The Gower peninsula is home to some of Wales’ most beautiful beaches, and the King’s Head Inn makes an ideal base for exploring the coastline. Dating back to the 17th century, this welcoming inn offers hearty breakfasts and satisfying evening meals. Surprisingly, the restaurant specializes in curries Vietnamese, Thai, and Indian while also catering to gluten-free and vegan diners. The adjoining modern buildings house comfortable, dog-friendly rooms.
In Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire, Inn at the Sticks is a charming retreat that dates back to 1806. Once a resting place for pilgrims, it underwent a major revamp and reopened with a focus on locally sourced cuisine. The menu includes inventive dishes such as cockle popcorn and beef-brisket Wellington. With five cozy bedrooms and a deli offering charcuterie and cheeses, it provides both excellent dining and a place to unwind.
Forage at Penllyn Estate in the Vale of Glamorgan serves up farm-to-fork dining, featuring succulent steaks, hearty roasts, and oxtail hash. The estate is home to 24,000 free-ranging hens and rare-breed pigs. A farm shop offers fresh produce, while the Cowbridge Cabins provide comfortable accommodations for families, couples, and even pets.
Bodnant Welsh Food in Conwy is a haven for food lovers, with a café serving light lunches and cakes, and a restaurant, the Hayloft, offering more refined dishes. Guests can stay in a cozy stone farmhouse and take part in cookery courses covering everything from one-pot meals to Thai cuisine. The venue works closely with local farmers and producers to showcase the best of Welsh food.
Caws Cenarth in Carmarthenshire is the oldest producer of Welsh farmhouse caerffili cheese. With a history spanning six generations, it offers a variety of hard, soft, blue, and sheep’s cheeses. Visitors can observe the cheese-making process on Mondays and Wednesdays and even book a stay in the on-site Dairy apartment, ideal for a foodie retreat.
In Caerleon, The Priory Hotel & Restaurant blends historic charm with Spanish-inspired cuisine. Following a major upgrade, the restaurant now boasts an open kitchen and specialized dry-ageing fridges for its locally sourced meats. The hotel’s 27 rooms combine country-house elegance with modern comforts, making it a perfect retreat after indulging in dishes like overnight pork belly or dry-aged venison barbacoa.
Home at Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan is a Michelin-starred restaurant where chef James Sommerin and his daughter Georgia craft exquisite eight-course tasting menus. Dishes might include laverbread with cultured seaweed butter or honey and chamomile custard with warm doughnuts. A new on-site apartment allows diners to stay overnight after their culinary experience.
Narberth in Pembrokeshire is becoming a leading foodie destination, boasting a range of top eateries. Annwn offers a 10-course tasting menu featuring foraged ingredients, while Hwb provides a vibrant street food experience. Madtom specializes in fresh local seafood, and Ultracomida, a Spanish-style deli, adds to the diverse offerings. Visitors can stay at Top Joe’s Townhouse, a stylish boutique hotel that also serves excellent pizza.
Llys Meddyg Hotel & Restaurant in Newport, Pembrokeshire, combines a love of food with a warm, cozy atmosphere. Featuring a smokery, wood-fired kitchen, and foraged local ingredients, it offers a perfect foodie escape. Guests can relax by the fire, explore the countryside on e-bikes, or dine in the Secret Garden’s heated pods. The 15th-century cellar bar is an inviting refuge on rainy days.
Cardiff Central Market is a vibrant culinary hub that has served the Welsh capital for centuries. Under its grand glass roof, visitors can find fresh cockles from Ashton’s, warm griddled Welsh cakes at Bakestones, and an array of international cuisine, from Polish pierogi to vegan bao at Bao Selecta. For those looking to stay nearby, Parador 44 is a boutique hotel featuring Andalusian décor and an adjoining tapas restaurant, Asador 44, providing an elegant blend of Spanish and Welsh influences.
