Blŵm, Fairoak Rd, Cardiff CF24 4YA

Light floods through the fully glazed front of this café and lifestyle store, tucked away behind one of Britain’s largest Victorian cemeteries, dating back to 1859. Perfectly positioned for a mid-walk pit stop, Blŵm sits just a short stroll from one of Cardiff’s most scenic park trails, winding around Roath’s 30-acre lake.

Inside, the air is rich with the scent of freshly steamed milk, deep espresso, and the buttery aroma of just-baked pastries. Like many spots across the city, Blŵm has embraced the pistachio craze.

Their pistachio hot chocolate is decedent, topped with a cloud of whipped cream and finished with a sweet-salty pistachio drizzle. Choose a milk alternative and plant-based cream for a dairy-free option. While visiting, don't pass on the pistachio, white chocolate, and raspberry cookie – loved by locals and a weekly sell-out. It’s thick, buttery, and studded with crunchy pistachio nibs and creamy pockets of white chocolate. Lydia May, 28, Blŵm barista says pitachios add a touch of luxury that customers love.

"People come in asking if we do anything pistachio flavoured, and the cookies sell out everyday"

Linger in the serene, minimalist space or grab your pistachio fix to-go, and enjoy with a lakeside view, surrounded by Roath Park’s towering trees and elegant Victorian avenues.

Kiwis Bowls, Castle Arcade, Cardiff, CF10 1BW

Kiwis Bowls is a stylish slice of summer that wraps around the corner of Cardiff’s Castle Arcade. Whilst the arcade is lined with a diversity of independents, this cafe stands out with its neon violet lighting, array of plants and wicker outdoor seating that looks out onto the impressive walls of Cardiff Castle. Offering a colourful menu of gluten free and vegan smoothie bowls, Kiwis Bowls takes inspiration from a cosy New Zealand beach hut but showcases flavours that go beyond tropical expectations.

Whilst there is an vibrant range of strawberries, banana, and kiwi to make up the classic smoothie bowl, owner Dan Eedy has taken advantage of the latest pistachio craze by offering a rich, nutty pistachio butter to elevate his menu:

"Pistachio is a perfect addition to all of our bowls. When we sell out, customers are gutted because they love it so much."

The pistachio’s humbling beige colour only reflects the purity of its ingredients, with the butter being organic, palm oil free and naturally high in protein.

The infusion of this nut butter with the fresh fruit takes you on an earthy yet exotic journey through all the natural goodness a smoothie bowl can offer you. The bitter richness of the cacao nibs is balanced with a drizzle of sweet honey to heighten its luxurious taste.  

The slight crunch of the granola slides down the smoothness of the pistachio butter to create this game of contrasts in every bite – salty yet sweet, nutty yet fruity, healthy yet delightfully satisfying. Kiwis Bowls is certainly a must visit to truly appreciate the versatility of pistachios, whilst enjoying a view of Cardiff’s historic centrepiece.

Pettigrew Bakery, Roath Garage, Cardiff, CF24 4TD

Renowned for showing off their exquisite breads and pastries at the weekly Riverside Farmer’s market, Pettigrew Bakery is also whipping up their own take on the lavish trend but this time from their own garage bakery.

Tucked away from the hustle of Cardiff’s city centre, the Garage is located just off Albany Road – a lively street in the Roath area. Despite feeling hidden in plain sight, the area is well-connected to the rest of Cardiff with good transport links and can offer you a warm escape.

Upon entering the bakery, the laminated pastry immediately caught our eye. The bright green speckles of crushed pistachios stood out beautifully against the other golden-brown pastries.

The exterior of the pastry was delicately glazed, giving it a slight sweetness and a glossy finish. Inside, the laminated layers offered the perfect balance of flakiness and buttery richness, complementing the soft interior. Topping it all off were the brightest pistachios we had ever seen. 

The cruffin was generously filled with a delicious mix of cardamom sugar and caramel, and included whole pistachios inside. It was a true fusion of flavours and textures, offering the best of both worlds: the buttery layers of a croissant and the convenient, handheld shape of a muffin.

“Vibrant, crunchy, timeless”

Alys, the bakery's Operational Manager, explained that they jumped on the trend simply because pistachios look good.

“We’re just like everyone else—we want our food to look as good as it tastes. While we don’t usually decorate, we do like to add a modern twist every now and them”

Pettigrew is known for its high-quality, traditional baked items, from artisan breads to savoury treats. They’ve built a reputation for keeping things classic.

It was surprising to learn that normally, they don’t decorate their pastries – making the pistachio topping a bold departure from their usual fare.

Chocomelt Station, Royal Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1AH

The pink of the dessert shop is unmissable when walking through one of the city's many arcades. Follow your nose, and the scent of melted chocolate that carries far through the Royal Arcade will guide you to this trendy location.

Chocomelt Station Cardiff is a chocolate lover’s dream. On their menu, you’ll find chocolate-covered brownie bites, bubble waffles and their iconic strawberry cups topped with lashings of silky melted chocolate and a variety of toppings. A recent addition are the iconic Dubai chocolate strawberries, a best seller says the manager Victor Nica.

"It's our number one product now"

The viral Dubai chocolate strawberry cup has become their best-seller. It’s a winning combination of juicy strawberries, luxurious pistachio cream, melted chocolate and crunchy Turkish katafi pastry, creating the Iconic Dubai chocolate bar texture.

This treat successfully makes strawberries unhealthy, and we’re not mad about it. The cup is the perfect sweet yet surprisingly refreshing treat for on-the-go shoppers and sightseers, located close to Cardiff’s iconic castle and high streets making it a wonderful pit-stop while you’re strolling the historic streets.

Within a year, Dubai Chocolate saw a staggering 300% increase in global sales, all thanks to a TikTok video posted under the username mariavehera257 on December 18^th 2023.  Chocomelt Station has made the most of this trendy green nut with a treat in a cup bound to quench your pistachio cravings.