Crown kitchen — Restaurant in Great Britain

The food here is exceptional, easily the best among the few Chinese restaurants in town. Not only is the quality superb, but the portions are generous, making it fantastic value for money.

We soon discovered the secret behind this remarkable cuisine when the chef personally introduced himself. With years of experience cooking at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel in London and other countries, he's a hidden gem who has chosen to settle in Cardiff for a quieter life with his wife. His connections allow him to source top-tier ingredients directly from London, a noticeable upgrade from the more limited local options. This truly sets the restaurant apart, and with his expertise, it’s no wonder the food shines.

However, it wasn’t just the food that left a lasting impression — the customer service was equally remarkable. We dined with my 84-year-old grandmother, and the staff went above and beyond to ensure her comfort: Upon request, they cooked the vegetables softer for easier chewing and toned down the spice in all the dishes. Special recognition also goes to the owner's son, who kindly pulled out a chair for my grandmother, a small gesture that meant a lot.

At first glance, the restaurant’s exterior may seem unassuming, and the interior is simple, but it perfectly proves the adage, "Don't judge a book by its cover." We celebrated my grandmother’s birthday here, and it was a truly delightful experience. We're already looking forward to our next visit.

Some might say this review sounds overly enthusiastic, but I urge you to visit and see for yourself if it lives up to the praise. I suspect you won't be...

We had a meal recently at Crown kitchen. We had only just found out that they do have some halal meat provision and this is much needed for the Muslim community in Cardiff. Especially when it comes to Chinese food!

We were not sure what to expect initially - thinking this may be a standard takeaway Chinese but with halal options. But boy, were we wrong!

This is no exaggeration, but for myself and my family (total six of), this was easily one of the best Chinese meals we have ever had. The owner was extremely pleasant and friendly and had great understanding of how to prepare halal meat. The chef has previously worked in London for four seasons hotel and it shows in the quality of the food. The portions are fantastic and reasonably priced for what you get. Their chilli oil is also homemade - shows that they actually care about quality. The chef does not use low quality ingredients and orders a fair amount from London to ensure this.

We had seafood rice, the Hainan chicken curry (wow, addicted), kung pao chicken, fried squid, chicken noodles and steamed rice. It was all mindblowing. Cannot recommend this place enough! I hope it is soon recognised for the quality of food they deliver.

At the time of writing only chicken was halal but I did recommend getting lamb and beef too - so hopefully this is available soon!

It’s not been 24 hours, but I’m already...

Located on City Road, this pan-Chinese restaurant opened in July 2024, with a chef from Southern Fujian who has honed his culinary skills in London, including at the Four Seasons Hotel. The restaurant is run by his wife and son, who manage the front of house.

The restaurant features golden tablecloths, deep red and gold chairs, and a sky-themed ceiling, creating an elegant yet somewhat eclectic aesthetic. A small bar area sits at one end, decorated with flowers and traditional Chinese Ornaments.

We visited during Chinese New Year, and despite usually being closed on Wednesdays, they opened for the occasion. Our booking was made via phone.

Aubergine with Mince is Good, with a more sour than sweet balance.

Lamb with Cumin was Average; the cumin overpowered the dish.

Three-Cup Chicken was Nicely done, with well-balanced flavours.

Green Tea was Topped up throughout the meal.

The rice for two was a large bowl of plain white rice, but at £12, it felt like an overcharge.

Service was warm and attentive, with both the wife and son providing a welcoming experience. However, the cash-only policy was an inconvenience, and the steep rice charge left a disappointing...