As summer fast approaches you might be looking to book a table at one of Wales' many popular and highly-regarded restaurants. To cut the work out for you, we tried booking a table for two on a Saturday evening at 7pm to discover which of them it's hardest to secure a table at.
We were pleased to be seated as early as this weekend at some eateries - despite chancing our luck and booking as late in the week as Thursday - but others required us to book several weeks in advance. One restaurant even had limited availability until July. Here's what we found out at the time we went to press (Thursday afternoon, May 11):
Read more: The 50 best restaurants in Wales in 2023
Nook - This Saturday
Specialising in small plates and natural wines, the Cardiff restaurant has gained huge popularity since it opened in 2019. And anyone looking to dine at this cosy and friendly restaurant as soon as this weekend might be in luck.
As a pair, we were pleasantly surprised to be able to get a table at Nook on Saturday evening, May 13. Plenty of times were available all the way up to 9pm. However, we did notice bigger groups might not be so fortunate. For example, a group of five would have to wait until June to have a good selection of available slots.
Where: 587 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff, CF5 1BE
To find out more, you can visit their website.
The Potted Pig - This weekend, only just
Located in a former bank vault beneath Cardiff city centre, the restaurant still had slots available on May 13. Most slots were for daytime tables before 3pm. However, we could get a place at 8.30pm and 9pm that evening . On May 20, there were more slots available. Expect a great gin list, and seasonal food. You can get more news on places to eat out and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Where: 27 High St, Cardiff, CF10 1PU
For more information, visit their website.
Y Sgwâr - This weekend
You're in luck if you want to book a spot at this tapas and small plates restaurant as soon as this weekend. The Aberystwyth-based venue is run by Great British Menu finalist, Nathan Davies - who also heads up resaurant SY23. Nathan describes Y Sgwar: "Our all-weather, outside dining area with fire pits built into the tables and overhead heaters creating a warm relaxed atmosphere." We were able to book a table for two at 7pm on Saturday, May 13.
Where: 2 Pier Street, Aberystwyth, SY23 2LJ
For more information, visit the website
Home at Penarth - July
This was given the Good Food Guide's rating of "exceptional" so it's no wonder why we struggled to book a table for two at 7pm until July 1. The one-michelin star restaurant by James Sommerin and his family has been open for little more than a year and has already made a name for itself, with its surprise eight-course tasting menu. It offers a unique 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
For more information, visit the website
Môr - Next weekend
We just about managed to book a table for two on Saturday evening, but weren't able to get our preferred slot of 7pm - although we did try to book at relatively short notice. When we tried on Thursday, most slots were fully booked, but there were still a few available between 5.30pm and 6.30pm. There was far more choice for the following weekend on May 20, so we recommend booking at least a week in advance if you want to secure your ideal table.
Located near Swansea's gorgeous Mumbles seafront, this restaurant offers a relaxed dining experience and delicious meals. Its sample menu includes charcoal grilled octopus, slow cooked lamb breast with cockles and an artichoke, fig and ricotta tart.
Where: 620 Mumbles Road, SA3 4EA
For more information, visit the website
Beach House - Next weekend, just about
Set right on the beach overlooking the beautiful Oxwich Bay, the Michelin starred Beach House offers fresh seafood, laverbread loaf and good wine. Head chef, Hywel Griffith, originally hails from north Wales and is passionate about celebrating local Welsh produce.
There were two evening tables available on May 20, however we only had a choice of 8pm and 8.15pm. The following week, on May 27, also had limited tables for two at 6.30pm and 8pm. Much of June was also booked up. In fact, throughout the whole of the month we found one table available on June 17 at 2.15pm. We would highly recommend booking at least a month or two in advance.
Where: Oxwich Beach, Swansea SA3 1LS
The Walnut Tree - This weekend
The Michelin Star restaurant, praised for being "unfussy but consistently immaculate", is a firm favourite with visitors and usually books up quickly. Over the Christmas and New Year period, 2022/23, the eatery had very limited availability well into January. However, when we tried booking a table for two this Thursday, ready for Saturday, we were able to secure one. On May 13 there were four slots available at 6.30pm, 7pm, 7.30pm and 8pm. However, in the following weeks there appeared to be no dinner slots available at all until June, with limited availability. We may have just been lucky this weekend, so we recommend booking well in advance if you can.
Where: Llanddewi Skirrid, Abergavenny, NP7 8AW
Heaney's - This weekend
Since opening in 2018, Heaney’s has established itself as one of Cardiff’s most highly regarded restaurants. Tommy Heaney’s pared back cooking focuses on precisely cooked fish and barbecued meat, offering a variety of seasonal menus which change daily and are offered at different times throughout the week. We were pleased to be able to book a table for two at 7pm on May 13, at the Pontcanna-based restaurant. Availability seemed good for the evening.
Where: 6-10 Romilly Cres, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11
Here's the restaurant's website.
Paternoster Farm - End of May, only just
This farm in Pembrokeshire produces some of the best food in Wales from the grounds of an old cow shed. It is included in our 50 best restaurants in Wales 2023 list. Run by a former divorce lawyer, Michelle Evans, Paternoster Farm is off the beaten track and offers a "true field to fork" experience as its setting is equally as delicious as the food the restaurant produces.
When we attempted to book a table this Saturday at 7pm, we were out of luck. The next available Saturday evening slot came on May 27, when there was very limited availability. Slots were still pretty scarce in June with more tables available in July. We recommend booking well in advance if you want to guarantee a space at your ideal time.
Where: Paternoster Farm , Hundleton , Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom, SA71 5RX
For more information, visit the website
Rocket and Rye - This weekend
According to its website, Rocket & Rye Cafe is the perfect place to relax, to escape for a while, and enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. "During the day, the light streams in through our large street-facing windows and conservatory: as evening arrives, you’ll dine under a canopy of lights," it states.
We were pleased to be able to book a table for two on Saturday night at 7pm, with plenty of other slots available throughout the evening.
Where: 30 High St, Cowbridge CF71 7AG
Hills - This weekend, just about
There's no wonder people travel from across the UK to try the burgers from Hills in Brecon. Bronze-crusted smashed Welsh beef patties are stuffed into challah rolls alongside a selection of creative toppings. It was even named as one of the UK's best burger restaurants and best vegan burger at the National Burger Awards in 2022.
We were lucky enough to book a 7pm slot for two on May 13, but availability was limited. The only other slot open was at 9pm. We recommend booking at least a week in advance as the following Saturday, on May 27 had plenty of booking options.
Where: Bishops Meadow, Hay Rd, Brecon LD3 9SW
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