Coffee Barker

My family and I recently visited Coffee Barker and had a wonderful time. The coffee was excellent, and the food exceeded our expectations with quality dishes that satisfied everyone. What really stood out was the atmosphere - the design strikes a perfect balance between interesting and classic, creating a welcoming space that feels both stylish and comfortable. The venue offers great flexibility with both indoor and outdoor seating options, both of which provide an enjoyable dining experience. Whether you prefer the cozy interior ambiance or the fresh air of the outdoor area, you really can’t go wrong.

Drinks a lot more aesthetically pleasing than they taste. Some staff very moody and the queue was incredibly slow. Definitely far from a family owned place run with love and passion for the coffee. I think you can do better in central Cardiff

Coffee Barker is such a nice place. The decorations and that old Victorian feeling inside the arcade made it feel extra cozy. Was a great spot to enjoy our coffees and just soak in the atmosphere.

I went to Cardiff from Japan because I wanted to visit there once while my daughter was studying abroad. This was the first time I had jacket potatoes here. The coffee and the potatoes were very delicious. The atmosphere was so comfortable that I was able to stay for a long time. It's one of the places I want to visit again.

A warm, cozy space that lets you sit down and relax with your thoughts, good food and excellent drinks. Personally, I recommend the milkshakes, it’s been so long since I’ve had one that was actually of any quality and this is an immediate top 5 of spots I’ve found.

Visiting from London, saw this lovely coffee shop/ cafe as i walking down the arcades. Walked in and got greeted straight away and I made them aware of my Dietary requirements. I was told what I could have and there was a great range of options. Only complaint I have is the temperature inside, it was boiling and after asking a member of staff about how they work in this heat, they said it’s always this hot. Felt like I had to leave a review after reading a few others.

Absolutely massive breakfast sandwich and delicious coffee. Staff were so friendly as well. Definitely stopping in whenever I’m in town.

I've been a regular customer at a coffee shop connected to Rum & Fizz Bar, frequently visiting to do work in a quiet environment. I usually order a chai latte with two shots of espresso and have consistently made purchases on every visit. Over the past three weeks alone, I’ve spent over £200 at this venue within a 3 week period and over over 1k 12 months period, and filled multiple loyalty cards — clearly showing my support as a paying customer. Today, I was approached by a manager who accused me of not having made a purchase. I was honestly shocked, disappointed and outraged. I explained that I always buy a drink — sometimes more than one — but the manager insisted that I had been observed by management and staff without purchasing anything. I found this not only false but also upsetting, considering my consistent custom. I’ve always believed in supporting local businesses and had even brought friends who also became customers. Being labelled a "freeloader" by staff or management, despite evidence to the contrary, is deeply frustrating and disheartening. Given the treatment I received, I will no longer be visiting or recommending this venue. It's unfortunate, as I had previously enjoyed the space, but I expect to be treated fairly and respectfully — as any loyal customer should. Deleted review probably due to swearing

best!! best food ever i don't live in wales but this was amazing i highly recommend it!

Very Classy and aesthetically pleasing coffee shop at Victoria Arcade in Cardiff right opposite to the castle. We ordered Americano and a Cappuccino and it was pretty good. We chose outdoor dining and the service was not bad .

We visited Coffee Barker after exploring the Cardiff city center area to try their afternoon tea. We ordered: - Afternoon tea for 3 - Hot chocolate - Lemongrass Chai tea - Black Tea The location is absolutely beautiful and has seating both inside and outside of the restaurant. The staff was very friendly and helpful. If you are in the area, I recommend you stop in. I am looking forward to returning with my daughter.

reasonable prices, great coffee and treats (can't speak to the ordered brekkie), and exceptional customer service. so many vegan options as well, perfect for my dad. cute location!

Wonderful coffee shop in a Victorian arcade! My latte was smooth, and even though the tables inside were full, sitting outside with heat lamps on a beautiful day was just as wonderful.

Dreadful customer service. We arrived at 3:40 pm and we asked for a table, the waiter said that they would be closing shortly in 20 minutes. After more than 5 min seated, nobody came to take the order so we stood up and asked a waiter if the place was already closed and his answer was "pretty much". We left the place and they didn't care. Awful staff attitude and service.

