Food and Drink A-H Guide, May 2019
Anna-Loka
Albany Road, Cardiff
Run by a Hare Krishna monk preaching the goodness of the plant-based diet, this restaurant is a rare find in that it is 100% vegan. The food is Instagram-worthy colourful goodness, packed with nutritional value: wraps, gnocchi, curry, burgers and numerous sides. All of the sauces are recognisable – ketchup, mayonnaise, sweet chilli, BBQ – yet all homemade to ensure they are 100% vegan. An extensive drinks list includes shakes, smoothies, teas and juices.
Info: www.anna-loka.com
Asador 44
Quay Street, Cardiff
Cardiff remains home to a little slice of Spanish heaven, the brainchild of two Welsh brothers specialising in sourcing and serving the finest Spanish produce. Offering Rubia Gallega chuleton steaks, giant carabinero prawns and Segovian suckling pig on their menu, there’s also a 140-strong wine list and an open kitchen.
Info: 029 2002 0039 / www.asador44.co.uk
Beach House
Oxwich Bay, Gower Peninsula
Overlooking the sands of Oxwich Bay, and just emerging from its infancy, Beach House boasts of a bright and fresh look that wouldn’t look out of place on the seafronts of exotic towns. Head chef Hywel Griffith, having earned three AA rosettes and a Michelin star, brings a menu of hake, Welsh beef, lemon sole and pollock to life with an extensive wine list and an idyllic view.
Info: 01792 390965 / www.beachhouseoxwich.co.uk
Blanche Bakery
Mackintosh Place, Cardiff
For those desperately seeking a vegan and/or Instagram-worthy café for a bite to eat and a pink or blue coffee, Blanche is worth paying a visit to. Their seasonal and themed doughnuts fly off the shelves within minutes and require an early start to grab one before the morning rush.
Info: 07426 000528 / www.blanchebakery.co.uk
The Britannia Inn
Llanmadoc, Swansea
A beautiful bar, restaurant and beer garden located in Llanmadoc, on the north-western tip of the Gower Peninsula. The pub has stuck to its 17th century roots and still uses the original bread oven and fireplace; the beams in the ceiling are said to be from shipwrecks that washed ashore. Its beer garden also looks onto the Loughor Estuary.
Info: www.britanniagower.com
Bully’s
Romilly Crescent, Pontcanna, Cardiff
In the heart of Pontcanna lies Bully’s, long since regarded as one of Cardiff’s finest little culinary gems. Whilst all seasonal produce is sourced from Welsh providers, the wine list grows with the help of small French growers. Few places have such a unique, noticeably eclectic identity, matching its varied menu with its imaginative décor.
Info: 029 2022 1905 / www.bullysrestaurant.co.uk
The Clink
Her Majesty’s Prison, Cardiff
What has become a Cardiff classic is still pleasing diners to this day. At the Clink, you’ll have your meal cooked by prisoners who are in training towards gaining NVQ certificates in the catering industries. Set within the prison grounds, the standard and experience is one to remember, and the menu boasts selections like blackened darne of salmon and chickpea ragu.
Info: www.theclinkcharity.org/restaurants/cardiff
The Coach
Cowbridge Road, Bridgend
Home of brewers The Coach Brewing Co, this small, atmospheric and dog-friendly Bridgend pub is a hit with the locals. Serving a wide yet selective range of craft beer, ciders and real ale, entertainment ranges from regular jam sessions to weekly live music, fortnightly quizzes and beer festivals.
Info: 01656 649231 / facebook.com/thecoachbridgend
Coast
Coppet Hall Beach Centre, Saundersfoot
Much like its sister company, Beach House, Coast sits along the Saundersfoot coastline and invites diners into an open and bright restaurant that opens out onto the vast horizon. Smoked haddock, salmon ballotine, stone bass, apple tart tatin: all components in a relaxed and calming dining experience. Keep on the lookout for upcoming events with guest chefs serving up taster menus.
Info: 01834 810800 / www.coastsaundersfoot.co.uk
Crafty Devil’s Cellar
Llandaff Rd, Cardiff and Windsor Rd, Penarth; Beelzebub’s, Church St, Cardiff
Cardiff locals Crafty Devil have captured the hearts of the capital’s beer drinkers, watering locals with their love of beer and fresh and tasty styles. With the cosy Cellar in Canton, a flagship city-centre venue in Beelzebub’s and a third place newly open in Penarth, they’ve been expanding quickly. Their taste in beers is certainly on the heavily-hopped end of the spectrum, but always imaginative and a pleasure to nurse.
Info: 029 2021 8099 / www.craftydevilbrewing.co.uk
The Crispy Cod
Gelli and Tonyrefail
Currently the proud holders of the title of ‘best fish and chip shop in Wales’, The Crispy Cod provides finely presented food at low prices. You might assume its award equates to higher than average prices – think again. A regular cod costs £4.50, and freshly baked pies only £2.25.
