The Top 14 Restaurants in Wales

Artfully plated white and and yellow dish on a white plate

Courtesy of Restaurant James Sommerin

Because Wales is a small country with lots of farms and coastline, the country's restaurants often focus on local produce, meat and fish, with lots of the catch pulled right out of the nearby water. Wales has some great restaurants, from Michelin-starred, high-end dining rooms to more casual country pubs, and all of them look to the regional and seasonal offering when making their menus. Whether you're looking for unique experience at Gareth Ward's iconic restaurant Ynyshir or you want to try seafood along the coast at Hywel Griffith's seaside eatery The Beach House, Wales has a restaurant for every taste.

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Ynyshir

Table of breakfast food in white and blue ceramic dishes

Courtesy of Ynyshir 

Address
Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, Eglwys Fach, Machynlleth SY20 8TA, UK
Phone +44 1654 781209

Ynyshir is Wales' most notable and award-winning restaurant (which also boasts rooms for discerning travelers). The Michelin-starred restaurant, located in the scenic countryside near Snowdonia National Park, is led by chef and owner Gareth Ward, who pairs Japanese techniques with Welsh ingredients. A meal at Ynyshir is an experience with guests enjoying a 20-course set menu surrounded by stunning scenery. The restaurant only has two seatings per day and five tables so reservations are a must.

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Henry Robertson Dining Room

plate of sliced seared meat artfully plated with some greens and sauce

 Courtesy of Palé Hall

Address
Palé Estate, Llandderfel, Bala LL23 7PS, UK
Phone +44 1678 530285

Nestled within Palé Hall, a Relais & Chateaux country house hotel near Snowdonia, visitors will find an upscale restaurant run by chef Gareth Stevenson. Known as the Henry Robertson Dining Room, the restaurant specializes in seasonal and local ingredients, with an emphasis on organic and humanely produced dishes. Guests can select from a five- or eight-course tasting menu or visit for afternoon tea. For the full experience, go for the eight-course menu which features Welsh mountain lamb, scallops, and quail. Booking ahead is absolutely essential.

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Rhosyn Restaurant

Ornate dining room with a chandelier, large window and dark wooden furniture

Courtesy of Penally Abbey 

Address
Penally, Tenby SA70 7PY, UK
Phone +44 1834 843033

Penally Abbey is a coastal hotel set in an ornate country manor with a noteworthy restaurant, Rhosyn, on the property. It features homegrown vegetables and local products on its menu, including fish caught right out of Tenby's harbor. The menu changes frequently to reflect the season and the restaurant also serves up a delicious afternoon tea. Consider staying overnight in one of the 12 bedrooms, breakfast in Rhosyn is included is included.

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The Beach House

Lump crab meat and brussels sprouts on a blue plate

Courtesy of Beach House Restaurant 

Address
Oxwich Beach, Swansea SA3 1LS, UK
Phone +44 1792 278277

The Beach House is a one-Michelin star restaurant helmed by chef Hywel Griffith. It's set right on the beach, so ask for one of the outdoor tables of the best views. There are a variety of menus including multi-course tasting menus and one dedicated to vegetarians. While the food itself is high-end, the vibe inside is casual and guests are welcome to wear whatever makes them comfortable (with the exception of swimwear).

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The Walnut Tree

Empty restaurant dining room with black chairs and low ceilings

 Courtesy of The Walnut Tree Inn

Address
Llanddewi Skirrid, Abergavenny NP7 8AW, UK
Phone +44 1873 852797

The Walnut Tree is a Michelin-starred restaurant with a rustic-chic vibe and a focus on contemporary dishes and wines. It's been around since the '60s and is now run by chef Shaun Hill, who has worked at eateries around Britain for decades. The menu changes daily and includes fish and meat dishes with an emphasis on ingredients sourced from around the U.K. Be sure to reserve a table well in advance as the restaurant's calendar can fill up quickly.

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Sosban and the Old Butchers

restaurant with round tables and green walls

Courtesy of Sosban and the Old Butchers

Address
Trinity House, 1 High Street, Menai Bridge LL59 5EE, UK
Phone +44 1248 208131

Travelers visiting the Isle of Anglesey should be sure to make a stop at Sosban and the Old Butchers, a restaurant serving elevated British dishes in an old butcher shop. It's owned and operated by Stephen and Bethan Stevens and the restaurant has an intimate, friendly atmosphere that's almost like visiting someone's (very cool) home. Most of the ingredients come from Anglesey and North Wales and the presentation of the dishes is whimsical. It's small and in demand, with only a few guests per seating, so it's essential to make a reservation in advance.

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Restaurant James Sommerin

dining room with white table cloths, a blue bench, and dark gray chairs. Theres a window on the back wall showing the kitchen

 Courtesy of Restaurant James Sommerin 

Penarth's Restaurant James Sommerin is a destination restaurant known for its Michelin star and extensive tasing menus. Chef James Sommerin has earned a lot of accolades in his career, and for good reason. The short a la carte menu is served Sunday through Thursday and on Friday and Saturday evenings the focus in of the six- and nine-course tasting menus. Each table gets a bespoke menu crafted for that table alone. Guests can also opt to book the chef's table, which is located right in the heart of the kitchen, and see their meal being prepared before eating. The restaurant also features nine hotel rooms, with bed, breakfast and dinner package deals available on certain weekdays for those who don't want to commute after the meal. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends.

