A coffee break at a Welsh independent café

From the 19th century, Italian immigrants brewed up the black stuff in towns across the country. Fast forward to the 1930s and National Milk Bars brought frothy coffees and espresso evenings to a hip generation. Today you can enjoy coffee all over Wales.

Keeping the Italian tradition alive, Swansea Bay staple Verdi’s has been serving up caffeine hits for decades. A focal point of the chic seaside community of Mumbles, this family-run cafe has great views over one of West Wales’ busiest beaches. If the sugar in your coffee isn’t sweet enough, you could create hundreds of different ice cream sundaes with all of the combinations available. Find them at Knab Rock, Mumbles. 

Head to Coaltown Coffee in Ammanford for freshly roasted coffee. The town that once was a producer of black gold, coal, is now producing a new black gold, coffee. The award winning speciality coffee roaster also supply coffee for you to take home. Coffee on the go is also available from the Roastery Expresso Bar.

Stick with us, but our next tip used to be a public toilet! The Café at Ridgeway, on Allt-yr-Yn Avenue, Newport, is now a lot more glamorous, and is well recognised for its gorgeous views of Allt-yr-Yn Nature Reserve. The Newport cafe is about more than just beans. Look out for prosecco afternoon teas, pop-up street kitchens and Tapas Thursdays.  

Little Man Coffee is one of Cardiff’s many coffee shops, but it’s definitely a little quirkier than the average caff. Situated in two locations in the city, you'll find them at Tudor Lane (Little Man Garage) and Ivor House, Bridge Street.  The Bridge Street cafe is a large, bright and open space in a former bank. Don’t be surprised if you stumble across a poetry reading, acoustic gig, or up-an-coming art show. The Garage is compact, kitted out with vintage furniture and has an open fire. Both venues serve great hot drinks, with a good range of teas to match the clout of their own roast of house coffee. Pair your coffee with a slice of cake, freshly made at the main site. If you like the house roast, buy a bag of beans to take home.

Providero Tea & Coffee House in Llandudno combine ethical trading with freshly roasted speciality coffee. There’s actually two Provideros; the space at 112 Upper Mostyn Street is known as Big Prov, while Little Prov can be found at 148 Conway Rd in Llandudno Junction. After all that coastal air, you’ll deserve a double stop!

There's also a double shot of L's Coffee & Book Shops. One at at 7 High Street in the picturesque walled town of Conwy, and another at 71B Conway Road in Llandudno Junction. L’s has a great menu of food and drink to tempt you at anytime of the day.

Abergavenny’s Cwtch Café at 7 High Street, has a stellar reputation among locals in the food-mad market town. The staff are very welcoming, always ready to tempt you into a home baked cake with your coffee. If you’re in for breakfast, the eggs benedict are where it’s at.