Elgano Italian Restaurant is a family owned dining room at 58 Cathedral Road in Pontcanna, Cardiff. Set in a historic villa within walking distance of Cardiff Castle, it combines a romantic interior with warm, professional service. An open view kitchen, an upstairs private dining area and garden seating give diners several ways to experience the restaurant.
The cooking is rooted in Calabria and Sicily, the southern Italian regions where the owners grew up. Handmade pasta, fresh seafood, grilled meat and Mediterranean vegetables form the core of the food, supported by seasonal produce, fragrant herbs and selected Italian ingredients. This regional foundation gives the menu a more specific identity than a general collection of familiar Italian dishes.
An à la carte selection moves from antipasti and pasta through fish and meat dishes, with desserts available to finish. The kitchen also offers special menus for certain dates and occasions, so the precise selection can change. Diners with allergies or dietary requirements should discuss the current dishes with staff, particularly because sauces, filled pasta and desserts may contain ingredients that are not obvious from the name alone.
Italian wine is treated as an important partner to the food. The list reaches from the reds of Sicily and whites of Calabria to bottles from Tuscany, Piedmont, Campania, Trentino and Liguria. Elgano suits romantic dinners, celebrations, business meals and friendly gatherings, while the private space can accommodate a more secluded occasion. Its appeal lies in pairing Southern Italian family traditions with a polished Cardiff restaurant setting.
Address: 58 Cathedral Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9LL, Wales
Elgano Italian Restaurant Menu
Starters
Calamari Fritti
Golden-fried tender squid, served with homemade tartare sauce
Focaccia pizza to share (V)
Focaccia pizza with garlic, olive oil, and rosemary
Spaghetti Aglio Olio e Peperoncino (V)
Spaghetti pasta cooked with fresh extra virgin olive-oil, garlic and chilli sauce
Funghi & Gamberetti
Garlic mushrooms and prawns cooked in a white wine and butter sauce
Insalata Caprese (V)
Mozzarella cheese, vine tomato and fresh basil, infused with extra virgin olive oil and oregano
Gamberoni al Limone
King Prawns cooked in a delicious garlic butter, white wine and lemon sauce
Bruschetta Elgano
Toasted bread with Italian sausages, cream of sundried tomato and porcini mushrooms, finished with pecorino cheese shavings.
Zuppa del Contadino (v)
Fresh homemade minestrone soup, served with seasoned croutons
Prosciutto e Mozzarella
Sliced Parma ham with a ball of mozzarella cheese and an extra virgin olive oil drizzle
Polpette della Nonna
Homemade spiced pork & beef meatballs in a rich tomato sauce, served with parmesan shavings and toasted bread
Cozze Scoppiate
Mussels cooked in a delicious tomato, garlic and chilli sauce served with toasted bread.
Tortino di Pesce
Fish cake, served with homemade tartare sauce
Bruschetta al Pomodoro (V)
Toasted bread with marinated tomatoes, red onion, garlic, fresh basil, and olive oil
Pasta
Ravioli Burro & Salvia (V)
Homemade Ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta cheese in a butter and sage creamy sauce. Finished with Parmesan shavings
Lasagne al forno
Traditional layers of egg pasta baked with Bolognese, mozzarella, Parmesan and béchamel sauce
Risotto Funghi (V)
Slowly cooked Arborio rice with mushroom, white wine and butter
Spaghetti Carbonara
Spaghetti with Italian smoked pancetta, egg, Parmesan cheese and cream
Penne Genovese
Penne pasta with prawns in a roasted pistachio and basil green pesto, finished with a touch of cream sauce
Ravioli al Salmone
Homemade Ravioli filled with pink salmon, served with smoked salmon in a rich tomato and cream sauce
Penne Arrabbiata (V)
Penne pasta with tomato sauce, fresh basil, and chilli
Spaghetti Bolognese
Beef and pork ragù, tossed with spaghetti and fresh basil
Penne Amatriciana
Penne pasta with Italian smoked pancetta, tomato sauce, fresh basil, and chilli
Spaghetti Mare
Spaghetti pasta cooked with clams, sea bass and king prawns, in a garlic and white wine sauce
Risotto calabrese
Slowly cooked Arborio rice with Italian sausages, mushrooms, and chilli in a cherry tomato sauce
Tagliatelle Elgano
Tagliatelle pasta served with Italian sausages, cream of sundried tomato and porcini mushrooms, finished with pecorino cheese shavings
Secondi
All our meat and fish dishes are served with seasonal vegetables and roasted potatoes. Choose from our selection of sauces for your grilled meat: (included in the price) – lemon Sauce | white wine and lemon juice, cream & pink peppercorn – Pepe Nero | Black pepper sauce – Cacciatora Sauce | tomato sauce with garlic, rosemary, capers, mushrooms, and olives – Dragoncello | mushrooms, tarragon and cream
Bistecca alla griglia
10 oz Ribeye steak grilled (Choose a delightful sauce to accompany your meal)
Filetto alla griglia
8 oz fillet steak (Choose a delightful sauce to accompany your meal)
Pollo grigliato
Chicken breast grilled (Choose a delightful sauce to accompany your meal)
Costolette di Agnello alla griglia
Grilled lamb cutlets, served with mint sauce and rosemary.
