The 50 best restaurants in Wales in 2025

Wales’ dining star continues to rise with Michelin eats, Good Food Guide accolades and AA Awards.The Priory’s bresola with pickled carrot and black garlic(Image: Kathryn Williams)

It’s been a standout year for Welsh restaurants. We’ve seen more names in the Michelin Guide, a fresh clutch of stars awarded, and nods from foodie heavyweights like the Good Food Guide and the AA Hospitality Awards. From indie bistros hidden down leafy country lanes to swish city spots shaking up fine dining, Wales proves it’s more than ready for the culinary spotlight.

And what a spread we’ve got. Think punchy southern Indian feasts, smoky Spanish-style grills, ramen joints with queues out the door, coastal kitchens plating up the freshest catch, and rural pubs giving seasonal comfort food a serious glow-up. Wales’ dynamic dining scene keeps shifting, evolving, surprising, and expanding our palates. Of course, far more than 50 places in Wales serve food worth discussing. But after much eating, notetaking and debating, we’ve whittled it down to a flavour-packed fifty to get you started. No ranking, no fuss, just a celebration of where to eat right now. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here

1. Gorse, PontcannaGorse’s preserved wild mushroom and pickled juniper on a bed of juniper berries(Image: Ruth Mosalski / WalesOnline)

Tom Waters made it clear he was here to bring modern Welsh multi-course tasting menus to the Cardiff food scene, championing the best of Cymru in the process, and this is exactly what he has achieved with Gorse. The Pontcanna restaurant became the first in Cardiff to be awarded a Michelin star during the award ceremony in February 2025. It’s a remarkable accolade for a restaurant, which has only 22 covers across a handful of tables, that opened in May 2024. But it is easy to see why. You can read our review of Gorse here.

Sample dish: Preserved wild mushroom and pickled juniper on a bed of juniper berries

2. The Walnut Tree, Abergavenny(Image: The Walnut Tree)

At 77 years of age, Shaun Hill is one of the most experienced and legendary names in British cooking. He’s held a Michelin star at the Walnut Tree since 2010 for his unfussy yet imaginative food.

Chef offers an à la carte menu and set menu, which change every day, and dishes are subject to the availability of ingredients.

If you’re looking for fine dining without the formality and elegant simplicity – in presentation, not flavour – then this is the place to dine with your faves.

Sample dish: cod fillet and crushed crab potatoes

3. Ynyshir, Machynlleth(Image: Heather Birnie)

Ynyshir continues to sweep in the awards and accolades driven by a “flavour-driven, fat-fuelled and meat-obsessed” mantra.

The Powys restaurant with rooms is the only Welsh restaurant awarded two Michelin stars and the most highly-awarded restaurant in Wales.

It was named Best Restaurant in the UK two years running in 2022 and 2023, and has received five AA rosettes. It is also ranked in the UK’s top five restaurants by the Good Food Guide.

Run by Co Durham chef Gareth Ward since 2013, Ynyshir is a true destination restaurant for foodies who are prepared to splash out for the best ingredients with their 30-course taster menu, which takes up to four or five hours to enjoy.

The interactive dinner experience starts at £385 plus VAT per person, and yes, it’s a splurge, but for foodies looking to be dazzled, it’s worth every penny.

Just a heads-up, this isn’t the place for fussy eaters. If you’ve got allergies, intolerances or strong dislikes, this experience might not be for you. The team doesn’t offer substitutions or tweaks to the dishes; what arrives at the table is exactly as the chefs intended.

Sample dish: Miso-cured black cod with pickled shiitake mushrooms

4. Paternoster Farm, PembrokeshireCornish skate and Angle asparagus(Image: Laura Clements/WalesOnline)

This farm in Pembrokeshire produces some of the best food in Wales from the grounds of an old cow shed. Run by a former divorce lawyer, Michelle Evans, Paternoster Farm is off the beaten track and offers a “true field to fork” experience as its setting is equally as delicious as the food the restaurant produces.

The old cow stalls have been transformed into cosy private dining spots, and the milking parlour’s original pipes now create a stunning lighting feature.

Their seasonal menu is packed with local produce, featuring everything from fresh oysters to home-reared beef and melt-in-your-mouth pork belly.

The menu changes seasonally and offers local produce for the most part – from oysters to home-reared beef and pork belly – as well as sharing feasts. Conde Nast Traveller also named it this year as one of The 13 Best Places to Go in the UK in 2023. Read our review of it here.

Paternoster Farm is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, 6-11 pm, via bookings only. See its Instagram page for more details and booking information.

