The Norwegian Church
The Norwegian Church
Known locally simply as The Norwegian Church, this distinctive white building has been part of Cardiff Bay since 1868. Built to serve Norwegian sailors working in the docks, it became a spiritual and social hub for the Scandinavian community in Tiger Bay during Cardiff’s coal-exporting boom.
The story begins in 1866, when Lars Oftedal arrived in Cardiff to support the growing Norwegian seafaring population. The first congregation met in Mount Stuart Square before a permanent church was constructed in West Dock in 1868 and consecrated the following year. At its peak, as many as 90 Norwegian ships could be berthed in Cardiff at one time, and the church offered sailors worship, comfort and a sense of home far from Norway.
Norwegian vessels carried Welsh coal across the world and returned with timber from Scandinavian forests, strengthening the maritime ties between Wales and Norway. Many Norwegian families settled in Cardiff, including the family of Roald Dahl, who was baptised at the church.
Threatened with demolition in the late 20th century, the building was carefully dismantled and relocated to its current waterfront position in the 1990s. Today it operates as an arts centre and café, hosting exhibitions, live events and cultural activities while preserving its rich maritime heritage.
A true piece of Cardiff Bay history still very much alive.
Norsk Cafe Bar & Terrace
Breakfast
served from 10am until midday
The breakfast yorkshire pudding wrap — £13.50
Pork & leek sausages, smoked bacon, hash browns, spinach & runny egg wrapped in a fluffy yorkshire pudding with your choice of sauce.
Sarnies
Hash brown — £3.95
4 hash brown sandwich
Roasted mushroom — £4.45
Roasted flat mushroom & spinach
Smoked bacon — £5.25
3 slices of smoked bacon
Sausage — £6.95
Pork & leek sausages
Sausage & bacon — £6.95
Pork & leek sausages & smoked bacon
The breakfast one — £7.95
Pork & leek sausages, smoked bacon, spinach & runny egg
Gluten free baps
Smoked bacon — £6.95
Smoked bacon & roasted mushroom — £7.45
Smoked bacon, spinach, mushroom & runny egg — £7.95
Norwegian waffles
A light, soft, Norwegian-style waffle served with:
Plain (v) — £4.95
Nutella (v) — £5.95
Nutella & squirty cream (v) — £6.50
Brunost and jam (v) — £6.50
Brunost cheese is a mild, almost caramel-tasting cheese, perfect with strawberry jam.
Menu items, availability and prices are subject to change without notice.