Gin Joint of the Month: Nine Yards

If you can’t get enough of Italian café culture after trying the tasty treats (and Sabatini Gin!) in this month’s Gin of the Month box, get a taste of it right here in the UK – along with some spectacular gin and wonderful Italian wines – at Nine Yards in Cardiff.

While the hills of Tuscany and the port of Cardiff don’t seem to have much connecting them on the face of it, at the turn of the century Wales was a common destination for Italian immigrants.  Italian shops and cafes, called bracchis, transformed the culinary scene in the UK forever, introducing the British Isles to Italian culture and flavours.

The Welsh Italian community is still strong today. And Nine Yards, an Italian bakery by day and gin and wine bar by night, is the perfect place to revel in this rich heritage all night long.

Nine Yards is clear about its priorities right from the start, tempting passers-by with perfectly roasted Italian coffee and a glass case brimming with pastries. Step inside and a whole world of Italian food opens up – with a classic British twist.

Run by Italian pastry chef Piero Cutrupi and Jonathan White, Nine Yards was inspired by continental café culture.

The Nine Yards tagline is ‘twisted Italian food’, and that’s what’s on offer in this casual yet elegant eatery. As a finalist for ‘Best Pasta’ at last year’s Welsh Italian Awards, you can bet that a bar snack or two is well worth ordering alongside your G&T. Paninis, focaccia sandwiches, pizzas and pasta dishes can be enjoyed in this warm, positive space just a short walk from the River Taff. 

In addition to a healthy wine list and dedicated Prosecco fridge, Nine Yards has 35 different gins to try, including eight that are selected each month as a special showcase. And, with six tonics stocked behind the bar, you can guarantee that your perfect serve is only a request to the friendly bar staff away.

Like the Sabatinis, the people behind Nine Yards are all about getting the best out of life. From their fresh, irresistible food to their spectacular G&Ts, a table at Nine Yards is a slice of la dolce vita a little closer to home.  

As the owners write, “That’s the Nine Yards difference – we’re not just about eating, we’re about getting the best out of life and enjoying the experience along the way.”