After living in Cardiff for over two years, I've frequented my fair share of coffee shops and have solidified a list of favourites. My go-to iced vanilla latte has been perfected by most cafés in Cardiff, which is simultaneously incredible for me and damning for my bank account. Therefore, the deciding factor in which one to choose is their interior décor; the more aesthetic, the better.
An obvious choice for the most Instagrammable coffee shop in Cardiff has to be Scaredy Cats Café in the town centre. Its vibrant decorations, plethora of board games, and own merch line make it hard to beat. This, paired with the café's spectacular and constantly changing menu of drinks and bakery items, makes it a very popular option. The coffee shop serves as a hub for all kinds of meetups and slowly transforms into a bar as the day progresses. Its fun indoor atmosphere and cute outdoor seating make it the perfect place to snap a few pictures of yourself, friends, or the gorgeous drinks.
Another contender is Brodies Café, particularly the small cart near the Museum Gardens. Situated entirely outdoors, the chain coffee shop is surrounded by beautiful greenery and blossom trees, providing the most stunning backdrop for an Instagram story. Despite having a smaller selection of drinks, the scenery and lovely array of tables and chairs allow customers to indulge in excellent coffee while enjoying the best seats for a bit of people-watching. As we approach the winter season, Brodies Coffee Cabin is the perfect spot to grab a quick hot chocolate as the sun sets. The place lights up with fairy lights, and the surrounding lampposts provide all the ambient lighting needed to take the perfect snapshot.
The arcades of Cardiff host a whole array of wonderful establishments, many of which are coffee shops. Although my personal favourite is Maple and Bean, renowned for its delicious drinks and gorgeous selection of brunch dishes. Situated in the centre of the Morgan Arcade, its walls of windows make it the perfect spot to people-watch all day long. The cozy wooden interior complements the extensive collection of delicious drinks and food to be enjoyed throughout the year, but particularly on a chilly autumn day. The light that pours in through the many windows sets the vibe perfectly; the place dims down when it rains, allowing you to relax in darker lighting accompanied by the sound of rainfall, or lights up in the summer with sunlight peeking through.
These are my personal favourite spots to visit when the need for an aesthetic Instagram story arises, but Cardiff hosts incredible coffee shops throughout the city that are all worth a visit,