Stefano's

Wales and Italy have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship over the years, mostly played out on the field of sports. While the Welsh tend to come out on top in the rugby, the Italians rule at football, and in the boxing ring there is much coming together, with Joe Calzaghe and Enzo Maccarinelli proudly flying the flag for both nations. In the kitchen, too, there is much that Italy has given to Wales, and in the capital, they are proud to have plenty of restaurants that continue this tradition. One of the best Italian restaurants in Cardiff must be Stefano’s on Romilly Crescent, where they offer regional specialities from all over the bel paese to a loyal band of regulars. They’re perfectly placed for a pre-match meal at the Principality Stadium, a test at the Swalec or a Cardiff City home game, and they’re known for being family-friendly. Book a table and try out Stefano’s for a real Italian experience in the Pontcanna neighbourhood to the west of Cardiff city centre.

There are plenty of Italian restaurants in Cardiff, and the competition between them is more than a little bit fierce. It takes something a little bit special to stand out, but at Stefano’s, they’ve never struggled to make their voice heard above the noise. The menu that they serve at their restaurant on Romilly Crescent in Pontcanna is emblematic of the very best that Italian cuisine has to offer, with a particular emphasis on the breadth and diversity of ingredients and techniques that can be found in the various different regions of Italy. Stefano Caramella, the eponymous proprietor, has proudly picked up the gong of Best Italian Restaurant in South Wales for both 2014 and 2015, so you need not just take our word for it. Better still, take a trip up through Riverside to Pontcanna yourself and try them out.

The menu is filled with favourites, so you know that everyone in your party will find something that suits their tastes, while also offering enough lesser known delicacies which will keep regulars and connoisseurs coming back time and again. Try the polpette meatballs or the arancini to start, or even the spinach souffle, a real house signature, followed by a pasta course of rigatoni with braised wild boar and chianti or spaghetti with sliced salsiccia and fennell. Mains include spezzatino, beef and veal pieces with veggies and potatoes in a cherry tomato sauce, aubergine baked in the over with taleggio and parmesan for vegetarians or fresh fish from the market. There’s proper pizza too, with a huge range of toppings of your choice, so there really is something for everyone to enjoy at Stefano’s. Do make sure that you book in advance, however, as this popular option in Pontcanna, north of the Riverside district and Cowbridge Road, does get crowded on occasion.