From its wild coastline and sundering seas to its fertile fields, sprawling vineyards, and craggy mountains, Wales is a veritable larder of extraordinary produce, making it the perfect home for fantastic restaurants, pubs, cafés and tea rooms.
From Welsh cakes to cawl, and bara brith to laverbread, there’s a host of tongue-twisting delicacies to discover, which makes for a wonderful food-themed backdrop to your holiday. Whether you dream of butter-soaked fingers eating fresh seafood on a beach at sunset, spreading cream on a warm scone in a rose-filled garden, drinking a pint of amber goodness in front of a roaring fire or gazing at a Michelin-starred plate of art, Wales has culinary delights to suit everyone.
Here’s a list of our taste bud-tingling favourite places to eat…
Tap & Tân, Tenby
The Mews, Upper Frog Street, Tenby, Pembrokeshire SA70 7JD
A perfect blend of brewery, barbeque and live fire cookery, bustling and dog-friendly Tap & Tân in Pembrokeshire is all about filling hungry tums so make sure to turn up with an appetite! Run by the Tenby Brewing Company alongside Feast Pembrokeshire, you’ll find an excellent selection of craft beers and gins to go with your food, whether that’s the BBQ special platter, rib eye steak or roasted butternut squash. While there’s obviously a bias towards meaty dishes, there’s plenty of choice for veggies and vegans too. They don’t take bookings here so it’s on a first-come, first-served basis.
Grain, St David’s
1 High Street, St Davids, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 6SA
Head to Grain for a little taste of Italy in the heart of Wales. Open every day, this laidback eatery serves excellent and unusual pizzas such as ‘Ndu-Ja Like it Spicy’ with Pant y Sgawn goats cheese and Trealy Farm Nduja alongside firm faves such as pepperoni, romesco and Hawaii. Alternatively, you can build your own tasty combo – with gluten-free bases available too. Bluestone Brewing Company provides the draft beers and lager, all brewed less than 30 miles from Grain, making them as local as it gets! Afterwards, head to nearby Picton Castle Gardens for a stroll and dose of history.
Mrs Will the Fish, near St David’s
Parc Benny, Solva, Pembrokeshire SA62 6TN
If you’re looking for a tasty meal to take back to your holiday cottage or for a special picnic on the beach, look no further than Mrs Will the Fish. No ordinary fish and chip shop, pay a visit and you’ll come away with an enviable feast - from a beautifully presented large seafood whole lobster platter, to a majestic seafood crab platter! Or you can opt for something a little simpler, such as a dressed brown crab, spider crab or lobster – delicious! Make sure to order in advance and pick up before 3pm.
Siop Fach Tearoom, near Fishguard
Mathry Hill, Mathry, Pembrokeshire SA62 5HB
Tucked away within a fascinating antiques and collectables shop, Siop Fach Tearoom is the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat, whether you’re after breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea after a visit to nearby Strumble Head. Tuck in to a huge full English, fluffy jacket potatoes, warming homemade soup or light-as-a-feather scones with sticky-sweet jam and cream – for the ultimate pitstop during your day’s exploring. With tables both inside and out (dogs are welcome outside), you can even get a glass of wine or a pint of beer at this tearoom with all the trimmings!
The Castle, Little Haven
1 Grove Place, Little Haven, Pembrokeshire SA62 3UG
Set to the back of Little Haven harbour, The Castle is a lovely dog friendly pub serving hearty fare that never disappoints. A great stop off after exploring the pretty seaside village or enjoying the views at Little Haven Point, expect a warm welcome and food that’s a cut above the usual pub grub. Sink your teeth into the likes of cote de boeuf, mussels, Cawl (traditional Welsh soup) and doorstep sandwiches while enjoying the fantastic views, whether that’s inside or outside in the fantastic beer garden. Sunday lunches are a specialty here and very popular, so it’s best to book ahead.
Paternoster Farm, Pembroke
Paternoster Farm, Hundleton, Pembrokeshire SA71 5RX
Tucked away deep in the countryside not far from Pembroke, down an off-the-beaten-(and bumpy) track on a working farm, this quirky and informal restaurant is all about the field to fork experience and is a lovely spot for dinner after exploring the gorgeous Pembrokeshire coast. Using only meat reared on the farm, along with produce carefully chosen from local market gardens, Paternoster Farm is based in a former cow shed, where the menu changes every day depending on what’s grown and in season. It’s open on Friday and Saturday nights, and it’s worth noting that dogs aren’t allowed due to the farm and its animals.
Palé Hall, Bala
Palé Estate, Llandderfel, Bala, Gwynedd LL23 7PS
If you’re planning a super-special night out, Palé Hall is well worth a visit. Set on the edge of Snowdonia National Park in Gwynedd, this is a Relais & Chateaux hotel with an exceptional restaurant to match. The Henry Robertson Dining Room is for fine dining and afternoon tea, where you can try their tasting menu (either five or eight courses), while the Huntsman Bar & Bistro is a more relaxed space for casual dining. If you have children with you, it’s best to opt for the Venice room where you can eat from the fine dining or bistro menu. Whichever you choose to visit in this stunning setting, make sure to book in advance. It’s a fantastic way to end the day after exploring nearby Lake Bala (Llyn Tegid).
