Sand Martin in Cardiff

Called in for lunch mid week. Large pub. Generic pub chain style menu. All four of us ordered different meals but none of them were particularly good. They were just ok. My meal was meant to be a filled baguette. It wasn't a baguette it was a soggy submarine bread roll. Very stingy amount of chips too. Son had mac n cheese which was bland and runny - a few cheesy breadcrumbs crisped up on the top would've improved the look and taste/texture of it no end for the sake of a few "penneth" of extra ingredients and a minute or two of time. They were not busy and I can see why. Overpriced for what you got. Won't be returning.

Friendly and welcoming staff. Good selection of drinks and speedy service. Would definitely come back for food and drinks!

had a great meal at the sand martin, a nice warm atmosphere with plenty of food and drink choices, staff were excellent, will be back to try a Sunday carvery soon

Visited The Sand Martin today for some lunch and drinks, had a great welcome & service from the new managers, me and my wife had fish and chips, fish was lovely, food was served in good time and a good selection of drinks on offer. Will be returning again in the near future

We had the fish and chips lunch time special. It was a child’s portion. We had 12 chips a small piece of fish and a spoonful of peas. Not worth the £9.50 we paid. The service was fine but the table we sat as was so sticky and slimy quite horrible. Definitely won’t be going back.

Era mi primera vez visitando The sand Martin. Me pareció muy amable y acogedor. El almuerzo era encantador y a un precio razonable. Hablé con los gerentes que me dijeron que solo habían estado allí una semana (Keeley y Gee) Se encontraron con muy amable y profesional. Buena suerte a los dos, espero que hagan un éxito del lugar.

Por segundo sábado consecutivo, sin cerveza de barril. No todos beben cerveza o sidra. Lo mismo que la temporada pasada para un partido de fútbol del sábado. No lo suficiente.

Food was better than expected for a chain. Portions were plentiful and well cooked. A little thin on the staffing levels as the person behind the bar was also the only waitress it seemed on shift. But everything came out fast and with a smile.

It’s disappointing that this restaurant no longer does a weekday carvery, which used to be enjoyable. The quality of the main menu food was good but prices were high. The discount code made it good value in terms of dynamic pricing. The team member behind the bar was rushed off her feet but still took her time with dietary requirements. Delivery of food to the table was very slow so guess the kitchen was under similar pressure. I would recommend the Sand Martin given the alternative of only fast food vendors nearby.

First time here with my mother, and was utterly disgusted when the chef(s) at the Carvery Station accidentally dropped the tongs on the floor, picked it later and placed it back on the station, and use the dirty tongs to pick up my Yorkshire pudding right away in front of me. I am utterly appalled by the food safety and hygiene standards of the establishment. Looking forward to your above action, thank you very much.

After match experience amazing. Door staff friendly and approachable. Bar staff available quickly and offer 1st class service.

What I love about the sand martin is not too crowded..staff are lovely and so was the food easy to book. I was running late ..and it wasn't a bother..relaxed atmosphere

Ordered a dish of chicken strips . Got less than an anorexic Welsh sparrow

Cerveza bien. Pedido tiras de pollo y patatas fritas. Luke tiene gorrión galés anoréxico caliente y 7 patatas fritas flacas. Robo a la luz del día

First I have been there not very busy we both had fish and chips was very nice and hot served food was on the table within 10mins thank you

Nice and reasonable pice Sunday roast there

Had a Sunday carvery. Server just put his hand out for our ticket, never said anything. Food was luke warm. Gravy like water. The lady that initially served me at the bar was nice although would've been helpful to have been told where the cutlery etc was.

Lovely helpful staff. Very clean, especially toilets. Good choice of food and allowed to swop chips for jacket potato, which not all pubs will do.

Amazing food! Staff are so kind! ❤️

As a disabled man the staff has been fantastic and welcome and very friendly the food been amazing 10/10 come here every week as I like there cowboy burger

Carvery for the last 2 weeks has been excellent!!! Finally can taste flavours alot fresher than it has been for a long long time!!! I always enjoy this pub for friendliness and welcoming atmosphere! Don't know what has changed but keep it up please! Food and cleanliness of your establishment has definitely improved

Monday special Pie and a Drink all for £12 on a quiet evening. Downside was receiving my drink in a extremely dirty glass which was changed on request. Bartender simply poured the contents into the other.!

Exellent service,and staff members,food was amazing,just gutted nomore cavery through the week

Excellent service, great choice of drinks. Olivia, Josh and Holly were all great too. Would highly recommend, ideal location too.

