Cardiff’s fast food scene is about to get a serious heat boost, as Dave’s Hot Chicken gets ready to open its first Welsh restaurant tomorrow, Friday 3 April.
Taking over the former PMT music shop at the bottom of Caroline Street, near Wyndham Arcade, the new arrival is set to bring bold flavours and plenty of spice to one of the city’s busiest food spots. We managed to get a look inside ahead of the opening, and early impressions suggest this is far from your typical fried chicken joint.
The space plays a big role in that. There is plenty of seating, but the décor is what really catches your eye. It leans heavily into a street art style, with bright, spray painted walls by artists Akopyan, known as Splatter Haus, and Sarkisian, who goes by Dehmq. It gives the place a lively, slightly edgy feel that fits the brand well.
Of course, the focus is firmly on the chicken.
Dave’s has built a strong following for its Nashville style fried chicken, known for its bold seasoning and adjustable heat levels. Whether you go for something mild or push yourself towards the hotter end of the scale, there is an option to suit.
The tenders are seriously generous in size, proper hefty pieces that do not hold back. But the sliders are where it all comes together. Soft buns, crispy chicken and that signature spice blend make them the highlight.
Alongside that, there is a full range of sides, plus milkshakes and slushies to finish things off.
Before trying it, you might think Cardiff already has plenty of solid chicken spots. But after getting a taste, it feels like Dave’s is offering something a bit different, and it would not be a surprise to see it quickly find its place.
The brand’s rise has been impressive. It started in 2017 as a small pop up in an East Hollywood car park, set up by childhood friends Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan and Tommy Rubenyan. Since then, it has grown rapidly, helped by social media buzz and queues at new openings.
That growth has also been backed by high profile names including Drake, Usher and Samuel L Jackson, turning it into a global name.
In the UK, the journey is only just beginning. The first site opened in London in December 2024, followed by a steady expansion into cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Stevenage and Leicester. Another London location has since launched at Westfield White City, with plans for around 60 sites nationwide, including Bristol.
The expansion is being led by Azzurri Group, the team behind brands including Zizzi, ASK Italian, Coco di Mama and Boojum.
The Cardiff site sits at the bottom of Windsor Arcade on Caroline Street, an area already known for its late night food scene and long standing favourites. With recent changes to the area, including the closure of PMT and nearby units, it has created space for something new to move in.
Doors open tomorrow, and if first impressions are anything to go by, expect queues, plenty of buzz and some seriously spicy chicken landing in the city centre.
