Caffé Gioia

Caffé Gioia is situated on Cowbridge Road East, in Canton, and is sandwiched between Ichiban and the Bangkok Café. Thankfully it’s not trying to compete with these two restaurants in any discernable way, otherwise it would be a bit of a lame entrant in a top class, three dog race. It’s not that it doesn’t have a pedigree… it takes its name from the Italian coffee company that attempts to compete with Illy, Lavazza and Segafredo. But I’m not so sure whether this is a prudent move… there’s been supply issues in the UK of late, so the brand is not as trusted as it could be at present. Having said that, they do a great coffee, as do the others, and so if this café can keep itself stocked, all will be well. As it carries the same comprehensive branding as the manufacturer, instead of just a logo of the coffee, you would presume it’s considered a priority on the Gioia dispatch list!
In the food department they are also predominantly Italian in theme, with pasta, omelettes and grills with a Southen Mediterranean flair. They also do sandwiches and rolls that can compete easily with other snack food outlets on the strip. Lunchtime is their busiest period, with the crowd dwindling to almost no-​one by 4.00pm. I have often glanced in after 5.00pm and am surprised to see the place entirely empty… with no outdoor seating and the Ivor Davies, with an ample terrace, just up the road, I question the sense of staying open till 8.00pm. The good people of Cardiff want a pint after work, so The Ivor and The Goscombe are the places that get the crowds in round here!