Located in the heart of Cardiff’s thriving student community on Salisbury Road in Cathays, Gassy’s (or Gassy Jacks as it was known until a couple of years ago) has been a staple part of the university nightlife scene for years. Unbeknownst to some, however, this lively local pub also serves a ravishing restaurant menu featuring a range of mouthwatering meat-free meals.
Although I don’t eat a lot of meat, I’m quite fond of chicken and maybe it’s a Welsh thing, but I’ve always had a soft spot for lamb. Since my recent visit to Suryalila Yoga Retreat Centre in Cadiz, Andalusia – when I ate only vegetarian and vegan food for a whole week – however, I’ve been making a conscious effort to eat more meat-free meals. So, when Gassy’s asked if I’d be up for popping in to sample some of their vegan dishes to mark Veganuary this month (which an estimated 350,000 people worldwide are taking part in this year), it couldn’t have been better timing.
Spot Gassy’s in Human Traffic
Eagle-eyed movie buffs might recognise Gassy’s from the 1999 film Human Traffic, which was filmed in Cardiff. We sat on the restaurant’s mezzanine dining area overlooking the bar, cosily lit with fairy lights; it was from here that the Friday night pub scene from the hedonistic film – which followed a group of friends on a wild weekend in Cardiff – was filmed all those years ago, back when the pub was known as Firedrake and Firkin.
Although the place has had somewhat of a revamp since my last visit, I’m still having flashbacks from some of the drunken nights I spent at Gassy’s while studying at Cardiff University. At the end of the night, I could just stumble back to my room down the road at Senghennydd Hall and fall into bed!
With over 15 different meat-free dishes to choose from, vegans are well looked-after at Gassy’s, although the menu also features a decent selection of meat-based grub with a focus on American-style comfort food; think burgers, hot dogs, bagels and calorific desserts.
Tempted by the likes of crispy cauliflower teriyaki noodles, plant-based tikka masala, BBQ-pulled jackfruit kebab and soya keema, I eventually opt for the Moving Mountains® B12 Burger.
Moving Mountains® B12 Burger
A deep reddish-brown in colour with a slightly charred coating, this looks just like a regular beef burger and an initial bite reveals a fleshy, meaty patty oozing ‘bloody’ (beetroot) juices.
This 100% plant-based burger comprises of a coconut oil base laden with plant-proteins and mushrooms combined with herbs and spices, with Vitamin B12 for added goodness. The patty has a seriously meaty texture; it’s almost like biting into beef. Pair this with a dollop of tangy red pepper houmous, fresh spinach, smoky soya and Violife grated mature in a bouncy brioche bun and the Moving Mountain® burger is really starting to live up to its name (£8.45).
BBQ-pulled Jackfruit Fries
The burger is usually accompanied with either topped nachos or skinny fries, but I can’t resist ordering the BBQ-pulled jackfruit fries (£6.25). While I’ve only ever tasted jackfruit once before but I’m fascinated at how this fibrous fruit from the mulberry, fig and breadfruit family has rocketed in popularity in recent years as veganism has become more popular.
With a soft, squishy texture alike that of a mango or a banana, Gassy’s BBQ-pulled jackfruit is topped with a tangy sweet and sour-style-sauce. Mounded atop crispy French fries smothered in melted Violife vegan cheese, it’s a meal in itself.
A super creamy espresso shake blended with milk (plant-based milks are available) and a frappe base (£3.45) teases my tastebuds as we wait for our food to arrive, while also perking me up ahead of the feast to follow.
Vegan breakfast
Opposite from me at the table, my eternal brunch buddy, Jamie (who writes the wonderful Explore With Ed travel blog) gorges on a sizeable all-day vegan breakfast (£4.45) paired with a pot of hot breakfast tea (£1.95). Comprising of three Quorn sausages, two elongated hash brown ‘bars’, baked beans, grilled tomato, button mushrooms, spinach and a slice of wholemeal toast (white bread is also available), this is perfect comfort food for breakfast or a lazy brunch.
As I munch on my burger, my eyes are devouring Jamie’s breakfast from across the table. The only real downfall appears to be the lack of vegan butter to spread onto the toast. If Gassy’s were to produce their own version, I reckon it’d be the best thing since (bare) sliced bread!
Would I go back to Gassy’s?
While I’d never have classed Gassy’s as a go-to spot for vegans or veggies in Cardiff until now, my recent visit has transformed my perspective of this cheerful community pub that was once the starting point for my student nights-out.
While Gassy’s isn’t a specialist vegan or vegetarian restaurant, there’s a considerable quantity of plant-based food on the menu and it’s a cut above the neighbouring kebab houses and takeaways, making it ideal for a pleasant dinner with friends. Prices are also extremely reasonable, with both our meals and drinks totalling less than £18.
For the first time ever, I’ve been craving a vegan burger like nobody’s business – to the point where I’d choose it over the meat equivalent – which has got to be saying something! Thankfully, the Moving Mountains® range is available at Sainsbury’s, so I’m going to stock up on some B12 burgers so I can create my own vegan burgers at home.
