Hygge and Cwtch Design Studio was born and bred in Cardiff, Wales. Run from our garden studio in the north of the city, we’re proud of our roots in the Welsh capital. We feel lucky to have a vibrant city on our doorstep, sandwiched between countryside and coast, and the beautiful country of Wales and the South West England coastline within easy reach.

Named the Best City and the Friendliest City in the UK in 2023 by Conde Nast readers, we thought we’d share some of our personal favourite spots to visit in Cardiff. So if you’re planning a trip to our city and are looking for some interior and good-vibes inspiration, then this one’s for you!

Bacareto

A café bar in central Cardiff with a relaxed vibe and an interior style which hits all the right notes. Inspired by the Bacari of Venice, you feel transported to Italy once inside. Simple and contemporary design paired with natural materials all add to the informal atmosphere at Bacareto, so you can sit back, sip on your Aperol and snack on their Venetian-style bites. Enjoy good company and soak in that city centre buzz.

All imagery Hygge & Cwtch’s own.

Nest

Located in the North of the city, Nest is a gem of an interiors shop. Very hygge vibes and always a warm welcome, its an independent shop full of treasures. Stocking a host of homewares – including some of our favourite Welsh brands such as Melin Tregwynt – accessories, clothing and books, plus much more. The perfect place to pick up a gift or something new for your own home. It’s well worth dropping in if you’re in the Rhiwbina area of Cardiff.

All imagery taken from Nest’s website. Photography by Maria Farrelly Photography.

Rum & Fizz

Our must-visit if you’re on the hunt for a cocktail or something with some fizz. Everywhere you look at Rum & Fizz is a rustic, intricate feast for the eyes. It has the ability to draw you further in with its quirky, magical charm and of course, an excellent drinks menu. With a mix of social seating from bar stools to lounge chairs, an outdoor ‘secret garden’ and street-front seating, its one of the most welcoming, sociable places in Cardiff. The interiors are an unusual mix of sophisticated, vintage, luxe with a heavy dose of global influence. Moody shades, mixed prints plus tonnes of wood and plants for the biophilia lovers. Just take a look and tell us you don’t want to settle in for the evening!

All images from Rum & Fizz Instagram

Brød Danish Bakery

We couldn’t not include this place on our list, considering our affinity with the Danish concept of hygge. Brød Danish Bakery embodies hygge in both its aesthetic and it’s concept. There’s not much that says ‘simples pleasures’ quite as much as freshly baked bread and pastries! As with all of our favourite spots, the interiors are simple and natural. The focus being on the produce and the experience. Instagrammable food and interiors, it’s the perfect spot to stop off and re-fuel. You can find them in the Pontcanna area of Cardiff.

All imagery taken from the Brød Bakery website and Instagram

The Sustainable Studio

The Sustainable Studio is an artist-led creative community in the heart of Cardiff. Dedicated to providing affordable studio space to creatives and small businesses, bringing like-minded people together to collaborate, develop and thrive. The core principle of the Studios is sustainability, so the interiors are as you may expect – welcoming, simple, natural and functional. Encouraging connections between people and the flexibility for them to work and create together or alone.

The Reading Room provides access to books and opportunities to delve deeper into the world of writing and reading, encouraging people to ‘read, learn, listen and share ideas’. With venue space to hire and a calendar full of events and workshops, it’s well worth a visit if you’re in town and want to feel some of that community creative buzz. Located on Tudor Street within easy reach of the River Taff.

We love to start or end our day exploring the city at Penarth Pier Pavillion. With a cafe and busy events roster there’s always lots going on. But our favourite thing to do is walking down the pier. Taking in the sea air and the gorgeous view overlooking the Bristol Channel.

Follow us on Instagram for more sneak peeks of our life in Cardiff and do let us know what you think if you visit any of our top spots!