Cadwaladers — Restaurant in Wales

In the summer of 2021, we visited Cadwaladers in Cardiff Bay, with the intention of purchasing ice cream, whilst on a ride around Cardiff Bay on our bikes. As local residents, Cadwaladers was the place that sprung to mind, when considering options for ice cream in Mermaid Quay; not least for its vast choice of ice cream flavours. Having ridden to the café, with the bikes locked-up and our mouths watering, we approached the premises, considering which of the, many, flavours we would each like to have. Once at the front of the queue, we were greeted by the anticlimax that cash was not accepted. That was that; no ice cream for us - and no business for Cadwaladers! Having returned in 2022 - with a card - the eight months of suspense had come to an end; that was the day that we'd discover what we had missed out on. A cone of strawberry ice cream had been obtained - by card transaction, no less - and it tasted as pleasant as it had looked. The bottom line, is that Cadwaladers serve fine ice cream, however, it is only available for purchase if one is able to pay by card. It is understandable that card transactions would not be accepted if cards weren't accepted, however it seems ludicrous to me, why cash cannot be accepted; for heavens sake no such equipment as a card-machine is even required for a cash transaction! The message I would like to leave for Cadwaladers, is that they are losing out on business. I, for one, wouldn't think that this is a logical business model, however they evidently have the confidence required, as to have would-be customers walking right away from them,...

The worst experience in my life! We were waiting for the theatre and decided to have a coffee and an ice cream. We had to wait 30' even though we ordered 2 sundaes to take our plates from the till We then thought to sit outside the seagulls destroyed my daughter's sundae we then moved back in, the tables were filthy the staff was a high number, I think 5? More then enough to run this small cafe if they were a bit competent! I went to order a second sundae for my daughter and this time I asked, do I have to wait while you get it ready? This time they gave me a spoon with a number and I returned to the table. That was a mistake because they totally forgot about my order. So we had to leave and my 10 years old daughter didn't have the ice cream I paid for twice!!!! I asked for a refund and I said that I want to complain about the service received I spoke with the supervisor who refused to give me information about the complaint procedures. Horrible experience! Almost ruined our day. Thankfully we had a good time in the theatre but I will never ever again spend a...

This is very popular as it is on a platform in the bay. The ice cream must be nice, but on nice days the ques are very long. The coffee is fine, but nothing special and hardly seemed worth the wait for the table.

As it's popular, it seems reasonable that they have crammed in loads of tables. Being so open though this does not seem much of a problem.

The big problem for me though is the toilet. Or lack of one!

There is a very good public toilet in the Glee club which is where you have to go. It is nice and clean and has a lift for wheelchair access. BUT - If you order a coffee at Cadwalars, find you need the loo, squeeze out through the tables, go all the way to the Glee club, up the large flight of stairs then come back - even if you go fast, your coffee will be stone cold.

So, it's nice but go the toilet first and avoid if your bladders not...