I Explored Swansea’s Vibrant New Food Hall and It Completely Satisfied My Hunger
On a rainy Friday lunchtime, craving some excitement and a burst of color to combat the end-of-summer blues, I found myself drawn to the Albert Hall in Swansea. This newly opened food hall boasts a variety of vendors serving everything from Mediterranean cuisine to juicy burgers, Indian delicacies, Asian delights, pizzas, and irresistible doughnuts. If you’re not a fan of the regular dining experience but still crave delicious food with a street food feel minus the rain and chilly weather, this is the spot for you. The prices are fair, the atmosphere is delightful, and there’s a dish for everyone – unless you’re an extremely picky eater no one wants at their table.
The Albert Hall, originally opened in 1864, is an iconic Swansea landmark that fell into disrepair after closing as a bingo hall and cinema in 2009. Following a £9-million renovation and a significant amount of effort and creativity, the Albert Hall now stands as a four-story marvel housing a ground-floor food hall and bar, private event space, offices, studios, visitor accommodations, a gym, and a rooftop garden. Positioned on the outskirts of the city center between The Kingsway and De-La-Beche Street, this new hotspot may not be the typical social hub, but quality offerings are sure to draw in a crowd.
During my visit a week after its soft launch, the place was bustling with activity. As a food hall setting, the vibrancy and innovation at the Albert Hall were unparalleled. Upon stepping inside, the aroma of various cuisines being prepared was enough to make one’s mouth water. Tasked with trying as many dishes as possible, I started my culinary journey.
Olive and Oregano:
- Calamari wrap – £7.95
- Seafood salad – £8.95
I savored fresh seafood at Olive and Oregano, with the calamari wrap and seafood salad surpassing expectations. The tender calamari and succulent prawns in the seafood salad were delightful, while the calamari wrap, served with chips, proved to be a flavorsome handheld meal.
XO Noodle and Bubble Tea:
- Beef Bulgogi BBQ Korean beef bao bun – £8.50
- Katsu chicken curry – £12
- Black sugar bubble tea – £5.50
At XO, I relished the explosion of flavors in the Beef Bulgogi BBQ Korean beef bao bun and the satisfying katsu chicken curry. The black sugar bubble tea was a surprisingly delicious treat, refreshing and indulgent at the same time.
Burger Boyz:
- Chuck Norris – £10
- Angry Chuck – £10
Burger Boyz served up succulent patties with generous fillings in the Chuck Norris and the Angry Chuck burgers, both offering a classic yet satisfying burger experience.
Indian Street Kitchen:
- Vegetable samosa and chat curry – £7
- Chilli chicken loaded fries – £8
Indian Street Kitchen’s vegetarian samosa, chat curry, and chilli chicken loaded fries were a delightful blend of flavors and textures, showcasing the essence of Indian cuisine.
As I enjoyed these delectable dishes, I observed the venue filling up with patrons of all ages and backgrounds. The Albert Hall, with its modern ambiance intertwined with Swansea’s rich history, has already become a popular destination. While some patrons expressed concerns about the mandatory use of an app for payments, the diverse crowd dining and socializing onsite spoke volumes about the place’s growing popularity.
With the delightful aroma of freshly prepared food lingering in the air, I couldn’t resist ending my gastronomic journey with a sweet treat from Whocult. The handcrafted doughnuts from this independent bakery in Bridgend were the perfect finale to my culinary adventure at the Albert Hall.
If you’re like me, unable to resist the call of delicious food, I highly recommend paying a visit to the Albert Hall in Swansea. With an array of food options available, there’s something to satisfy every craving at this lively food hall.
Food Outlets at Albert Hall, Swansea:
- Burger Boyz Academy – specialty coffee and cocktails
- Olive and Oregano – Greek street food
- Pizzaboyz – Italian street food
- The Indian Street Kitchen
- The Italian Job – Italian street food
- XO – noodles and bao buns
- Whocult – Doughnuts
Albert Hall Opening Times and Location:
- Opening Times:
- Mon-Tues: 9:00 – 18:00
- Wed – Sat: 9:00 – 22:30
- Sunday: 9:00 – 20:00
- Location: Albert Hall, Cradock Street, Swansea, SA1 3EP