Elgano Italian Restaurant in Cardiff

Perfect is the only word I can use to perfectly describe our whole experience. The tablet we were seated, perfect. The service & attention to detail given by the staff, perfect. The menu was perfect. The meal(s) we had were perfect. We are planning our next visit in May & we are already so looking forward too our exquisite experience at Elgano..

It's ok nothing special ratings make this place sound exceptional which it's not.

What a find! Without doubt, for me, the best Italian restaurant I have been to. The staff are so friendly and even children are made to feel welcome. We were a party of 5 adults and a 6 year old and everyone, without exception, said how amazing their meals were. My grilled chicken breast with the Dragonella sauce was absolutely scummy, my daughter's salmon ravioli has become her number one meal and the lasagne and ravioli gorgeous. I probably would have liked more on the dessert menu but the tiramisu was lovely. We all agreed, we will be back!

Excellent all round. Great staff with excellent food. An authentic Italian restaurant. The food was cooked to perfection and reasonably priced.

The best Italian in Cardiff, and such lovely people. Always great food and service in a welcoming, friendly atmosphere. Thank you once again - until the next time

A very nice restaurant. Food, drink and the entire staff are highly recommended. Even though we didn't reserve, we got a table. This tip was very good from a friend and we can recommend Elgano to everyone. Mille grazie a tutti.

We celebrated our son’s 21st birthday on Saturday 9th March at Elgano. (We have ate here previously.) Everything was just absolutely perfect, from the amazing food, exemplary service and a great vibrant atmosphere! The staff very kindly decorated our table in advance with birthday decorations and sung happy birthday much to our son’s embarrassed ‘overload’ - but all great fun! The owner is so hands on as was the entire team. We really can’t thank you all enough for making this such a special occasion! Unequivocally the very BEST Italian in Cardiff ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a fabulous place. Good in all respects, beautifully cooked food and excellent value.

Fantastic service and the food is exceptional. Many thanks

Amazing food and amazing service. Really enjoyed my evening will definitely be returning.

First time at the restaurant, food was lovely & the staff were very friendly & helpful. Will definitely be going back.

Absolutely brilliant, the level of service was excellent and the food amazing. Highly recommend

Excellent food and people. Highly recommend!

We came for dinner here on the 13th of February to celebrate an early valentine’s day. The service was remarkably good, as was the selection of wines. In particular, i’d recommend the Gavi. We had polpette and the calamari to start, both incredibly good. For mains, we opted to have a pasta dish each and to share a pizza, the carbonara was authentic and the house special was exquisite. The pistachio profiteroles finished the meal nicely and we left as very happy customers. I’d recommend Elgano’s to anybody looking for an Italian in Cardiff, it is certainly amongst the best that we have tried.

Enjoyed a delicious meal with friends here. Great service and wonderful atmosphere

Another amazing visit to this outstanding establishment! 4th time for us and a few months in between visits but the consistency for me is Food 10 star surroundings 10 star staff 10 star!! Me and my family luv this place! Great menu and the food is amazing and presented wonderfully I've had an issue with anything! I will be returning again a true Cardiff GEM!! Thank you x

Enjoyed a lovely meal here this week, we were throughly looked after by all the staff. Food was absolutely delicious. Gorgeous setting for the restaurant - would highly recommend, we look forward to our next meal here.

Called the restaurant to cancel a booking that was made due to my partners ACL being ruptured so was unable to make it and called with plenty time to spare and requested a refund but the lady on the phone refused without hearing us out and abruptly hung up the phone. It is interesting how they are so lovely when they want you to make reservations or dine there to get profit but as soon as they know you are no use to their sales they are rude

A fantastic, authentic, Italian dining experience. The salmon starter with ricotta and avocado was amazing and the carbonara was delicious - crispy pancetta done in the Italian style. Superb service. A delightful venue for a cozy date. We will definitely be back.

Stayed overnight and had evening meal in restaurant. Food, service and staff were first class. Lovely styled modern bedroom too. Highly recommended.

I booked me a table for4 which we had to make 5 @ 8pm on Saturday evening and it was sorted without any fuss or drama. We had a variety of starters, main courses and sweets and every course was delicious. We had white and red wine which was very good and reasonably priced. The service was exceptional and the ambiance was warm and inviting. We look forward to our next visit already. Keep up the good work 👍

Absolutely loved visit, well done to all the staff, looking forward to the next visit. Called in on the off chance and was happy to accommodate us.

