Future Inn Cardiff Bay

I was invited to try the Taste of Wales afternoon tea at the Thomas Restaurant, Future Inn Cardiff. The hotel is located near the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay and is the perfect location for visiting the bay or the city centre.

The restaurant is bright and colourful with seating also available outside. It was a lovely day outside, but we chose to sit indoors to save the sunburn!

We were seated and asked if we would like tea or coffee. I requested the Welsh Brew loose leaf tea and my husband only wanted water. I don’t understand how he doesn’t like tea or coffee!

We were given a menu and there was the option to pick three sandwich fillings. This is only the second place I have been to where you can choose your fillings and I like it.

My tea was swiftly delivered and we ordered the whole menu of sandwiches on a mix of breads.

• Locally sourced roast ham with wholegrain mustard

• Smoked salmon with creme fraiche and dill

• Egg mayonnaise and cress

• Caerphilly cheese and red onion chutney

• Hummus and roasted vegetable

The Welsh theme made it extra special knowing it was locally produced products like Caerphilly cheese. Everything is made in house and you also get unlimited tea or coffee.

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I liked the extra touch of mini Welsh cakes with my tea. I did have to share them with my husband as he looked at me with puppy dog eyes.

We didn’t have wait to long for our food. The platter was so big it filled the table! It all looked lovely and pretty decorated with violets.

The sandwiches were all fresh and I realised we ended up with more sandwiches than I was expecting as the the hummus ones came as wraps. The sandwiches were well filled and all full of flavour.

The sweet section consisting of:

• 4 fluffy scones with plenty of clotted cream and jam

• 2 slices of Bara Brith, a fruit cake which never looks very special but it tastes lovely

• 4 mini Welsh cakes

• 2 mini macaroons

• 2 custard desserts. This was my favourite item, I could have licked the dish clean

The food was all lovely and fresh. The venue was nice and bright and the cost is unbelievable! £12 a person is amazing value. Add on a glass of Cava for £3.50. There was also free onsite parking, just remember to enter your car registration at the front desk.

You can book online, by email thomas@futureinns.co.uk, or phoning 02920487111. Booking is essential and it is served daily between 1-5pm.

They cater for specialist diet or allergies and intolerances but you will need to inform at time of booking.

You can also buy gift vouchers which would be an ideal gift for those who enjoy afternoon tea.

It is a perfect location for hen parties and baby showers. A hen party had arrived whilst we were there but they had their tea in a private room. It is the perfect hotel base for hen parties for nights out down Cardiff Bay or in the city centre.

Definitely worth a visit then pop down the Bay for a stroll after, to work off some calories!