I had the afternoon tea for one person which cost 19 pounds and is more than enough food for one person. Four half sandwiches were included, two scones, 2 macarons, a bit of chocolate, and a large slice of cake. Delicious and filling. The people who work here were nice and helpful. The atmosphere is pleasant (though a bit cramped). They have free wifi.

Great coffee and location. Gives a perfect Cardiff experience in the arcades.

Ordered the New Yorker; wound up splitting one with my spouse and saving the other for lunch. Excellent toasted sesame seed bagel. Gobs of cream cheese. Massive amount of fresh smoked salmon. Lovely, cheery service. A must stop if you are near the castle.

My friend and I thought this place was excellent. We were able to relax here after getting off the bus from London, read and have a palatable breakfast. My roommate ordered the Nutella latte, one bigger than any latte we have ever seen, with Nutella oozing off the sides. It was delicious. The English breakfast was fresh and the toast was full of flavor. The shop is clean and comfortable with many sitting options. I would return happily

Lovely coffee. Delicious breakfast (big portions), and friendly staff. Highly hipster, but lovely nonetheless with an attractive interior with lots of thought and effort put in. Even the toilets were pretty!!

Inside the iconic Victorian Castle Arcade is where you'll find Coffee Barker. Opened in 2009 its the kinda Coffee House that makes you wish you had more complex tastes so that you could order something impressive - not the flat white you usually have on a Monday morning. Inspired by the coffee houses of New York's West Village and bistros of St Germain in Paris - Coffee Barker is the perfection destination whether it be business or pleasure. Flat White or Americano. Chocolate Brownie or Parma Violet Cake. Coffee Barker has something for everyone. Pull up a window seat, clear your schedule and people watch the afternoon away.

Great casual spot for breakfast or lunch. Awesome thick bread for sandwiches or toast, and lovely coffee & tea. We had a terrific breakfast but one star off for tables rarely getting bussed.

An outstanding coffee house with great iced lattes and fresh sandwiches. The meatball and mozzarella is a gooey delicious mess. The ambiance is a hipster-filled cross between a 20's speakeasy, Thomas Edison's workshop and the Allsaints Spitalfields on Portobello Road in London. Suffice to say, it's pretty eclectic.

Warm cosy place. I had veggie breakfast and share it with my daughter. Perfect english breakfast tea. Big cup of Mocha . Friendly staff and great service.

Best tea & brunch spot in Cardiff! I come here monthly sometimes weekly if I have the time!

What a cool funky, eclectic coffee an restaurant. Has a definite American influence but it can't be pigeonholed into one category. The eggs and left x were served with healthy portions of brown bread.

The staff is friendly and polite. Ordered the amaretto milkshake and I now have a new favourite milkshake flavour.

What a lovely little coffee shop. Quirky and rustic decor, relaxed atmosphere and a decent menu. Nice location, good space and comfy seating. Staff are great and attentive, prices are fair and the coffee is great! One of the better coffee shops in Cardiff, definitely worth a visit.

Nice place to relax and enjoy your afternoon tea and a book or a magazine. Nicely decorated and esp the outdoor seating area. Its located in the castle arcade which is is a great spot itself. They have a nice selection of tea types ( actual tea paper not tea bags) And i would suggest their sandwiches and their mini brownies.

We found Coffee Barker and didn't leave for a week! Literally all of our time in Cardiff was spent sitting on one of their comfy chairs, reading and devouring strong coffee and delicious food. Sure, it's a 'hipster' joint ... just relax and enjoy the ironic decor. Unlike coffee shops back home, the loudest thing in here is the wallpaper.

I had visited Coffee Barker on a previous trip to Cardiff, unfortunately on that occasion I had already eaten so I only got to enjoy a spectacular hot chocolate, but having longingly gazed at the brunches heading passed me to other tables, I knew I was very keen to come back. On this trip to Cardiff we must have explored every arcade to try and find the place again so I was very pleased when we did. I ordered the eggs Benedict and my partner the eggs Florentine so we could share and try both brunches, they were the best I have had. The eggs were poached perfectly, the hollandaise was creamy with a perfect level of acidity which worked very well with both the salty bacon and smoked salmon. we nearly ordered seconds! The Chai latte was packed full of cinnamon, it was light, spicy and warming. I will be back, as soon as I can, I will be back!

