While the places to eat in Cardiff have immeasurably improved over the years there's no harm in venturing a little further outside the city to get some smashing grub. Be it some of Wales' top streetfood, Michelin-star dining experiences, amazing views and surroundings or brilliantly inventive menus.
To start you off on your non-Cardiff dining adventures we've pulled together a list of places to eat that are worth jumping in the car for lunch or dinner, and if you don't want to appoint a designated driver, some aren't that far outside the capital to book a taxi back if you're really celebrating something special, or they can be accessed via public transport. On the list, in no particular order we've gone for restaurants and eateries, for pubs in Wales that do brilliant food, click here.
Around wider Wales, It's been a fantastic year for many of our restaurants who made it onto the Michelin Guide, received Michelin stars, were included in the Good Food Guide and were recognised by various awards throughout the year - the AA Hospitality Awards, the Observer Food Monthly Awards, the Good Food Awards, and the BBC Food and Farming Awards. Subscribe to our food and drink newsletter for the latest reviews and openings here.
Read more: The 50 best restaurants in Cardiff in 2023 - The best places to eat in the city
1. Alium, Barry
From the man behind Humble Onion in nearby Dinas Powys is Alium. Owned by Cardiff-born chef Antonio Simon, whose parents owned an Italian restaurant on the nearby Knap, this restaurant plays on the strengths of his original venue, which is food treated with respect and full of flavour. Think lamb shoulder croquettes with a curry aioli; crispy chicken with peanut butter and pickled chilli; and pig’s head fritter with pickled apple and sriracha mayonnaise. Read our review of Alium when it opened, here.
The Pumphouse, Hood Rd, Barry CF62 5BE
2. Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol
This working Welsh vineyard located in the heart of the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan countryside also boasts its own woodland walkway and lakeside area And as of the past year it's had a rooftop terrace for those eager to enjoy a glass of their wine with a view before dinner.
Their two AA Rosette restaurant offers lunch, dinner, Sunday roasts and afternoon tea - cooked by head chef Andy Aston and his team of 18 - overlooking the vineyard.
Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan, CF72 8GG
3. Grand Sultan, Margam
Best in Wales at the Welsh Restaurant Awards and the BCA (Bangladesh Caterers Association) Restaurant of the Year awards, the best in the UK in EuroAsia 2019 awards, best in Wales at the 2022 Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards and that's just to name a few accolades The Grand Sultan in Port Talbot has collected over the past decade. So it's definitely worth a trip to check out their menu if you love a great curry.
Read our recent review of the restaurant, here.
Water St, Eglwys Nunydd, Port Talbot SA13 2PA
4. Steak and Stamp, Pencoed
A hidden gem of a steakhouse found in Pencoed just outside Bridgend. You can try one of their famous 'banquet' sharers which features 10oz rump, 10oz rib eye, 20oz tomahawk, 20oz Chateaubriand, seven sides and three sauces.
13 Penybont Road, Pencoed, CF5 5PY
5. Gem 42, Newport
Named Wales' Restaurant of the Year at the AA Hospitality Awards 2022 Gem 42 is born out of successful dessert business, Gemelli and the talent and passion of brothers Sergio and Pasquale Cinotti.With dishes like Wagyu beef (above), a toothbrush and toothpaste dessert made from Chantilly cream and three types of Madagascan chocolate, you're definitely going to get a mindblowing dining experience.
Read our recent review of Gem 42, here.
42 Bridge St, Newport NP20 4NY
6. Arboreal, Cowbridge
A regular in the Michelin Guide, this Cowbridge staple is beloved for its inventive pizzas, flatbreads, and does great Sunday lunches.
68 Eastgate, Cowbridge CF71 7AB
7. Janet's Authentic Northern Chinese, Pontypridd
If you love Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese (and more) cuisines and haven't been to Janet's what are you waiting for? Her family recipe-inspired dishes are some of the best Asian food we've ever tasted. Read more about Janet's food and backstory, here.
Pontypridd Market, CF37 2ST
8. The Priory Hotel and Restaurant, Caerleon
Set in a stone-built monastery dating to 1180, you can hand-pick your choice of fish or cut of meat, or choose from the Spanish-influenced menu, with much of it cooked over fire.
High Street, Caerleon, NP18 1AG
9. The Gaff, Abergavenny
Located in the heart of Abergavenny, The Gaff serves creative small plates with influences drawn from across the globe and uses only the best quality ingredients.
Chef-owner Dan Saunders was a former head chef at the Walnut Tree so he’s learned a thing or two from one of the country’s best. If it's a glorious sunny day, you can enjoy the weather in their gorgeous courtyard.
Unit 4 The Courtyard, Lion St, Abergavenny NP7 5PE
10. Home, Penarth
With its moody dark interior, blacked-out windows, and high-end cooking, Home is the latest restaurant from chef James Sommerin and his family. In November 2021, just months after it opened, it was added to the Michelin Guide before achieving a Michelin star.
Their surprise tasting menu is based around the seasons so a meal here will be different with every visit. It recently appeared on The Hairy Bikers series, Go Local, read more on that, here.
Royal buildings, Penarth CF64 3EB
11. Harry's, Cowbridge
From the outside a modest-looking bistro at the top of Cowbridge's high street, but this belies a cosy-but-stylish dining spot with a menu full of heart and local meat dishes. Think lamb rack or chicken Milanese. They also do brekkie and brunches, too.
2 Westgate, Cowbridge, CF71 7AR
12. Marble, Bridgend
Drawing inspiration from cooking meats over fire, all Marble's steaks are hand-picked and matured for a minimum of 28 days and the menu is also influenced from across the globe. The menu also has ribs, scallops, crispy beef and more. Read our review.
As well as Marble's opening, Bridgend is becoming a foodie hotspot, read up on that and get more suggestions, here.
13. Newport Market Food Quarter
The recently redeveloped market has regularly been packed in the months since opening, especially on weekends, with some big names such as Seven Lucky Gods, Burger Boyz, Meat and Greek and Four & Ash serving up mouth-watering dishes and treats.
Read our latest update of all the traders on offer in our guide to everything there is to eat at Newport Market.
14. Geshmak, Newport
You just have to check out Geshmak's seafood platter to see why Newport locals love a visit to this bistro.
Other dishes recently sampled have been wild caught seabass, served with pesto and sweet roast tomatoes and garlic and their Jerusalem artichoke velouté.
17 Charles St, Newport NP20 1JU
15. Casa Bianca, Merthyr Tydfil
The third in the Casa Bianca family - the other two are in Abergavenny and Pontypridd - this Italian restaurant occupies the beautiful iconic Milbourne Chambers building in the heart of Merthyr.
With cuisine influenced by their southern Italian heritage, the pork medallions and king prawn linguine are recommended.
56-57 Glebeland St, Merthyr Tydfil CF47 8AU
16. Goodsheds, Barry
Another pic 'n' mix of traders serving up some of Wales' top streetfood and it also has some cool shops to mooch around. Traders you can't get in Cardiff are Bab Haus Mex who serve up stunning, slow cooked meat tacos, birria buns, nachos, Kapow ribs, WhoCult doughnuts and loads more. Hood Road, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, CF62 5QU
17. One O'Clock Gate, Dinas Powys
Another smasher on a golf course, it's a coffee sho/cafe during the day but during their evening services they really excell with their Asian fusion. A recent favourite we loved was the Korean fried chicken burger and honey Sriracha cauliflower.
Keep it coming.
Dinas Powys Golf Club, Highwalls Rd, Dinas Powys CF64 4AJ
For more what's on stories, sign up for our newsletter here.
Read next:
