Merola’s Restaurant

This place is clearly a beloved neighborhood gem. We were staying at a nearby B+B, and the proprietors recommended Merola’s for takeaway, since my friend sadly had some work to do and we couldn’t go out into the city centre. We ordered pizza with pepperoni and peppers, tagliatelle bolognese, penne all’arrabbiata, and a side salad. 20 minutes later, we encountered one of the delightfully friendly owners. He was so happy to hear that we’d been led to their restaurant by the B+B owners, who he clearly knew. He was sociable and cheerful while we waited for our order. The interior of the restaurant looked really old-​fashioned and small, and the vibe is very «old-​school» Italian, but in a fun and charming way!
When we got back to the B+B, my two friends and I dug in. The portions were large across the board. I was especially impressed by the side salad, which was cheap but loaded with veggies far more than you usually see at a place like this. I have to admit though, I thought the food was just okay. Pizza was certainly nothing special. Pastas were tasty, but the sauces were very heavy and rich — yet not in a very pleasant way. Though I don’t doubt that their food is homemade, it doesn’t have that fresh, cooked-​all-​day taste. It will do the trick and fill you up, but it’s far from being a great, special Italian meal.
There are almost no good dinner options in Grangetown, so I’m told. So if you’re here and can’t go to the city centre, this is your best bet. Certainly the owners are delightful, and you’ll get a lot of decent food for your money. But for truly inspired Italian cuisine, you’ll need to look elsewhere. If anything though, this may remind you of those classic Italian joints with huge places of heavy pasta that you may have been to in a previous era!

Lovely people, food not great!
I don’t get how people are saying the food here is ‘authentic’ or ‘fantastic’. They’ve obviously never eaten proper Italian food & maybe think Goodfellas pizza or Dolmio are ‘authentic’!!
We went here on Valentine’s Day as it’s local. The people are lovely can’t fault them but the food is truly dire: the whitebait and prawns tasted frozen, both my Napolitano sauce & my partner’s Carbonara was full of parsley (?!) (should have been basil & oregano), and my chocolate fudge cake was half frozen, tasted of disinfectant, and was served on a plate so hot that the cream (fake squirty cream from a can) just melted. Very disappointed.
My quest to find a decent Italian in Cardiff continues.

Excellent food and service really had a amazing time big potions and not overpriced would definitely recommend.

Just arrived and it’s everything you guys said it would be. Thanks Qyper’s. Amazing service, quirky décor. A little cliché with ‘That’s Amore’ playing in the background but i quite liked it. it adds to the charm.
Food is divine, it’s a little slice of italy hidden away in Cardiff.
So glad I found it

Not one to want to go to Grangetown much (ever) I was pleasantly surprised by Merola’s, as mentioned the décor is a little tired.
I couldn’t agree more on the service, it really was that good, fast, friendly and incredibly welcoming.

This place is hilariously authentic. You have to ring the bell at the side door to be let in. If you’re young, owners will say «you youngsters» non-​stop. The décor is very small-​town restaurant in Italy — think dried flowers, strings of fake aubergines (!), 1980s wallpaper. Fab. The service is really informal and funny.
House red (at £12.50 a litre) is really drinkable. Squid was a bit chewy but batter good; sphaghetti with anchovies/​garlic was tasty if over-​sauced. Primi courses come with sauteed potatoes (deep-​fried!) and onion rings — slightly odd, but the sole with seafood was pretty good. Gnocchi was very light but bolognese sauce was overly acidic — tasted like tinned tomatoes with a nod to a cow.
If you live locally, it’s definitely worth a visit, if only for the hilarity and house red. It’s not the best Italian in Cardiff though. Bill for 2 — starters and mains plus wine — came to around £46.

This is the best italian in cardiff, there is a great atmosphere, you might have to book in advance as its a popular little place!

Great place, probably the best value Italian in Cardiff.
There is always a lovely atmosphere in this incresaibly popular Italian restaurant. You may have to book in advance as the last couple of times I’ve been there I’ve struggles to get a table, but being the good people they are they’ll squeeze you in where they can. They are laso very helpfull in catering for large parties.

The food is amazing and resonable, it’s where the Italians eat! It’s a bit far out and the décor is something to be desired, but the food makes up for that. I’ve eaten there sooo many times and never had a bad meal. Exceptional

Exceptional value and quality and as it’s off the beaten track you don’t get all the tourist trade you get in the bay or town centre. It’s on the number 9 and 8 bus route so easy to get to.
Great for parties, groups, romantic meals or just solo dining. I have always received great customer service here and am always impressed by the quality of food.
I recommend this place to everyone who asks for good quality Italian food in Cardiff.

Great place for parties, taking family out, romantic evening or just for a treat. Clean and nicely decorated. Lovely helpful staff. food is wonderful. Proprietor very nice man who takes pride in his buisness and is usually there asking if all is fine. Really Nice.