Mad Hatters run the cafe during the day and provide all the food served at The Gate…

Mad Hatters was formed way back in 2001 following an intoxicated discussion over far too many bottles of cheap wine at a family get together. The question arose as to why there were so many coffee shops when
Britain is a nation of tea drinkers?

The result was (after the hangover had subsided) that Rob packed his bags and left the bright lights of London to return to his home town of Cardiff after 12 years in exile. With just £4.50, a chopping board and a bread knife, the first shop was opened with his brother in law in Swansea, then onto Whitchurch Rd in Cardiff.

Following some help from family and friends (Big high 5k to Bernie & Danielle) there was now enough money to buy a kettle and some tea bags and the dream soon became a reality. Tea and sandwiches were soon being sold to the masses and the shop grew in popularity. The big high street brands began to get nervous as the shop moved to Crwys Road and the team started to grow with Mad Maria, Telephone Tim and Smoothie Sue and the ever lovely Emma all doing their funky stuff with a bit of bread and butter and a few sandwich fillings.

Time marched on and the company pushbikes were soon replaced with shiny old vans and deliveries were made to the four corners of Cardiff (or as far as the vans would go without breaking down). A new kettle
was brought in to meet the increased demand and more sandwiches were added to the menu. The high street brands continued to get nervous as the shop branched into the coffee market and started to get candles on the tables. Rumours of people being bribed for the secret Lamb & Mint recipe were heard, but of course always denied.

As we approach the present time, a new ‘posher’ cafe has been opened at the Gate Arts Centre with an even bigger kettle, and more family being drafted in, with ‘Big Momma’s specials’ becoming the talk of legend at
lunchtimes in Roath and Rob’s better half getting involved in adding that extra bit of panache to the proceedings.

The fight still continues, the mission simple, to make the best damn sandwiches and tea that money can buy! And protect that secret lamb & mint recipe!

Today Cardiff, Tomorrow the World!