308
36%
32
Market Overview
Cardiff has 308 cafes competing for customers in a city of around 370,000 people. That number puts cafes in a dense market — there are also 372 restaurants, 410 fast food outlets, and 216 pubs nearby, all vying for a share of the food and drink spend.
The market is dominated by coffee shops, which make up 119 of the 308 cafes. Sandwich shops (9), breakfast spots (6), and tea rooms (6) form smaller but distinct segments. There are 32 unique cuisine types across the cafe scene, indicating some diversity despite the coffee shop dominance.
A key gap exists in online presence. Only 112 of the 308 cafes — 36% — have a website. That means nearly two-thirds of Cardiff's cafes are invisible to anyone searching online. For a business owner, having even a basic website is a direct competitive advantage right now.
Top Types in Cardiff
What Customers in Cardiff Care About
Quality coffee above all else
With 119 coffee shops in Cardiff, customers expect good coffee as a baseline — anything less won't get a second visit.
A proper breakfast menu
Six cafes specifically identify as breakfast spots, but demand from commuters and students means many others serve morning food too.
Independent over chain feel
Cafes like Jaspers Tea Rooms and The Healthy Hangout attract locals who prefer character over corporate uniformity.
Quick lunch options nearby
Cardiff has over 400 fast food outlets, so cafes competing at lunchtime need to be fast and offer something different — fresh sandwiches, not reheated food.
Easy to find online
When only 36% of Cardiff cafes have a website, customers rely heavily on Google Maps and social media — being easy to find is a real advantage.
Cafes operating in Cardiff
A sample of real cafes in this area. Want ratings, reviews, and exactly where you rank against them? Run a free report on your business.
| Business | Type |
|---|---|
| The Healthy Hangout | Cafe |
| Mingle | Cafe |
| Gourmet Coffee | Coffee Shop |
| Karak Chaii Cardiff | Cafe |
| Taras Cafe | Cafe |
| Saffron Cafe | Cafe |
| Costa | Coffee Shop |
| Café des Amis | Cafe |
| Pig & Swill | Cafe |
| Caffe Gelato | Cafe |
| Quantum Cafe | Breakfast |
| Rockin' Chair | Cafe |
Business listings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Tips for Cafes Owners in Cardiff
Get a website — now
With only 112 out of 308 cafes having a website, simply having one puts you ahead of 64% of competitors. It doesn't need to be complex — a menu, opening hours, and contact details on a basic site will do. Customers search online first, and if they can't find you, they'll find someone else.
Specialise in a cuisine gap
Cardiff's cafe scene is heavily weighted toward coffee shops (119), but there's room in areas like bubble tea (4 cafes), British (3), and cake shops (3). Finding a niche — rather than competing as another general coffee shop — reduces direct competition significantly.
Use local listings and maps
Notable cafes like Gourmet Coffee and Coffee#1 appear in search results because they have an online presence. Claim your Google Business Profile, list on TripAdvisor, and make sure your details are on OpenStreetMap. These free listings matter more than paid ads for local discovery.
Competition Snapshot
Cardiff's cafe market is crowded. 308 cafes operate alongside 372 restaurants, 410 fast food outlets, and 216 pubs — over 1,300 food and drink businesses competing in one city. Coffee shops are oversaturated at 119 locations, while specialist segments like bubble tea, British cafes, and cake shops have fewer than five each. Standing out requires either a clear niche or a stronger digital presence — and given that nearly two-thirds of cafes lack a website, the latter is the quickest win.
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