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The Whitebrook

White building with blue siding on a small road in Wales

Courtesy of The Whitebrook 

Address
Monmouth NP25 4TX, UK
Phone +44 1600 860254

The scenic Wye Valley has a lot to offer travelers, including a stay and a meal at The Whitebrook, a restaurant with rooms in Monmouth. Run by chef Chris Harrod, the Michelin-starred spot is all about locally-foraged ingredients and partnerships with nearby farmers. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner with a set menu that changes daily. There's also a vegetarian menu available. Herbs are key to all of Harrod's cooking, so expect fresh offerings that reflect the surrounding area. There are eight hotel rooms as well, and The Whitebrook offers eat and sleep packages that include breakfast, dinner, and an overnight stay for two.

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The Grand Sultan

Portion of a red brick building with a large sign that says "The Grand Sultan"

Courtesy of The Grand Sultan

Address
Water Street, Eglwys Nunydd, Port Talbot SA13 2PA, UK
Phone +44 1639 892223

Head to the outskirts of Port Talbot to discover The Grand Sultan, one of Wales' most popular Indian restaurants. The restaurant has won a slew of awards and its massive menu has something for every diner. It's great for families and for groups, in particular, as the atmosphere is welcoming and the portions are large. Vegetarian and vegan diners will also find plenty of meat and dairy-free options.

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Llys Meddyg

rsutic wooden table covered with plates of food and silverwate

 Courtesy of Llys Meddyg

Address
East Street, Newport SA42 0SY, UK
Phone +44 1239 820008

Llys Meddyg, found in Pembrokeshire, is part-hotel and part-restaurant. The dining room, run by Ed and Louise Sykes, focuses on smoking and curing locally-caught fish in the on-site smoke shed. The produce is also sourced locally, with many ingredients foraged nearby, and everything is notably affordable. It's a great stop when traveling along the Pembrokeshire Coast especially for those interested in Welsh cuisine.

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The Warren

Black entryway to a restaurant (The Warren) with decorative wooden boxes and small logs on either side of the door

 Courtesy of The Warren

Address
11 Mansel Street, Carmarthen SA31 1PX, UK
Phone +44 1267 236079

The focus is on simple, honest food at The Warren but that doesn't mean the dishes are boring. With a focus on organic, sustainable ingredients and an ever-changing menu, this casual and affordable restaurant is a good pick for those who want delicious Welsh food on a budget. Chef Deri Reed opened The Warren after a crowd-funding campaign and the connection to the community is apparent throughout the restaurant's intimate and cozy rooms.

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Artisan Rooms

two narrow wooden boards, one with pieces of bread, the other with cured meats, crackers, and pieces of cheese

 Courtesy of Grove of Narbeth

Address
Grove of, Molleston, Narberth SA67 8BX, UK
Phone +44 1834 860915

Those visiting the Pembrokeshire Coast should include Grove of Narbeth on their itinerary. The award-winning country house hotel has a great restaurant called Artisan Rooms that serves up Welsh cuisine using ingredients straight from the kitchen garden. It's the more relaxed of the property's two restaurants and as such is dog-friendly and family-friendly. Don't miss the grazing boards, which feature local charcuterie and artisanal cheeses, while enjoying views over the garden terrace.

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Heaneys

two hands holding a bowl of a white soup farbish with green herbs and crispy onions

 Courtesy of Heaneys

Address
6-10 Romilly Crescent, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9NR, UK
Phone +44 29 2034 1264

Opened in 2018 by Chef Tommy Heaney, Heaneys has a chic, contemporary vibe with lots of communal and bar seating to keep things casual. The menu changes frequently based on what's available and in season, and there's a weekly Sunday lunch menu for those who want to indulge in a traditional roast. Don't miss the oysters when they're available, and be sure to order some of the smaller snacks, like the salmon pastrami and the buttermilk chicken. Note that the menu doesn't cater to vegans and those with shellfish allergies should be extra cautious.

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The Fox and Hounds

grilled fish with green vegetables on top of roasted tomatoes and potatoes with a green sauce

 Courtesy of The Fox and Hounds

Address
Bishopsgate Road, Englefield Green, Egham TW20 0XU, UK
Phone +44 1784 433098

The Fox and Hounds is a country pub run by husband and wife team Jim and Rhiannon Dobson. It's a warm, family-friendly establishment, with rooms available for those who want to stay over after dinner. The menu changes regularly, with specials offered daily. There are classics, like fish and chips, along with more imaginative bistro pub fare (as well as a separate children's menu). Be sure to come for Sunday lunch to try one of the decadent roasts, which are a must for any visitor to the U.K.

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The Top 14 Restaurants in Wales