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ELGANO ATMOSPHERE

Elgano is a fine-dining Italian restaurant offering exquisite cuisine and stylish service in a romantic setting.

Located on Cathedral Road in historic Pontcanna, just a fifteen-minute walk from Cardiff Castle, we serve the most authentic Italian food in Cardiff. Our dedicated team provides warm and professional service, making Elgano perfect for any occasion—romantic dinners, friendly gatherings, business meetings, or family celebrations. With private dining upstairs, an open-view kitchen on the ground floor, and charming al fresco gardens, every visit promises an unforgettable experience.

Our Story

Cook with love, eat with passion!

We grew up in Italy, in the beautiful regions of Sicily and Calabria, where our love for authentic Italian cuisine was born. Moving to the UK to pursue our studies, careers, and dreams, we carried with us a vision—to one day open a truly authentic Italian restaurant. Our dream was to introduce others to the flavors we grew up with, the dishes we lovingly cooked, and the traditions that define our beloved homeland. Fate intervened when we met Elgan and Hazel in a café in the heart of the city. We saw it as a sign—our destiny calling—and together, we embarked on a journey to bring a little taste of home to Cardiff.

The moment we stepped into the premises, we knew it was the perfect place. It felt like a dream come true. In less than a month, with unwavering dedication and countless hours of hard work, our dream became a reality. We proudly opened our first authentic Italian restaurant, a place where tradition meets passion. Since then, we have been humbled to receive national awards and are truly honored to be recognized as one of the finest Italian restaurants in Wales.
Our mission is simple: to offer you a warm welcome, to share with you the true flavors of Italy, and above all, to ensure you enjoy every moment with us.

Pietro, Simona, Carlo

Our Food

Rooted in the rich culinary traditions of Southern Italy, our menu is a tribute to the flavors of Calabria and Sicily—where every dish tells a story of passion, heritage, and authenticity. From hand-crafted pasta to fresh seafood and vibrant Mediterranean flavors, we bring the essence of our homeland to your table.

We use only the finest ingredients, sourcing seasonal produce, fragrant herbs, and premium Italian imports to ensure every bite is a true taste of Italy. Join us for a dining experience that captures the warmth, soul, and unmistakable flavors of Southern Italian cuisine.

Our Wine

Our wine list is a celebration of Italy’s rich winemaking heritage, carefully curated to showcase exceptional bottles from family-owned estates across the country. From the bold and velvety reds of Sicily to the crisp, sun-kissed whites of Calabria, each selection is chosen to complement the authentic flavors of our cuisine.

We take you on a journey through Italy’s most renowned vineyards, from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the volcanic soils of Campania, the alpine freshness of Trentino to the coastal elegance of Liguria. Whether you’re savoring a classic Chianti, an elegant Barolo, a sparkling Franciacorta, or a refreshing Falanghina, each glass tells a story of tradition, terroir, and passion. Raise a glass and immerse yourself in the true essence of Italian wine.

