To me Cardiff Bay seems like the most obvious place in the world to have at least one fish and chip shop, and honestly if not more. The bay is the closest and easiest way us city dwellers can see the sea and enjoy the calm of the water and I can think of nothing better than tucking into fish and chips in front of the gorgeous view.
Unfortunately this has been impossible for 12 years, until now. Finally a new fish and chip, called Charley’s, has opened in the bay – hallelujah! Taking over the site formerly occupied by Greek street food business Meating Point, on New George Street near the Tesco Express, Charley’s officially opened on Wednesday, February 19 and we went down to try.
The wooden hut has blue decorations with lots of sea-themed ornaments including ship wheels adorning the walls, lanterns hanging from the ceiling, blue and white life rings, nets, turtles and past photos of Cardiff Bay make up the counter. There is stool seating both inside and outside the hut meaning that you don’t have to take your fish and chips far to enjoy them.
The current menu is fairly short but still offers everything you could want from a fish and chip shop, including cod, jumbo sausage, pie, fish cake, curry sauce, gravy and more. We opted for medium cod and chips, £9.95, cod bites and chips, £8.75, Irish curry sauce, £3, mushy peas, £3, and gravy, £3.
(Image: Steph Colderick)
Quickly we headed home with the food and it was still very warm when we got back, which is a great sign for a chippy as the chips simply must keep their heat for the journey back. The medium cod and chips and the cod bites and chips came together in their own boxes and we were given the option of having the curry sauce and gravy poured over, but we opted to have them in the tubs and the same for the mushy peas.
The cod was light, very fresh and easily fell away. It didn’t take much cutting, instead easily tearing, and while the batter was soft and could have been a tad crunchier it was well coated and had a good flavour.
The cod bites were very good in size, more pieces than bites, making them worth the price. There were also plenty of chips in the box and these were crunchy and crispy on the outside, but not overdone, and fluffy and warm on the inside, exactly the kind of chips you would want from a fish and chip shop.
The Irish curry sauce was a real standout with that addictively sweet and tangy taste that had us mopping up every last bit. This was a thoroughly good curry sauce, pairing perfectly with the food, and quite quickly gone.
(Image: Steph Colderick)
The gravy was herby and rich in flavour and the mushy peas were a perfect consistency. Not total mush and gloop and not just peas either, nor were they too minty and instead had a nice touch of mint which wasn’t overpowering.
Charley’s is exactly what the bay needs as aside from a few options, including the popular Tiger Yard which is currently closed for winter, there are not many independent or takeaway options in the bay. Fish and chips are, in my opinion, needed everywhere and certainly a must-have near the sea so it is great to see the bay finally has this option again.
I’m sure I will be going back many times, especially in the summer when I can take the food away and enjoy it in hopefully the warm weather. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here.
