This is a list of notable restaurants in Wales. The number of restaurants has significantly increased since the 1960s, when the country had very few notable places to eat out.[1] Today, Wales is no longer considered a "gastronomic desert";[1] there are six Michelin starred restaurants within the country.[2] Other award systems from TripAdvisor and AA have included Welsh restaurants in their lists. The most significant increase in restaurants has been at the high-end, but there has been growth and improvement in quality across all the whole range of Welsh eateries.[1]
The Crown at Whitebrook, Monmouthshire
Many Welsh restaurants attempt to showcase their "Welshness", but few include historic Welsh dishes besides cawl. Instead, they showcase their Welsh ingredients, creating new dishes from them.[1] There has also been a rise in Asian cuisine in Wales, especially that of Indian, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian and Japanese, with a preference for spicier foods.[1]
Previously a butchers shop and converted into a restaurant which is known for having no menus and so relies on the choice of the chef, Stephen Stevens.[3] It has three AA rosettes rating.[4] Earned its first Michelin star in 2016.[5][6]
Based within Prison ground this restaurant was owned by the Clink Charity. It opened in 2012 and employed 30 full-time staff who are inmates at the prison, under the supervision of head chef Mike Arnopp. The Clink was rated 10th on TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Favourite Fine Dining Restaurants UK 2015.[7][8] The Clink closed permanently in late 2022.[9]
Ynyshir is run by Chef Patron Gareth Ward and his partner Amelia Eiriksson. It has a five AA rosette award[10] the first and only ever in Wales[11] and holds 2 Michelin star[12][13] and was named the 12th Best Restaurant in the UK and highest placed in Wales in the 2018 Good Food Guide.[14][15][16]
17th century inn with an AA two rosette standard and 2015 AA award for Welsh pub of the year[17][18][19] It has also been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence[20][21] and was listed in the Lonely Planet guide to Europe's 50 best 'secret spot' locations in 2015[22]
Forming part of the hotel, the restaurant has been given a Michelin star[12][13][25] under Bryan Webb as head chef.[26] It has also been presented with Wine List of The Year Award 2016 from Good Food Guide,[27] and the AA wine award[28]
Used prominently by walkers and hikers, this cafe has won the Best Cafe in Wales in the 2016 People's Choice Awards and the Best Walkers' Cafe 2015. It serves basic food such as "chip butties" and "pint mugs of tea"[29]
Formerly known as "The Crown at Whitebrook" and the inn dates back to the 17th century. It has a Michelin star under chef Chris Harrod and three AA Rosettes.[12][31][32][33]
Opened in early 1960s and since then has featured on Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and held Michelin stars.[12] The Walnut Tree is now under the direction of head chef, Shaun Hill and the restaurant has since won Great Britain's Restaurant of the Year award,[34] Wales category at the annual National Restaurant Awards 2015,[35] has a Michelin star and three AA rosettes.[36]
Based on a coast of Pembrokeshire this beachside restaurant is headed by chef Will Holland.[42] It was awarded the AA Welsh restaurant of the year in 2014.[43]
Restaurant and bar which uses local produce has been given the Bib Gourmand in Wales from the Red Michelin Guide, Inn of the Year for 2013 by The Good Pub Guide and has been featured in the Good Food Guide, Hardens and the Good Hotel Guide.[46][47]
Overlooking the Irfon river[48] the Carlton Riverside, opened in 1991, is run by head chef, Mary Ann Gilchrist. It has previously had a Michelin star[12] and three AA rosettes.[49]
Grade II listed building with features retained from the original designs from the 17th century.[50] It has an AA three rosette award and has previously had a Michelin star.[12][51]
Named after its owner and head chef, James Sommerin, it was "ranked 24 in the UK in the Good Food Guide 2016 – the highest placed restaurant in Wales and was awarded three AA rosettes."[52] Permanently closed in July 2020.
Freeman, Bobby (1996). First catch your peacock: her classic guide to Welsh food (Rev. paperbacked.). Talybont, Ceredigion: Y Lolfa. pp.8, 52–53. ISBN0862433150.