Sample dish: Their aforementioned home-reared beef slow-cooked in Pembs beer

5. The Shed SA1, SwanseaGrilled mackerel, rainbow chard and anchovy

Featured on Swansea’s SA1 Waterfront, The Shed is the homecoming project of Jonathan Woolway, the former chef director at the renowned St John group in London.

Using the very best of Wales, one look at the menu shows that Jonathan is a head chef of his word. Packed with cockle croquettes, squash and laverbread soup and Welsh rarebit, amongst others, The Shed is a must-visit on the 2025 list. Recently, it was crowned one of Condé Nast Traveller’s Top New Restaurants of 2024. Read our review, here.

Sample dish: Grilled mackerel, rainbow chard and anchovy (above)

6. Sheeps and Leeks, Caernarfon(Image: Sheeps and Leeks / Instagram)

Sheeps and Leeks is a 20-seat restaurant specialising in honest cooking and “well-balanced tasting menus served in a relaxed informal atmosphere”.

Situated in Gwynedd, it prides itself on working with local artisan producers and offers a set tasting menu that use the best of what’s in season.

The much-loved restaurant features a ground-floor kitchen and boasts a basement restaurant with just six tables.

It has continued its good fortune with recommendations from Michelin and the Good Food Guide. With a delicious tasting menu consisting of seven or ten courses, Sheeps and Leeks is a sure stop-off when you’re in the north.

Sample dish: 14 Day Dry Aged Duck, Local Cabbage, Cranberry

7. Heaney’s, Cardiff

Since opening in 2018, Heaney’s has established itself as one of Cardiff’s most highly regarded restaurants. Tommy Heaney’s pared-back cooking focuses on precisely cooked fish and barbecued meat.

Serving sharing plates or a tasting menu for the whole table, relaxed Sunday lunches, cocktails and wines from around the world, Heaney’s is a place to eat great food in a chilled-out atmosphere. It was awarded Best Restaurant in Wales last year according to the British Restaurant Awards and we caught up with Tommy shortly after. If you enjoy the Heaney’s experience, Uisce, the wine and smaller plates bar, is next door, while his collab with former Heathcock chef, Dave Killick, Ember is opposite.

Sample dish: Olive oil poached chicken, calcot, romesco, oloroso, sherry

8. Annwn, NarberthKilpaison oyster at Annwn, a restaurant that prides itself on local produce and its inventive menu(Image: Annwn)

With sustainability and Welsh culinary traditions at the heart of chef-patron Matt Powell’s cooking, it’s no surprise that the 10-cover Pembrokeshire restaurant has just won a Michelin Green Star and been named as one of the winners at Condé Nast Traveller’s UK Top New Restaurant Awards in early 2024.

By using ingredients foraged from nearby its countryside location, Lawrenny, and from the veggies grown themselves, Annwn uses items like beech leaves, UK-grown lentils, medlars and crab apples in various dishes, and he’s excited about the possibility of sourcing sand eels and rare heritage grains.

Sample dish: Velvet Swimmer Crab, St Brides Prawns, Sea Buckthorn Emulsification, Sea Radish and Scurvy Grass

9. Palé Hall, Bala(Image: Pale Hall)

This five-star chateau hotel and fine dining restaurant is one of a few places in Wales to have been awarded a Michelin Green star for its sustainable ethos.

The Henry Robertson Dining Room is a must-visit. With its marble fireplace and ornate plaster ceilings, this elegant space creates the perfect setting for a memorable feast.

The dinner menu is a testament to the culinary team’s skill and creativity, showcasing Pale’s relationships with local farmers, growers, fishermen and food producers.

Choose from four or six-course menus or spoil yourself with an indulgent afternoon tea with fizz featuring finger sandwiches, scones and beautifully presented cakes.

Sample dish: Cod – Leek – Smoked Pike Roe

10. The Whitebrook, Monmouthshire(Image: The Whitebrook / Instagram)

With one Michelin green star and four AA rosettes, dining at the Whitebrook is a must for serious foodies. Fresh, local ingredients and foraged findings from the valley and the Brecon Beacons are at the heart of the food at this highly acclaimed restaurant with rooms.

Set in five acres of landscaped surroundings, chef Chris Harrod draws culinary inspiration from his bountiful surroundings.

You can expect hand-foraged garlic, bittercress, wild onion, and hogweed from the valley, which connect diners to the immediate locale and enrich the carefully crafted menu.

Harrod has a knack for turning locally foraged ingredients into extraordinary creations. His dedication to using the best of the region’s offerings earned The Whitebrook a prestigious Green Michelin star in 2024. It’s also bagged a coveted spot in the Sunday Times Travel Top 10 Foodie Hotels and the Ultimate 100 British Hotels lists.

The current tasting menu is a culinary journey, showcasing the best of the season with expertly chosen wine pairings of local Welsh and English wines, including several from Monmouthshire-based White Castle Vineyard.