Elgano Italian Restaurant
4.7
Based on 613 reviews
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Sally Smith
13:57 17 Feb 25
Always brilliant in Elganos.
Andrew James
19:18 01 Feb 25
Amazing, real Italian food and excellent service
Mai Yassin
21:56 11 Jan 25
An amazing place for a special occasion. The interior design and atmosphere is fantastic. The food is some of the best I’ve ever tasted and it’s genuinely authentic Italian. The staff are lovely and very welcoming. The mushroom starter was particularly delicious. The veal and ribeye steak and the sauces were amazing. Definitely the best restaurant in Cardiff.
Roger Thomas
15:13 27 Dec 24
Always a great experience, staff and food is outstanding
stef james
21:50 10 Dec 24
The food was the best I have had in Cardiff so far! Incredible pizzas and desserts, amazing wine and such lovely, kind waiters and staff! I highly recommend going will definitely be back. Very good prices and portion sizes!
Andy C
19:18 31 Oct 24
What a very special place. They are extremely welcoming and provide a fantastic service. The atmosphere is very comfortable with the ability to have a conversation without being over powered by the music. The food is outstanding, the best I have had the pleasure of eating in the UK.
Kathy Gatcum
07:26 12 Sep 24
Warm greeting & friendly relaxed atmosphere, efficient staff and great food, we had a lovely evening
Yvonne Hall
13:54 04 Sep 24
First time here (although seen on our many yearly visits to Cardiff) to this lovely family owned restaurant, not disappointed. Certainly recommend booking as was full and can see why.Lively atmosphere and tastefully decorated, loved the screen showing stunning views around Italy.Authentic Italian food, well portioned with a variety of dishes across all courses and excellent wine list.Gorgeous restaurant, excellent and very friendly staff. We will return for sure. Highly recommended.
Jessica Pittard
18:35 30 Aug 24
Service was nice and felt “fine dining” but portion was small. Overall the atmosphere felt very laid back and I felt a bit over dressed.Food wasn’t that great in all honesty. Will stick to the Italian Way in Canton if I want to feel full and content
Howard Dickins
20:21 13 Jul 24
Just had a fabulous family meal at Elgano - and I think we were all thoroughly impressed. The menu was varied (pasta, pizzas, 2 different risottos and a host of other dishes too) All beautifully cooked, we were all delighted with what we'd ordered.The staff were friendly, accommodating and with good humour. The restaurant was busy with people arriving constantly on a Saturday evening, but everything seemed calm, controlled and well ordered. I understand why this place is so popular and I'm also sure we'll be back sometime soon!
Jen Bright
21:57 26 May 24
Great Italian restaurant. The staff were extremely friendly, charming and attentive.Our dinner was delicious and I would highly recommend this restaurant. Prices were very reasonable for high quality meals.We had gotten takeaway pizzas the previous day and these too were great.Proportion size of meals were perfect.
frank smith
19:39 18 Oct 23
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
Marty R
22:25 04 Oct 23
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.
Zakaria Ali
09:44 19 Sep 23
The food was immaculate. i really enjoyed the cheesy garlic bread and the cabonara. the service was amazing
Azriel Abramovich
21:27 18 Sep 23
Very good Italian restaurant.All the courses were delicious.Service was friendly and efficient.
Richard Isaac
14:07 16 Sep 23
Superb food. Superb service. Would've given 10 stars if I could.Brilliant.
James Abdool
19:23 29 Aug 23
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.
Ziying Yang
18:51 24 Aug 23
What a delicious dinner! The staff are very nice!! Will come back next time for a meal (without kids) haha 😁😁
Giovanni Garaldi Biasi
06:23 09 May 23
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.
Call Me Cutting
19:52 05 Feb 23
Me and my partner came here for our 4th Anniversary. On arrival, we were welcomed in to a very cosy seating area, with good vibes and a great atmosphere. The staff are amazing, and go above and beyond to cater to your needs. We were offered a glass of water to start, which was very kind, and the food we ordered came out fast, and tasted incredible. Everything was fresh, sauce was thick, and the cheesy garlic bread was the best I've ever tasted, and I've had a lot of it! The desserts were delightful and beautifully presented, my only complaint would be that the special of the day tasted so good that it needs a permanent spot on the dessert menu! Thank you so much for an unforgettable night at Elgano, it really made our anniversary special. Compliments to the chef!
Paige Wilson
19:51 05 Feb 23
amazing place! food was spectacular, really nice presentation, perfect portions, for dessert I had the special which was pistachio profiteroles which was one of the best things I've ever had. the atmosphere was really calm and welcoming, the customer service was really good too. I had an amazing experience, best place I've ever been to!