Food was absolutely outstanding. Will definitely be coming again soon

It was spectacular.a real treat for my Birthday Girl. They made a proper fuss of her. I enjoyed it as well.

Delicious meal and drinks at Elgano Italian. The restaurant is cozy and comfortable, we were Sat in the Orangery which was quiet and romantic. Our meal was top notch, tasty, served in a timely manner by friendly staff. This is our 3rd time visiting Elgano, each experience was fabulous. We will definitely be back soon.

This restaurant was very busy when I walked in. Dinner was served upstairs. Starter was ok but I would have liked more salad. Bread crust was impossible to cut so had to eat with my hands. Main was alright, lamb was delicious, but unfortunately not many potatoes or veggies. Dessert was homemade panna cotta. Overall nice meal less quantity than expected but with quality.

Lovely place l very good food and staff

Fantastic food and service we were on a weekend break in Cardiff and stayed In one of there eight rooms above the restaurant really enjoyed it. I only wished we lived closer, we would certainly be regular diners.

Great food, excellent service. Looking forward to going back soon.

One of the best in Cardiff. Food, service and location all top shelf.

Lovely place. Thoroughly enjoyed xx

Excellent food combinations and service. It was a perfect venue to catch-up with friends.

Delicious Italian food! Cannot wait to go back!

Visited Elganos for a girls lunch on a Saturday a few weeks ago. There were 9 of us and we all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The service was excellent and the food was superb! We would definitely visit again!

Staff were warm and friendly, the venue was beautifully appointed, however the food was fairly average.

Pre-booked this for my birthday after hearing all the good reviews and seeing the awards won. Upon arrival we were greeted by a very confused woman who instructed a server to take us upstairs, then gave him food to take up (which was not for us) and then continued to stand in the very narrow pass/walk way instead of letting us past. We were directed upstairs in what used to be an old bedroom (despite there being a lot of free tables in the main restaurant area), our table was right in the entry way too. We were immediately asked if we wanted drinks and didn’t have much time to look at the menu before our order was being taken, however, this could just be because I couldn’t concentrate and look at the menu properly because we were placed next to a family of three that sounded like they’d be better suited on a farm - obviously, this is something the restaurant could not control, but i feel if we were placed in the main restaurant, this would have not been an issue. For starters we had Bruschetta Oregano & Calamari Fritti. The Brushetta was supposed to be in a tomato cream sauce, but it didn’t even taste of tomato and just tasted very bland. The Calamari Fritti, which was supposed to be “tender”, but tasted more like an elastic band. The waiter kindly took the first order back to the kitchen and got the chef to cook more, however it came back overcooked and rubbery again. Also, the homemade tartare sauce was mainly mayo. For mains we ordered Pollo Grigliato (grilled chicken breast) in a pepper sauce & Costalette Di Agnello Alla Griglia (lamb cutlets). The chicken breast had been butterflied, and seemed quite dry despite being covered in pepper sauce. The pepper sauce seemed so floury and was bland. It was also accompanied with green beans, carrots and sautéed potatoes (despite stating roast potatoes on the menu). The lamb was a good cut of meat and cooked well, however it was bland and lacked seasoning. Also the mint & rosemary sauce it came with was again floury and tasteless. I want to make it clear that our server was polite and friendly, but unfortunately the overall experience wasn’t enjoyable and I do not get the hype. To me I’ve had better tasting microwave meals.

Best meal in a long time. Italian food the way I expect it to be. Service, setting and quality absolutely top notch. The bruscetta, pizza, chicken and past we had was gorgeous!

We called for dinner tonight. The staff were lovely, so was our starter, main courses and sweets. The coffees finished off what was an outstanding meal.

