Cardiff Market Reviews Summary

Category: Market

Address: Cardiff, CF10 1AU, United Kingdom

Phone: +442920871214

Rating: 4.5
based on 395 reviews.

Accessibility and Layout

Pros:

  • "Cardiff Central Market has 2 grand entrances."
  • "This place has a vast mixture of stalls selling a range of different things, has wheelchair access, restrooms."
  • "It is great to see an indoor market like this. It is over 2 levels, but mostly on the ground floor."
  • "There's a lift for people with disabilities and toilets on the ground floor too."
  • "I hadn’t realised before now, but there is a lift to get upstairs if you’re unable to climb the stairs, or pushing a pushchair."
  • "With over 70 stalls spread over the ground floor and first-floor balcony, Cardiff Market is a must-visit on any trip to the city."
  • "A traditional city market based in a classic Victorian structure. With a wide range of stalls which are spread over two levels."

Cons:

  • "The market is great lots of cafes but no toilets whoever decided to take the toilets away it is not fair to the people that need them."
  • "I would have rated at 5 stars but the public toilets were locked."
  • "Was going to use the ladies loo, but a code was required to get in and there was no indication of where to obtain the code."
  • "The toilet facilities are a joke, 1 toilet for everyone and even the stall holders tell you to go to Howells or M&S it's that bad."
  • "Give the toilet a wide berth though, however, the last time we went they were locked and only for stall holders so must have changed."
  • "The council / market has been very shortsighted in closing the loos."
  • "Unfortunately my bag was grabbed off my shoulder whilst looking around from a man who came from upstairs, so ladies please be careful."

Food and Cuisine

Pros:

  • "Visited for a mooch about found a cracking Asian Street food stall called Masala Hut, Guy who runs the stall really nice fella and cooks a small range of delicious dishes. What you get for £6 I feel is excellent value for money."
  • "Pizza, curry, chips, Bao buns, mexican... all this and more under one roof."
  • "Highly recommend the stall at the far end that does freshly made Burritos for £1.80."
  • "I highly recommend the fresh Welsh cakes made in there! Hot and Lovely!"
  • "We love visiting Bakestones and buying their freshly-made Welsh cakes."
  • "A trader of note is Ashton’s the fishmongers, who claim to have traded in the market since 1866."
  • "There is literally every cuisine from around the world under one roof, all freshly made with plenty of seating up and downstairs."

Cons:

  • "The flies over the food put me off."
  • "They touch everything with bare hands and fresh meat and fish are open for the flies."
  • "Watch out for the flies though. Obviously can't be helped in a market setting with lots of sticky and sweet cakes etc."
  • "The baklava had far too many layers of filo pastry with the bottom layers pasty and raw."
  • "The kadaifi was old, stale and completely dried out, without the slightest hint of syrup."
  • "The rather expensive baklava and kadaifi desserts were the worst I’ve ever bought anywhere in my extensive world travels."
  • "Pretty awful and disgusting! There are no health standards for the food."

Atmosphere and Experience

Pros:

  • "What a cracking place! Lots of interesting businesses in there."
  • "The people work in the market are friendly and authentically 'Cardiff'."
  • "Brilliant range of stalls and friendly committed stall-holders."
  • "It's really nice to see so many independent retailers under one roof."
  • "The market is a thriving thoroughfare with a great atmosphere to experience, & the staff are always cheerful & friendly."
  • "Always a warm welcome. Can't big up the guys who work here enough, after being a customer here for 30 years."
  • "Typical friendly and helpful folk."

Cons:

  • "The atmosphere is very busy, all the regulars are well connected and it can feel a little unwelcoming at times but this depends on the stall you go to and how busy it is."
  • "Even though the market is located in a character building, it seems that the actual market is not very popular."
  • "It could be good but it's looking a bit run down."
  • "Not the cleanest of places and looks run down and could do with sprucing up."
  • "Half the shops were nice and half the shops seemed a bit run down and tired looking."
  • "Many stalls are closed and the ones that are left are either providing poor service or have limited product range."
  • "Sadly I had heard how good Lee was, but he didn't have a CLUE."

Value and Variety

Pros:

  • "Variety at very good prices."
  • "A variety of stalls selling some great goods - you'll be amazed by what's on offer."
  • "Shopping for fresh food here if you can is really good - veg is cheaper than in lidl, as is a lot of the butchers and much nicer quality of products."
  • "Exceptionally good value from fruit and veg to fresh fish and meat."
  • "Everything you could need (edible and otherwise) at fantastic prices."
  • "The best market you can find. Great stalls and everything you need don't go to supermarkets go here."
  • "You can find almost anything here, & often for a fraction of the price in retail stores."

Cons:

  • "Total rip off!" (In reference to a specific stall's desserts.)
  • "Could be so much better, the place hasn't changed since I was a kid 40 years ago."
  • "It's just a shame it's not bigger."
  • "Not much selection of stalls and shops, a lot of empty shops around and what are there are way out of my price range, cost £5 for a couple of hour's parking, Cardiff not on my list to visit again."
  • "Its not like it use to be anymore."
  • "A bit disappointed with the traditional Welsh cakes because they didn't have mixed spices in them which is in the original recipe."
  • "Definitely worth visiting once but I would not return."

History and Culture

Pros:

  • "It is in an old prison and you can still see evidence from those days, which gives it a certain additional fascination."
  • "If you love history then this place is a staple in time it's amazing."
  • "Step back in time in this Victorian market which is a must-see if you are visiting Cardiff."
  • "Under one great glass roof, Cardiff Market is an impressive Victorian structure in the heart of the city and has been trading in one form or another since the 1700s."
  • "The market has a rich history and has been trading since the 1700's."
  • "This is an absolute essential when visiting Cardiff. It used to be a women's prison with the cell numbers still visible above the stalls."
  • "A historical, very unique and architecturally beautiful, old market place which is worth visiting when in Cardiff."

Cons:

  • "Although over time the building structure has deteriorated people still visit the market daily."
  • "An old Victorian institution."
  • "Originally a farmers market trading livestock and farm produce."
  • "Since 1975 the building has been listed and is currently Grade II."
  • "The building itself is gorgeous, a real example of Victorian architecture."
  • "The market is old but quant."
  • "A shame that the council want to change this place."

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