Amazing afternoon at the Sand Martin. Atmosphere lovely and staff friendly and approachable! Drinks served promptly.

Lovely venue with plenty of parking Carvery was quite tasty can't wait to see some sprouts on the carvery soon in the chilly afternoons. Staff where pleasant

This is a lovely spacious pub...friendly staff...food was really good too..

The whole place needs a very good clean.

I knew there was something wrong when I arrived at 12.30 and it was empty. Good carvery's are never empty at lunch time.I had visited the Sandmartin about 4 years ago and was expecting a better result this time,but no. The Carvery is way overpriced at £13.79 for a medium(which was tiny) plate and I ordered 2 x glasses of coke £4 each. The food was bland and dry and I had to flavour it with sauces. There are many good carvery's in Cardiff that give the customer what they want but this is not one of them,never again.

Lovely food nice pub highly recommend

Bit of a hit or miss. This time was a miss. Not very good service and the coffee was disgusting

here for my aunties birthday and all the glasses have a thick rim of grime around the top and we got told it was “water stains” when i got a wipe and it came off black to top this off there was also a hair in the chicken corma and it just got ignored. will not be coming here ever again

Called in for a late lunch, staff were friendly enough but food was awful the club sandwich was dry and bread burnt, my daughter had a tuna mayo baguette which was hard and over cooked.

Lovely place to visit, amazing atmosphere. Fantastic staff. Highly recommend 😁

Food isn't hot enough, no pigs in blankets, blunt knives, very poor.

Lovely location. A busy little pub but had such a positive experience and were made to feel welcome by the team. Delicious food and amazing atmosphere.

Visited on a number of occasions now and have enjoyed every time. The staff are always accommodating even when the pub is rammed and do all the can to make us welcome. I absolutely LOVE that your pub is dog friendly as we like to take our pooch out with us. Has a lovely beer garden and a very good drinks selection with even nicer prices. We usually only have burgers or fish and chips on our visit but decided to book in for the Sunday roast as we heard others praise it. It did not disappoint. We’ll be back again as soon as to get ourselves a roast from your wonderful chefs!!

Visited on a Wednesday. Nice to be able to choose a table and opt for bar service or on the app. Ordered on app. Staff were very uninterested and appeared not to be there. Half restaurant and fire door cordoned off. However, the food was very good even if add on on burger was missed. Staff not approachable.

Really great pub/ restaurant, the bar staff are fantastic so friendly and helpful particularly Josh, Olivia and Jay. We often come here as a family for some food and drinks and the food is always spot on, my eldest son has autism and all the staff have always been very accommodating and always made us feel welcome. 10/10 highly recommend

Beautiful food, amazing atmosphere and the staff are lovely.

Food was not cooked properly peas were hard coilflower not cooked and don't know what that stuff you called stuffing was pigs in blankets were rock hard mash potatoes were fake mash the gravy thin with lumps in it and was a funny taste to roast pots looking forward nice dinner did not get very sad I wanted a mixed grill but run out of them buy 12 .30 very disjointed will go there again

Came to The Sand Martin a couple of weeks ago because of the food and hospitality by Holly and her team so I thought we would try it again and we were again not disappointed. Even though there were a few people in we did not have long to be served and we did not have long to wait for the food to be served. So glad we came back.

Really friendly staff happy to accommodate.

Great weekly (Thursday) quiz night led by Olivia with great service from Josh behind the bar.

Had a great time at Quiz last Thursday hosted by Liv. Friendly team and lots of fun, looking forward to the next visit.

Went here for lunch after shopping. Such a warm welcome. Food was lovely served quickly and well presented. I would recommend.

My husband and I recently visited the Sand Martin for an evening meal. Wow! It was so spacious and accommodating! The staff were friendly and helpful and the owner Holly Hooper came over to say hello which we thought was a lovely personal touch. There was so much choice on the menu and a wide range of alcoholic and soft drinks. It was difficult to decide what to choose! We decided on the classic chicken burger and the 8oz aged sirloin, which my husband thoroughly enjoyed (and he is very fussy with steak!) Our meals were hot and delicious and we were not left waiting ages! We have booked in for Sunday roast as we have a special birthday coming up and want to take the whole family out, I really don’t think they will be disappointed! Can’t wait!

