I went to the food festival in Cardiff that costs £23 to get in and one thing makes it a must-visit

Wales Online

10-05-2025

I went to the food festival in Cardiff that costs £23 to get in and one thing makes it a must-visit
With everything from gourmet truffle oils to hearty BBQ buns on offer, I checked out the best of the festival's food and drinks
I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried some of the weird and the wonderful at this year's Foodie Festival, at Bute Park
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
Under the looming turrets of Cardiff Castle, the delicious scent of sizzling street food and the distant thrum of bass lines drift across Bute Park—the Foodies Festival Cardiff is back, and it's already bursting with life. The three-day celebration of all things edible (and drinkable) runs from Friday, May 9, to Sunday, May 11 and features everything from celebrity chef demos to cocktail slushies, artisan markets, and headline performances from Symphonic Ibiza, Scouting for Girls, and Wanted 2.0 across the weekend.
Now in its third year visiting the Welsh capital, this touring food and drink spectacular has fast become a calendar highlight. It's a place where top chefs might be showcasing their culinary skills one moment, and the next you're sampling black truffle sauce from Brighton, sipping a frozen daiquiri, or dancing to live music in the sun.
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One of the standout features of Foodies Festival is its international street food offering, and it doesn't disappoint this year. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here
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The first stop on my foodie journey was Truffle World, an independent gem that had travelled all the way from Brighton for its very first Cardiff appearance. The stall boasted a luxurious range of Italian truffle products that Joanna, one of the founders, kindly talked me through. Their collection spans everything from truffle powders and spices to truffle oils, butters, vinegars, sauces, and even alcohol .
Crowds enjoy the sunshine on the first day of Cardiff's food festival
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While I'll admit I'm usually more of a garlic mayo than gourmet mushroom sauces kind of girl, I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed their summer chunky mushroom truffle. It delivered a warm, nutty richness that lingered on the palate in the best possible way. The bold choice prompted me to sample the other truffle sauces that Joanna was offering.
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Everything they sell is ready to use — no cooking required. "You can put truffle on pretty much anything," Joanna added. "It's incredible on popcorn, sweetcorn, mashed potatoes, or chips. Our truffle powder is probably the most versatile."
Joanna explained the difference between their signature black truffle sauce, which has a more woody and earthy taste, and the elusive white truffle, prized for its delicate, garlicky flavour. "We try to keep things healthy," she added, gesturing to their extra virgin olive oil — a favourite among their Brighton customers. "You can put it on everything — roast dinners, chips, steak, even just bread."
This might be a pricier option for visitors, with prices starting at £9 for a small jar truffle mushroom sauce while larger jars of pure truffle spice can fetch up to a mindboggling £98 .
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The first day of the Foodies Festival was a hit
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
Next up was the Gower Bakery, run by pastry chef, Heidi; the perfect stop if you've got a sweet tooth. Originally from Finland and trained there as a chef, Heidi specialises in handmade macarons, tarts and cakes, though for this festival it was just her macarons that made the appearance. She told me that she moved to the Gower ten years ago and decided to take the plunge into running her own bakery.
"This is my first time at any festival," Heidi said, clearly a little nervous. "I've just started turning a profit, so it's a big step." Running the Gower Bakery entirely on her own, Heidi's stall was smaller and more subdued than others, but her macarons were a true testament to her skill.
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The star of her range was the apple pie macaron - bright green in colour, delicately spiced and surprisingly nostalgic. "It's been really popular," she shared with a smile. "People like that little twist, it's different and you can't get it everywhere."
Some delicious options presented by owner of Gower Bakery, Heidi Heikkila
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As this was my very first macaron, I decided to play it safe with a vanilla bean flavour — a choice Heidi assured me was spot on. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The texture was soft on the outside and spongy on the inside, slightly chewy with a clear, authentic vanilla flavour that was sweet but not overwhelming.
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Priced at £2 each, this may be seen as a bit of a treat. I will say that the sweetness was just right, making it the perfect treat to snack on while I continued exploring the festival. I certainly couldn't have eaten more than a couple, but it was just the right amount to satisfy my sweet craving as I continued to enjoy all the other offerings at the festival.
The prices at Gower Bakery
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There's no shortage of international flair at this year's Foodies Festival — something that adds real depth to the event's street food credentials. From Greek Traditional Souvlaki, dishing up tender grilled meat with tzatziki and warm pita, to Middle Eastern Street Food and the ever-popular Happy Dumplings, it's like walking through a map of global flavours.
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As expected for a festival of this scale, pricing was fairly standard across the board. Most hearty street food meals sat between £11 and £15, depending on how adventurous your palate (and wallet) felt.
Lots of foodie options available at this year's festival
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
At Simsim, a vibrant Mediterranean street food stall, you can tuck into flavour-packed falafel wraps for £11, with vegan and vegetarian options available. And for any Avengers fans out there — yes, they serve shawarma wraps, alongside loaded fries, both also priced at £11.
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Right next door, Poutine Punks brings a taste of Canada with their take on the country's national dish: crispy French fries, gooey cheese curds, and rich brown gravy, all for a very reasonable £10. If you're feeling bold, you can upgrade to one of their "punked-up" versions for up to £12.50 — think maple streaky bacon, spicy sausage, or crispy chicken strips, available as extras from £1 to £4.
Poutine offers a taste of Canada's "National dish"
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