Each small but perfectly executed course explores the region’s rich flavours, presented with precision and artistry.

Sample dish: day boat hake, hen of the wood, parsley root, pickled pine, mushroom sauce and wild chervil.

11. Parallel, Cardiff(Image: Parallel)

Brilliantly designed dishes, wicked flavour combos and executed expertly right in front of you if you’re lucky enough to sit up at the bar – don’t turn down that chance, either.

There’s an option of the chef’s menu, with around 11 set dishes, and it’s great value to get an overview of the talents and tastes on display, or a regular menu with things like rolled sirloin, lamb chop and more. Or pop in for a glass of fizz and their fried chicken, it’s worth it.

Sample dish: It has to be the carrot with tahini, smoked maple and cashew (above)

12. The Jackdaw, Conwy(Image: Instagram/Tha Jackdaw Conwy)

Located in a former cinema on Conwy High Street, The Jackdaw is the first restaurant from chef and owner Nick Rudge, who worked alongside Heston Blumenthal at the three-Michelin-starred Fat Duck for seven years.

Understandably, Nick showcases Welsh produce cooked with the highest level of technique.

Previously included in The Good Food Guide’s top 20 for 2022, Nick’s cooking was described as walking “a fine line between being refined and being generous and delicious. It isn’t food to admire (although it looks great) or debate, it’s food to eat – his menu is an exciting mix of good ingredients and unwavering Welshness.”

Sample dish: Their take on a Welsh Chicken “Coq Au Vin”

13. Thomas by Tom Simmons, Cardiff(Image: Ed Gilbert)

Tom Simmons serves refined brasserie food with bags of classical technique at his stylish and popular Pontcanna restaurant, where you can feast on French-inspired dishes crafted with Welsh ingredients.

Pembrokeshire-born Simmons loves all things outdoors, food, and cooking. Growing up in Newport, Tom’s earliest memories were of roaming farmers’ markets, foraging and harvesting his mother’s vegetable garden. Read more here

Since opening in February 2020, Simmons has firmly established himself as one of the biggest names cooking in Wales, with his Cardiff restaurant added to the AA Guide in March 2022 and listed in the Michelin Guide in January 2021. This year he’s branching out with some off-site supper clubs, so keep an eye out.

Sample dish: Poached Sea Trout, Watercress Velouté and Spring Vegetables.

14. Chapters, Hay-on-Wye(Image: Instagram / @chapters_hayonwye)

Chapters opened in 2019 to support local producers in the book town of Hay-on-Wye and the surrounding area. Set in a former meeting room adjoining a chapel, their seasonal five-course set menu changes regularly to reward return visits.

They’re certainly doing something right, as they were recently added to the Michelin Guide and received a Michelin Green star in 2022.They offer a five-course menu with the option of adding additional courses. There’s also a more casual Saturday lunch menu of sausage rolls, Ploughmans and more.

Sample dish: Hay charcuterie & cheddar croquettes – wild garlic mayo

15. Beach House, Oxwich Bay(Image: The Beach House)

Boasting one of the most spectacular locations on this list, Beach House is right on the beach, as its name suggests, looking out over the beautiful Oxwich Bay. Inside, there’s fresh seafood, laverbread loaf and good wine.

The head chef, Hywel Griffith, originally hails from north Wales and is passionate about celebrating local Welsh produce. He opened the Beach House in 2016 in the location of a former coal house and has since become a destination restaurant for foodies from all over. Its quality has earned his restaurant three AA rosettes and a Michelin star.

Also, Beach House is one of the three Welsh restaurants featured on Fred Sirieix’s Remarkable Places to Eat – the other two are on this list, too!

Sample dish: Roast poussin breast, fried leg, leek, pine nut, black garlic, golden raisin and Douglas fir

16. Hare and Hounds, Aberthin(Image: Instagram / @harehounds_aberthin)

This restaurant has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand, which recognises “establishments that serve good food at moderate prices”, the Hare and Hounds is unquestionably one of the best pubs and places to eat in Wales, alongside its sister establishment, The Heathcock.

Chef-owner Tom Watts-Jones trained at iconic British restaurants St John and Anchor & Hope in London, and his menu is packed with big-flavoured yet unfussy seasonal cooking.

As for The Heathcock, well, let us just say that Jay Rayner, renowned food critic, has sung its praise, and there’s a reason: its food is lush. Read more on what the food critic thought here. Early 2025, this gastro pub was also awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand title.

Sample dish: Pan-fried local pheasant breast, Carmarthen ham, celeriac, cider and mustard sauce

17. Asador 44, Cardiff(Image: Ed Gilbert)

This Spanish restaurant specialises in sharing cuts of meat and whole fish cooked over charcoal. Run by siblings Tom and Owen Morgan, the Spanish grill is a must-visit in the city. It is delicious and transports diners to the southern coast of Spain and consistently receives glittering reviews.

