As Christmas approaches you might be looking to book a table at one of Wales' many popular and highly-regarded restaurants. The cost-of-living crisis has had a devastating impact on the industry in recent months, leading to the closure of several favourites, but there are still lots to choose from in the lead up to the festive period.
Equally, the crisis has left many people short of cash, with plenty doing all they can to save money. But how much has this affected take-up in restaurants and how far in advance do you have to book to secure a spot at your favourite venue if you can afford to splash out?
To cut the work out for you, we tried booking a table for two on a Saturday evening at 7pm to find out the diners at which it's hardest to secure a table. We were lucky enough to be seated as early as this weekend at some eateries, but others required us to book several weeks in advance. One restaurant even had limited availability until February, 2023. Here's what we found out at the time we went to press (Wednesday morning, October 19):
Read more: The 50 best restaurants in Wales in 2022
Nook - This Saturday
Those of you looking to dine at this cosy and friendly restaurant as soon as this weekend might be in luck.
Specialising in small plates and natural wines, the Cardiff restaurant has gained huge popularity since it opened in 2019.
As a pair, we were pleasantly surprised to be able to get a table at Nook on Saturday evening, October 22. 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 three would have to wait until January 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
The restaurant, which is located in a former bank vault beneath Cardiff city, still had slots available on October 22. Most slots were for daytime tables before 3.30pm. However, we could get a place at 5.30pm, 8.30pm and 9pm that evening. On October 29, 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.
Hare & Hounds - This Saturday, just about
The seasonal-grub restaurant proudly holds a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, and featured in The Good Food Guide, the Good Pub Guide and the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide. Although there were some slots available on Saturday, October 22, we were not able to get in at 7pm. Several other popular times were also booked including 6.30pm and slots from 7pm until 7.45pm. There was more availability around 6pm and from 8pm. Tables appear to be fully booked at popular times until Christmas.
Not all hope was lost between these times though as you could pop yourself on a reserve list in case of cancellations.
Where: Hare & Hounds, Aberthin, CF71 7LG
More information is available on their website.
Harbourmaster Hotel - This Saturday
The renowned Harbourmaster restaurant overlooks Aberaeron's quayside and specialises in high-quality meals made from Welsh produce. And to our delight, we were able to bag a table as soon as Saturday, October 22. Though we weren't able to get our desired 7pm table, we were able to choose from slots at 6pm, 6.30pm, 8.15pm, 8.30pm or 8.45pm.
The earlier we booked, the more times there were available. Saying that, most dates appeared to have good availability.
Where: 1 Quay Parade, Aberaeron, SA46 0BT
For more information, click here.
The Walnut Tree - November / December just about
The Michelin Star restaurant, praised for being "unfussy but consistently immaculate", is a firm favourite with visitors and usually books up quickly.
The majority of Saturdays going well into the New Year appeared to have very limited availability. There were no seats available on October 22 and only one 8.30pm slot the following weekend. November 5 had one table available at 8.30pm while there were none available from 2pm on November 26. We would recommend booking a month early - at the very least - if you want to secure your place.
Where: Llanddewi Skirrid, Abergavenny, NP7 8AW
Heaney's - Next 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. Although there was one table available to book at 9pm on October 22, no other evening seats were available. The following week had more tables.
Where 6-10 Romilly Cres, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11
Here's the restaurant's website.
The Whitebrook - Mid-November
Located in the woods of Monmouthshire, the restaurant prides itself on locally sourced and foraged ingredients. After Chris Harrod re-opened the Whitebrook in 2013, it took this wonderful restaurant with rooms just 11 months to regain its Michelin star.
It's hardly surprising that we couldn't bag a table until November 19. We had a choice of 7pm, 8pm and 8.30pm. But even the following week, on November 26, was fully booked so we recommend booking more than a month in advance of your desired date and time to ensure you get it.
Where: Monmouth NP25 4TX
Chapters - Next weekend, only just
Chapters opened in 2019 with the aim of supporting local producers in the book town of Hay-on-Wye, Powys. Set in a former meeting room adjoining a chapel, their seasonal five course set menu changes regularly so it always rewards return visits.
We were not able to get an evening table for this weekend, however, you could put yourself on a standby list for your desired time in case someone cancelled. There was only one slot available on October 29. November 5 was fully booked and several times on Saturdays in late November were quickly filling up too.
Where: Lion St, Hay-on-Wye, Hereford HR3 5AA
Beach House - Late January, only just
Set right on the beach overlooking the beautiful Oxwich Bay, the 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 no evening tables for two available until January 28. Even then, we only had a choice of 6.10pm, 8pm and 8.15pm. There was good availability from February and more times available before January if you wanted to book at lunch or in the week.
Where: Oxwich Beach, Swansea SA3 1LS
The Warren - This weekend
This acclaimed Carmarthen restaurant and cafe boasts sustainable and wholesome food cooked with local and organic ingredients. It was named best local restaurant in Wales in the Good Food Guide 2020 so it’s got the accolades to go with its loyal following.
We were very lucky to be able to secure a table this weekend. There were plenty of evening tables available for two. Although we couldn't get a seat at 7pm or 6.30pm, there were still lots of reasonably timed slots to choose from.
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