This is a great place. Near the castle but also a spot for the locals. Nice vibe, great pancakes and my wife loved the afternoon tea...

Atmosphere 8.5 Service 5 Drinks 8 A café hotspot located in Castle arcade, it's wide windows let you know whether to even attempt to weedle your way in through the lunch-time rush. I definitely advise you to pop in earlier or later in the day. Even during later hours there can be a queue past the fridge-display. This may be partly due to the logistics at the cashier. Your server will make your drink immediately after you make your order, whilst you - and the (fortunately very patient) customers behind you - twiddle your thumbs in line. Luckily there is another member of staff behind the counter to take advance orders for food, or at times another server. This modern yet rustic coffee-and-cake joint charms you with its soft leather armchairs and twist on British country house décor. It can get a little clumsy when navigating your tray to one of the small round tables during rush hour, but the moment you sink into your armchair the area around your table seems to expand into a cosy space. When the venue isn't too busy, the ambience is perfect for unwinding with a good book or relaxed chatter with a friend. There are both hot and cold sandwich options available, along with jacket potatoes and changing varieties of soups. Drinks include the usual café fare, of coffee, milkshakes, tea etc. (they serve TeaPigs flavoured teas here). My favourite is the mango chai latte dusted with cinnamon (£2.99) and a slice of either the lemon drizzle cake or Victoria sponge (both £2.99 I believe). On my previous visit I sampled their tomato soup. It was presented in a little metal pot with a choice of white or granary bread & butter. However the first time the soup was served it was cold. After politely pointing this out it was returned to the kitchen, then promptly back to us. The soup itself was good, and my friend and I spent a few minutes wondering whether they baked the crusty bread in-house. Overall, a lovely place for a light meal and cuppa in the afternoon. This my go-to place for post-lunchtime relaxation and I'll definitely be back again. Hopefully one day I will make it in time to try their breakfast of duck eggs on toast! Another point I love: since it's nearing Winter now they have started putting blankets on the chairs for tables outside (but they are still inside Castle arcade). A wonderful homey touch!

Okay, let's not kid ourselves.. yes it is quite the hype place ... but don't tell me you wouldn't want to have a nice tea/coffee sitting in an awesome couch that you would never leave if you were given the opportunity to stay in. Not that cheap, but fair enough for a nice afternoon tea with your girl or friends'n'family !

I really wanted to like this place, and I think it is beautifully decorated and has good atmosphere. However, I came in for post lunch coffee and cake and was decidedly underwhelmed. The coffee was fine, but nothing special. The red velvet cake was kind of dry, a bit sweet, and had a perfume taste, like it had been stored next to the parma violet cake. Also, there was a problem with the till when I was paying which resulted in a good amount of faffing. Sorry Barker's I probably won't be back.

I echo the comments in other reviews. This is a coffee shop to come back to time and again. Very comfortable, loads of seats and, incidentally, great coffee and food. Both my wife and I finished our books while we sat at Coffee Barker and had a lovely break from our 'touristing'. To add to the pleasure Coffee Barker is in the Castle Arcade with a fabulous second hand bookshop, Troutmark, so you can replenish your book supply very easily.

Went here for Afternoon tea at about 3.30pm (Open 8.30-5.30) with one friend and it was our first time here we were very satisfied to say the least. We shared a tea pot with a scone each, the scone came with clotted cream, butter and strawberry jam and was delicious. We had the house tea and it had tastes of vanilla and cinnamon, really enjoyable. The atmosphere is good, really relaxing down to the old fashioned furniture and sofas. Not groundbreaking but it has made afternoon tea a routine of mine!

I really liked the look of this place but the coffee is just not good enough (especially for a 'hipster' joint - no latte art even?) - over-roasted beans and badly steamed milk, I could have been in Starbucks really.