I had the pleasure of dining at Elgano Italian restaurant in Cardiff, and I must say it was an exceptional experience. As an Italian, I have high expectations when it comes to Italian cuisine, and Elgano exceeded them in every way possible. The moment I stepped in, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that instantly reminded me of home. The staff, attentive and friendly, made me feel right at ease. Now, let's talk about the food - it was simply divine. The menu offered a delightful array of traditional Italian dishes, each prepared with utmost care and authenticity. I started with the bruschetta, which was fresh and bursting with flavors. For the main course, I had the homemade pasta, and it was cooked to perfection, just like Nonna used to make. The rich tomato sauce and perfectly al dente pasta took me back to my roots. And of course, I couldn't resist indulging in some tiramisu for dessert – it was heavenly. The wine selection was impressive, featuring a variety of Italian wines that complemented the meal wonderfully. The entire dining experience at Elgano was a culinary journey through Italy, and I savored every moment of it. I highly recommend Elgano Italian restaurant to anyone seeking an authentic taste of Italy right here in Cardiff. The combination of genuine Italian flavors, cozy ambiance, and impeccable service makes it a true gem in the heart of the city. Grazie mille, Elgano, for bringing a piece of Italy to Wales. I will definitely be returning soon!

Ótimo restaurante, comida saborosa, atendimento cortes, vinho delicioso, ambiente seguro.

Update 4.11.23. food superb this evening. Waiting staff could be friendlier. Busy Tuesday evening, almost full. Friendly service, albeit tad slow. Food nicely presented and good value.

What a gem! We hadn't booked but were given a table and enjoyed a wonderful meal with excellent service. The salmon ravioli was outstanding! So friendly and warm. Diolch yn fawr!

Amazing! And the staff are so friendly!

Son took me for food here as i wanted italian and he has been here previously .! We rang to see if any availability for straight away and was accomadated ! You ring a bell when you arrive they let you in .nice bright cosy room and a room out back which i prefer as i suffer anxiety its less intrusive i think. Quite busy ! Staff helpfull and attentive.seated quickly .drinks brought quickly .orederd food arrived quickly too ! Fab! Lasagne was exceptional the taste was to die for! And im quite a critical person !was so tasty and quality food! Garlic bread is also tasty good quality and the butter roasted roasties with onions were lovely ! We had pistaccio profiteroles and they too are too die for ..quality. although i do think deserts are just a little overpriced but portion size is good and beautifully presented ! Amazing taste .Deserts came out very quick also ! Food prices are justified ! Taste exceptional ! Reasonable prices! Very clean.nicely laid out .My positive critiscm is based solely on my personal experience ! No negatives regarding food ! Service is great but staff could relax a little .very busy almost stressed looking and non engaging ..i prefer out back seating but probably not next to toilet door / private room as lots of traffic and i do find it gives me social awkwardness ! But i do suffer anxiety .I would and will definatly return and recommend to anyone as one of the best italians i have eaten! Compliments to the chef also.thankyou.x

The service was so good and quick. The drinks tasted really good, the food was amazing and the chocolate cake was the tastiest cake I’ve ever tasted! Lovely restaurant and great vibe.

Absolutely superb food, service and atmosphere honestly wish I could give more than 5* very reasonably priced 💯% satisfaction will definitely return thank you so much. Sorry forgot to leave a tip but will double it next time so sorry 😔

Absolutely superb food, service and atmosphere honestly wish I could give more than 5* very reasonably priced 💯% satisfaction will definitely return thank you so much. Sorry forgot to leave a tip but will double it next time so sorry 😔

We had an excellent 3 course here on Saturday night, we ate early so we could watch The Rugby and so did many others as the restaurant was full at 6 o’clock Fish cake and Meat balls starter were lovely for mains we had Spicy Sausages Tagliatelle and The spinach and ricotta Ravioli and we shared the pistachio profiteroles. Service was excellent, food came out on time will definitely return.

Arrived nice and early wasn’t to busy. Drinks very expensive especially the 330ml bottle of beer. Wife’s dinner was very nice. I ordered a lasagna which arrived very runny and hot there was no beef or very little in the lasagna. They apologised and reduced the price of the meal by £7 but it’s not the money it spoiled the evening. A Italian restaurant which can’t get a simple meal correct

Excellent service, beautiful atmosphere and staff that did the restaurant proud. The courses were served perfectly timed with attention to detail and an obvious consideration for the clientel and the food was beautiful authentic Italian fare. Would highly recommend and will be returning in the near future.

The food was immaculate. i really enjoyed the cheesy garlic bread and the cabonara. the service was amazing

THis is the best food i ever tasted the pasta was so amazing the service was fantastic and the wine was so elegant it was immaculate

Very good Italian restaurant. All the courses were delicious. Service was friendly and efficient.