What a little Gem this place now is. From the moment we went in to the moment we left we were made to feel welcome by Holly and her team which is a far cry from when we last visited March 2023. My wife and I had Fish and Chips and can honestly say that it was best that we had had in a long time. We will certainly visit The Sand Martin again.

we went to the sand matin for lunch on a friday afternoon, my wife ordered fish and chips with peas I had was fine but our friends hunters chick a ultimate veggie burger meal and our friend ordered Hunters chicken my wifes fish chips was fine but her peas were hard my burger was fine but our friends hunters chicken portion was very small and had very little cheese and the two onion rings she had were tiny so the food was ok it was very disappointing

This is the stickiest pub I've ever visited. The table, bar, wine glass and every page of the menu were sticky! Very nosy staff also! Food was lovely and quick but I was surprised by the lack of side salad.

We come here every week for the quiz on Thursday evenings. Always have a meal beforehand. Olivia and Josh are brilliant. Always have a great atmosphere and staff really great and helpful.

Barman unwelcoming. Playing loud music. The barman said it closes at 10 but it closes at 11. The music is chained every second. No proper music taste. The ladies washroom is not clean and there is a little toilet. Very unprofessional.

Service was great and staff where helpful food was great and we where not waiting long for food to come out

Lovely beer garden great atmosphere as we were going to a hame in stadium staff were nice

Food = Lunch menu= Hunters chicken...more like a pidgeon, no serviettes on table, had to get own sauces ( not on table) attitude on guy behind bar, not friendly. Asked for ONE ice cube in water, got 3!! Didn't have a starter, parents hadn't finished eating, & he asked if we were ready for mains? 👎 dessert came with cream out of a can, as they didn't have pouring cream? No waitress service? As its mum n dad's local, their happy that's all that matters, but as part of their 'Marstons' chain, our Red kite in Caerphilly could knock spots off The Sand Martin. Not impressed.

Good atmosphere and lovely food. Everyone was polite and we had a great time.

Went with baby grandchild & elderly parents for a quick lunch. Went to change the baby in the rest room - really dirty Had to clean the highchair before I could put the baby in it - all of them need a really good scrub. Mum & dad asked for a pie which they didn't have so they had one with leek in. Pastry was rock solid - not sure if really old or overcooked I ordered a jacket potato with tuna mayo. Very little mayo - had to add butter. Potato was not that hot & I had to send it back because it had cotton thread in it. The barman was really nice & helpful but they seemed to be really struggling. Would not eat there again at this time. Really don't know how they have a 5 on hygiene

Absolutely lovely food. And the barman jay is very good at his job

As I was was finishing work my mum came to pick me up and went for tea there. The staff was amazing and the food was amazing.

lots of options out of stock, food was cold and when brought back had been microwaved so hard and inedible. no cake choices drinks were very expensive £4.90 for a bottle of alcohol free cider

Only been here for lunch and it's usually pretty quiet and relaxed. However, I came here to say, I totally recommend the burgers they are so very tasty! 😋

Great good valued food, friendly staff and a relaxed atmosphere

Took the family for a carvery 2 adults and a child, cost us £54.00 with drinks. The vegetables where OK but the meat was disgusting and greasy Luke warm at best. First time and last time for us.

We met at 6.30 for a meal and drink. We went up at 8.40 to order a dessert to be told the kitchen closed at 8.30 pm. We were very disappointed why weren't we made aware of this when we ordered our main meal.

Didn't have food so can't judge either way. Just had drinks, they were fairly priced for a city. Atmosphere was great and friendly staff. 👌

Good all round pub, reasonably priced, nice pint and clean facilities. Can't comment on food as we didn't eat.

We were quite dissapointed with our meals. My husband had chicken and mushroom pie. The pie lid was very hard and tough to cut through and there was hardly any chicken in it, the portion of gravy was extremely small. I had fish and chips which were quite bland, not a lot of taste to fish or batter. Having said this we did eat it as we were so hungry.

Service is alright but the food is dry and expensive for what it is, overall really disappointed even for pub food

Nice pub grub and lovely atmosphere. Well worth it for a few pints.

Food is worse than Weatherspoons,very dry and overcooked

Excellent apart for 45 min wait for my jam sponge pudding

Tables had been cleaned with damp smelly cloth , food was awful and overcooked , child over 6 portion was tiny . Had to ask for more mash . Was overcharged but didn’t realise till I came home 2 adults meals and 2 kids meals for a £1 plus 2 cokes and charged £38 !!!!! If I had know this before I left I would have asked for a refund

Great atmosphere before and especially after the game.. Perfectly chilled beer. Professional service. Friendly staff

Member of staff vaping on the next table to us

Table and Bar was sticky. They didn't clear away most of the empty plates. Glasses were dirty. Despite bad first impressions most of the food was superb

Love the Chicken Tikka but the carvary is also a great choice. The kids options are also very good. We used to come here a lot, not so much at the moment but it is still our favourite carvery. Local, great location, good prices and friendly staff.