Gassy’s is open seven days a week from 10am until 7pm. If you’re looking to dine during the evening, it’s probably worth booking in advance via the website or by calling +44 (0) 29 2023 2608. Visit the Gassy’s website for further information.
Have you been taking part in Veganuary this year, or simply making an ongoing commitment to eat more meat-free meals? Share your experiences in the comment box below.
Enjoyed this post? Make sure you pin it so you’ll be able to find it if you ever visit Cardiff!
Why not check out some of my other Cardiff restaurant reviews while you’re here?
- Milgi – City Road, Cathays
- Stonebaked at Brava – Pontcanna
- Bottomless Brunches in Cardiff: 7 Top Spots
- Yakitori No.1 – Cardiff Bay
This looks like such a cool wee place and the food looks yum! I am not vegan but it is good to see places catering for those who chose to be! 🙂
I agree Nicola 🙂 I’m not vegan but I’m eating more meat-free meals than ever lately.
What a great place! So nice that it brings back memories of uni days too! 🙂
Have to admit I am not for turning vegan anytime soon (Keto), however all the food does look amazing and so beautifully presented!
I could have easily been fooled with that B12 burger and I did start drooling at the thought of beetroot! Can’t say I have ever tried Jackfruit but those fries looked immense! Glad you enjoyed! Sim x
Thanks Sim. I recommend trying jackfruit if you get the chance, it’s delicious. I did the keto diet for a little while and I did lose a few pounds on it. I should probably do it again, haha.
The vegan breakfast looks lovely and I do like the idea of the burger dripping red beetroot juice down my chin!
Thank you Heidi. It was absolutely wonderful. I think you’d have loved it!
That food looks absolutely delicious! What a lovely restaurant – I’d be tempted to try the vegan menu as I am trying to cut down on my meat intake and the food looks so good!
Same here. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the Moving Mountains burger ever since!
I love Jackfruit and used to eat lots of it in Asia when I was living there, I am curious to try Gassy’s BBQ-pulled Jackfruit Fries as they look super yummy!
Oh lovely! Do they eat it often in Malaysia? I’ll be heading there in March.
It looks like nice food. I definitely want to eat less meat and try more vegan food.
Me too; it’s better for our bodies and for the environment.
Looks like you had an amazing time. Deffo nice to see more vegan options on the menu
It was very refreshing indeed! LOVED that burger!
That burger looks just like a meat version so they’ve done such a good job. it’s so nice to see more places with a choice of veggie/ vegan dishes x
I agree Rhian – I could easily have been fooled at first glance!
I must say the food looks wonderful. I love that they seem to have nice vegan options too. I’d be tempted to try the BBQ-pulled jackfruit kebab as that sounds interesting.
Glad you think so Melanie 🙂 That kebab sounded delicious, I might have to go back for it.
We love Quorn sausages! So would gobble them right up! Gassy’s sounds like a great place to hang out with friends – never been to Cardiff but its on our radar now x
Personally, I’m not overly keen on Quorn but I did like the look of these sausages 🙂 I bet you’d love Cardiff!
I’m definitely tempted by the sounds of crispy cauliflower teriyaki noodles – I adore any cauliflower based dish. Although that burger looks super tasty too.
C x
They did sound lovely to be fair – a good excuse to go back! 😀
I feel like I stumbled upon Gassy’s during my last visit to Cardiff, the vegan food looks absolutely amazing, I want to try the burger.
Oh wow, what a small world! It is right in the heart of Cardiff’s student community, surrounded by kebab houses and takeaways.
That vegan breakfast looked amazing and I’m not even vegan! Have a lot of friends who are though so will be recommending.
It was scrumptious. I’m not vegan either but I would happily order that again 🙂
What a fab looking place and that menu looks fantastic, would love to try some vegan recipes
I was so impressed with how reasonably priced it was as well.
The burger looks absolutely mouthwatering! I hate it when you head to a place and there are only rubbish veggie and vegan options so it’s amazing to see restaurants pulling out all the stops and creating delicious dishes for us. And the prices are so reasonable too!
I know what you mean. I really feel for my veggie friends when we eat out and they are faced with boring options!
I do like places like this, with a tasty menu to suit most. The vegan selection looks delicious, and really satisfying, and always nice to see a vegan breakie option. And I do like the decor too. I’d certainly be intrigued enough to give it a try myself.
I bet you’d love it Janet! The vegan selection really was impressive.
Wow it looks absolutely delicious. I have said this year I am going to try and cut down on meat . Would definitely try this out
Same here. I’ve actually found myself growing less keen on the texture and taste of meat lately
Absolutely love Gassy Jacks! We live close by, but rarely find time to go in. I think their menu is similar, maybe the same, as The Woodville? Such good pub grub, and the vegan selection is luuuuush! 🙂
Ah yes, I believe they are under the same owners 🙂 I always loved both pubs when I was in uni, it’s nice to see them get a new lick of paint and a bit of a revamp as the years go on! I’m really impressed by their vegan selection too. Craving another of those burgers now, haha.
Sounds lovely, thanks for the review I’m always looking for new vegan places to eat.
Thanks Jayne! I was really impressed with the burger especially.