4 Best Restaurants in Wales

In a building designed by William Burges (the same architect who helped design Cardiff Castle and Castell Coch), this upscale restaurant with a Welsh-French menu is one of the city's top eateries. The six-course dinner tasting menu is £59 plus £35 for matched wines, and there's also a simple bar menu featuring cheese and charcuterie.

Flickering candles, open fireplaces, exposed stone walls, and top-notch locally sourced food are hallmarks of this restaurant and bar, which dates back to the 10th century. The menu contains a selection of Welsh-reared steaks and other meat dishes, but outstanding seafood is the real specialty—try the shellfish platter for two. The romantic setting is as much of a draw as the food. Check out the huge stone Flemish chimney.

Although Cardiff doesn't boast any Michelin-starred restaurants, there is a slew of fine-dining eateries and this is one of the best. Inspired by the wonderful produce from his native western Wales, head chef Tom Simmons creates exquisite French-influenced dishes like lamb cannon with black garlic and beef tartare with truffle. The stylish restaurant, which resembles a gentleman's club crossed with a brasserie, is located in the fashionable suburb of Pontcanna, a ten-minute drive from the city center.

Vaulted ceilings and exposed brick walls provide a dramatic backdrop to this restaurant down the block from Cardiff Castle. Formerly a bank vault, today the Potted Pig turns out superb Welsh dishes. Starters like pork pâté with toast and pickles and a choice of delicious desserts keep diners happy. Servers are warm, attentive, and knowledgeable about the impressive wine list; you can also opt for one of the 30 gins.