Restaurants Near Principality Stadium: Where to Eat Before Rugby, Concerts & Events
- dazelhavies
- Jul 2
- 4 min read
Whether you're travelling to Cardiff for a Six Nations match, a sold-out concert, international rugby or one of the city's biggest events, one question always comes up before the gates open:
Where should we eat?
The area around Principality Stadium is packed with restaurants, pubs and fast-food chains, but many visitors don't realise that some of Cardiff's best independent restaurants are only a short walk away.
If you're looking for restaurants near Principality Stadium that offer something a little more memorable than the usual pre-match burger or pub meal, it's worth exploring beyond the stadium itself.
One of these hidden gems is longa, a modern Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant on Park Place, around a 15-minute walk from the stadium and perfectly placed for an afternoon or evening in Cardiff.
Why eat before heading to Principality Stadium?
On major event days, Cardiff city centre fills quickly.
Whether it's Wales taking on England, Coldplay performing to a packed stadium or a major boxing event, the restaurants immediately surrounding the stadium are often the busiest places in the city.
Arriving a little earlier gives you time to enjoy Cardiff properly rather than rushing straight to your seat.
Many visitors choose to:
explore the city centre
visit Cardiff Castle
enjoy dinner and drinks
walk to the stadium afterwards
And the beautiful thing about Cardiff: because it's so compact, everything is comfortably within walking distance.
How far is longa from Principality Stadium?
Our Park Place restaurant is approximately a 15-minute walk from Principality Stadium.
The walk takes you through some of Cardiff's most recognisable landmarks, including:
Cardiff Castle
Bute Park
National Museum Cardiff
New Theatre
Queen Street shopping district
Being slightly away from the stadium means you can enjoy a more relaxed dining experience while still arriving comfortably before kick-off or the opening act.
What should you eat before a rugby match or concert?
Before a big event, most people want food that's satisfying without feeling too heavy.
Turkish dining is naturally suited to pre-event meals because it's built around sharing, fresh ingredients and balanced flavours.
At longa, guests often begin with a selection of mezze before choosing one of our signature mains.
Popular dishes include:
House hummus with warm Turkish bread
Muhammara
Grilled halloumi
Manti dumplings
Slow-braised beef shoulder (Sultan's Delight)
Pan-seared monkfish
Sizzling Beef Lokum
Our cocktail menu is also popular before concerts, offering everything from Espresso Martinis and Aperol Spritz to Turkish-inspired signature drinks, making dinner part of the celebration rather than simply somewhere to eat.
Perfect for groups
Heading to the rugby with friends?
Meeting family before a concert?
Celebrating a birthday or special occasion?
Turkish food is designed to be shared.
Our mezze, starters and sharing dishes naturally bring everyone together around the table before the excitement of the evening begins.
For larger parties, booking ahead is recommended, particularly on major event days.
Make a day of your visit to Cardiff
If you're visiting from outside the city, why not turn your event into a full day out?
A popular itinerary might look like this:
10:30am – Coffee in Cardiff city centre
11:30am – Explore the Victorian Arcades
1:00pm – Visit Cardiff Castle
3:00pm – Walk through Bute Park
5:30pm – Dinner and cocktails at longa
7:15pm – Walk to Principality Stadium
Everything can be explored comfortably on foot, making Cardiff one of the UK's easiest cities to enjoy without needing a car.
Visiting for a concert?
The Principality Stadium hosts some of the UK's biggest live events throughout the year.
From Six Nations internationals and Autumn rugby fixtures to global artists including Coldplay, Oasis and other major touring acts, Cardiff attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
As you might expect, restaurants across the city become especially busy on these dates.
If you're planning to dine before an event, booking your table in advance is highly recommended.
Why choose longa?
There are plenty of places to eat in Cardiff city centre, but guests choose longa because they want something different.
We're a family-run independent restaurant inspired by the food and hospitality of Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Expect handcrafted cocktails, generous sharing plates, warm service and dishes prepared with fresh ingredients rather than a rushed pre-event meal.
Whether you're visiting Cardiff for the rugby, a concert, graduation or simply a weekend away, we aim to make dinner one of the highlights of your day.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How far is longa from Principality Stadium?
Around a 15-minute walk through Cardiff city centre.
Should I book before a match or concert?
Yes. Major events often mean restaurants across Cardiff are fully booked, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Do you cater for groups?
Absolutely. Turkish dining is ideal for groups, with plenty of dishes designed for sharing.
Do you serve vegetarian options?
Yes. Our menu includes a wide range of vegetarian mezze, mains and sides, alongside seafood and meat dishes.
Can we have drinks before the event?
Yes. Many guests arrive early to enjoy cocktails, wine or Turkish coffee before walking to the stadium.
Looking for restaurants near Principality Stadium?
If you're searching for restaurants near Principality Stadium, we'd love to welcome you to longa.
Located just a short walk from Cardiff's most iconic venue, longa combines contemporary Turkish cooking, warm family hospitality and one of the city's most convenient locations for pre-match dinners and pre-concert celebrations.
Whether you're cheering on Wales, seeing your favourite artist live or simply enjoying a day exploring Cardiff, we're here to help you start the occasion in the best possible way.
Reserve your table and make your visit to Cardiff one to remember.
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