Branzino al Limone
Pan-fried Sea bass fillet, cooked in a rich and fresh white wine and lemon sauce
Branzino al Rosmarino
Pan-fried Sea bass fillet, cooked in an olive oil, garlic, chilli and rosemary herbs
Vitello al Limone
Veal scallop cooked in a rich and fresh garlic butter and white wine lemon sauce.
Vitello Saltimbocca
Veal scallop cooked in a white wine and butter sauce, topped with sage and Parma ham.
Pizze
*Additional topping from 0.95 p
Margherita (V)
Tomato, mozzarella, and fresh basil
Quattro Stagioni
Tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, artichokes, black olives, and ham
Pollo & Funghi
Tomato, mozzarella, red onions, chicken, and mushrooms
Bomba calabrese
Tomato, mozzarella, spinach, Italian sausage, mushroom, and chilli
Hawaiana
Tomato, mozzarella, ham, and pineapple
Pepperoni
Tomato, mozzarella, pepperoni sausage,
Ortolana (V)
Tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, olives, peppers, and artichokes
Marinara
Tomato, mozzarella, anchovies, and black olives
Parma
Tomato, mozzarella, Parma Ham, and Parmesan shavings
Sides
Insalata Mista (V)
Mixed or green salad
Pane all’ Aglio (V)
Garlic bread
Pane e Olive (V)
Bread with marinated olives
Patate Arrosto (V)
Buttered roasted potatoes
Patatine Fritte (V)
French fries
Pane Mozzarella (V)
Garlic bread with mozzarella cheese
Insalata di Pomodoro e Cipolla (V)
Tomatoes, red onion and extra virgin olive oil
Pane della Casa (V)
Bread served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Funghi (V)
mushrooms cooked in a butter and garlic sauce
Focaccia pizza to share (V)
Focaccia pizza with garlic, olive oil and rosemary
Olives
Red Wine
VINO ROSSO DELLA CASA (HOUSE RED)
Ripe cherry and plum flavors make this wine soft, smooth and easy drinking
MERLOT
A smooth, easy drinking Merlot, with plum and cherry fruit, alongside a typical Italian herbal lift
White Wine
VINO BIANCO DELLA CASA (HOUSE WHITE)
Rich ripe flavours with succulent fruit and refreshing acidity, this wine teases out every drop of flavour from this grape variety
UMBRIA CHARDONNAY
This Chardonnay sits head and shoulders above others at the price point. Wonderfully ripe fruit, but clean and crisp on the finish. Produced in the Umbria region
HOUSE PINOT GRIGIO
Fresh, crisp and light in style. Packed with lemon and peach flavours, give it a good smell and you’ll get a whiff of the zingy citrus aromas
Rosé Wine
Pinot Grigio Blush
Dry but fruity, this Pinot Grigio Rose’ is cherry coloured with a lively aftertaste of berries
AGLIANICO
Ruby red colour with a tendency to violet. luna Rossa has aromas of wild berries and sour cherry plums. Well-balanced, in the mouth it is full-bodied and very persistent
GRAGNANO
Sparkling Wine
CORDERIE PROSECCO SUPERIORE VALDOBBIADENE
Produced in the Veneto region, this is Italy’s finest sparkling wine, with delicate fruit flavours and soft intensity
SPUMANTE ROSE’ PROSECCO VALDOBBIADENE
Delicate, pearl transparency, with a delicate red ruby colour. This wine is gentle, suggestive, with hints of fresh fruits and white flowers
PROSECCO by glass
Italian dry prosecco, rich and refreshing bubbles. Perfect as an aperitif
Cocktails
PLEASE NOTE: ASK YOUR SERVER FOR MORE OPTION
Aperol Spritz
Mix of Aperol, Soda & Prosecco
Rossini
Italian Prosecco & strawberry puree
Sparkling Limoncello
Limoncello Spritz isn’t just the cocktail we need. It’s the cocktail we deserve. Limoncello gin lemon, prosecco and soda
Mojito
Bacardi rum, soda water, fresh lime juice, fresh mint sugar syrup
Passion Fruit Mojito
Rum, soda water, passion fruit juice, fresh lime juice, fresh mint sugar syrup
Passion Fruit Martini
Passion fruit juice, vodka, Passoa liquor and fresh lime juice
Sex on the Beach
It is the perfect drink to wind down with after a long day. Vodka, peach schnapps, Cranberry juice and orange juice.
Beer & Soft Drink
NASTRO AZZURRO PERONI (330 ml)
BIRRA MORETTI DRAUGHT (375 ML)
ALCOHOL FREE PERONI (330 ml)
CIDER (568 ML)
BULMERS
Crushed Red Berries and Lime
OLD MOUT CIDER
Kiwi and Lime