Superb food. Superb service. Would've given 10 stars if I could. Brilliant.

Came here for my brothers 65th birthday. Don’t usually go Italian but this place is fantastic. Food was brilliant. Staff are brilliant. Great location close to the city centre. Can’t fault any of it. Will definitely return! Especially Massimo….legend!

Beautiful place, gorgeous food and lovely staff! Very welcoming and warming especially bringing my 9mo along, the staff were fab with her.

Very pleasant setting and proper cuisine. Special risotto (gorgonzola and r3d cabbage) was excellent. Prompt service

We booked for dinner whilst looking around Cardiff and the university, and arrived much earlier than our booking which was no problem when greeted by our friendly team member. We had a couple of cocktails whilst waiting for the starters which were well portioned and tasty. The main courses were some of the best pasta we’ve ever eaten and again well portioned. We had no room for dessert but did take away the special of the day - pistachio profiteroles which were amazing. Lovely staff and will be back for sure.

We booked for dinner whilst looking around Cardiff and the university, and arrived much earlier than our booking which was no problem when greeted by our friendly team member. We had a couple of cocktails whilst waiting for the starters which were well portioned and...

I love this place. Great food, lovely staff, fantastic wine menu. Lovely setting x

The rib eye melts in your mouth and the house red, is by far the best on the menu.

What a delicious dinner! The staff are very nice!! Will come back next time for a meal (without kids) haha 😁😁

We booked to have lunch before the cricket in Sophia Gardens and what a treat it turned out to be. We were eight people and we all had exactly what we wanted. Some of us had starters we all had mains some had desserts some...

Visited Elgano on a Sunday night as an impromptu date night with my husband. Menu is fairly standard for an Italian restaurant. All the favourite crowd pleasers. We had starters and main - both of which were absolutely bang average. Hot, pleasant, but nothing I...

Popped in after a few post rugby match pints. We didn't have a reservation but the staff were more than happy to accommodate us. Everything was perfect, starters, mains, house red & beers. The homemade tiramisu was a delight. But a special mention for the...

If you are looking for a genuinely Italian restaurant, then look no further. Very good service and excellent food. My wife, who is Italian, gave her seal of approval !

Saying local on my own for work, pre booked a table , delicious food , spicy penne , house wine and tiramsui!! Very very busy , an absolute little gem ! Would 100 % recommend.

Very cosy Italian restaurant run by Italians. We spoke to the nice chefs preparing our dinner in an open kitchen near our table. Food was excellent. Would recommend :-)

Delicious food Amaizing atmosphere Very proffesional Personel Recommend this restaurant to everybody 🍀

Sensationelles Essen, mit viel Liebe präsentiert, schönes Ambiente, freundlicher Service

I was with a group of 14. Couldn't fault the service, or the food. As we all paid separately it complicated the deal. The service team were faultless.

A delicious meal and wonderful service. My children said that the pizza was the best they have ever eaten and we can’t wait to return when we visit Cardiff again. Thank you

Excellent Food and brilliant service.

Visited tonight for a baby shower. The staff were very attentive and pleasant. The food was good. Definitely visiting again. X

Came here with a group of friends after a day out in the city and enjoyed a very nice meal. Throughout our time there the service was incredible, all the staff were very helpful and efficient and the food was incredible. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meals they had and all the food was very much worth it's price . The restaurant itself is situated in what used to be a standard house so has a nice cosy feel. And by the looks of it they had a lot of wine on offer although no one in my group was a wine drinker .

Lovely ! Great staff - great service . Ambience good too and food top class . Will definitely visit again when in Cardiff visiting our daughter

Wow what a place,beautiful food,beautiful building and great staff. Definite re visit coming

My husband and I visited the restaurant for dinner twice recently, and both times the experience was lovely. The pizza is delicious, proper Italian style and is one of the best we tried here. The staff is very friendly and welcoming and the place is very nice. Definitely recommended.

I love, love, love Elgano - by far, the best Italian restaurant in Cardiff! The welcome is always warm and friendly and all the waiters and waitresses are very attentive - nothing is too much trouble. The food is delicious and always the same excellent...

