The Sultan — Restaurant in Wales

I dined at The Sultan in Cardiff Bay on Sunday July 20th with a group of people, and the experience was disappointing. A few of us decided to order starters and drinks, while others opted for mains. From the moment we placed our orders, the staff (including what seemed to be a supervisor) appeared visibly annoyed by our choices. We were asked four separate times by different staff if we were only going to order starters and drinks, which made us feel unwelcome and judged (maybe because we are young/postgrad students, not sure but unacceptable nevertheless).

Service was disorganised. While some starters arrived at the same time, one member of our group was completely ignored when asking about their chips, which never came out with the others. After asking 3 times for their chips, they were brought out. Another person who ordered both a starter and a main didn’t receive their starter for almost 30 minutes, and it was bizarrely brought out simultaneously with their main. As for the food, the rice served with the mains was just simple white rice with frozen mixed vegetables, which I have never seen at an authentic Turkish restaurant before.

The overall attitude from the staff was cold and dismissive. It felt like we were being looked down on, possibly because we’re a younger crowd or because not everyone was ordering a full three-course meal. Regardless, that is no excuse for poor service and attitude. One server did seem to catch on to my visible annoyance and asked twice if everything was okay, but at that point, the damage was done. The staff member who seemed to be a supervisor offered our table Turkish tea which seemed like an apology (although I am not sure if complimentary Turkish tea is standard for service here, as some Turkish restaurants I’ve dined at do that as a standard.

As someone who has worked in hospitality for over five years, including under a Michelin-starred chef in Toronto, I can confidently say that this was one of the worst dining experiences I’ve had in Cardiff. If you’re looking for authentic food with professional, and welcoming service, skip The Sultan and go to Saray on City Road instead. There’s a reason why Saray is packed almost every night!

Sidenote: the restaurant seems quite cramped and the chairs for the tables are oddly very low. Also not accessible friendly for those with mobility aids such as wheelchairs or crutches (there are a few steps to get into the restaurant and their washrooms are not accessible...

The Sultan is located in Cardiff Bay and appears to be a converted pub. The layout is split, with a bar area to the left and dining to the right. The interior features red and green-grey walls, low mustard and green upholstered seating, and red ceilings. While the décor is distinctive, the combination of dim lighting and loud background music contributed to an already high noise level, especially with a large group dining.

The restaurant seems well-equipped to handle large groups, but this significantly impacted service speed.

There was an unacceptably long wait for drinks—my Negroni took around 30 minutes, and after being informed of an additional delay due to a large table, I canceled it. A more efficient approach would be to prioritize smaller drink orders before tackling a large group’s entire order. That said, the service was generally attentive, though a 10% service charge is added to the bill.

Complimentary Turkish Bread & Cheese – A nice touch and enjoyable.

The Babaghanoush was a small portion, overly smoked, but paired well with the bread.

The mains of Grilled Octopus – Three well-cooked, tender tentacles served with a generous portion of vegetables (baby carrots, broccoli, green beans, and baby corn). However, the dish was overly oily, with a visible pool left at the bottom, and needed additional seasoning.

Drinks – Due to the long wait, I didn’t get to try the Negroni.

The food was generally good, with the complimentary bread and cheese being a welcome touch. However, the long wait for cocktails was frustrating, and better planning is needed when managing both small and large tables.

We While service was attentive, it didn’t quite make up for the delays and there was a 10% service charge. The Complimentary Turkish tea at the end was a nice gesture, but overall, a...

I had the pleasure of dining at this Turkish restaurant, and it turned out to be an incredible experience from start to finish. As a first-timer, I was thoroughly satisfied by the delightful flavors and inviting ambiance.

The restaurant exudes a cosy and inviting atmosphere with subtle dim decor that perfectly suits both day and night dining.

The attentive waiters added to the enjoyment of the afternoon. They were friendly and attentive, making the experience even more pleasant.

Let's talk about the cold meze – it was simply amazing! The portion sizes were very generous, and what impressed me the most was that the dishes were not too heavy, leaving room for the main course. And oh, their Turkish coffee is a treat not to be missed! The authentic touch was evident as it left a condensed layer of super-fine granules at the bottom, providing a delightful sense of richness. I highly recommend indulging in a variety of starters before tucking into the main course, as the flavors wonderfully blend with other dishes.

For my main course, I opted for the rib eye steak, and it left me thoroughly satisfied. Once again, the portion size was generous, including the volume of the sauce. The chunky chips served alongside the steak were crispy on the outside, yet moist on the inside, making them the perfect accompaniment.

Finally, dessert time arrived, and I highly recommend trying their traditional desserts with a slight modern twist. The sweet desserts were met with a surprising hint of upper notes, which was refreshingly balanced.

In conclusion, this Turkish restaurant is a true gem. The food quality, portion sizes, and the blend of traditional and modern elements make it a must-visit spot for anyone looking for an exceptional dining experience. Looking forward to...