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Thomas the Brasserie

Cardiff - Modern British - Restaurant - £££

Thomas Simmons' casual reboot of his fine-dining restaurant

Overall Rating: Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Very Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Good

The striking enthusiasm of readers' reports is a powerful testimony to the success of Thomas Simmons’ pivot to a casual neighbourhood brasserie. Recent feedback noting that the chef offers the same quality of food as his erstwhile fine-dining restaurant, but with a more relaxed vibe, is bang-on. Grills, Welsh delicacies such as St Brides crab or Pembrokeshire oysters, and gently modernised brasserie dishes are the mainstays of the main menu – look out for beef tartare, short rib and suet pudding and the whole roast chicken for two, all done with great panache. The set lunch and early-bird menu is terrific value, as is the two/three-course Sunday lunch, while the front of house team does a consistently fine job. Wines are fairly priced, with a dozen or so by the glass – if you can tear yourself away from the cocktail list. Imprints of the restaurant's fine-dining past can be found upstairs in the Loft, an intimate 12-seater chef’s counter, which offers a seasonal...

The striking enthusiasm of readers' reports is a powerful testimony to the success of Thomas Simmons’ pivot to a casual neighbourhood brasserie. Recent feedback noting that the chef offers the same quality of food as his erstwhile fine-dining restaurant, but with a more relaxed vibe, is bang-on. Grills, Welsh delicacies such as St Brides crab or Pembrokeshire oysters, and gently modernised brasserie dishes are the mainstays of the main menu – look out for beef tartare, short rib and suet pudding and the whole roast chicken for two, all done with great panache. The set lunch and early-bird menu is terrific value, as is the two/three-course Sunday lunch, while the front of house team does a consistently fine job. Wines are fairly priced, with a dozen or so by the glass – if you can tear yourself away from the cocktail list. Imprints of the restaurant's fine-dining past can be found upstairs in the Loft, an intimate 12-seater chef’s counter, which offers a seasonally influenced tasting menu for £110.

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W Lewis

3 April 2026

Quality food at reasonable prices. Great service, good vibes, and attention to detail, and customer focused.

C Evans

20 March 2026

The food is excellent, tasty and always consistent. Standards are exceptionally high, as good as, and in some cases better than, some Michelin starred restaurants. Staff are very friendly, interested and knowledgeable about the food they are serving, couldn’t recommend this more highly

S Perry

11 March 2026

In the heart of Pontcanna, this exquisite restaurant sits nestled amongst other local shops and houses and sits discreetly serving up the most phenomenal food with a buzzing atmosphere.

Cocktails are made with consider...
In the heart of Pontcanna, this exquisite restaurant sits nestled amongst other local shops and houses and sits discreetly serving up the most phenomenal food with a buzzing atmosphere.

Cocktails are made with consideration and are divine. Negronis are the best I’ve ever had.

Staff are attentive, thoughtful and knowledgeable and extremely friendly and always smiling! Testament to what a great restaurant this is.

If you’ve not been to eat here then you’re absolutely missing a trick.

...
In the heart of Pontcanna, this exquisite restaurant sits nestled amongst other local shops and houses and sits discreetly serving up the most phenomenal food with a buzzing atmosphere.

Cocktails are made with consideration and are divine. Negronis are the best I’ve ever had.

Staff are attentive, thoughtful and knowledgeable and extremely friendly and always smiling! Testament to what a great restaurant this is.

If you’ve not been to eat here then you’re absolutely missing a trick.

Never had a bad meal here and I come to eat here from Bristol - that’s how brilliant it is!
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L Bramley-stacey

13 April 2025

Tom really goes out of his way to get to know the community that he serves. Not only a stylish restaurant but outstanding cocktails and food.

L Koks

11 April 2025

Really great, mostly local produce. Amazing staff!! We don't feel rushed at all, which can be different at other higher end restaurants. And the wine pairings are amazing. Just a great and special night out!

VENUE DETAILS

3-5 Pontcanna Street

Cardiff
CF11 9HQGB

029 2116 7800

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OTHER INFORMATION

Private dining room, Separate bar, Wheelchair access, Family friendly, Credit card required

New events are coming soon

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