Pig & Swill, a taproom across from Victoria Park in Cardiff, has quickly become a destination in its own right, offering a £10 chicken schnitzel that's been described as 'perfection on a plate'. The venue, an offshoot of the Michelin Guide-placed Hireath, has been full since it opened earlier in the summer, and its initial purpose as a simple extension of the restaurant has been overridden by its own success.
A community feel with high standards
Chef Andy Aston, who runs Hireath with Lewis Dwyer and has over two decades in the industry, said the taproom was designed to 'create a community feel' while maintaining the quality and standard of the parent restaurant. The drinks selection is solid, with recent taps from Lost & Ground and Vault City, but the blackboard snacks menu is the real draw.
On a warm summer Thursday evening, the small terrace area was the perfect spot to enjoy a meal before heading to a gig. The menu changes regularly, but on this visit, the chicken schnitzel with Cafe du Paris butter (£10) was the standout, served as a generous main dish to build around.
Small plates that impress
Alongside the schnitzel, the padron peppers with romesco and preserved lemon aioli (£9), Parma ham, peach and goat curd salad (£10), and courgettes with hummus, feta and pinenuts (£8) were all well-received. The padrons were big and juicy, paired perfectly with the tart romesco, while the peach and Parma ham offered a sweet-salty combination. The courgette discs were delicate but held their own against the weighty hummus and salty feta.
The schnitzel itself was described as 'absolutely gorgeous', with the herby, buttery Cafe du Paris sauce covering the soft chicken and adding a slightly tart flavour. It came with a fried egg, which was a minor addition, but the dish remained an A-list plate of food.
A rising trend in Cardiff
The review notes that Cardiff's neighbourhood restaurant offerings have stepped up significantly, with venues like Sonder on Llandaff Road and Picton in Cardiff Bay offering creative and brilliant small plates. This trend makes trying fantastic quality food easier and more accessible.
Pig & Swill is located at 1 Victoria Park Road W, Cardiff. The chicken schnitzel remains on the menu but now comes with bloody Mary butter and is part of the venue's new brunch menu, running Friday to Sunday.
