got us in the mood, and then the starters arrived: four golden short rib croquettes. Crisp on the outside, moist inside — but slightly overpowered by the spicy mayo. A wilted nasturtium leaf added little. With less mayo, the short rib could’ve shone.

Being near the kitchen gave us a front-row view of food being plated. Steaks, burgers, and fries were flying out, and I couldn’t help but get excited.

We’ve had disappointing sharing steaks before, so this time we ordered individually — partly to reduce risk, partly to make it easier to correct any mistakes.

But no mistakes came.

My 300g ribeye was medium-rare with a deep pink center and great char. The texture was rich and soft, the seasoning spot on. The T-bone across the table was just as good — pink, buttery, and perfectly rendered. Honestly, I wish I’d ordered more meat.

A monkfish dish also landed — slightly overcooked but tasty and well-seasoned. Sides included mac and cheese, peas and asparagus, and truffle fries, along with sauces: chimichurri, peppercorn, and whiskey teriyaki.

The mac and cheese was a standout — bold, cheesy, with hints of mustard and Worcestershire sauce. The salad was watery and oily, and the preserved lemon didn’t help. Truffle fries were average, likely made with synthetic truffle oil. The sauces were forgettable: peppercorn lacked depth, chimichurri was too acidic, and teriyaki too sweet. But we didn’t need them — the steaks held their own.

We paired the meal with a deep, tannic Australian Shiraz with notes of plum and a long finish. It matched the meat beautifully.

Despite the forgettable sauces and a few side misfires, we left wanting more. I genuinely can’t recall the last time I had steak this good. We skipped dessert, but the menu looked strong — cheese, port, dessert wines, and sweets for those finishing the meal on a high.

After a shaky start, we were quickly made to feel welcome. The pacing, staff attentiveness, and energy of the space reminded me of some top-tier spots. The price felt fair given the quality. Honestly, I didn’t care that some sides missed the mark — the steak was worth it.

I’ve eaten at many “good” restaurants in Cardiff and South Wales, and Pasture stands out for food quality, service, and atmosphere. I’d return tomorrow. Whether it’s for a special occasion or a great night out, this...

Our party attended for a birthday celebration, and we had booked one of the two "vault" private dining rooms. We were a party of 8, though the room could have fit 10 or 12.

This restaurant is immaculate from the moment you step through the door. Attentive staff, entirely professional without being overbearing or snooty, perfectly friendly and accommodating.

We were shown to our table, with iced water carafes already in place. I ordered a Banana Old Fashioned cocktail and my partner ordered a Pasture Passion (basically a passion fruit martini) and we're both bowled over. The old fashioned was strong, smooth, and aromatic, the passion was brilliantly fruity and juicy. The birthday boy ordered a Smoked Old Fashioned, served from under a smoky cloche, which was equally delicious and woody. The cocktails here aren't cheap, but are served with care, top shelf spirits, and a wealth of knowledge and skill behind them. Very much worth it.

To start my partner ordered the Soy Glazed Chicken Wings and I ordered the Char Siu Pork Belly. The wings were deliciously crispy and the kimchi dressing was a pleasant suprise, my initial apprehension over the stereotypical kimchi funk being too much, was moot. The pork belly was meltingly soft, se ved with an airy puffed crackling shard and a "competition" BBQ sauce, that was very good.

Main course, my partner and I shared a 600g Chateaubriand, rare, accompanied by the beef dripping fries and the standout side of fire roasted carrots, with Cashew cream and crispy spiced chickpeas. While the fries were delicious, this glutton prefers a slightly thicker cut, but the carrots were ultimately so good, I would consider them the best thing on the menu after the steak. The Chateaubriand was however, something quite exceptional, and possibly the best steak I have ever experienced. The flavour of open fire, well seasoned, rich and juicy. The texture so tender, I could not help but continue to eat until I was past being full. Again, not a cheap dish, our cut coming in at £84, but included two sides and two sauces (the brown butter bearnaise being a highlight) I left not feeling short changed.

Brilliant in every way, and my only regret being I couldn't find room for dessert, at the risk of ending up like Mr Creosote.

I wholeheartedly...

I’m a regular customer at Miller & Carter, Ivy Asia, Gaucho, and other restaurants, so I expected something a little different and special from Pasture Cardiff. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing for several reasons:

Unprofessional staff I visited with my husband and daughter for dinner. I had brought a small birthday cake and politely asked if it could be stored in the fridge or somewhere cool. The lady at the front desk refused, citing “food hygiene.” I accepted this and kept the cake at the table. However, another staff member in a green top later came to our table to repeat the same message. Five to ten minutes later, she returned again—this time saying it could actually be kept outside in the garden area.

During the meal, the same two staff members, along with a male waiter, stood in front of the kitchen looking around as though trying to locate me. Once they spotted us, all three stared directly at me until I made eye contact—at which point they quickly dispersed. It was an uncomfortable and unprofessional experience. Normally, I tip generously in cash, but on this occasion, I chose not to. However, they still applied a 10% charge for a poor service.

Food was average The prices are on par with Miller & Carter, but the quality didn’t measure up. Starters and steaks were fine, but the blunt knives made them hard to enjoy—we both ended up with sore fingers from the effort. The tomato salad was confusing and unappealing: watery and poorly thought out.

Booking process was frustrating The booking system is unnecessarily complicated. I booked through the Pasture website and received confirmation. A week before the reservation, I received a message from a random mobile number asking me to reply with “Confirm” or “Cancel.” If no reply was given within 48 hours, the booking would be cancelled. I did reply, but not without concern—it felt like a potential scam. Most restaurants either hold card details or cancel bookings if guests don’t show up within a grace period, which is much simpler and more professional.

Final thoughts For a bill close to £140 paired with poor service, average food, and unnecessary hassle, I would not return or recommend Pasture...