What a fantastic place to eat at. Staff very friendly, quick service and the food is stunning. Will be going back again to try the pizzas. I had the pasta which was beautiful. Can't fault the place. Really lovely for a birthday meal treat

Great place to eat. The food is amazing and the staff are really friendly. Served straight away and the food came quite quickly. It was quiet when we went there at 2pm which we like, as we didn't have to really wait. Well worth a...

Beautiful food and amazing service, staff very friendly and accommodating. Would definitely recommend to anyone :) x

Een restaurant met heerlijk Italiaans eten en heel vriendelijk en attent personeel. Een aanrader voor als je in Cardiff bent....

Booked this restaurant as it was near the hotel we were staying at. The food was so good we booked it again for our 2nd night. The restaurant boasts a lovely conservatory area at the rear which is perfect for summer. Have no problem in...

Great starter but main was a bit strong. Previous visits have been excellent.

Whilst visiting Cardiff, we paid our second visit to the Elgano. After having had a perfect experience last time, I wondered if it would live up to expectations and am happy to report that we enjoyed an equally lovely meal with excellent company! We booked...

Great Very helpful staff good food had a great night, we did not book just walked in, staff very helpful and friendly enjoyed the food could not fault any part of our night out

We were so pleased to find this restaurant within a short walk from our hotel. Set in an elegant old house close to Sophia Gardens, the dining room and bar are beautifully decorated. Picked a Tokyo Iced Tea cocktail as aperitif which was new to...

So happy we found this place to eat whilst visiting Cardiff. We booked online the day before and were able to get a table upstairs. All the staff were very welcoming and helpful. We shared the calamari starter then chose lasagne and penne Amatricana for...

An exquisite dinning experience! Delicious food served by a waiter who made us feel very special

Amazing Food, great service, lovely atmosphere. This was our second visit and was just as good as the first. We will definitely be back.

We eat here quite regularly and without doubt its the best Italian in Cardiff, food is always good, nothing is too much trouble, if you want something changed on the menu or something added they will always accommodate where possible, the staff are always friendly and the service they give is excellent. If your looking for good food at a reasonable price with great service then this is the place.

Once again, excellent food and service. On this occasion, I enquired whether it was possible to have a seafood pizza even though it didn't appear on the menu. Salvo kindly accommodated me. Great night, really enjoyed.

Super cosy Italian restaurant just a couple of steps from Bute park. Excellent service and a very good variety of dishes. Top marks for the Vitello Saltimbocca. Staff were kind (and almost all Italians), and the price point is fair for what you get.

Had such a great time here. Luckily got a booking on a Friday evening last minute which I was so grateful for. Took my mum here and we had an amazing 3 course dinner. The meatballs to start are phenomenal and the carbonara speaks for...

Impeccable food; impeccable service. If there's something you want that's not on the menu, just ask. For example, I wanted a seafood pizza without tomato sauce. What I got couldn't be faulted: clams, prawns, mussels, calamari, sea bass, etc, all fresh and properly sourced. I ate half; the rest I took away in a cute little pizza box just the right size for the uneaten half. It's an Italian restaurant, so you expect Italian wine, but I think the drinks menu would benefit from the introduction of a few of the excellent New World wines currently available. The prices for the food are good value, especially for something like the lamb chops, cooked in a jus I could drink a whole mug of. However, the wine-- bearing in mind that drinks are the greatest profit earners--should be a tad cheaper. Lacking are fresh flowers on the tables and the repetitive musak becomes annoying--where are the live guitar duo wandering from table to table?--but overall visiting Elgano's is a very positive dining experience.

What a find! An independent Italian that serves freshly made quality food. The flavours were on point and the dishes were well executed. Nice to see euthentic Italian dishes on the Menu too. Service was to the same high standard as the food and floor staff were really friendly. Decor, again, is to a supurb modern quality within the dining area and everywhere else. Honestly cannot recommend enough if you like Italian food or would like try real Italian cuisine.

One of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to, lovely staff, amazing atmosphere and 11/10 food, can’t recommend enough!!

Fabulous food fabulous staff. Lovely restaurant

Elgano fitted us in at short notice, after we were disappointed with a local pub who were offering a very limited menu as it was Easter Sunday. We were given a very warm welcome, and our meal was truly delicious. We enjoyed calamari and gamberoni,...