Serving cakes, teas, coffees, and brunch, the tearoom has found popularity amongst students, businessmen, and elders alike.
Waterloo Tea was established in 2008 by Kasim Ali in Waterloo Gardens. After winning Best Café in the UK in 2009, Kasim Ali chose to expand the tearoom to 5 other locations; including Penarth, Roath, and Wyndham Arcade in the city centre of Cardiff.
Wyndham Arcade: A testament to the city’s history
Wyndham Arcade is a part of Cardiff’s ‘City of Arcades’ initiative, set up in the hope to highlight independent businesses in the City Centre. The arcades house mainly locally owned independent businesses. This is important to highlight as both a shopping experience and ethical viewpoint, explains Kasim Ali.
Created with Victorian and Edwardian style in mind, the arcades all have a certain charm to them: illuminated by fairy lights in Winter, and warm with sun rays in Summer. Wyndham Arcade, built in 1887 hosts restaurants and shops, including Waterloo Tea.
A look into cosy Waterloo Tea
Waterloo Tea is a space that ‘embeds into the community’: it is not only designed by local businesses, but also designed for local customers. With a menu adapted to any dietary requirement and over 60 different types of teas, Waterloo Tea is an amazing fusion of contemporary and traditional.
The staff is always willing to help, always with a smile on their face – but behind their mask, that is.
COVID-19 obviously impacted businesses in Cardiff, but was nearly lethal for small independent business. The support of the local community was the key element in keeping Waterloo Tea open: simply by buying a take away coffee and cake or sitting in for brunch with a friend.
Open 10am to 4pm every day, Waterloo Tea remains one of my favourite places in the city to sit down for hours; studying or chatting away, with a warm cup of tea in hand.
