Terra Mare, which translates as ‘land and sea’ in Italian, will bring the culinary traditions of Puglia in southern Italy to the heart of the Welsh capital.
A&M Hospitality Group is taking over the site of the former Libertine cocktail bar on High Street, close to Cardiff Castle for a 50-cover restaurant that will have an additional 25 seats on an outdoor terrace.
The interior is being designed by local independent agency Studio Severn.
Terra Mare’s menu will be inspired by the flavours and time-honoured techniques of Puglia and will be structured around the traditional Italian way of eating. The menu begins with cicchetti and progresses through antipasti, primi piatti, and secondi piatti, before concluding with dolce.
Dishes will include freshly made pasta - each day, two kinds of pasta will be made in-house under the guidance of chef Francesco Germinario, whose family roots trace back to Puglia. With a culinary journey that began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he learned to perfect her signature focaccia, and continued through Michelin-starred kitchens in London, Germinario brings both authenticity and innovation to the restaurant’s kitchen, says the group.
In addition to the food offering, Terra Mare will have a wine list that will showcase a variety of Italian wines as well as champagne and prosecco by the glass.
"We are thrilled to be bringing the spirit of Puglia to Cardiff," says Daf Andrews, co-founder of A&M Hospitality Group.
"Terra Mare will be a celebration of the Italian way of life - of taking the time to savour each moment, each bite, and each sip. We look forward to welcoming our guests to share in this experience this Autumn.”
A&M Hospitality Group was founded in 2021 by Andrei Maxim and Andrews. It opened modern European restaurant Silures in Roath, Cardiff, in May 2023.
Terra Mare is set to open its doors in early autumn.