A cobbled seaside town and former Welsh stronghold during the Norman Conquest, Tenby in South Wales is an idyllic spot for a good meal and a warming Monmouth coffee. We pick the ten best tearooms and restaurants in town for some great local specialties.
Beach Break Tearooms
Tearoom tradition meets the clean edges and sophistication of modern life in this cosy space. With a rustic, seaside interior speckled with patches of exposed wall and charmingly distressed furniture, the intimate Beach Break Tearooms offers a wide variety of tea, the nutty flavour of Pembrokeshire coffee or a dram of something stronger to keep the wild Welsh elements at bay. Pop in for morning coffee alongside French toast with cinnamon syrup or sample their freshly baked baguettes with homemade coleslaw, crunchy seasonal salads or a piping hot panini. Beach Break Tearooms, Manorbier House, Manorbier, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK, + 44 1834 871709
The Blue Ball Restaurant sources its fresh ingredients from local suppliers, many of whom boast awards for their produce. Given the time and effort invested in producing and creating their own hot and cold smokers, the cold smoked salmon with a fresh fennel salad, lemon and crème fraiche is a must-try dish. Tenby is an immensely popular seaside town, and it is perhaps unsurprising that fresh seafood and fish take a central role, but if a heartier meal is the order of the day, sample their Welsh black rib eye steak or slow-cooked pork belly.
The Mooring
Restaurant, British
The Mooring prides itself on creating mouth-watering, simple dishes using the flavour of local, seasonal produce. Particular specialities are the local crab, caught nearby and simply prepared to enhance the flavor, and wild garlic, which creates the uniquely spicy, sharp and deeply flavorsome edge to their pesto and pan-fried gamberoni. Sample the succulent duck breast with ribbons of savoy cabbage and a rich port sauce or try a more Mediterranean vibe with the fusilli bucati pasta with pan roasted aubergines, red peppers, basil and buffalo mozzarella bound in a sweet cherry tomato sauce.
Plantagenet House
Restaurant, Seafood
To have entered the oldest building in Tenby is an experience in itself; the house dates back as far as the 10th century. Plantagenet House restaurant nestles comfortably in this antiquated house, complete with 40ft Flemish chimney, exposed beams and eccentric décor. The food is also memorable, with a selection of fresh and predominately locally sourced fish dishes; everything from an entire platter of mussels, succulent lobster and prawns to swordfish steaks, as well as meaty favourites such as Barbary duck and guinea fowl breast stuffed with prunes and apricots, served with pak choi and black cherries.
The Coach and Horses
Pub, Pub Grub
A classic Welsh pub, reputedly the oldest in Tenby, complete with exposed beams and cosy interior, The Coach and Horses is a firm local favourite that offers traditional pub classics alongside an extensive alternative Thai menu. The cheerful sunflower colouring of the exterior is complimented by wooden furniture and a bar full of the usual offerings. Whether you try the steak and Guinness pie for a traditional treat or chicken with cashews for an Asian flavour, the Coach and Horses makes a consistently impressive effort to cater for all tastes.
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The Buccaneer Inn
Pub, Pub Grub
The irrepressibly cheerful Buccaneer Inn is laden with inviting sandwich boards promising delicious treats and an abundance of blooming hanging baskets. Drop in to this charming pub to enjoy the locally revered crab sandwiches on granary bread or lamb shank with mint gravy for colder days. Famous for generous portions and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, The Bucaneer Inn is the perfect place to enjoy a cold beer on its delightful garden terrace in summer too.
Top Joes
The modern and stylish Top Joes prides itself on pizzas with dough made to their own unique recipe, using flour milled in the UK. With everything handmade from scratch, it is possible to adapt almost anything about your pizza to your specific tastes. Alongside beautiful pizzas, with toppings ranging from the standard margarita to roasted zucchini with ricotta and delicate pesto, Top Joes specialises in popular pasta dishes such as traditionally made pomodoro and carbonara.
The Mews Surf Bar and Grill
Bar, Pub Grub
The Mews Surf Bar and Grill specialises in succulent steak prepared to order, perfect with crispy onion rings and fluffy home-cut chips. If steak does not appeal, The Mews provides a wide range of fresh and predominantly locally sourced fish, as well as chicken breast fillets seasoned perfectly in fajita, blackened Cajun or tikka style. For vegetarian meals, try the homemade mushroom, cranberry and brie wellington or the crunchy Mews house salad.
Ocean Restaurant
Restaurant, Seafood
With unrivalled views across the stunning Tenby Harbour from the first floor dining room, the Ocean Restaurant will immediately grasp your attention with its arresting backdrop. Once seated overlooking the bobbing boats with a glass of crisp white wine, you’ll find the menu equally interesting; choose from homemade chicken liver parfait followed by fillet of seabass resting on a bed of prawn, pea and saffron risotto or tomato bruschetta followed by roast Gressingham duck breast served on a breast of puy lentils.
Baytree
In the middle of the Tudor Square, the Baytree is a charming retreat with exposed beams and deep wood interiors. A particular speciality is the luxurious champagne chicken, tender chicken strips tossed in the wok with fresh field mushrooms and finished with a rich champagne cream. Accompany your meal with a glass or bottle from the vast selection of French and Italian wines from the well-thought-out drinks menu.
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