Their ruby red Spanish ex-dairy sirloin steak is a thing of beauty, and it’s all the more delicious, accompanied by one of their extensive selection of Spanish wines, sherries, cocktails and beers.

Its sister restaurant, Bar 44, a tapas restaurant, has also become one of Wales’ most highly regarded restaurants, since being established over 20 years ago. The brothers’ tapas bar combines traditional Spanish cooking with their big-flavoured twists.

There’s also, as expected, a great range of Spanish wines, beers, cocktails and sherries – understandable as one of the brothers is a sherry master in his own right. It’s also the second Welsh restaurant featured in Remarkable Places to Eat on More4.

Sample dish: Slow-cooked Welsh lamb shoulder, lamb sauce, salsa verde

18. Janet’s Authentic Northern Chinese Restaurant, Pontypridd(Image: WalesOnline/ Rob Browne)

If you’re a foodie in the heart of south Wales, then it’s more likely than not that you’ve heard of Janet’s Authentic Northern Chinese Restaurant in Pontypridd.

The restaurant, which was initially located at Pontypridd Indoor Market, offers some of the best Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Malaysian food you can eat in Wales, all cooked by Janet Wei herself.

A self-taught chef from the Yanbian area of China – read more on her story and successes here – Janet has won many awards for her delicious homecooked dishes like dim sum, volcano rice, bao buns and bibimbap bowls – to name a few – that are so good they won her the title of Champion Streetfood at The British Street Food Awards in 2021.

As of autumn 2023, Janet’s is now located at a new venue, just a stone’s throw away from her original spot in the market.

Sample dish: Korean honey chicken, every time (also, the sweet and sour pork from Janet’s family recipe is a must, too)

19. Home by James Sommerin, Penarth(Image: Home by James Sommerin)

With its moody dark interior, blacked-out windows, and high-end cooking, Home is the restaurant from chef James Sommerin and his family. In November 2021, just months after it opened, it was added to the Michelin Guide before achieving a Michelin star.

Their surprise tasting menu is based around the seasons so a meal here will be different with every visit.

Sample dish: … we won’t ruin the surprise

20. Tyddyn Llan, Llandrillo(Image: Tyddyn Llan)

The menu at Tyddyn Llan changes with the seasons, but one thing is always present: classic cooking of the highest class. And if you think fine dining is about tiny portions in the middle of big plates, you haven’t eaten here yet.

Start with a drink on the porch, looking out over the manicured grounds and countryside beyond, then head into the dining room to try out some outstanding food.

Sample dish: Griddled scallops with cauliflower purée, pancetta, caper, and raisin dressing

21. Sosban and the Old Butchers, Menai Bridge(Image: Sosban and the Old Butchers)

Unlike any other restaurant in Wales, the Michelin-starred Sosban and the Old Butchers is located in what used to be a butcher’s shop. Its dishes are created using the best of what’s available locally on the day.

In 2025, the small restaurant retained its one Michelin star, with chef and owner Stephen Stevens refusing to let standards drop.

Judges said: “Stephen Stevens’ surprise menu utilises a wealth of North Wales ingredients in dishes that provide bold flavours and original, personal touches, demonstrating an innate understanding of cooking techniques and flavour combinations – the cod with fermented onion fudge is superb.”

They serve surprise tasting menus only, and you could face a long wait for a table, as they get full up months in advance, which is understandable when you have four AA rosettes and a coveted Michelin star.

Sample dish: Cod with white onion fudge

22. The Gaff, Abergavenny(Image: Instagram / @thegaffrestaurant)

Located in the heart of Abergavenny, The Gaff serves creative small plates with influences drawn from across the globe and uses only the best quality ingredients.

Chef-owner Dan Saunders was a former head chef at the Walnut Tree, so he’s learned a thing or two from one of the country’s best. If it’s a glorious sunny day, you can enjoy the weather in their gorgeous courtyard.

Sample dish: Chicken thigh, mustard & tarragon crust, leeks

23. Mesen, Cardiff

Opened in summer 2023, Mesen brought a slice of small plate paradise to the leafy Cardiff suburb of Rhiwbina. Inside, the menu is scrawled across a giant roll of brown paper pinned to the wall, and for good reason. With dishes changing constantly and cooked over a roaring charcoal fire, printing individual menus would be a bit of a faff.

This isn’t just any neighbourhood restaurant. Mesen takes top-quality local ingredients, expect Welsh meat, fresh seafood, and seasonal veg, crafted into creative, open fire-cooked plates.

