The Plan, Cardiff

The Plan Bar and Café has been running in its prime location - a divide in the centre of Morgan Arcade - for nine years now; four years with the present décor that brings out the best in the building (such as the wooden floors). The owner is David Nottingham (no relation). He’s created a light and airy space, ideal for people-watching in the arcade. There are tables downstairs and upstairs.

Breakfasts finish at 11am, and then the lunchtime menu kicks in. Prices start at £5.40 for baguettes, £5.85 for jacket potatoes, and £6.95 for salads. I had a beef baguette with horseradish, which came with an uninspiring salad. The baguette seemed to contain no horseradish, and it was nothing special.

I had no complaints about the coffee, however, which is something The Plan is renowned for. I had an excellent latte (complete with decoration). They do a range of specialist coffees and teas. The café is also fully licensed.

The Plan is listed among the “Top 50 Coffee Shops in the UK” in The Independent and in a similar Top 50 café survey in The Guardian. This raises expectations about The Plan that can be difficult for it to live up to. [note: please read the subsequent comment below by Trevor the head barista, who explains why The Plan deserves their place in these award listings]

At the till, my bill was found to be a little short of the minimum needed for a promotional CD that was piled on the counter.

I wanted to like The Plan more, but today I thought the food overpriced. If the kitchen raised its game to match the quality of the coffee then this place would be brilliant.

The Plan, 28 Morgan Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1AF