Uncommon Ground

Paul Hayman, who founded Uncommon Ground in nearby Royal Arcade with his brother Ian certainly wouldn’t disagree. “These are exciting times,” he echoes. “This end of town can only improve with all the new developments around the station. The way Cardiff is growing is just fantastic.”

A speciality coffee house and roastery, Uncommon Ground offers high-end coffee and light bites that are a little different. Very few places in Cardiff buy in green beans and roast their own but it’s not just this that sets Uncommon Ground apart, believes Paul.

“As well as high quality coffees, we pride ourselves on the speed of service and the fact that we offer a different experience,” he says. “Cardiff may be a saturated market in terms of chains but there’s plenty of room for independents offering a better product.”

The darkened interior with vintage-furnishing and relaxed vibe certainly offers refuge from the bustle beyond its doors, and stands in welcome contrast to their national chain brethren.