In their own words, the team use charcoal to “transform fresh local seasonal ingredients into unique dishes designed to be shared”, and they deliver on that promise.

Less than a year after opening, Mesen has already bagged a spot in the Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants for 2024, and once you’ve tried their tasty small plates, you’ll understand why.

Each dish is cooked effortlessly, like the Italian sausage with tomato and parmesan or the Welsh leeks, pistachio, and romanesco. The menu is constantly evolving, but you’ll always find something to get excited about: mackerel with cherry tomato and mint, flatbread with confit garlic butter and crispy shallots, or smoked BBQ lamb cutlets with Korean miso.

Sample dish: Gloucester Old Spot Chop, with jus. We tried that free-range chop, click here for our review.

24. Inn at the Sticks, Llansteffan

Located in the heart of the village, the 18th-century pub Inn at the Sticks oozes warmth and character in every cosy corner. Here, you’ll find a coaching inn chic with wooden beams, exposed brick, and warm lighting, where dogs are welcome.

The Llansteffan Landmark has been a pub since 1809, then the Union Hall Inn, and a hotel since 1881. It’s now run by partners Teej and Tracey and was refurbished in June 2023, with a strong emphasis on retaining the pub’s charm and character across the restaurant and snug rooms upstairs.

Food is a real highlight here, with the kitchen headed up by pub co-founder Teej. Expect small plates of the finest Welsh produce with zingy international twists and knowledgeable staff who know their way around a wine list.

The pub’s commitment to local produce means the menu changes seasonally, always offering something new and delicious. Think Cockle popcorn, Atlantic Edge oysters, roasted carrots on whipped feta, Asian sticky Pork, Welsh beef and perl las pie.

With perfectly plated dishes and a welcoming atmosphere, it’s easy to see why the Costy Inn was named Wales’ winner in The Good Food Guide’s Best Local Restaurants 2024 and scooped the South West Gastro Pub of the Year at the recent Food Awards Wales.

The latest addition to the award-winning venue is a swish deli serving charcuterie boards and glasses of vino. You can also purchase Welsh produce to take home, including Welsh rum, freshly baked sourdough, artisan meats, cheeses, and craft beers.

Sample dish: Seared scallops on creamed celeriac and crab bisque sauce.

25. Tides Kitchen, Newport(Image: Tides Kitchen / Instagram)

If fresh seafood is what you’re after, Tides in Newport is a popular spot for fish-loving foodies.

Known for its excellent selection of locally caught fish, you’ll find dishes like their standout monkfish KFC with black pepper aioli and spring onion jam or a beautifully cooked wild line-caught sea bass with beurre noisette.

The menu includes the freshest seafood, including local mackerel, Newport crab, Cornish monkfish, organic salmon, and sushi-grade tuna. Book in advance to secure your spot at this seafood haven in Pembs.

Sample dish: Miso mackerel bao bun with furikake and apple

26. Fernery, Grove of Narberth, Narberth(Image: Instagram / @thegrovenarberth)

Head chef Douglas Balish, who came to The Grove from the Michelin-starred Tudor Room in Surrey in 2019, has firmly made his mark at this luxury hotel. So much so that in 2022, his restaurant at the hotel was awarded four Rosettes at the AA Hospitality Awards and won Wine List of the Year for Wales. Pretty impressive, huh?

And surrounded by the wonderful local produce of Pembrokeshire and The Grove’s kitchen garden, he’s got plenty to work with.

Sample dish: Venison stuffed with truffle, truffle sauce, pickled elderberries, liquorice, pumpkin and truffle terrine

27. Llanerch Vineyard, Vale of Glamorgan

With chef Grady Atkins at the helm of the vineyard-set restaurant, you know you’ll get a cleverly woven, flavoursome set of classical French dishes packed with top ingredients.

Grady is best known for his work at destination restaurant, Le Gallois in Cardiff and the city centre must-visit, Bacareto. Definitely worth a cab ride for out into the Vale for lunch or dinner.

Sample dish: Caramelised monkfish tail, sea vegetables and lemon verbena sauce

28. The Gunroom, BontnewyddA starter dish at The Gunroom: salmon with pickled cucumber and dill(Image: WalesOnline)

The Gunroom is situated at Plas Dinas country home, the former home of the wealthy Armstrong-Jones family, and is located in Bontnewydd on the outskirts of Caernarfon in Gwynedd. It has made it onto the Michelin guide and its head chef, Daniel ap Geraint, made it to the final of the Great British Menu in 2025.

And both on and off the screen, this young chef has made it his mission to celebrate seasonal Welsh produce at the heart of his cooking. The Gunroom changes its menu every month and is said to be designed around the seasons. Head over there if you want to dine like royal, and if you want to know what to expect, read our review of the place here.

