Old Orleans

Have been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans many times in my life — Old Orleans in Cardiff is a cool spot to grab some Cajun/​Creole cooking while in Wales.
This shot…
Jam Donut: a drop of grenadine in the middle of a shot of Archers, Baileys and Jack Daniels — success!

I think I have a love/​hate relationship with this particular Old Orleans. At certain times I love it, the service is excellent and the food tastes fantastic. However, at other times it can be very bad, and when it’s bad it shows! There can be a lack of service and an extremely long wait on food. It’s hard to rate this restaurant because it can be enjoyable certain times but my memory always tracks back to the bad.
I will explain in more depth. I have been there for a few functions and attended a Christmas meal with some friends. This is when the service and quality of food was top notch! We had no problems with anything and ended up having an enjoyable night. On another occasion I went there with my girlfriend just before lunchtime and waited at the podium to be seated. We were not even greeted or given menus and stood there for a good 5 minutes. After waiting we thought that it wasn’t worth it and we left. It seems that they are only prepared to deliver good service in the evening. They serve excellent food and some are pricier than others but you do get what you pay for.
This can be an excellent restaurant and it seems it depends on when you visit. Try visiting in the evening and I hope you have a great night. I wouldn’t try lunch time however, there might not be anyone there

Following the recent closure of Cardiff Bay’s Old Orleans, this vibrant and fun restaurant and bar is the only Old Orleans left in town. Having always had a great deal more character than the other Old Orleans, this is a great place to come to experience a genuinely lively, atmospheric venue. Selling good tasty food, coupled with the great atmosphere, this really is an enjoyable setting for friends, families and the younger generations to enjoy a meal. You wouldn’t come here expecting gourmet food, so you won’t be left disappointed by the tasty cajun-​style food and generous portions.
As well as serving as a fun place to have a meal, the bar, particularly later on in the evening, is also a good place to come and get a drink or two. WIth the venue still vibrant and charismatic until fairly late, they sell a good range of cocktails, as well as your more standard alcoholic beverages. Cool place to come at any time of day.

There’s certainly a cocktail theme developing in most of my reviews…
Just for a change then — the atmosphere. there’s a really decent, party atmosphere in Old Orleans. It’s certainly better than the one in Cardiff Bay, which tends to attract more families visiting the cinema or going bowling than people on nights out. It tends to fill up more with the mid-​20s age group and there’s always a good time vibe here, with lively music and really friendly staff.
Right enough of that… the cocktails! It looks like they put a lot of thought into these with certain mixes on the menu endorsed by Old Orleans’ own resident mixologist. Which has to be the coolest job of all time. I prefer the cocktails here to 10 Feet Tall as they are more consistent here, and presentation is better. They also knock up pitchers for you for around the £11 or £12 mark which I would recommend to get proper value for money.
A proper good time bar with decent value and a party atmosphere. The cocktails are varied and fantastic and although I wouldn’t recommend spending more than an hour or two at the most here, it’s certainly a more than decent place to start your evening out.

Very atmospheric American restaurant that serves typical American and Tex-​Mex cuisine. The food is very good and the prices are mid-​range.

This is my preferred Cardiff branch of Old Orleans because of its location and its better atmosphere, which the other (Cardiff Bay) branch lacks somewhat.
I have never been here during the daytime, because when I’ve walked past the place often seems to be taken over by families with children. In the evening, however, it’s more of a grown up venue playing jazz and serving up big portions of delicious Cajun-​style food with a whole array of heady cocktails. Although it’s a chain, at least its theme isn’t one you find on practically every corner (like pizza chains), and there are many dishes on offer that you probably won’t find on any menus elsewhere in Cardiff — such as the spicy blackened fillet of catfish, the Louisiana and Creole stews, or the Bourbon ribs. Some of their desserts are divine, too — try the classic Key Lime Pie or delicious waffles with ice cream and chocolate sauce!

I am always disappointed when I eat here. The menu looks good but the food is always really average, and a remember a few occasions when its not been very warm and had to be sent back. Service isn’t very quick either. Compared to TGI’s its a real let down on food and service.
I do however love their cocktails and the bar area is my prefered choice for visiting Old Orleans, especially when they are on offer.
I wish I could say something better about it because I do like the atmosphere and décor in there, the food just lets it down.

Old Orleans comes under two different experience, depending on if you go for lunch or an evening meal.
At lunch the restaurant feels quiet, nice and relaxed. Almost like a casual snack bar. The prices are very reasonable at lunch and most things are around £6ish. However, your not going to get the same portions as you would of the evening.
In the evening is where I most enjoy this place. Much like a TGI’s/Frank and Bennys etc, there is a casual fun feeling atmosphere. Food is of the American side of things, generally a bit of everything from around the world in huge portions. And I mean huge portions.
Again, I shared a nachos platter for starters and surf and turf for mains. Being a man I explained about things I had no clue about. «Don’t worry, the nachos will be kinda small here, so I reckon we should have two lots between the four of us…» Cue 15 minutes later and a red faced Jamie asking the table for forgiveness. There was enough nachos there to create a 1:1 replica of the Welsh Assembly. It was good though.
After trudging through my rudimentary nacho replica I was feeling a little worse for wear to handle the huge surf and turn I naively ordered earlier. Again, it was great, but the main thing I can remember about it was the coconut stuffed battered shrimp, I don’t think I’ve actually had them anywhere since and it’s left a hole in my life. Utterly delicious!
Service was a slower than I would of liked, though it was fairly busy and can understand why. Money exchanges in Orleans at a rate of £25 per head for a 2 course meal with a drink or two. Do try the cocktails upon your visit, they are great!

I liked the the whole layout and was pleasurable being there.
The food was nice but not that big of a menu :\ Expensive for what I had too £9-£10 for a Burger and chips
The waitress was very nice too. Thanks

This is lovely. The menu is great but maybe a bit pricey– but actually on a par with other American restaurants. The lunch menu is a good way to cut the cost of eating there. The staff have always been lovely and there is a separate bar area which serves cocktails to die for.

I love this place as the food is so mmmmmmmmm!!!
The steak and pulled pork sandwiches are just awesome!
Great atmosphere, good place for a good chat with friends!
I recommened the cocktails! ;)

this was one of my favorite places to eat when i was in uni. the food was always cooked to perfection and there is a wide range of items available. there are so many different things in fact that i once had an alligator steak!!!
my only gripe is that they no longer do the 20ounce steak which was my favorite! (with extra fries!!)

A warm welcome as soon as you arrive, unfortunately when I visited this venue the heating wasn’t working so throughout the whole meal i had to ware my coat, not the best start but the food compensated for the lack heating. The comprehensive menu suits all pallets with delicious original American cuisine, just thinking about it makes my mouth water! Old Orleans also do a wide selection of cocktails, all at a reasonable price! I definitely give this venue a strong recommendation as it is a wonderful taste of America right in the centre of Cardiff.