A sandwich shop with self-service crisp station that'll get you excited about lunch opens in Cardiff this week
Looking for a new lunch spot in Cardiff? This is just the spot
Square + Fair is open in Cardiff now
Cardiff is bursting at the seams with places to eat for lunch, from the amazing Cardiff market to the new Sri Lankan food stall Ceylan M8 on Penarth Road to the sandwich shop Fresh, which has queues winding out the door. Now, there is a new option to pick, and it is bang opposite Fresh in the Royal Arcade.
Square + Fair is a new sandwich shop and offers up chunky focaccia sandwiches with fillings such as The Notorious PIG (pulled sticky cola pork), What the Cluck (shredded roast chicken with truffle cream cheese) and Sunday Best (roast Welsh beef with a gravy dipping tub)..
Opening for the first time on Tuesday, June 3 not only do Square + Fair serve big sandwiches, they also offer a crisp option you may have not come across before. The cafe is home to a crisp station where you serve yourself plain crisps, add in the flavouring of your choice which includes options like chip shop curry, doner kebab, and southern fried chicken, shake, and away you go.
WalesOnline reporter Stephanie Colderick, visits the newly opened sandwich shop, Square and Fair, Royal Arcade, Cardiff. Pic by Rob Browne
Inside the new lunch spot is a sleek and modern aesthetic, perfect for any Instagram pics, with funky art on the walls, exposed brickwork, and fake plants hanging from the ceiling.
The self-servic crisp station, which is sure to be popular
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
Article continues below
Neon signs reading "crisp me up before you go go" decorate the walls and the top of the menu says "Yes, Cardiff! You Alrigh' or Wha'" adding a cheeky and cheerful feel to the place.
There is mixture of table and bench seating, with stools to perch on by the window where you can happily watch the coming and goings of the Royal Arcade. For our first look I also popped down to try the sandwiches and bagged up a portion of crisps.
We went down on opening morning, where there were already some customers waiting, to try out this new lunch spot.
For £5.80 I had the Morning Square focaccia, a packet of crisps for £1.20, a homemade fruity water for £2.50 and a salted caramel brownie for £3.90.
The sandwich was incredibly well stuffed
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
The Morning Square had overnight maple cured bacon, egg, spinach, tomato relish and also comes with cheese and it was massive and I felt fairy price for its size and quality also.
The sandwich was crammed with breakfasty filling, packed and bulging out of the box I was given it in.
The tomato relish was clearly handmade, this was no cheap ketchup, the bacon was thick and well cooked and the egg was light and airy, with an omelette like texture.
Adding a nice hint of green and freshness was the spinach, making the sandwich feel healthier with the egg too, and it was the perfect way to start my morning.
Inside it is sleek and modern
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
It was so big I actually gave the other half to my friend, after easily devouring the first half, already feeling full.
The crisps are a really cool concept and it was a lot of fun getting to pick the flavour I wanted and shake them around the bag.
There is new lunch option in Cardiff which shouldn't be missed
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
I opted for chip shop curry flavour and although slightly dubious, they are delicious.
With a bit of kick, these crisps do taste just like curry sauce you get from Chippy Lane, mixing well with the potato taste of the crisps and are incredibly moreish.
The coating did spread evenly over the crisps after a good shake and I will certainly be going back for more.
I couldn't resist a sweet treat
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
The salted caramel brownie did not disappoint, it melted in the mouth, was perfectly gooey yet still held its shape, had a crunchy biscuit layer in the middle that added a nice texture and taste and a good hit of salted caramel. 10/10.
Article continues below
Washed down with the homemade fruity water that had orange, lime, strawberry, cucumber and blueberries in making for a refreshing yet not overpowering drink that feels healthy and good for you, this is the perfect new lunch spot.