Sample dish: Confit duck rillette, a home smoked duck, crab apple jelly, sorrel and salsify

29. Matsudai, Cardiff

Started by ramen-lover James Chant, his food exploded onto the scene at pop-ups across the capital before he began selling ramen kits online during lockdown.

After they proved a massive success, he opened his first permanent restaurant on Clare Road in summer 2022. His food has had rave reviews – including ours – and understandably so, with renowned food critic Jay Rayner singing its praises.

His recommendations? Japanese fried chicken dish (karaage), shredded oyster mushrooms with a vegan curry mayonnaise and the signature tonkotsu.

Sample dish: Classic tonotsu – super decadent classic hakata-style pork bone ramen with salt tare, thin, hard hakata noodles, pork belly chashu, kikurage mushrooms, half an ajitama egg and pickled ginger

30. The Touring Club, Penarth

Another recent recipient of a Bib Gourmand, Bryn Williams and co’s bar and kitchen in Penarth is perfect for a sumptuous sojourn after a seaside walk if you’re into excellent wine, cocktails and small plates cooked in front of you with epic flavour sensations. It’s inspired by the Patagonian bar and hotel, The Touring Club Hotel, and you’ll want to stay there for as long as you’re able.

You may have recognised Bryn Williams off the telly – he is a regular guest chef on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen. The proud Welshman also has a restaurant up in Colwyn Bay – Bryn Williams Porth Eirias, which also holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Located a stone’s throw from the stunning beach of Porth Eirias, the menu is full of Welsh produce, sourced as locally as possible.

Sample dish: Braised beef cheek, celeriac & horseradish

31. Purple Poppadom, CardiffChicken tikka(Image: Ed Gilbert)

The original jewel in Anand George’s Keralan cooking crown is not to be missed and comes packed with fragrant spicing. If you want to push the boat out, then there’s a chef’s tasting menu, but whatever you choose, you’ll be guaranteed modern Indian cooking at the highest level.

Sample dish: Pan-seared sea bass served with curry leaf-infused mashed potato and a raw mango, ginger and coconut sauce

32. Restaurant 1861, Abergavenny(Image: Restaurant 1861)

Chef Simon King has three decades of experience and worked at some of the UK’s best restaurants, including the three-starred Waterside Inn in Berkshire.

Most of the vegetables he cooks come from his wife Kate’s father’s nursery in nearby Nantyderry. As mentioned on its website, its quest is “for truly fabulous food produced locally using local farmers, butchers and vegetable producers”.

Sample dish: Scallop Ravioli, Lobster Bisque Sauce

33. Y Talbot, Tregaron

Trained by Marco Pierre White, Y Talbot’s head chef, Dafydd Watkin, created a menu focusing on full-flavoured traditional dishes made with Welsh produce. Serving up the best lamb, beef, and cheese from the Teifi Valley, as well as fish from nearby Milford Haven and Cardigan Bay, it’s no surprise that it has two AA Rosettes and has been listed in the Michelin Guide.

Situated within a 400-year-old inn with slate floors, inglenooks and Welsh cask ales, it’s ideally located for exploring the beautiful Ceredigion coastline and the Cambrian Mountains.

Sample dish: Slow-cooked lamb neck, carrot and swede puree, spinach, dauphinoise potatoes, Madeira sauce

34. The Priory, CaerleonFlame-cooked steak, dry aged on site(Image: The Priory Hotel and Restaurant)

Recently revamped to a sleek, stylish standard and with state-of-the-art dry-ageing fridges and an open kitchen where guests can watch chefs at work over open flames; the Med-inspired menu takes high quality meats, a considered wine list and flame-charred cooking and results in a destination dining experience in historic surroundings – the Priory is found at the site of a 12th century monastary.

Menus are put together with a carefully thought out flavour spectrum and dishes are pulled together beautifully.

Sample dish: Bresola with picked carrot and black garlic

35. The Humble Onion, Dinas Powys(Image: Instagram / @thehumbleonion)

This hidden gem in the Vale of Glamorgan takes a no-fuss approach to seasonal cooking.

Since opening in 2017, Antonio Simone’s cooking has carved out a fine reputation, with dishes including lamb breast with harissa and butter bean cassoulet and ox cheek ragu sourdough toastie.

Sample dish: Confit pork belly, potato & cheek terrine, poached cabbage, harissa butter, chive oil

36. The Black Bear Inn, Usk(Image: Instagram / Black Bear, Usk)

This beautiful Monmouthshire pub, which serves a concise menu of seasonal cooking and natural wines, is run by a couple with plenty of experience working in some of Bristol’s top restaurants.

