Walking through the old part of St David’s Centre recently, my eyes were drawn to a new food outlet that has popped up next to the Build-a-Bear Workshop. Specifically, I found myself staring at the seemingly endless rows of bagels printed all over the walls. I was almost hypnotised by bagels. Look at the picture above for long enough, and maybe you’ll see what I mean.
After catching a glimpse of The Bagel Bar, I simply had to try it out for myself, so my friend and I went there for lunch one day last week. As the name would suggest, The Bagel Bar serves bagels – and lots of them – 17 different options, including play-it-safe choices like Chicken Caesar, Ploughmans and Classic Club, alongside more adventurous varieties like Mexicana, Bangkok Chicken and Maui Tuna.
The service at the till was really polite and friendly, and we didn’t have to queue for too long. Our food took about six to eight minutes to prepare from scratch in the open kitchen, during which time we were invited to take a seat in the dining area.
I ordered the Chicken Philly, a sesame seed bagel filled with chicken, melted cheddar, onions, dill pickle and mild mustard. The bagel was very generously filled; I’m glad they cut it in half because I think I’d have struggled to pick it up in one go! The melted cheese tasted delicious combined with the warm chicken and the gentle heat of the mustard. However, I was expecting it to be a little spicier given that it is labelled as ‘hot’ on the menu. Nevertheless, it was a tasty filling and it tasted especially good in the sesame seed bagel.
Chicken Philly
The Bagel Bar also serves a selection of fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, paninis, baked potatoes, pastries and muffins, alongside hot drinks (I can vouch for the caramel latte – £3, large), iced frappucinos and smoothies.
The Bagel Bar
13 St David’s Way
Cardiff
CF10 2DP
(029) 2034 5826
The Bagel Bar
Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 7.00pm
Saturday: 9.00am – 6.30pm
Sunday: 10.30am – 5.00pm