We hadn’t been to Frankie & Benny’s in quite a while, but having visited plenty of times in the past, it felt a bit like returning to an old favourite.
This time though, there was something different – a Halloween-themed menu. We didn’t know what to expect, but we were curious to see what was new.
We’d assumed it would be quiet on a Friday lunchtime, yet the restaurant at St David’s Shopping Centre was absolutely packed. If you’re planning a visit, I’d definitely recommend booking ahead. They do accept walk-ins, but with autumn half term underway and a great kids’ offer on, it’s clearly proving popular.
It’s funny how things change. TGI Fridays opposite used to be the busy one, and Frankie & Benny’s was the fallback option. Now, it seems the tables have well and truly turned as Frankie’s was buzzing when we visited.
We went all in and tried the Halloween specials.
Screamin’ Skins (£7.95)
A twist on the classic potato skins with a bit of heat. Crispy skins loaded with melted cheese, smoked crispy bacon and padron peppers (sweet until you hit a fiery one), served with a spicy sriracha sour cream.
Giant Mozzarella Stick (£7.85)
Not new, but still unbeatable. A huge breaded mozzarella stick served with marinara sauce. Simple, cheesy and perfect.
Hellfire Burger (£17.95)
This one really delivers on the presentation – it looks just like the picture and tastes even better. A juicy beef burger with melted cheese, fiery chilli beef, onion rings and lava cheese sauce, all inside a beetroot-red bun topped with chilli “horns”. It’s bold, messy and absolutely worth it.
Little Italy Burger (£16.95)
Another surprise. We didn’t realise just how creative the burger menu had become. This one’s made with breaded chicken parm, marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, crispy pepperoni and fresh basil. It’s basically Italy in a bun.
For dessert, we followed Isabelle’s recommendation and went for the sundaes. Nice choice!
Hot Chocolate Fudge Brownie Sundae (£7.75)
Brownie, vanilla ice cream, salted caramel sauce and hot chocolate fudge sauce. Rich, indulgent and everything a sundae should be.
Strawberry Pavlova Sundae (£7.45)
Fresh strawberries, strawberry ice cream, meringue pieces, strawberry sauce and whipped cream. A lighter, fruitier option but just as good.
To wash it all down, we couldn’t resist the drinks.
Eye Scream Shake (£3.00)
Technically for kids, but too good to pass up. Green ice cream, whipped cream and creepy candy eyes – fun and tasty in equal measure.
Werewolf of Wall Street Cocktail (£7.00)
A sharp and punchy mix of Beefeater Gin, Blue Curacao, raspberry and lemon. It didn’t quite look like the photo, but we liked that they’d come up with something themed for adults too.
Frankie & Benny’s is clearly going all out for Halloween this year, celebrating its 30th birthday with spooky dishes and wallet-friendly offers. Between 27–31 October, they’re running a Witching Hour from 4–5pm where mains are just £6.66 (excluding Signature Grills), and anyone who turns up in costume between 31 October–2 November gets free Spooky Skins.
Kids also eat free Monday to Friday until the end of October, which makes it an easy family choice.
As Sarah Sculpher, Marketing Director at Frankie & Benny’s, put it:
“Halloween should be about treats, not terrifying bills. That’s why we’ve brewed up a cauldron of offers that make celebrating with the whole family both fun and affordable.”
Since opening in 1995, Frankie & Benny’s has been a go-to for family meals and celebrations. This year, they’ve turned things up a notch with their spooky specials, giving diners plenty of reason to visit.
All in all, it was a really good experience. In fairness to the chain, which hasn’t always had it easy, they’re doing a great job. I’d definitely add this one back to your list for your next trip into Cardiff.