Snacks are always a highlight, with top-notch Welsh rarebit and addictive deep-fried potato skins and smoked cod’s roe, which are always a must-order.

It is so good that in 2022, it made the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub Awards and the Good Food Guide, and it’s the third Welsh venue gushed over by Fred Sirieix on Remarkable Places to Eat.

Sample dish: Wye Valley asparagus tart, poached egg, Corra Linn, Herb Crumb, Onion Purée

37. The Hand, Llanarmon(Image: The Hand)

Old beams, roaring fireplaces, real ale and good food are all available at this Denbighshire inn in the picturesque upper Ceiriog Valley.

Chef Grant Mulholland has been awarded two AA rosettes for his ambitious cooking and ‘culinary excellence,’ and was in 2022 included in the prestigious Michelin Guide.

While the menu changes with the seasons, his refined takes on pub classics like fish and chips or Welsh lamb rump have the punters returning.

Sample dish: Roasted & marinated rump of Welsh lamb, served with smoked broccoli puree, red wine, dates, crushed hazelnuts & lamb sauce

38. The Felin Fach Griffin, Felin Fach

Located between the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons, the Felin Fach Griffin is a traditional pub with rooms whose pub grub is delicious and cosy atmosphere equally so, one accredited by the Michelin Guide itself.

Sink into a sofa next to the log fire with a good beer before enjoying what new head chef Gwennan Davies has to bring to the Griffin’s menu, which is fleshed out by “Wales’ larder”. It could be from the nearby Welsh Venison Centre or Alfie Dan’s Market Garden.

The Michelin Guide described it as: “Warmth and character abound at this traditional pub. Relax on a sofa beside the fire with a pint of local beer, then head for the Library or Snug to dine. The organic kitchen garden provides herbs, veg and fruit for the simple, unfussy dishes. Cosy bedrooms come with good extras and are dog friendly.”

Sample dish: Venison stew, carrot & swede, garlic savoy cabbage

39. The Harbourmaster, Aberaeron(Image: Harbourmaster)

Dishes as attractive as the colourful quayside on which this boutique hotel and restaurant sits are the order of the day at the Harbourmaster. As you’d expect from a dining room near the local fishing fleet, perfectly prepared fish is the house speciality from head chef Ludo Dieumegard.

Sample dish: Welsh rarebit, baked soufflé, leek and hazelnut vinaigrette

40. Hiraeth, CardiffA sample of the food served up at the restaurant(Image: www.owenmathias.com)

Co-owned by chefs Lewis Dwyer and Andy Aston, Hiraeth quickly gained acclaim at its initial home in Cowbridge, before moving to Court Colman near Bridgend, securing a spot in the Michelin Guide and receiving recognition from The Good Food Guide and two AA Rosettes.

Now, Hiraeth is opposite Victoria Park in Cardiff and has charmed critics with its unpretentious approach. Just like at the previous venues, it will offer a monthly-changing taster menu and an à la carte menu which will change daily depending on what’s coming in from local suppliers.

Sample dish: Torched mackerel, heritage Isle of Eight tomatoes, asparagus, black olive

41. Gem 42, Newport(Image: Richard Swingler)

Winning Restaurant of the Year for Wales at the AA Hospitality Awards is no mean feat. But Gem 42’s modern approach to Italian fine dining has turned some heads. Chef Sergio Cinotti’s dishes are inspired by art and molecular science, and while dishes combine classic flavour pairings, their presentation is anything but traditional.

Desserts designed and created by pastry chef Pasquale Cinotti are also works of ar,t with past concoctions looking like a cigar and ashtray or a toothbrush with toothpaste – just some of the flamboyant dishes you might try on one of the tasting menus.

Sample dish: Wood Pigeon with “ethical foie gras with porcini mushrooms, cherries and sloe-gin Sauce.

42. The Links Restaurant, TenbyThe Links at Tenby Golf Club is now in the Michelin guide(Image: Instagram / linksrestauranttenby)

Links restaurant is located on the ground floor of Tenby Golf Club and is a great Michelin-star dining choice if you’re planning a foodie weekend in Pembrokeshire.

Led by a talented local chef, the menu is about simple yet incredibly tasty dishes made with the best Welsh produce. Start your meal with their freshly baked ale bread served with whipped marmite butter—trust us, it’s the perfect opener.

The atmosphere is relaxed but refined, with a menu that strikes the perfect balance between unpretentious and exciting. From hot smoked salmon with cucumber and buttermilk to heritage tomatoes paired with buffalo mozzarella, there’s something to tempt every palate.

For mains, enjoy locally sourced delights like Pembrokeshire beef or Cornish cod in a bisque sauce, or tuck into a tender rump of Welsh lamb served with all the right accompaniments.