Popped in without booking, as was just passing with the family. Ordered on the app at the table, staff brought food to the table. Didn't really have much interaction with staff as they were literally bringing things to the table, and gone - fast and efficient, but then takes away the customer service element a bit. Food was good, reasonably priced. Location was right next to Cardiff City Football stadium, so loads of parking. Turned up without booking so didn't expect much, but pleasantly surprised. Would definitely visit again

Didn't have food but the place was lovely and clean.

Gotta say the feed and service here is amazing

I'm not somebody to moan or a cheap skate. I went wenseday March 24.myself and brother. Ordered food from the match day menu so we decided to have cowboy burgers £12.50p each. 2 pints of Pepsi max£4.00each total £41.00.i felt we were ripped off. Because the reason we want there was to near the ground.its only £10to park at the stadium. And there's a McDonald's a kfc nandos. I was taken for a mug..the size of the burgers was nothing like I tasted at macs and I don't like going to these places.

Food was awfel .went in at lunch time 7 th march .staff just stood talking vinegar bottles all empty. Had a prawn cocktail just luttace pushed in ting piece cucumber. 4 prawns dropped on top. Never gj there again

I now the price of everything gone up but £12for burger and chips and £4+ for soft drinks so I payed £41 for 2 burgers and soft drinks. The reason I came here because I'm a designated driver.

Friendly staff, nice setting, served quickly, good value for money and the food was delicious

Lovely well cooked and tasty food.

Nice relaxed atmosphere and surroundings, good service and food

Table was sticky like it had been cleaned with dirty cloths Cutlery was go get your own. We have been in many Marstons before and never had to find our own cutlery. My wife had the Kebab salt and chilli chicken. She struggled to find the chicken which was very sparse. I had the steak and ale pie which had a crust I couldn’t cut through. The meat was very tasty though. Ladies toilet very unkept with taps running and toilet paper all over the floor.

This is the third time we have been here for Cardiff today City match day, again NO BEER, NO Guinness, all seats taken, because tables & chairs removed to accommodate two pool tables. Utter shambles! Who decides when to order barrels for a match day.

If you want Sunday lunch get hear early as we booked for 2pm and it was all sold out. We booked from the menu but most of the things were out.

Very poor service, ran out of pretty much of everything & no carvery, and they didn't even ask if everything was OK after our meal..

A bit disappointing haven't been for a while i went expecting to have a carvery only to find out they have stopped them (only on a sunday) meal was OK bit small we both had smothered chicken, the place was quiet not many people eating there was more drinkers. It was a shame as I used to like going here.

Food was disgusting ,toilets where the same ,needs a new manager and clean the place up

Absolutely outstanding service. Iv attended today 26th Jan with my mastiff and have been welcomes and accommodated lovely. The staff hear are wicked people with hearts of gold and a good friendly attitude towards customers:)

5* Outstanding service, and Holly was exemplary. Credit to the company.

lady serving the carvery was lovely and very friendly. Meat on carvery was not very good and no decaf hot drink options e.g decaf tea . Waited a long time for the puddings to arrive and they were luke warm.

I went with my son for a meal. The food was good, the atmosphere was good. It was a pleasant experience. The barman was very nice and friendly. It's a tidy, well-presented place. It's a great place to go if you want a meal and conversation. It was easy to park. We'll go there again, definitely.

The food have really gone dwn hill the portion size was terrible, the onion rings were the size of my wifes wedding ring, and we only had five scampis each with our surf & turf..I think we'll stick with the oystercatcher from now on..atleast the staff are friendly

I had the Surf and Turf and I would recommend it. It came with nice mushrooms. It's a large and popular place with plenty of space.

The staff were very friendly and patient (we had a few young children with us).

Poor quality food poor service and very expensive food, what has happened to this place god knows it used to be fantastic

Went with a large group for a prebooked Christmas meal .It was really disappointing food was lukewarm to cold . we were expecting a carvery no longer do carvery only weekend s now got a almost cold turkey dinner no cranberry sauce was offered a long wait for the gravy and rest of the vegetables. Suspect the roast dinners were yesterdays left overs brick hard roast potatoes poorly warmed up!the staff did their best as they were the only servers there to run the bar serve us and other customers at the same time would definitely not recommend it took so long some people had to leave to go back to work before desert arrived very disappointing!