Y Gwyllt Snowdonia (Wilderness Café), Harlech
Castle Square, Harlech, Gwynedd LL46 2YH
Tucked away in castle square, this little dog friendly café is well worth a visit after a morning exploring majestic Harlech Castle and the pretty town. Step inside and you’re guaranteed a friendly Welsh welcome, whether you’re after a snack, lunch (the pizzas are fantastic), or afternoon tea. And the cakes – just wow! There’s also a lovely selection of locally-crafted goods to peruse, and you can sit inside or outside on the sunny terrace.
Pattra's Restaurant at the Castle Cottage Inn, Harlech
Fford Pen Llech, Harlech, Gwynedd LL46 2YL
Serving traditional British cuisine with a touch of Thai, Pattra’s (part of the Castle Cottage Inn) is perfect for an evening meal, whether you’re after slow roasted shoulder of Welsh lamb, a traditional cheese and onion pie or a fabulous skewer of monkfish, king prawns and peppers served with a green curry. Afterwards, head to the bar and lounge which sits in a building dating back to 1585 and at the top of the steepest street in the northern hemisphere! With gorgeous views of Mount Snowdon, it’s a great spot for a post-dinner drink.
Crocketts, Presteigne
7 High Street, Presteigne, Powys LD8 2BA
Open Thursday - Saturday evenings and for brunch on a Sunday, Crocketts prides itself on its eclectic dishes that hail from all over the world, made from scratch in house with locally-sourced ingredients. A fantastic spot to fill hungry tums after a day exploring the Shropshire Hills, expect dishes such as chipotle chicken tacos, smoked salmon on pea blinis, red lentil, halloumi and apricot koftas and smoked wood pigeon. With a changing menu to shift with the seasons, this is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike.
Chapters, Hay-on-Wye
Lion Street, Hay-On-Wye, Powys HR3 5AA
After an afternoon scouring the many bookshops that line the streets of literary hotspot Hay-On-Wye, head to Chapters for a sumptuous grown-up set menu using the very best seasonal and local ingredients, such as Pembrokeshire crab, Carlin pea curry and Neals Yard Finn cheese. The restaurant grows as much of its own produce in their kitchen garden just a few miles up the road and is a keen advocate of the Slow Food movement – pay a visit for a meal that’s delicious as well as responsible – just perfect!
Crowes, Cardigan
Black Lion Mews, High Street, Cardigan, Ceredigion SA43 1HJ
A welcoming vegetarian café that specialises in wholefood dishes, this is a firm veggie and vegan favourite, whether you’re after a vegan pasty, veggie lasagne, rainbow salad or a hearty sweet potato stew all made by the oh-so-friendly owner Becky – and the cakes are delicious too. The cosy courtyard is a sun trap and is a lovely spot for relaxing. Afterwards, take yourself off to nearby Mwnt Beach for a paddle and a spot of dolphin watching (enjoy your veggie delights amidst the sun and sand for an extra special foodie experience).
Castle Green Inn, Lampeter
Bryn Road, Lampeter, Ceredigion SA48 7EF
If you’re after a lip-smackingly good Sunday lunch, look no further than the Castle Green Inn. As traditional as it gets, you’ll get such a warm welcome here it’s like visiting family. The carvery is outstanding with huge portions of turkey, beef, lamb and pork using locally-sourced produce, and if you have a four-legged friend with you, they’ll get a treat too! If you’ve still got room, there are rib-sticking puds to choose from, while the ever so friendly staff are on hand to pour your favourite tipple.
The Stubborn Duckling, Aberaeron
25 Alban Square, Aberaeron, Ceredigion SA46 0AJ
Whether you’ve been for a walk along the Wales Coast Path or exploring the National Trust owned 18th century estate of Llanerchaeron, satisfy hungry appetites with a visit to The Stubborn Duckling. Small but perfectly formed, this unassuming restaurant sits back to let the food sing; expect perfectly cooked Welsh lamb, super-fresh seafood and exciting veggie options, while the Sunday lunches are just a dream on a plate. With a cosy ambience and friendly staff, it’s not surprising it has won the hearts of everyone who visits.
The Stradey Arms, Llanelli
1, Stradey Road, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire SA15 4ET
Whether you’re cycling around the Millennium Coastal Park or watching the flamingos at the WWT Llanelli Wetland Centre, head to The Stradey Arms for a pub lunch for a hearty refuel.. With delicious pub grub classics, a sizzling grill and a great children’s menu, this is a family-friendly eatery that’s always busy with locals and visitors alike. An independent pub that’s proud of its big plates of home-cooked food, this is a real gem.
Yearning to discover the culinary delights of Wales for yourself? Take a look at our stunning holiday cottages and start planning your Welsh foodie getaway.