Info: www.thecrispycod.co.uk
The Dead Canary
Barrack Lane, Cardiff
An infamously hidden gem, the Dead Canary has a reputation for great cocktails and great experiences alike. The menu is made up of business cards representing people – why not try an Aneurin Bevan, or a Christian Bale? And if no name strikes you, go off-menu: the mixologists are more than capable of whipping up a concoction to tickle your fancy.
Info: www.thedeadcanary.co.uk
The Felin Fach Griffin
Felin Fach, Brecon
The Bib Gourmand-prized Felin Fach Griffin remain focused on producing thoughtful and high standard food for guests of both their pub and their accommodating rooms. Nestled between the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons, a daily-changing menu ensures the best of current, locally-sourced produce is served.
Info: 01874 620111 / www.felinfachgriffin.co.uk
GinHaus Deli
Market Street, Llandeilo
A family-run deli and bar in the heart of Llandeilo, filled to the brim with all plentiful deli fancies, plus a whole host more. Stocking over 40 different cheeses (including 16 locally-sourced ones), olives, ham, salami, wines and beers and over 240(!) different gins, it’s not difficult to get lost amongst the shelves and selections and have a tipple or two along the way.
Info: 01558 823030 / www.ginhaus.co.uk
Hang Fire Southern Kitchen
The Pumphouse, Barry
Hang Fire began life in Cardiff some five years ago, peddling wares at street food events and in pubs as a pop-up; now it’s a lauded restaurant bringing passion, heart and the taste of good ol’ Southern BBQ to the rain-drenched UK. Progenitors Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn now have a cookery book and two BBC cooking series to their name.
Info: www.hangfiresouthernkitchen.com – interview on pg. 54
The Harbourmaster
Quay Parade, Aberaeron
Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner by day and offering a place to rest your head by night, with panoramic windows to watch the boats on the harbourside, The Harbourmaster also carry ales from the best new breweries in Wales. Their plentiful menu presents sea bream, sea bass, pollock and duck breast or specials, classics and desserts to be enjoyed at the main bar. An idyllic place in an idyllic town.
Info: 01545 570755 / www.harbour-master.com
The Hardwick
Old Raglan Road, Abergavenny
Offering a dinner with a view, with large open windows looking out onto the Brecon Beacons National Park., This rustic pub/hotel’s specialised take on modern British cuisine provides a sizeable seasonal menu. From chargrilled burgers to braised octopus, there’s always the option to have a wine or two and spend the evening in one of their luxury rooms.
Info: 01873 854220 / www.thehardwick.co.uk
Hare & Hounds
Aberthin, Cowbridge
The Hare & Hounds has been a pub for over 300 years, and more recently has also become a gourmet restaurant. Winners of numerous awards and hosts to varying events, in particular their popular ‘changing of the seasons’ tasting evenings, local lad Tom Watts-Jones and partner Sarah are at the helm, with Tom turning his culinary skills in the kitchen and Sarah front of house. The success of the Hare is now being replicated in their sister venue, The Heathcock in Cardiff.
Info: www.hareandhoundsaberthin.com
Heaney’s
Romilly Crescent, Cardiff
Heaney’s ever-changing menu, based on local produce and the season, ensures each visit will be different from the last. Their chilled and relaxed bar/restaurant lends a helping hand in the overall Heaney’s dining experience, and their dishes – crab risotto, Welsh lamb and scallops, to name a few – are expertly cooked by Tommy Heaney and co. Heaney is also opening a wine bar next door.
Info: 029 2034 1264 / www.heaneyscardiff.co.uk
Hogwurst
North Road, Cardiff
This rustic-style place does hot dogs like no other. The menu offers a range of breakfast dogs and a whole lot more. Most hot dogs are about £7.95, but the portion sizes are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The Samurai, for example, includes crispy chicken bites, katsu curry, homemade sauerkraut, crispy onions and a seaweed crisp. The menu also a new Welsh favourite, the Glam dog, with Caerphilly cheese, leek and Glamorgan sausage, served with sweet chilli and tomato relish and crispy onions. Hogwurst also has homemade milkshakes served in pint-sized glass milk bottles, with flavours like cherry Bakewell and mint and coconut.
Info: www.hogwurst.co.uk
The Humble Onion
Station Road, Dinas Powys
True to its name and its surroundings, set between Barry and Cardiff, The Humble Onion take their ingredients back to basics and reinvent their dishes with every change in the seasons. The quaint former coach house regularly tops expectations in taste, quality and service and has just undergone a complete refurb.
Info: 029 2051 4900 / www.thehumbleonion.co.uk
