![\"posh](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1_JS261451455.jpg\")
Conwy’s The Jackdaw places in Harden’s Top 100<\/p>\nHarden\u2019s Best UK Restaurants 2026 guide is here and there are more Welsh restaurants in their top 100 of UK restaurantsConwy’s The Jackdaw places in Harden’s Top 100<\/p>\n
Five well regarded Welsh restaurants have made another ‘best of’ list – this time food bible, Harden’s Best UK Restaurants guide’s top 100.<\/p>\n
Now in its 35th year, Harden\u2019s remains the only UK restaurant guide based entirely on 30,000 reports from regular diners, rather than professional critics.<\/p>\n
The Welsh results for 2026 sees Gareth Ward\u2019s globally renowned, double Michelin starred, Ynyshir maintain its acclaim and sees it move back up the list from 93rd place in 2025 to number 62.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, it is Ward’s smaller, younger venture Gwen that has emerged as Wales\u2019 leading restaurant. The intimate wine bar\/restaurant named after Gareth’s mother saw reviewers praise the “awesome set up” and say it is: \u201ctiny\u2026 intimate\u2026 unforgettable\u201d.<\/p>\n
Aside of Machynlleth’s finest, fellow Michelin favourites, Home in Penarth and The Whitebrook in Monmouthshire<\/a>, placed in the top 100, as well as AA Hospitality Awards’ Best Welsh Restaurant, Conwy’s Jackdaw<\/a>.<\/p>\n Reflecting on the last year in hospitality, Harden\u2019s co-founder and editor Peter Harden said: \u201cIt\u2019s understandable that over the last 12 months the hospitality industry has been toiling away under a cloud of gloomsterism. Hit by food inflation, rising wages, relentless rent increases and soaring utilities \u2013 some long-term operators say that 2025 is the toughest year they can recall.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, what our survey results and data-crunching from across the sector shows is the remarkable resilience at work from those in the trade: our number of entries remains very steady and strong newcomers are emerging in each area of a quality that is probably better than ever.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is challenging for suppliers can be good for consumers. Customer expectations are so high now, restaurants have to work ever-harder to cut through and we\u2019re seeing a number of new openings from across the UK going straight into the Top 100.<\/p>\n “This really is testament to the rigorous standards, hard work and innovation being put in by front and back of house teams who are impressively determined to find a way in difficult circumstances and continue to raise the bar to bring diners high quality experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more about Wales’ 5 restaurants in Harden’s Guide 2026Gwen, Machynlleth \u2013 No. 24 Described as \u201can awesome set-up\u201d and \u201cmore accessible than Ynyshir but equally inspirational\u201d, Gwen has quickly become a must-visit destination. Only three metres wide, the venue pairs a casual drop-in wine bar with an intimate dining space behind a curtain, where eight guests enjoy a 10-course menu cooked and served around an open kitchen by chef Corrin Harrison. Diners consistently praise the experience as \u201ctiny\u2026 intimate\u2026 unforgettable\u201d with a \u201cperfect blend of top quality and enjoyment\u201d.<\/p>\n Ynyshir Restaurant & Rooms, Eglwys Fach \u2013 No. 62 Meanwhile, Ynyshir has begun to climb back up the ranking from last year\u2019s 93 but remains in the lower half of the Top 100. Famed for its boundary-pushing, rock \u2019n\u2019 roll atmosphere, Ynyshir continues to deliver a \u201c31-course, all excellent\u201d tasting experience that \u201cblurs the line between a meal and theatre\u201d. Decor, music and pacing contribute to an immersive dining journey that diners describe as one-of-a-kind. Reports suggest a slight mellowing of its once highly provocative approach, with seafood and local produce increasingly used to balance its signature rich, meat-led dishes.<\/p>\n Despite \u201cstaggering\u201d costs, feedback this year has been universally positive.<\/p>\n Home, Penarth \u2013 No. 76<\/p>\n James Sommerin and his daughter Georgia cook in full view of diners at this warmly personal, family-run destination. With an ever-changing surprise menu, Home offers a deeply engaging experience with strong support from returning guests. Lunch and Sunday options offer more accessible pricing.<\/p>\n The Whitebrook, Whitebrook \u2013 No. 88<\/p>\n![\"restaurant\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0_ERR_WOL_270323_Gwen-_01JPG.jpg\")
Gwen storefront in Machynlleth, Powys(Image: Gwen \/ Instagram)<\/p>\n![\"posh](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/4_JWR_CDF_050123_ynyshir_06.jpg\")
Located in the peaceful setting of the Dyfi Estuary, the Powys eatery is the most highly-awarded restaurant in Wales(Image: Heather Birnie)<\/p>\n
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The Jackdaw is a modern Welsh dining destination redefining the local food scene of Conwy(Image: Nick Rudge)<\/p>\n