Sally Smith
13:57 17 Feb 25
Always brilliant in Elganos.
Andrew James
19:18 01 Feb 25
Amazing, real Italian food and excellent service
Mai Yassin
21:56 11 Jan 25
An amazing place for a special occasion. The interior design and atmosphere is fantastic. The food is some of the best I’ve ever tasted and it’s genuinely authentic Italian. The staff are lovely and very welcoming. The mushroom starter was particularly delicious. The veal and ribeye steak and the sauces were amazing. Definitely the best restaurant in Cardiff.
Roger Thomas
15:13 27 Dec 24
Always a great experience, staff and food is outstanding
stef james
21:50 10 Dec 24
The food was the best I have had in Cardiff so far! Incredible pizzas and desserts, amazing wine and such lovely, kind waiters and staff! I highly recommend going will definitely be back. Very good prices and portion sizes!
Andy C
19:18 31 Oct 24
What a very special place. They are extremely welcoming and provide a fantastic service. The atmosphere is very comfortable with the ability to have a conversation without being over powered by the music. The food is outstanding, the best I have had the pleasure of eating in the UK.
Kathy Gatcum
07:26 12 Sep 24
Warm greeting & friendly relaxed atmosphere, efficient staff and great food, we had a lovely evening
Yvonne Hall
13:54 04 Sep 24
First time here (although seen on our many yearly visits to Cardiff) to this lovely family owned restaurant, not disappointed. Certainly recommend booking as was full and can see why.Lively atmosphere and tastefully decorated, loved the screen showing stunning views around Italy.Authentic Italian food, well portioned with a variety of dishes across all courses and excellent wine list.Gorgeous restaurant, excellent and very friendly staff. We will return for sure. Highly recommended.
Jessica Pittard
18:35 30 Aug 24
Service was nice and felt “fine dining” but portion was small. Overall the atmosphere felt very laid back and I felt a bit over dressed.Food wasn’t that great in all honesty. Will stick to the Italian Way in Canton if I want to feel full and content
Howard Dickins
20:21 13 Jul 24
Just had a fabulous family meal at Elgano - and I think we were all thoroughly impressed. The menu was varied (pasta, pizzas, 2 different risottos and a host of other dishes too) All beautifully cooked, we were all delighted with what we'd ordered.The staff were friendly, accommodating and with good humour. The restaurant was busy with people arriving constantly on a Saturday evening, but everything seemed calm, controlled and well ordered. I understand why this place is so popular and I'm also sure we'll be back sometime soon!
Jen Bright
21:57 26 May 24
Great Italian restaurant. The staff were extremely friendly, charming and attentive.Our dinner was delicious and I would highly recommend this restaurant. Prices were very reasonable for high quality meals.We had gotten takeaway pizzas the previous day and these too were great.Proportion size of meals were perfect.
frank smith
19:39 18 Oct 23
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
Marty R
22:25 04 Oct 23
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.
Zakaria Ali
09:44 19 Sep 23
The food was immaculate. i really enjoyed the cheesy garlic bread and the cabonara. the service was amazing
Azriel Abramovich
21:27 18 Sep 23
Very good Italian restaurant.All the courses were delicious.Service was friendly and efficient.
Richard Isaac
14:07 16 Sep 23
Superb food. Superb service. Would've given 10 stars if I could.Brilliant.
James Abdool
19:23 29 Aug 23
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.
Ziying Yang
18:51 24 Aug 23
What a delicious dinner! The staff are very nice!! Will come back next time for a meal (without kids) haha 😁😁
Giovanni Garaldi Biasi
06:23 09 May 23
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.
Call Me Cutting
19:52 05 Feb 23
Me and my partner came here for our 4th Anniversary. On arrival, we were welcomed in to a very cosy seating area, with good vibes and a great atmosphere. The staff are amazing, and go above and beyond to cater to your needs. We were offered a glass of water to start, which was very kind, and the food we ordered came out fast, and tasted incredible. Everything was fresh, sauce was thick, and the cheesy garlic bread was the best I've ever tasted, and I've had a lot of it! The desserts were delightful and beautifully presented, my only complaint would be that the special of the day tasted so good that it needs a permanent spot on the dessert menu! Thank you so much for an unforgettable night at Elgano, it really made our anniversary special. Compliments to the chef!
Paige Wilson
19:51 05 Feb 23
amazing place! food was spectacular, really nice presentation, perfect portions, for dessert I had the special which was pistachio profiteroles which was one of the best things I've ever had. the atmosphere was really calm and welcoming, the customer service was really good too. I had an amazing experience, best place I've ever been to!