24-05-2025
Swansea café named among the best in the world
A list of the top 50 cafés in the world has been released by The Telegraph, featuring coffee shops from locations like Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna and Australia.
Telegraph journalist Chris Moss, introducing the list, said: "A great café is as important a pilgrimage site as a cathedral, a world-class museum, an ancient ruin or a modern architectural marvel.
"When I travel, wherever I travel, I seek out a café. A place to sit down and think and watch – and enjoy a strongish espresso – is more important to me than museums, monuments, temples, churches and, even, restaurants.
How many cups of tea/coffee should you drink a day?
"Nowhere quite represents a place like its cafés. What would Vienna, Rome and Paris be without theirs?
"It's not just the history or the opulence. It's the window on the world."
The top 50 best cafés in the world
The best cafés in the world, according to The Telegraph, are:
Swansea café named among the best in the world
Kardomah - Morris Buildings, 11 Portland St, Swansea - has been named among the best cafés in the world by The Telegraph, the only place in Wales to make the list.
It ranked 13th on the list and was described as a "golden oldie" providing a "nostalgia fix" for its visitors.
The Telegraph said: "Not the original Swansea Kardomah – Hitler put paid to that in 1941 – but it feels and looks like it.
"Opened in 1957, this wonderful, spacious, family-friendly café-restaurant still has original wood panelling, tiled floor and deco-ish reliefs, providing a nostalgia fix for its many senior clients.
"As further proof that caffs are about time-travel, Doctor Who used the Kardomah as a location and Russell T Davies has been spotted sipping here.
"The old Castle St 'Kardomah Gang' included Dylan Thomas, Alfred Janes and Vernon Watkins; this one is frequented by the people they wrote about and painted."
The nostalgic, South Wales café is also a hit with its guests, boasting a 4.5 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 255 reviews.
One visitor to Kardomah said: "Been here for years would 100% recommend it. Tea cakes the size of plates, and fabulous coffee. Can't ask for anything more."
Another person added: "Used to come here with my parents 40 years ago. It's exactly how I remember it.
"Spent an hour here waiting for an appointment and had eggs on toast end endless coffee refills.
"Lovely staff. Knocks spots off Starbucks and the like. This would be my coffee local if I still lived in Swansea."
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While a third person commented: "The absolute BEST PLACE. Food is delicious, the homemade Cawl is the best I ever tasted.
"The service is fast and friendly, consistently excellent.
"Totally quirky inside. Just perfect in every way. Prices so reasonable."
