Swansea Reviewed

First off – I fully apologise for not being able to make a Welsh Breakfast look ‘aesthetic’, but if you love cockles and laverbread as much as I do (it’s my death row meal), I feel like you’ll understand how delicious the Welsh Breakfast from Cariad Caffi in Penclawdd looks from my picture, and if you’re not a fan of the food sent from the Welsh Gods – well that plate is going to look like an absolute nightmare for you!

I’ve had a Welsh Breakfast in a couple of places in the last year or so – The Pier in Mumbles and Station 86 in Gowerton (which I highly rate, but haven’t officially reviewed yet). They were both decent Welsh breakfasts but just came with a small pot of laverbread and no cockles at all.

So when I saw a snap on Facebook of someone I know having a Welsh Breakfast at Cariad Caffi, it looked SO good, I just had to try it out myself – and it didn’t disappoint.

What is in a traditional Welsh Breakfast?

The breakfast can have all sorts of aspects of a typical fry-up (toast, sausages, eggs etc), but most importantly, a traditional Welsh Breakfast will include the following:

• Thick – yes, THICK slabs of bacon
• laverbread, which is boiled down seaweed
• cockles

I’ll admit, if you’re new to the Welsh Breakfast, boiled seaweed and shellfish with your morning coffee might seem like the worst thing in the world, but it’s absolutely bloody delicious and super good for you (the cockles and laverbread – maybe not the rest of the fry up!).

I’d argue that cockles and Laverbread aren’t very fishy at all. Laverbread has an earthy umami flavour (never thought I’d use the word umami in my writings) and cockles, which are harvested just down the road at Selwyns, who have their own seafood shack which I think is amazing, just add a bit of texture.

Is Cariad Cafe in Penclawdd any good?

Penclawdd is one of my favourite places to hang out in Swansea. It’s got a brilliant park which has recently been refurbished, some great places to eat and drink, maybe the best chippie in Swansea, GGs Ice-cream (which I reckon is the second best ice cream after Joe’s in Swansea) and nice walks on the estuary where you might spot some wild ponies.

Cariad Cafe is just opposite the main, free, car park and is a bustling little place. It’s friendly and clean inside and has a load of breakfast and lunch options. The traditional fry-up was bang average, but the Welsh Breakfast was absolutely amazing – so much of the plate was fresh cockles and laverbread.

But is there anywhere else I should try that gives the Carriad Cafe Welsh breakfast a run for its money – or is it the best in Swansea? Let me know!

Cariad Cafe Reviews

So you know what I think? But what about others?

Really lovely place and food well you could just tell the quality was stunning.
Lovely interior amazing and friendly staff.
Defo recommend.
Bit pricey that is my personal preference but you get what you pay for.
Thank you all.

A delightful little cafe dishing out delicious food and drinks. Perfect stop off after a walk or trip over the Gower. Very friendly and helpful staff as well. A little gem.

A lovely, busy cafe for brunch. Had the Welsh breakfast which was delicious and cooked just right. Great atmosphere, choice and quality of products. Deserts were good too.