There's nothing quite like having a quiet meal for two whether it's a romantic date or a chill dinner with a friend.
And here in Wales we have some cosy, classic and chilled places with great food perfect for such an occasion.
As always in this post-Covid lockdown world, some venues may not be back to full service and opening hours yet, so check out their individual websites for up-to-date information.
Read more: Former celebrity private chef to open luxury sandwich shop in Cardiff
Here's a list of some great places around Wales.
1. Cora, Cardiff
Lee Skeet is legendary for his supper clubs and his latest incarnation is Cora, his first permanent restaurant, follows on from the success of his 40 Days, 40 Nights pop-up restaurant at the same venue.
Cora will serve a single tasting menu of seasonal British produce, focusing on seafood, to just 12 guests each service.
Where : Upstairs at Milkwood, 83 Pontcanna Street, CF11 9HS. Call 029 2023 2226
2. The Gaff, Aberystwyth
Michelin-mentioned The Gaff, is a relaxed space in three converted sheds where you can order delicious small plates like hispi Caesar, battered oyster and mackerel.
Where: Unit 4 The Courtyard, Lion St, Abergavenny NP7 5PE
3. Cafe Citta, Cardiff
This postage-stamp sized Italian is so popular you're very lucky to get a walk-in table at peak times.
It's definitely worth booking for a special occasion, though, as their traditional Italian menu is bursting with freshly-made dishes including pizza, gnocchi, fresh fish and pasta, of course.
Where : 4 Church Street, Cardiff, CF10 1BG
Call: 029 2022 4040
4. Ultracomida, Narberth
This tapas bar brings a taste of Spain to Pembrokeshire with the best cheeses, wines and meats from the region, pairing it with the best Wales has to offer.
Where: 7 High Street, Narberth, SA67 7
Call: 01834 861491
5. Medina, Aberystwyth
This cafe/deli at the heart of Aberystwyth sells fresh food and homemade cakes. Brunchers love their shakshuka breakfast which is a Middle Eastern baked egg dish.
Where : Market Street, Aberystwyth, SY23 1
Call: 01970 358300
6. Slice, Swansea
You want intimate? You definitely get it with Slice. You'll also get Michelin Guide approved food - and co-owner Adam Bannister won the Welsh title on the Great British Menu.
Think it sounds too fancy? It's not, just great food in an intimate, relaxed setting.
Where: 73-75 Eversley Road, Sketty, Swansea SA2 9DE
Call : 01792 290929
7. Sosban and the Old Butchers, Menai Bridge
Set within an historic butcher's shop, the chefs at Sosban create a unique menu from the produce available on the day.
Where : 1 High Street, Menai Bridge, LL59 5EE
Call : 01248 208131
8. Nook, Cardiff
Another Michelin-mentioned restaurant, Nook is the cosy, twinkly-lit corner restaurant in Cardiff's Victoria Park serving up natural wines and well thought out small plates.
Stand-outs of late include their roasted artichoke sat on a lemon pesto with crispy artichoke shavings.
Where: 587 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF5 1BE
9. Steak & Stamp, Pencoed
Famed for their steak sharer, Steak & Stamp is a cosy restaurant who dry age their beef on site.
They also have private dining in their sheds, too.
Where: 13 Pen-y-bont Road, Pencoed, Bridgend, CF35 5PY
10. Thomas by Thomas Simmons, Cardiff
Another Michelin-mentioned fine dining restaurant and this one is in the heart of Pontcanna and the food is influenced by French cuisine, but with fine, local ingredients.
Where: 3 & 5 Pontcanna St, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9HQ
11. Bar 44, Penarth/Cardiff
Fantastic tapas, gin, cocktails and a cosy atmosphere, the 44 Group's restaurants have quality dishes in an intimate setting. Also see their Asador 44 location where their meat (and veggies ) are cooked over a wood fire.
Where: Check www.bar44.co.uk
12. Parva Farmhouse, Tintern
On the banks of the River Wye this restaurant with rooms is a destination venue, where you can book in to stay in the 17th century farm house just yards from the riverside.
Run by the former restaurant manager and head chef of The Walnut Tree, Marta and Roger Brook, non-guests can also book for the restaurant which serves solid, honest food.
Where: Parva Farmhouse, Tintern, Monmouthshire, Wales NP16 6SQ
13. Bacareto, Cardiff
Inspired by the Venetian bàcaris - small cafés and bars which serve up small plates of food alongside coffees, or a glass of wine or spritzes - Bacareto is one of the newer additions to Cardiff's city centre food scene.
Where: 13 Church St, Cardiff CF10 1BG
14. Agnelli’s, Aberystwyth
Unpretentious and with its "divine" food, Agnelli's serves hearty Italian dishes, great coffee and really tasty cannoli (crunchy and creamy Sicilian treats).
Where: 3 Bridge Street, Aberystwyth SY23 1PY
15. Uisce, Cardiff
The next-door little brother to Tommy Heaney's titular restaurant, Uisce is perhaps one of the smallest places to eat with an open kitchen.
The modest size, it also has outdoor seating in the warmer months, definitely makes it feel like a place for an up-close and personal date.
Where: 4 Romilly Cres, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9NR
16. Pant y Gwydr, Swansea
A restaurant serving well-thought-out French cuisine in the heart of Swansea, all is homemade from the French fish soup to the sorbets and ice creams.
Keep an eye on their website for the latest opening times as at the moment they are primarily takeaway.
Where: 180 Oxford St, Swansea SA1 3JA
17. Hare & Hounds Bakery, Cowbridge
A bakery by day selling fresh bread, cakes and pastries and excellent coffee, the Hare & Hounds bakery division now also opened on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Serving small plates, charcuterie, cheese and local Welsh beers and wine, with no more than a handful of tables and a roaring log burner in the corner, this converted garage is a gorgeous place to spend a weekend evening.
Where: 1, Vale Forge North Rd, Cowbridge CF71 7DF
18. HOME, Penarth
Michelin-starred James Sommerin's latest fine dining venture is in the 2022 Michelin Guide after less than a year of opening.
It offers an immersive experience for diners who have to ring a doorbell to enter the venue, which has blacked-out windows
Where: 1 Royal Buildings, Penarth, CF64 3EB
19. The Warren, Carmarthen
Our reviewer of The Warren said he felt 'right at home' and 'cosy' when he visited the restaurant last November, so what are you waiting for...
Where: 11 Mansel St, Carmarthen SA31 1PX
20. Y Polyn, Capel Dewi
This simple and honest pub in Carmarthen serves beautiful, straight-up food. There's no messing about with wine pourers and staff in matching attire, the focal point is not the presentation but the food itself. Try the Saltmarsh lamb, Welsh beef and free range, rare breed pork.
Where: Capel Dewi, Carmarthen SA32 7LH
21. The Humble Onion, Dinas Powys
A real hidden gem in the Vale of Glamorgan, The Humble Onion a coach house tucked behind the Star pub in Dinas Powys.
Since opening in 2017, Antonio Simone’s cooking has carved out a fine reputation, with dishes including lamb breast with harissa and butter bean cassoulet and ox cheek ragu sourdough toastie.
Where: Station Road, Dinas Powys, CF64 4DE
Sign up to our What's On newsletter to get all the latest updates straight to your inbox here.