And don’t forget to save room for dessert—whether it’s a rich dark chocolate fondant with tarragon ice cream or the tangy lemon meringue with almond cake and blueberry sorbet, you won’t go home hungry.

Sample dish: Rump of Welsh lamb’s shoulder bonbon, pea hummus, feta, peas & broad beans

43. Môr – Mumbles

Bold-flavoured modern dishes make this Mumbles bistro one of Swansea’s most exciting restaurants.

There’s a big focus on local produce, with fish coming from Coakley’s Fishmongers, which are located just down the road, and Gower meat sourced from Tuckers Traditional Butchers in Penclawdd.

Sample dish: Herrings, rye bread, laverbread butter, pickled beetroot, horseradish

44. Freckled Angel, Menai Bridge(Image: Facebook / Freckled Angel)

Bangor-born chef-owner Michael Jones’ small plates combine Welsh ingredients with international flavours.

Work your way through a menu of dishes which has previously included king prawns with chorizo croquette and charred corn, and twice-baked perl las souffle with balsamic grapes.

Sample dish: Pearl Las souffle

45. Y Polyn, Nantgaredig

There’s something so wonderfully welcoming about arriving at Y Polyn after driving down rainy, winding Carmarthenshire lanes. A small family-owned restaurant tucked in the Towy Valley, it says in its own words, “You won’t find foams, gels and technical wizardry on the plate. What you will find is beautiful produce cooked simply and with respect.”

We couldn’t have put it better ourselves, especially when we’re tucking into slow cooked shoulder of Welsh lamb or crisp roast belly pork with black pudding bon bon. With its restaurant have mismatched bare wood tables, staff wearing jeans and free-pouring wine, it’s made to feel just like home – which is something pretty lovely.

Sample dish: Y Polyn duck shepherd’s pie, parsnip and celeriac mash with parmesan, buttered greens

46. The Warren, Carmarthen(Image: The Warren / Instagram)

Sustainability and wholesome food cooked with local and organic ingredients is the focus at chef Deri Reed’s acclaimed Carmarthen “ethically driven” restaurant and cafe.

Serving up simple, honest and wholesome food, The Warren was named best local restaurant in Wales in the Good Food Guide 2020 and continues to be recognised in the list in 2022 as well as achieving runner-up status at the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2022; so it’s got the accolades to go with its ever-growing loyal following.

Sample dish: Dinefwr Park venison bourguignon served with roast potatoes, sauerkraut and seasonal greens

47. The Shed – Porthgain

At the very end of a narrow road before the tiny village of Porthgain, which stops at the Irish Sea you’ll find the wonderful restaurant, The Shed. You can’t get more maritime than this without getting on a boat and heading out on the water.

Look out over the harbour while you tuck into some fresh seafood like monkfish and prawn curry or halibut with samphire and shallot, lemon and caper butter.

The Shed calls itself a fish and chip bistro, but there’s much more to it than that – as the crowds trying to get a table will testify.

Sample dish: Baked whole sea bream with herbs and lemon (fish and chips is gorgeous, too)

48. Pasture – Cardiff(Image: Pasture)

One of the hottest tables in Cardiff, Pasture has the feel of a grand American steakhouse; if you’re looking for a meat feast and great craft beers, cocktails and wines, this is the place.

Pasture delivers on the wow factor with its glass cabinets showcasing dry-aged whole cuts of beef and an open kitchen where chefs cook over charcoal.

Sample dish: The tomahawk “dinosaur” steak, which is grilled on the bone for maximum flavour and best served medium to medium-rare

49. Parva Farmhouse, Tintern(Image: Ed Gilbert)

Located in a 17th-century stone farmhouse on the bank of the River Wye, less than a mile from Tintern Abbey, Parva Farmhouse is run by husband and wife team Marta and Roger Brook, former head chef and restaurant manager of Shaun Hill’s Michelin-starred The Walnut Tree.

Their experience and produce quality are shown in the idyllic and delectable Parva Farmhouse, which has received a nod in the Michelin guide.

With just six tables (and eight bedrooms), their unfussy yet technically accomplished British cooking also has a few international influences. The couple’s aim with Parva is simple this: “to offer you simply good food and wines, with no compromises”.

Sample dish: Gooseberry strudel with milk ice cream.

50. Slice, Swansea(Image: Slice / Instagram)

This tiny 16-seat restaurant elevates humble ingredients into the stratosphere, creating a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere. Slice is owned by friends Adam Bannister and Chris Harris, who have been cooking together since college and in high-end restaurants nationwide.

Since opening in 2014, they have earned many accolades such as entry into the Michelin guide and The Good Food Guide.

Sample dish: Sucking pig, faggot, shoulder, loin, belly, cabbage