Another mouthwatering stop is the Fontmell BBQ Steakhouse, serving up tender pulled meat buns stacked inside toasted brioche, topped with homemade slaw and a punchy gherkin. The beef brisket with chimichurri comes in at £8.50, while the pulled pork with BBQ sauce and the vegan jackfruit alternative are both a tasty steal at £8 each.
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Double Double Smash Burgers also offered some delicious options, perfect for a sunny weekend
(Image: Lois McCarthy )
Meanwhile, I went for the crown for comfort food with the classic Loaded Fries and Nachos stand, run by a helpful crew who had come down from Scotland for their first ever Welsh festival. I went with their BBQ chicken loaded fries — a mountain of skin-on chips smothered in tangy sauce, breaded chicken, and cheese. It was rich, filling, and ideal for soaking up the festival atmosphere (and the sun).
I decided to try out the loaded fries - at one of the various vendors
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
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At £12 a bowl, the portion was more than generous, though the BBQ sauce was strong enough to drown out the cheese a little. For the adventurous, there was even a haggis and peppercorn sauce version on offer — a step too far for me, but intriguing all the same. All their loaded fries priced at £12 but if you fancy a plain option, their skin on fries are just £5.
Under the sunshine, festival-goers sprawled out on blankets, sipping drinks and bopping along to a soundtrack of Cher, Madonna and other upbeat anthems drifting from the live music stage. It's here that the drinks options truly shine — with stalls pouring everything from craft beer and fruity cider to prosecco and premium cocktails.
Prices, as expected for an outdoor festival, sat slightly higher than your local pub — with beers averaging around £7 a pint, cocktails at £9, and wine £8 per glass. That said, you do get a reusable plastic cup to keep as a festival souvenir, which felt like a bit of a fair trade-off.
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The drinks menu with price list at Cardiff Foodie Festival
(Image: Lois McCarthy )
But if you really want to sip in style, I can't recommend Sloshies enough. Run by Cheltenham duo Alex and Sarah, the stall specialises in frozen cocktails. Born from their time working bars at Glastonbury, Sloshies has quickly evolved into a travelling festival hit. "They were flying off the shelves," Alex smiled. "I thought — why not turn this into a full business?"
The stall specialises in frozen versions of classic cocktails that are sure to quench your thirst — including favourites like the Pornstar Martini, Strawberry Woo Woo, and Classic Margarita. Each drink is priced at £9.50 — just 50p more than your average festival cocktail and about on par with what you'd expect to pay in a bar around Cardiff. But with the added bonus of icy refreshment on a warm day, it's money well spent.
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Although Alex recommended the Classic Margarita, I decided to try the Strawberry Woo Woo and I have to say, I was immediately sold. It was fruity, refreshing, and just boozy enough to give it a kick — though I could've easily finished two without noticing the alcohol. In other words, dangerously drinkable.
Next, I headed to Happy Dumpling 365, admittedly because I was very curious, having never tasted a dumpling before. I was warmly greeted by Jean, daughter of business owner Lian, who proudly told me all their dumplings are homemade and come in a variety of flavours — chicken, pork, vegan, and gluten-free options included. The family-run business, originally from Monmouth, is in the thick of its busiest season yet, with St Ives lined up as their next stop.
I opted for the chicken dumpling, and it was a revelation. The outside was beautifully crisp and golden, while the inside was tender, juicy, and flavourful — not too heavy, but still completely satisfying. You can grab six tasty dumplings for £9, 10 dumplings with "core filling" for £14 and 10 mixed dumplings for £15. They were filling so I personally saw this as a good deal!
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Jean preparing homemade dumplings for guests at Happy Dumpling 365
(Image: Lois McCarthy )
To round off the day, I couldn't resist trying The Highland Crispy Duck, another veteran of the Foodies Festival circuit. Having recently rebranded, they were clearly thrilled to be back. Their crispy duck wrap was a showstopper: generously filled with shredded duck, cucumber, spring onion, and a rich hoisin sauce. It was a little messy on the walk round, as it is so full and the wrap itself is quite large but the flavours were spot on and for £12 it was a solid choice.
A chunky wrap filled with crispy duck to finish the day
(Image: Lois McCarthy )
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For my final verdict... there's something special about Foodies Festival Cardiff. Yes, the food is excellent — diverse, adventurous, and often surprising. Yes, the live music lifts the vibe with real festival spirit. But it's the unexpected discoveries — like apple pie macaroons and slushy cocktails — that make it a must-visit.
Scouting for Girls are set to headline the main stage tonight, following an electric opening night from Symphonic Ibiza on Friday. The Wanted 2.0 will close the weekend in style on Sunday, a fitting finale to a weekend full of food, flavour, and feel-good tunes.
Scouting for Girls and the Wanted 2.0 are set to headline this very stage, this weekend
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
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Whether you're here for the pulled meat buns, loaded fries, or to dance under the setting sun to the nostalgic hits of Scouting for Girls, there's something to fall in love with around every corner of Bute Park this weekend.
This year's Foodies Festival is bursting with flavour. While local street food is the star of the show, there's a full banquet of experiences to dig into. Budding chefs and food lovers should head to the Chefs' Theatre, where some of the UK's top culinary talents are cooking live, sharing techniques, tips, and a few laughs along the way.
This is the start of a three day event, right in the heart of Cardiff
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
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Expect appearances from Great British Menu favourites Tommy Heaney and James & Georgia Sommerin, plus the skilled Hayley Tulley of Bake Off: The Professionals, each bringing their own flair to the demo stage and making it just as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the appetite.
The Foodies Festival opens its gates at 11am on both Saturday and Sunday. While Saturday tickets have sold out online, there's still a chance to grab Sunday passes, with adult tickets starting at £23, young adults (12-16) at £8, and children under 12 at £5. If you're hoping for a spontaneous foodie day out, it's worth heading to the gate, limited tickets may still be available on the door.