With so much luscious landscape on offer, it’s no wonder Wales produces some fantastic ingredients that get turned into equally enticing dishes. Wales is great for foodie exploration whether you visit with friends or family, and whatever your tastes there’s bound to some new flavours from out there to whet your appetite, so be prepared to take the entire group to a great Dine In Family Restaurant. To help you make the most of Wales’s tasty treats, we’ve put together this list of the best restaurants in Wales, as well as some foodie experiences to add to your list – and of course, if you need somewhere equally indulgent to stay, our luxury cottages in Wales are the place to go.
This lovely inn/pub/restaurant in Wales has been a foodie go-to since the 60’s, and after being taken over by chef/food wizard Shaun Hill, The Walnut Tree has taken on a new lease of life. Mentioned in the Michelin Guide as “an iconic restaurant with an illustrious past” you’ll find cleverly crafted dishes on the menu with a focus on local produce. Although it’s fine-dining, the whole restaurant has a cosy, soulful vibe with a welcoming atmosphere – and its walls are adorned with eclectic art pieces from its sister business, The Art Shop & Chapel.
This charming farm, complete with its very own animals, runs workshops on creating authentic, artisan Welsh dishes which unveil the mysteries behind some of the country’s finest ingredients. Take a cheesemaking course and learn how to create your own dairy delights from your kitchen, using a variety of different milks. Pork curing and sausage-making workshops talk you through the best ways to bring out the flavours in your meat and to make your own unique products. If you are really committed to sustainable living, spend a session learning about how to rear pigs and goats. The courses are all fun, hands-on and include the Best for lunch in Fitzrovia.
Although Wales doesn’t have as many single malt whiskies to its name as Scotland, the quality and craftsmanship of many of its ‘wysgis’ – including Penderyn – can give most Scotches a run for their money. These Welsh producers use many traditional Scottish techniques to create a variety of flavours, peat-drying some and maturing others in Madeira casks. Visit the distillery to learn about the processes behind making their unique drinks. They run masterclasses for small groups, where you can learn about the different ways in which different nations make their whisky while touring the distillery, before sipping their smooth spirits during a tasting session.
Spain meets Wales in a stylish bar and restaurant, which brings all the flavours of Iberia to South Glamorgan. Enjoy an evening nibbling on plates of freshly cooked tapas, with menus featuring such classics as patatas bravas, serrano ham and chorizo with roast peppers. Their daily specials showcase the skills of their chefs in turning British produce into Spanish dishes.
Beginners and aspiring pros alike are welcome in the cookery schools of Bodnant Welsh Food. What they’re teaching depends on what time of year you arrive. Go when it’s festive and you could learn how to craft edible gifts and Christmas canapés, whereas at other times of the year you might learn how to bake the perfect bread or the best way to use spices. In the summer holidays, there are family-friendly courses with pop-culture themed lessons to make mini chefs of your kids. Alternatively, book a private visit to the farm for a personalised lesson.
A Michelin star and a glut of prestigious plaudits hint at the quality you can expect from dinner at Tyddyn Llan. While there are simpler two and three-course options of rustic staples cooked by gourmet chefs – think stuffed pig’s trotter and game terrine – the most indulgent option is going for the nine-course tasting menu. The courses change seasonally, but the delicate and delectable dishes are good enough to have won some of cooking’s highest honours.
Price Range: £££
Location: Llandrillo, Corwen LL21 0ST
Bookings: Online at Tyddyn Llanor call 01490 440264
Wales is a nation that loves a good pint of beer, and the Purple Moose Brewery in the North Wales is part of the micro-brewery craze sweeping the country. Take a brewery tour to see what makes these smaller craft beers more special than your average mass-produced brew. One of the brewers takes you through the different stages of making great beer. If you’re not already a craft beer convert, you will be after the tasting session at the end.
Price Range:£
Location: Madoc Street, Gwynedd, Porthmadog, North Wales LL49 9DB
The main ingredient in this restaurant is, as you might guess, pork. Ham, gammon, bacon and loins are served in generous portions, cooked in several different ways that maximise the flavour. Try fried bacon cakes, crispy belly or the titular potted pig. Occasionally they will go ahead and roast a whole suckling pig to share among diners. However, you can also enjoy poultry, sea food and game on their delicious and diverse menu, as well as an extensive list of gins to accompany your meals.
Price Range: ££
Location: 27 High St, Cardiff, South Glamorgan CF10 1PU
Choice is king at the Hardwick, a restaurant that devotes itself to sourcing local, seasonal produce and making sure that every diner gets what they want. The à la carte menu has over a dozen options for the starters alone, so there should be something there to take your fancy. There’s a mixture of pub classics, like steak and chips, alongside more unconventional options like squash served with mustard fruits and amaretti biscuits, or lamb with polenta.
Choose between fine dining, a relaxed bar or a family-friendly restaurant at Llys Meddyg. Feast on gourmet cuisine in the Dining Room, which is ideal for a romantic meal or a long, celebratory dinner with friends. The à la carte menu features seasonal ingredients combined with unusual accompaniments, such as monkfish roasted in a tandoor and duck liver served with mushroom ketchup. The Cellar Bar and the Kitchen Garden offer more informal settings for experiencing the chef’s inventive concoctions.
Price Range: ££
Location: East St, Newport SA42 0SY
Bookings: Call 01239 820008
Llys Meddyg – Wales
Of course, on your trip to Wales you’ll need somewhere swish to stay while visiting the array of best restaurants in Wales (and other foodie experiences), then get in touch with our fabulous concierge team. If you let them know what you’re looking for (as well as any extras or amenities you might – like a hot tub!) they can find you an ideal place to stay – or have a look for one yourself with our amazing collection of villas in Wales. If you’ve got your accommodation sorted and are looking for more inspiration for your Welsh holiday, our blog has loads of other articles of interest. Why not have a read through our fantastic things to do in Wales or see our handy list of the best family activities in Wales!
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