Located on the River Usk in South-East Wales, Newport is a cathedral and university town that takes pride in its preservation of Celtic traditions, Welsh lore and Roman ruins. Satisfy your appetite after a day’s sightseeing at one of these great restaurants.
1. The Bell at Caerleon, or Tafarn y Gloch Caerllion
Set inside a 17th Century coaching Inn, The Bell Inn has been running for over four hundred years. It is perfect for intrepid travelers who wish to savor traditional Welsh dishes, as well as appreciating its lengthy history. Famous for its lively ‘Celtic vibe’, The Bell Inn offers both Breton and Welsh dishes as main courses, as well as local ales, ciders and excellent local house-wines. Come for traditional Welsh live music and boules, which combined with the traditional food and drink, provides a unique experience.
Junction 28 was converted from a former railway station and the menu also offers a mix of the traditional and the modern. Exciting contemporary twists on old favourites include the ‘Tempura Sardine Fillets’ and ‘Rosewater and Lavender Crème Brûlée’. With a reputation for professional and efficient service, the atmosphere of warm ‘bonhomie’ radiating from Junction 28 makes it suitable for all those who wish to challenge their palate amid good company.
Situated in the centre of Bodnant Gardens, the Pavilion Tea Rooms promise a gorgeous vista of seasonal flora and a variety of freshly-baked treats, light lunches and tea spreads. Praised for its spaciousness and lack of pretension, the Pavilion Tea Rooms is a wonderful choice for those who wish to simultaneously sample the joys of nature and the satisfaction of a good meal.
The Priory Hotel
With a building that dates back to 1180 and originally founded as a Cistercian Monastery, The Priory Hotel is now a hotel and restaurant. Boasting a wine cellar with over 200 fine wines and a classic menu of solid favourites, the Priory Hotel allows the customer to choose the cut of meat or fish they wish to have, before preparing it on site according to their preference.
Famed for having the perfect marriage between good food and good atmosphere, Secret Garden Café is a traditional café that provides a fresh, modern twist on traditional dishes. It is especially renowned for excellent brunches. All the dishes are sourced and cooked on the premises and it has even won awards for its breakfasts, burgers, and steak grills. Furthermore, as the name suggests, outdoor seating in the restaurant’s ‘garden’ gives the restaurant a tranquil atmosphere, greatly enhanced by the friendly and attentive service.
One of six restaurants in the famous Celtic Manor resort, Terry M has a 3 AA Rosette Award. Focusing on using ingredients that reflect the seasons, Terry M tries to combine these locally sourced ingredients in surprising ways to create fresh, tangy, intense or punchy flavors. With its relaxing atmosphere and fully stocked bar, Terry M is a good choice for fine-dining in Newport.
The Tredegar House Café is the ultimate alternative for those who want a slice of history alongside their afternoon cake. The Café, once the original ‘Brewhouse’ on the estate, offers a traditional range of soups, cakes, and lunches. The Tredegar House itself is actually part of the National Trust Project and is the 17th Century ancestral home of the Morgan Family, one of the greatest Welsh families of the region. The view from the House Café, with its outlook on 90 acres of beautiful garden and parkland, is simply breathtaking and a worthwhile experience.
Picturesque and historic, the White Hart Village Inn is like stepping back in time. Said to be the place where Oliver Cromwell based himself during his Civil War campaigns, the unique antiquity is enhanced by its ‘priest hole’, Tudor wainscoting, and exposed beams, all of which has been carefully preserved. The historic feel is well-suited to the traditional flavour of the food and the ingredients, a lot of which is local to the area. Try the scorched mackerel and whitebait with pepper, asparagus and leek or Cwrw Pentref battered cod.
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