Wales’ culinary reputation is becoming more widely known, and deservedly so: in Mid Wales alone there are an array of renowned eateries as well as excellent country markets where you can pick up some delicious food. The food is as legendary as the locations in which it’s served.
The Daffodil Inn, in Llandysul, is a food-led country pub that prides itself on its freshly prepared menu using the best quality local produce. You can have a quick bar meal, take afternoon tea, or have a full restaurant experience in front of the gallery kitchen. Well-behaved dogs are very welcome.
The Harbourmaster in Aberaeron, set in a harbourmaster’s house dating back to the 1800s, serves great fresh local food and drinks and is a minute’s walk from the beach. Up the coast in Aberystwyth, Ultracomida is located just round the corner from the shore and the small, bustling restaurant provides excellent Spanish food and sells a fantastic range of artisanal products for you to take home.
The Black Lion Inn, in New Quay, was apparently a favourite haunt of the poet Dylan Thomas, and serves up Welsh Black steaks and a range of local and draught beers. Over in Cardigan Pizzatipi on Cambrian Quay serves wood fired, handmade pizzas and great local craft beers in a riverside courtyard under canvas.
Y Talbot in Tregaron is a grand coaching inn and, legend has it, a circus elephant is buried in the grounds. It has also hosted American presidents (Jimmy Carter visited in 1986). The Head Chef trained with Marco Pierre White and worked at The Ritz before taking over the kitchen, so has an impressive CV. The menu serves up Welsh cheeses, Welsh lamb and rare roast Tregaron beef.
If you’re with the kids (or have a sweet tooth yourself), check out Yum Yum Sweets in Cardigan. Over in New Quay the New Quay Honey Farm has 500 hives spread over Ceredigion, and sells both local honey and homemade mead.
We’ve also lucky to be near a range of food and drink creators – including Caws Teifi Cheese and Dà Mhìle organic distillery, both based at Glynhynod farm just a short drive away. Both businesses are very well known in Wales, providing gorgeous cheese and excellent drinks – we’d recommend calling before visiting as they do get very busy. During the summer months there is a little cheese shop open, and you can also book a tour around the distillery.
If cheese really is your thing, take advantage of free tours around another local artisan, Caws Cenarth. If you’re looking for a gift to take home, you can pop in their shop or also visit Celteg Wines in Henllan who have local wines and preserves.
Here are some other great places to eat:
- In the Welsh Wind Distillery Gogerddan Arms, Tan-y-groes, Cardigan, SA43 2HP, 01239 872300
- Pentre Arms (fresh fish dishes are good), Llangrannog SA44 6SP, 01239 654345
- The Beach Hut (fish & chips & much more), Llangrannog, SA44 6SN, 01239 654642
- Patio Cafe, Llangrannog SA44 6SL, 01239 654502
- La Calabria (Italian), Rhydgoch, Nr Ffostrasol, SA44 5JT, 01239 851101 – Currently offering outside dining.
- Ffostrasol Arms, Ffostrasol SA44 4SY, 01239 851348
- Ship Inn (overlooks sea), Tresaith, nr Cardigan, SA43 2JL, 01239 811816
- The Nags Head (does Sunday lunches), Abercych SA37 0HJ, 01239 841200
- Y Sgwar (The square), Emlyn Square, Newcastle Emlyn, SA38 9BG
- The Llwyndafydd Inn, Saron Llandysul, SA44 5DR, 01559 371078
- Buon Appetito, (Italian Cafe, good for no fuss breakfast and luches) Llandysul, SA44 4BG, 01559 363608
- Pizzatipi, Cardigan, SA43 1EZ, 01239 612259
- Crwst, Cardigan, SA43 1BU, 01239 611278
- Food for Thought, Cardigan, SA43 1JL, 01239 621863
- 1176 Cegin Kitchen (restaurant/cafe) Cardigan Castle, SA43 1JA, 01239 615131
- Plas Parke Inn, Pentre-cwrt, Llandysul, 01559 740114
- Y Bryn a’r Bragdy, Brynhoffnant Inn, Llandysul, SA44 6DU, 01239 611890
Takeaways:
These takeaways are in our nearest 2 towns, Llandysul and Newcastle Emlyn and are about a 15 min (6 mile) drive away. In addition we also included one of our favourite takeaways we included from Llangrannog. You can phone ahead your order and it should be ready for you to pickup by the time you get there. They do not deliver.
- TAJ (Indian takeaway), Llandysul, SA44 4BS, 01559 363753 Shumai
- DanISang(Chinese), Llandysul, SA44 4DG, 01559 362265,
- China Kitchen, Newcastle Emlyn, SA38 9EE, 01239 711378 Nahar Indian
- Cuisine, Newcastle Emlyn, SA33 9AA, 01239 710906 Yasmins Indian
- Newcastle Emlyn, SA38 9AS, 01239 711681 Central Cafe (fish and chips)
- Newcastle Emlyn, SA38 9BG, 01239 710272 Flames (Kebab, pizza, burgers takeaway), Newcastle Emlyn, SA38 9AS, 01239 710636
- Tafell a Tân (Pizza takeaway), Llangrannog, SA44 6SN. Order online for pick up
Organic and health foods:
- Y Pantri Bach, Drefach, Felindre, Llandysul SA44 5UG
- Carrot Cruncher, Newcastle Emlyn, SA38 9AQ, 07494 931598
- Riverside Health: Newcastle Emlyn, SA33 9EE, 01239 711 440
- Cherry Picked (farm shop), Sarnau, SA44 6QT, 07774 035444
- Watson & Pratts (further afield in either Lampeter and Aberaeron but very well stocked), Lampeter: SA48 8LT, 01570 423099 Aberaeron: Along the main street