A great family run Italian Restaurant in Cardiff, Wales - Zio Pin

First off let me just say I LOVE ITALIAN FOOD! And very happily Zio Pin is a brilliant italian with great authentic food.

Zio Pin (also called Zio Peppino sometimes) is located halfway up Albany Road in the Roath Area of Cardiff City. It is underneath Albany Road Gallery opposite Darlows Estate Agents. A great location if you live around Roath or Cathays areas.

I have lived on or just off Albany Road for 6 years now since moving to Cardiff for University. And living right by Zio Pin means we ventured there quite early on after moving here and it has steadily become one of our favourite restaurants, especially with my parents who love having lunch there when they come to visit.

I don't have any photos of the food at the moment, but will get a few shots the next time we go.

Mon-Sat 12:00-14:30 & 18:30-00:00
Sun closed

74 Albany Road
Cardiff CF24 3RS

029 2048 5673

From the outside it doesn't have the best of looks but things like that don't tend to bother me too much. The interior is traditionally italian, but with a charming cozy family kind of sense, mismatched chairs and tables and the like. There is a well stocked little bar at the front where you can wait to be seated if you wish (although we have always been seated immediately). And it is always clean there which is a big factor for me. It is quite a small restaurant with only around 15 tables in total so often gets busy on the weekends.

During the day there is a set menu option if you wish with 2 courses and a tea or coffee for around £7.95 (correct as of November 2012). This is usually what we opt for as it is such good value and know we like nearly all the dishes. For us specifically the Pate and Grilled Brie are the starters we opt for, then a pizza (as they are amazing and made fresh) or the Lasana or Chicken with mushrooms and white wine served with a side portion of seasonal veg and choice of potatoes (go with the sautee! they are lovely!)

The evening menu includes all the day options and a great selection of other traditional Italian dishes, and the specials are always worth a look. My father has often had the Seabass and I have had the Veal, both were tasty, falling apart and cooked to perfection. Plus with mains only costing around £8-£10 the price is very reasonable! The also do a set menu in the afternoons too - £9.95 2 course and £10.95 3 course. The food is always well cooked and tastes beautiful, plus the portion size is great, I always leave feeling full and satisfied.

But I think possibly one of my favourite things about this place is the staff! As I usually go in the day time I am served by either the elderly gentleman that works there (I assume the owner?!?! Correct me if I'm wrong) who is an italian and a really lovely man or the younger very italian man with a gottee (or beard sometimes!) who I'm pretty sure is called Jean Paul! (Again I could be wrong) he is brilliant!! Always happy to have a chat if you wish, very friendly, polite and helpful. He will offer suggestions with what they have specials wise and make suggestions on choseing wine to accompany if you wish. He is so used to seeing us now that he always says hello even when we are out of the restaurant and stops for a chat.

You never have to wait long to be seated, served or cleared. This is one of my pet hates, i find big chains often have this problem, you get seated then no one comes to take your order for 10 minutes and you have to wait ages for the food to arrive.

So I will give it a 5 star all round and advise anyone if they are wanting an authentic italian meal at a good price, and don't want to be in a big chain to visit Zio Pin and say Chantele sent you!