Cardiff’s celebrated dining scene is set for a stylish shake-up this winter, as award-winning Welsh chef Tom Simmons unveils a brand-new chapter for his much-loved restaurant, Thomas by Tom Simmons. The Pontcanna favourite will close briefly before reopening in January 2026 as Thomas The Brasserie — a fresh, relaxed concept designed to capture the spirit of modern dining.
For Simmons, known for his refined yet comforting approach to British cuisine, this transformation isn’t just a facelift — it’s a reinvention. “We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved at Thomas over the past six years,” he says. “But it feels like the right time for a new chapter. Diners today are looking for good, honest food without the high prices, and that’s exactly what we want The Brasserie to deliver.”
A neighbourhood favourite, reborn
Remaining in its familiar Pontcanna home, the restaurant’s new look will channel warmth, vibrancy, and accessibility — the kind of place where guests feel equally comfortable dropping by midweek or celebrating a special occasion. The new Brasserie-style menu will feature a mix of fixed-price options and daily specials, championing seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce, all prepared with Simmons’ signature finesse.
In keeping with its welcoming ethos, The Brasserie will open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, making quality dining more available to everyone. The team promises an atmosphere that blends the polish of fine dining with the laid-back charm of a neighbourhood bistro.
“Pontcanna has such a great community feel,” Simmons explains. “We love being part of that. The idea is to make exceptional food accessible to everyone in the area — whether you’re after fish and chips on a Friday or a classic Sunday roast with family.”
A menu made for modern Cardiff
The Brasserie’s food philosophy is simple: local, seasonal, and satisfying. Dishes will continue to highlight the best Welsh and British ingredients, reimagined through Tom’s creative lens. Expect comforting plates with elegant touches — hearty enough for everyday dining but crafted with the attention to detail that has earned Simmons his stellar reputation.
Set to become a new go-to in Cardiff’s dining circuit, The Brasserie will embrace that growing appetite for approachable excellence — where good food, great service, and genuine hospitality take centre stage.
A new level upstairs: Introducing Lofft
But that’s not all. Above The Brasserie, a new culinary experience will make its debut. Lofft, an intimate chef’s table concept, will open on 14 February 2026 — Valentine’s Day — adding a dash of exclusivity to Pontcanna’s dining scene.
Guests at Lofft will enjoy a front-row seat to the kitchen action, watching dishes come to life before tasting them in an interactive, immersive setting. The space will open Wednesdays and Thursdays for lunch, and Fridays and Saturdays for both lunch and dinner, providing just enough availability to keep things special.
Simmons has entrusted Lofft’s daily operations to two of his long-standing collaborators: Adam Day, General Manager of Thomas by Tom Simmons, and Tom Peters, the accomplished Executive Chef whose impressive résumé includes time at Oslo’s Maaemo and Roux at Parliament Square in London.
“This project is all about intimacy and creativity,” Simmons says. “At Lofft, diners will be part of the process — they’ll see, smell, and taste everything up close. It’s for people who want to experience food as an art form.”
Cardiff’s dining evolution
This dual launch — The Brasserie downstairs and Lofft upstairs — reflects broader trends in the UK dining scene. Across the country, chefs are pivoting towards experiences that feel more inclusive, community-focused, and story-driven. Diners are increasingly drawn to places that deliver memorable meals without the stiffness or cost of fine dining — a movement Simmons is clearly embracing.
Since first making his mark at Tom Simmons, Tower Bridge in London, the Pembrokeshire-born chef has been celebrated for his ability to blend Welsh produce with French-inspired flair. His Cardiff outpost, opened in 2018, quickly became a local favourite, praised for its heartfelt cooking and warm service.
Now, with Thomas The Brasserie and Lofft, Simmons is redefining what dining out in Cardiff can look like — approachable yet elevated, familiar yet surprising.
“We want The Brasserie to feel like an extension of the community,” he says. “A place people can come every week, not just once a year. Whether it’s a celebration or just because you don’t feel like cooking, it should always feel like the right choice.”
A new era for Pontcanna dining
As January approaches, anticipation is already building among Cardiff food lovers eager to see what Simmons and his team have created. One thing’s certain: with his trademark mix of warmth, precision, and respect for local produce, The Brasserie looks set to become another defining chapter in Wales’s ever-evolving culinary story.
Thomas The Brasserie opens on 12 January 2026, with Lofft following on 14 February 2026.
Follow both on social media:
@thomasbytomsimmons and @lofftpontcanna.
