The Pettigrew Tea Rooms provide an experience. Mismatched furniture, pretty painted teacups, silver platters and antiqued light fixtures contribute to a carefully-curated ‘granny chic’ look; add to the mix a waitress service and you are transported to a time when going out for tea was a treat, not just a pit stop during your busy day.
This tea shop opened earlier this month and already is proving to be popular – there are only a few tables and there was rarely a spare seat while I was in there so try to time your visit wisely by avoiding the lunchtime crowd. There is a wide selection of teas, with a ‘tea of the week’ and the counter proudly displays home-made cakes and scones. I had a latte. I know, what was I thinking in a tea shop? But I just really needed the caffeine hit! Silly me, as the coffee was just average but I think that’s to be expected seeing as the main emphasis is on tea. Everyone else seemed to be enjoying their cuppa so I’ll have to return and have the ‘full’ experience. My friend had the banana loaf and I snuck a bite – yummy. Really, I recommend it.
I met the owner briefly while paying up and he seems like a genuinely lovely person, really excited by the reception his business has received. He even shook my hand when I mentioned I’d read about the place on the internet beforehand. All in all, I think the Pettigrew Tea Rooms are a charming addition to Cardiff’s city centre and well worth a visit, for an old school tea room experience.
Pettigrew Tea Rooms: West Lodge, Bute Park & Arboretum, Castle Street, Cardiff, CF10 1BJ
Great post! This is a very cozy tea room where I would love to have an afternoon tea with scones.
Yes, it really is a lovely tea room and makes for a nice little break from the busy city streets. Let me know if you make it there!
Thanks for the great write up. Really pleased you enjoyed yourself at our little tea rooms. Next time you pop in say hello again and I would be delighted to talk you through some of our teas. Will have to give you another latte too, our coffee is roasted to order for us from Peter James Gourmet coffee so should be the best in the city, sorry we didn’t nail it this time. See you soon. David & team.
I’ll definitely be back to your tea rooms when I’m next home and I look forward to giving the coffee another chance (and trying the vast array of teas). Keep up the good work!