WELCOME TO CONTI’S CAFE BAR

Our roots date back to the early 1900s when Luigi Conti immigrated to South Wales from Bardi. He established a temperance bar in Aberfan during the 1930s, followed by a move to Pontypridd where he opened L. Conti Fish and Chip Restaurant.

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The family legacy continued as his son, Marino Conti, and his wife Irene, opened the Popular Fish Bar in Tonypandy on January 1st, 1955. The restaurant quickly became a local favorite, known for its fresh fish and chips served in a welcoming atmosphere.

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Over the years, the Conti family has remained dedicated to serving quality food and providing excellent service to their customers. In 1997, their son, Louis Conti purchased the adjacent business and opened Conti's Express Cafe Bar.

Today, we continue this tradition by sourcing the finest ingredients and preparing every dish with care, just as Marino and Irene did over 65 years ago.

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We are proud of our heritage and grateful to our loyal customers who have helped us become a beloved part of the community. We look forward to serving you for many years to come.

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The Italian immigration to Britain began in the 18th century, with most of the people who made the move to Britain being political refugees. In those early days, they worked at a wide range of jobs, but by the end of the 19th century, they started to open the cafes for which they have become famous. It is estimated that about 4,000 Italians came to Britain in the years between 1821 and 1851. By 1911, that figure had risen to an amazing 20,389.

Most Italian immigrants to Wales came from the northern Appenine Mountain region of Italy, many of them from the town of Bardi. They settled down in the Glamorgan and Gwent valleys, where they began to open up cafes, ice cream parlours, and fish and chip shops. The Italian cafes provided a valuable service during the dark days of the Depression, as men who were out of work could find warmth and comfort in the welcoming glow of the town cafe.

The Italians have made an important and significant contribution to Welsh life. They have added to the culture and brought color and luxury to a people who sorely needed it. Italian cafes have provided not only food and drink but also a place for people to gather and discuss the issues of the day. The cafes have become part of the local community fabric, where adults could sit and discuss the issues of the day, and children could swoop excitedly on the ice cream cones and wafers.