TGI Fridays used to be one of those places that felt like an event. Growing up in Cardiff, a visit to the Newport Road restaurant was a real treat. It was where we went for birthdays, family get togethers and even my 21st. When St David’s 2 arrived in 2009, it became the new home of those celebrations.
Over the years though, as Cardiff’s food scene grew, our visits slowly stopped. It wasn’t out of dislike, more that new places opened and stole the spotlight.
Then last year came the closures. Newport, Swansea and the original Newport Road site all shut. It felt like the end of an era for many of us who had made memories there. Luckily, a rescue deal saved a number of restaurants from administration, leaving just one survivor in Wales: TGI Fridays in St David’s 2.
So, with Christmas around the corner and a brand new festive menu to try, we headed back to see if it still has the magic we remember.
First impressions
Stepping inside felt oddly familiar. Some things have changed over the years, but the character is still there. The Hulk and the Harley Davidson by the entrance remain exactly where you expect them to be.
We couldn’t spot the muppet plush or drum kit that we posed with as teenagers, but it didn’t matter. What really caught our eye was the glowing skyline above the bar.
A neat shifting silhouette of New York and Cardiff, fading between the two. It is clever, it sets the mood and it reminded us of our recent trip to New York where we visited a Welsh bar. This felt like the reverse. A slice of New York tucked away in Cardiff.
The walls are still covered in American and film memorabilia, and the vibe was upbeat without trying too hard. Staff were cheerful from the start, and Sally in particular made sure we never ran dry. Refills arrived almost before we had time to ask. Unlimited soft drink refills are now rare, so seeing them still offered here for £3.95 felt like a small win.
Festive drinks
TGI Fridays usually has a decent cocktail menu and the everyday happy hour doesn’t hurt. For Christmas, they’ve added three limited edition drinks. The Merry Trifle, Candy Cane Sundae Shake and Syrup Slay will be around until January.
We tried the Candy Cane Sundae Shake. It lands somewhere between a dessert and a drink, with vanilla ice cream, maple syrup, marshmallow and milk. Sweet without being sickly and very easy to finish. It suits the Christmas menu well, especially if you fancy something a bit fun without alcohol.
Starters
We opened with the boneless wings at £8.99 with Frank’s Hot Sauce. Before hot sauce was everywhere and before the supermarkets stocked it in every heat level imaginable, TGI Fridays had it. It brought back a surprising wave of nostalgia. They were crispy, coated well and exactly as we remembered.
But the dish that really impressed us was the Fridays sesame chicken strips. Sticky, rich, slightly spicy and sprinkled with sesame seeds and chilli flakes. These were the perfect mix of sweet and savoury. If you love the classic Jack Daniels glaze, you will enjoy these. They are so good you can have them as a main, and they might be our new favourite starter. Both dishes also come in meatless versions, which is good to see.
Mains
From the festive menu, we went for the Yuletide Roast Chicken. It’s a proper Christmas dinner served the TGI Fridays way. A generous portion of seasoned chicken with roast potatoes, stuffing, pigs in blankets, parsnip crisps, beef gravy and vegetables. It’s hearty and filling. The only thing we would tweak is the sweetness of the carrots, but that comes down to personal taste and there is always more gravy on hand.
To balance the festive option, we had to try a classic. The Southern Style Flame Grilled Pork Ribs with the famous Jack Daniels sauce. This is the dish that many people still associate with TGI Fridays. You can upgrade to a full rack for an extra five pounds, which we did, and it was worth it. The portion was huge, the meat was tender and the smoky flavour came through without overpowering the glaze. We stuck with the classic fries but there are upgrades if you fancy changing it up.
If you want to go all out on the Christmas theme, the Triple Stacked Jingle Bell Burger is one to look at. It is as over the top as it sounds and seems to be getting a lot of attention among diners.
The festive set menu starts from £24.95 for two courses and there is also a limited edition bottomless brunch from £29.95.
Desserts
Dessert felt essential given how much of the menu is built on nostalgia.
The Winter Berry Cheesecake at £6.99 is a seasonal twist on the classic New York version. Creamy, smooth and topped with a sharp berry compote that cuts through the richness. It’s light enough to manage after a big main.
The Chocolate Fudge Fixation at £8.99 is one of those old favourites we hoped would still be there. A warm layered chocolate cake with gooey fudge filling and a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream. It is comforting, indulgent and exactly as we remembered. This alone could bring us back.
If none of the festive dishes work for you, the main menu had a refresh in the summer. Lots of items are labelled new, but many are simply updated versions of classics. The best loved grill options are still on there.
Final thoughts
By midday, both floors had filled up and it became clear that the Christmas season is already drawing in plenty of diners. Booking is definitely the smart move.
So, after all these years, does TGI Fridays still have it? Honestly, yes. It may not be the only place in Cardiff offering big portions, fun cocktails and American style dishes, but it hasn’t lost its charm. In some ways, it feels like the brand has circled back to what made it popular in the first place. Friendly service, familiar favourites and that little spark of something fun.
And with one pound from every Christmas set menu going to the NSPCC, there is a feel good element to it as well.
If, like us, you haven’t visited in a while, now might be the time to give it another go. Prices are on par with other restaurants in the city and the atmosphere still makes it feel like a treat. It might not be the newest kid on the block, but it hasn’t forgotten what made it special.
