West Pizza at Kongs, Cardiff review

Since the closure of Bubs, it feels like there’s been an independent craft beer void in the heart of Cardiff city centre.

However, until its replacement opens, there’s already an alternative venue that hits the spot and it’s slap bang in the middle of St Mary’s Street.

I just tend to forget that Kongs exists because they so rarely promote their craft beer selection.

Open since 2016, this subterranean gaming bar always has an impressive selection of craft beer on tap from a permanent Deya Steady Rolling Man pale ale line to brews from Burning Sky, Verdant, Polly’s, Siren and Wylam.

On our most recent visit I tucked away halves of Deya as well as deliciously dank Verdant Marylou and highly-sessionable Lervig House Party pale ales.

The other reason I wanted to visit Kongs was to check out West Pizza who run their kitchen.

Owned by Ieuan Harry and Jez Phillips, the same duo behind the excellent Ffwnres Pizza in Cardiff Market, West Pizza specialises in New York style pizza and was previously based at Lufkin Coffee in Grangetown.

Traditionally sold by the slice, New York-style pizza is known for its thick and crisp rim and thin base.

West Pizza’s compact menu offers just four different types of pizza, of which three are available by the slice. There’s also two crust dips and fries and that’s it. I’m always a fan of such concise menus as there’s hope that the kitchen is focused on doing a few things well.

Whilst a whole 18 inch pizza costs between £13.50 and £18, we stuck to the pizza by the slice which weighs in at a very reasonable £2.50 to £3.50. Both the slices I ate were absolutely delicious and whopping to boot.

The crust was crisp and airy with a nice chew whilst the base was thin and floppy. Combined with a well-balanced tomato sauce and a big ooze of salty and savoury golden cheese it’s the kind of pizza I could guzzle in large quantities.

A Meri-Ann margherita (£2.50) was my favourite whilst Mrs G preferred the Ray (£3.50) topped with disks of paprika-spiked pepperoni.

I’m all in favour of crust dips (£1) and both of West’s are belters - a vibrant garlic and herb mayo with plenty of fragrant dill and sriracha mayo with a good hit of chilli.

A mountain of crisp skin on fries were great value for £3.50.

I was very impressed by the pizza by the slice from West Pizza. It’s perfect beer food and an excellent accompaniment for the delicious craft beers on offer at Kongs.

The details:

Address - Kongs, 114 St Mary St, Cardiff CF10 1AT

Web - https://www.west.pizza/

Telephone - 07957 961323

Craft beer bites

• The excellent Pop 'n' Hops on Whitchurch Road has just started selling beer on tap to drink in. With ten different lines, their launch line-up includes belters such Beak's Parade IPA; Holy Goat's Unicorn Wizard, a golden sour with white peaches; and Neon Raptor's Centaur Army, a peanut butter, chocolate and caramel imperial stout. 

• The sadly missed Bubs, a craft beer bar on Cardiff's Church Street, has just announced their replacement. Scaredy Cats Cafe Bar will open on Working Street in the city centre and will focus on craft beer, coffee and cocktails. 

Credit: Scaredy Cats

• Barry's Craft Republic has been named the UK's Best Independent Craft Beer Bar or Pub (City) by the Society of Independent Brewers. It's an impressive achievement for the bar, which opened in 2020, and sells 14 different craft beers, lagers and ciders on tap.

Credit: Craft Republic

• In case you missed, it Mad Dog Brewery has relocated to Cardiff's Castle Street and opened a bright and airy taproom too. On a recent visit we enjoyed their easy drinking Hair of the Dog pale ale. 

• I finally got around to visiting the Gwaelod y Garth Inn for the first time following a hike up the Garth Mountain. And what a boozer it is with its roaring fireplace and cracking selection of craft beer and cask ale. I had halves from Deya and Crafty Devil. I also had a belting plate of locally made faggots with a rich offaly twang served with thick gravy, sweet petit pois and proper homemade chips.