One of only five Welsh restaurants to make the national list, it has earned its reputation not through theatrics or trend-chasing, but by doing simple things exceptionally well.

I went in curious, slightly apprehensive, and aware that this would be the most expensive meal I’ve ever eaten. What I found instead was something refreshingly grounded: fine dining without the stiffness, and flavour without the ego.

Tucked away in an unassuming spot, Home lowers your guard the moment you step inside. The room is pared back and relaxed, with just six tables and none of the glossy excess often associated with Michelin-star dining. There’s no sense of performance instead, it feels genuinely intimate, a place where conversation flows easily and the focus stays firmly on the food.

The restaurant is run by chef James Sommerin alongside his daughter Georgia, with cooking taking place in full view of the dining room. Service is thoughtful, personal and unforced. You feel looked after, not managed.

Home works exclusively with a surprise tasting menu, shaped by seasonality and availability rather than expectation. Reading the ingredients on paper, you might not always expect them to sing together, especially if, like me, you’re not naturally adventurous with flavour combinations. On the plate, though, each dish feels carefully considered rather than experimental for the sake of it.

Pea with Sage, Parmesan and Serrano Ham (Image: Nikita Singh)

The tasting menu opened with a series of lighter courses, including Cucumber, Chilli and Apple Marigold, followed by Seaweed, Dill and Smoked Cod Roe, which delivered freshness and balance without overpowering the palate. A dish of Smoked Beetroot with Tarragon continued that restrained approach, earthy and quietly confident.

The Heritage Beetroot with Smoked Cream and Perch Roe was one of the early standouts elegant in flavour, beautifully presented and surprisingly complex. It was followed by Pea with Sage, Parmesan and Serrano Ham, a comforting combination that felt familiar but refined.

The Heritage Beetroot with Smoked Cream and Perch Roe (Image: Nikita Singh)

Roast Monkfish with Parsnip and Curried Spices impressed for its delicacy and restraint, with the parsnip bringing sweetness and the spices, this felt close to home.

I had Penarth’s most expensive meal, here’s what I really thought (Image: Nikita Singh)

One of the most memorable plates of the evening was Seaweed with Dill and Smoked Cod Roe, where the caviar was presented on ice and wrapped in nori. The dish felt fresh and creamy, with a clarity of flavour that made it both playful and luxurious.

Seaweed with Dill and Smoked Cod Roe (Image: Nikita Singh)

The Woodland Pork with Black Pudding, Pumpkin and Bitter Leaves was the most unexpected pleasure of the evening. Black pudding is not something I would normally choose, yet here it was handled with real finesse.

The pork was impeccably cooked, tender and precise, while the richness of the black pudding was carefully balanced rather than allowed to dominate. A deeply savoury sauce unified the plate, and the roasted sage added a fragrant lift that brought clarity and warmth to the dish. It was thoughtful, confident cooking that converted scepticism into genuine appreciation.

Woodland Pork with Black Pudding, Pumpkin and Bitter Leaves (Image: Nikita Singh)

The meal concluded with Fig with Apple and Rosemary, a dessert that was attractively presented and rooted in seasonality, but ultimately the least convincing course of the menu. While technically sound, it lacked the depth and impact of the preceding dishes and, at this level, felt underwhelming. Given the price point, it was a disappointing finish to an otherwise assured and thoughtful meal.

Fig with Apple and Rosemary (Image: Nikita Singh)

Home gently challenges preconceptions about Michelin-star restaurants. Rather than aiming for shock or spectacle, the cooking leans into classic flavour pairings, executed with outstanding produce and precision. It’s refined food, but it’s also familiar, comforting and deeply satisfying.

Price-wise, Home sits where you would expect a one-star restaurant to sit – it will be out of reach for many. An eight-course tasting menu with wine can reach £270–£300, depending on selections. That said, there are more accessible ways to experience the restaurant, including lunch and brunch menus, which offer a more affordable entry point while still reflecting the kitchen’s philosophy.

What makes Home special isn’t just the food or the accolades, it’s the feeling you’re left with. This is fine dining that doesn’t ask you to perform, decode the plate, or second-guess your reactions. It’s confident, welcoming and refreshingly unpretentious.

For a restaurant that now sits proudly among the UK’s best, Home remains exactly what its name suggests: a place where you can relax, trust the chef, and simply enjoy being there. It’s a point of pride for Penarth, and one locals clearly cherish.

If you’ve ever been curious about Michelin-star dining but hesitant about the formality that often comes with it, Home may be the perfect place to start.

This food was paid for and the views are those of the reviewer.