Square + Fair is now open in the Royal Arcade.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
Town to lose pub that's been there for centuries
Town to lose pub that's been there for centuries It has been a pub in Llantrisant since the 18th century with one of the earliest licenses dating back to 1791 The Cross Keys pub will no longer be a drinking establishment (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne) A pub in the heart of a Welsh town is going to to lost after centuries. The Cross Keys Hotel in Llantrisant Old Town, Rhondda Cynon Taf closed its doors in January after the tenants who ran the pub vacated the property for the building to be transferred to new owners. The Cross Keys has been a pub since the 18th century, with one of the earliest licenses for the building dating back to 1791. However, plans have been approved by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council to change the use of the building from a licensed premises to a retail store, office and self-contained flat. A planning application had previously been submitted to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council to change the use of the Cross Keys from a licensed premises to offices. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter There was a strong "third-party response" against the application, an RCT planning committee heard last month, with 262 letters petitioned against the application. A total of 18 letters of support were submitted. While members of the committee noted they were concerned to see another pub being lost, they recognised that there were a number of other pubs in the vicinity. Article continues below There had previously been extensive objections to an application seeking to change the use of a pub in the nearby village of Llanharry. Last year, the landlord of The Fox and Hounds pub lost a planning battle with residents to turn the village's only pub into housing. However, he has now won permission to turn it into a shop, potentially scuppering hopes that the community could take it on. Chair of the committee, councillor Sharon Rees said: "Our hearts are probably telling us we would prefer to see a pub in the centre of Llantrisant. "We had far reaching discussions about the Fox and Hounds and that decision was probably far easier to reach as there was no competition. This is a different situation but it doesn't make it much easier for us." The committee recommended that the application for the change of use be granted. At present, on the ground floor there are bar areas as well as a kitchen and the top floor is occupied by a function room and living quarters. Now the planning application has been granted, the space on the ground floor can be converted into a general office as well as retail store. The first floor can be converted into a self-contained flat and storage space. The application was submitted by Town Garage (Rentals) LTD, a local vehicle repair shop who own premises next to The Cross Keys. Article continues below
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
Iceland boss offers reward to anyone who spots a shoplifter in their stores
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The chief executive supermarket chain Iceland has said the firm will reward customers who help catch shoplifters in their outlets nationwide. Richard Walker told Channel 5 News that with the Deeside-based business suffering substantial losses from theft, the grocery chain will offer £1 to any shopper who spots stealing in their premises. The chief executive explained that shoplifting has become a major issue for the firm, costing them "over £20 million a year". The British grocery retailer runs more than 970 outlets across the UK, including 66 locations in Wales. To receive the £1 reward, shoppers must be members of the supermarket's loyalty programme and possess an Iceland Bonus Card, reports Wales Online. Walker informed Channel 5 News: "I'd like to announce that we will give £1 to any customer who points out a shoplifter. (Image: Channel 5) "We'll put it on their bonus card if they see any customer in our stores who are undertaking that offence." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Should you notify a member of staff at an Iceland outlet about a shopper discovered to be stealing, you will receive £1. The Iceland chief executive also stated that theft "keeps prices from being lowered" as it costs the company millions of pounds each year. He explained: "We'd like out customers to help lower our prices even more by pointing out shoplifters and then we'll give them a quid back." This follows the supermarket's introduction of facial recognition technology at its checkouts in June this year, as part of measures to tackle theft and protect staff from violence. The system involves cameras scanning the faces of customers and cross-referencing them with a database of known troublemakers, subsequently alerting store employees if there's a match. If the trials are successful, Iceland may consider rolling out this technology across all its stores. Facewatch is also utilised by several other retailers including Home Bargains, B&M, House of Fraser, Sports Direct, and Evans Cycles. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- North Wales Live
Iceland boss offers reward to anyone who spots a shoplifter in their stores
The chief executive supermarket chain Iceland has said the firm will reward customers who help catch shoplifters in their outlets nationwide. Richard Walker told Channel 5 News that with the Deeside-based business suffering substantial losses from theft, the grocery chain will offer £1 to any shopper who spots stealing in their premises. The chief executive explained that shoplifting has become a major issue for the firm, costing them "over £20 million a year". The British grocery retailer runs more than 970 outlets across the UK, including 66 locations in Wales. To receive the £1 reward, shoppers must be members of the supermarket's loyalty programme and possess an Iceland Bonus Card, reports Wales Online. Walker informed Channel 5 News: "I'd like to announce that we will give £1 to any customer who points out a shoplifter. "We'll put it on their bonus card if they see any customer in our stores who are undertaking that offence." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Should you notify a member of staff at an Iceland outlet about a shopper discovered to be stealing, you will receive £1. The Iceland chief executive also stated that theft "keeps prices from being lowered" as it costs the company millions of pounds each year. He explained: "We'd like out customers to help lower our prices even more by pointing out shoplifters and then we'll give them a quid back." This follows the supermarket's introduction of facial recognition technology at its checkouts in June this year, as part of measures to tackle theft and protect staff from violence. The system involves cameras scanning the faces of customers and cross-referencing them with a database of known troublemakers, subsequently alerting store employees if there's a match. If the trials are successful, Iceland may consider rolling out this technology across all its stores.
