Summary: Lofft Cardiff, the new chef’s counter from Tom Simmons, opens on 14th February 2026 offering an intimate 12-seat, chef-led tasting experience at £110 per head.

Tom Simmons is launching a second Cardiff venue called Lofft, an intimate dining concept set above his award-winning Thomas The Brasserie. Lofft Cardiff opens on 14th February 2026 and presents a chef-led counter service designed to offer diners a close-up, theatrical view of kitchen craft.

An Exclusive Chef’s Counter in Pontcanna

Lofft is intentionally small: seating is limited to just 12 guests at any one service. The layout places diners at a long communal table facing an open-plan kitchen so they can observe the preparation, plating and finishing of each course as the team works.

The Dining Format and Price

Service at Lofft is centred on tasting menus priced at £110 per head. The experience focuses on Welsh ingredients and aims to combine high-quality produce with careful technique to create a memorable multi-course meal.

  • Opening date: 14th February 2026
  • Capacity: 12 guests per service
  • Price: £110 per head (tasting menus)
  • Service days: Wednesday & Thursday evenings; lunch and dinner Friday & Saturday

The Team Behind Lofft

Executive Chef Tom Peters will lead the kitchen at Lofft. Peters brings experience from notable restaurants including Maaemo in Oslo and Roux at Parliament Square in London. General Manager Adam Day will oversee front-of-house service, continuing the hospitality standards associated with the Thomas brand.

Lofft follows six years after the opening of Thomas by Tom Simmons in Pontcanna, which has since evolved into Thomas The Brasserie. The new counter concept expands the group’s offer by providing a more exclusive, interactive dining format.

Guests seated at a chef's counter watching chefs prepare dishes in an open kitchen at Lofft in Cardiff
Lofft’s chef’s counter places diners directly in front of the open kitchen for an immersive dining experience

What Guests Can Expect

The concept is built around interaction: chefs will work in view of diners and can engage directly with them during service. The communal table is intended to encourage conversation while giving every guest a clear sightline to the plates as they are finished and explained.

Booking and Practical Information

Because seating is very limited, reservations are strongly recommended. Guests can secure places via the Thomas The Brasserie website or by calling the restaurant directly to book the chef’s counter services.

Why This Matters for Food Lovers and Visitors

Lofft adds a distinct fine-dining option to Cardiff’s culinary scene by offering an intimate, chef-focused format that highlights Welsh ingredients and culinary craft. For visitors, it provides a direct way to experience local produce and hospitality in a compact, immersive setting.

So what? For travellers and food enthusiasts, Lofft offers a rare chance to witness professional kitchen work up close and to sample a carefully curated tasting menu that showcases regional produce — but with only 12 seats, advance planning is essential to avoid disappointment.