Written by Lisa Baker
We had the pleasure of dining at The Ivy Asia, Cardiff yesterday — and as usual, it was a delight – from the moment we stepped inside, the environment, food and service delivered a feast for the senses on every level.
The experience starts when you approach – the prominent entrance promises something special and the interior definitely doesn’t disappoint.
As you walk in, you are greeted by decadent decor that offers visual stimulation from every corner, with rich reds, greens and golds everywhere, the oozing the quality and variety of Eastern lands – and the friendly, warm greeting in the foyer adds to the experience.
Walking through to the restaurant, from the abalone floor to the buddhas and pink cherry blossom decor, no matter which direction you look in there is something to see – and the service is as good as the environment, attentive, polite and impeccable throughout.
We began our meal with two standout starters. The Chicken Yakitori, a longtime Ivy Asia favourite of mine, now features a new Penang sauce which replaces the classic teriyaki, but no worries, the new sauce compliments the chicken perfectly with a bold, aromatic kick that elevated every bite – I love Teriyaki but I have to say I preferred the Penang – delicious. Alongside this, we enjoyed California Rolls, which were fresh, delicately presented, and bursting with flavour — a perfect introduction to what was to come.
For our mains, we each chose a beef dish – and were not disappointed. The Sambal Beef Sirloi with Shimeji mushrooms & spicy chilli sambal was a showstopper — tender, juicy, and with just the right balance of heat and spice – although the waiter did caution that this was one of the restaurant’s hotter dishes! However, the sauce was served in a separate dish and allowed the spice wuss among us (me!) to sample it separately – and I was surprised to find it was pleasantly hot and tasty without being overwhelming – definitely something I would order again. The sirloin was cooked rare to absolute perfection.
Mark chose a side of Wok Fried Green Vegetables to accompany the dish – and that is the one thing I love about the Ivy Asia, the chefs have created a menu where everything ‘works’ together, both visually and flavour-wise.
Equally impressive was the Salt & Pepper Beef Fillet served with fragrant ginger noodles, cashews & chives. The combination was both comforting and indulgent, with each element perfectly cooked and packed with flavour – and again, one of the most visually beautiful dishes I have ever enjoyed. It seems almost a crime to start eating anything that looks this beautiful – but we were hungry and the tastes matched the visual beauty!
To finish, we both chose the dark, exotic looking Samurai dessert — a beautifully crafted, theatrical finale that was as delightful to look at as it was to eat. The delicate and impressive gold garnish was not just for show – the exotic shapes, crafted from chocolate and biscuit, turned out to be completely edible! Rich, creamy, and utterly moreish, this indulgent creation rounded off the evening perfectly.
The Ivy offers an exceptional wine and cocktail list – on this occasion, we were not drinking but there is a fabulous choice of mocktails and soft drinks – which we enjoyed. We will, however be sampling the alcoholic options on our next visit!
Current offers
We don’t have little ones, and sadly our grandchildren don’t live near, but it’s worth mentioning that the Ivy Collections’ restaurants welcome children and the group currently has a fabulous offer for families who pre-book – One child can eat for free from the Children’s Menu with every full-paying adult, Monday to Friday, from opening until close. This offer is valid until September 5th, 2025 – definitely something to take advantage of when looking for somewhere to go in the Summer holidays!
From start to finish, our experience at The Ivy Asia was nothing short of exceptional. The service was attentive, the ambience stylish and vibrant, and the food — quite simply — outstanding.
We’re already planning our next visit. If you’re looking for a truly special dining experience in the heart of Cardiff, The Ivy Asia delivers on every level.