Twinned under a joint council, Fishguard and Goodwick are best known for the ferry to Rosslare - but these north Pembrokeshire coastal towns offer much more than a gateway to Ireland.

Famous as the site of the Last Invasion of Britain in 1797, the towns share a rich history, vividly captured in the 30 metre-long Last Invasion Tapestry.

Set at the edge of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the area is surrounded by dramatic landscapes and historical landmarks. Follow the Pembrokeshire Coast Path National Trail along Marine Walk for postcard-worthy views of Lower Town Harbour, once the backdrop for Under Milk Wood and Moby Dick. Alternatively, enjoy a scenic stroll along Goodwick Parrog, or book a fflecsi bus to Strumble Head Lighthouse in Pencaer - a top spot for dolphin sightings.

Beyond the scenery and stories, a thriving food and drink scene awaits, from classic fish and chips to fine dining.

A white lighthouse tower on a rocky mound.
A concrete sea wall with a small building on the end.

Strumble Head Lighthouse and Goodwick Parrog, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

Places to eat in Fishguard

Ffwrn

Run by Australian-born Alice and her partner, a local from the Gwaun Valley, Ffwrn is named after the Welsh word for oven – a nod to the 70-loaf bread oven now sitting where the old church hall’s stage once stood. Repurposed wood from the original stage forms a long communal dining table. Expect wood-fired pizzas, Middle Eastern sharing plates, juicy steaks and burgers, with live music on Friday evenings. Vegetables are sourced from Awen Organics, with meat from a local butcher, and wines from Goodwick’s Lush Wines and Celtic Wines in Pembroke Dock.

  • Children’s menu and highchairs available
  • Well-behaved dogs welcome
  • Vegetarian and vegan options, alongside gluten-free pizzas

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair access at the rear of the building
  • Accessible toilets
  • Environment: Two steps upon entrance, no outdoor space
A person playing a double bass and a person playing a guitar on stage at a cafe.
Cooked flatbreads on a wire cooling rack.

Ffwrn, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

Red Onion Garden Café

Nestled among homegrown blooms, the Red Onion Garden Café hums with birdsong and bumblebees – a tranquil place to linger over brunch or lunch. A former family-run garden centre, this charming café champions homegrown, homemade, and locally sourced produce, with highlights like freshly baked focaccia filled with Wiltshire ham and Caws Pencw’s Jemima Blue, and nourishing earth bowls. Sip on homemade elderflower cordial, the café’s own Red Onion Breakfast Tea (blended by Chantler Teas), or something stronger from the licensed bar.

  • Offers smaller portions and accommodates special requests for children; highchairs available
  • Well-behaved dogs welcome
  • Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, nut-free and alternative options

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair access
  • Accessible toilets
  • Environment: Comfortable indoors dining space; covered outdoors seating
A focaccia sandwich with ham and cheese, on a plate with a salad.

Wiltshire Ham and Caws Pencw blue cheese focaccia at The Red Onion Garden Café in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

Nourish Bakery

Arrive early to get your hands on one of Nourish’s highly coveted organic sourdough loaves, buttery croissants, or sugary cruffins. Our top pick? The bergamot lemon and olive oil cake. Team it with a freshly brewed cup of Monmouth Coffee, or Nourish’s own blend tea made by Chantler Teas.

  • No designated children's menu (but bound to appeal to kids!)
  • Dogs are welcome
  • Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available

Accessibility

  • Environment: Small step upon entry, somewhat small, takeaway-only
Exterior of a bakery with loaves of bread stacked in the large window.
A selection of delicious looking pastries including croissant, Chelsea buns, pain au chocolat and cakes.

Nourish Bakery, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

Mannings

Mannings is a local, family-run greengrocer with a difference. After stocking up on locally grown organic fruit and veg and artisanal Pembrokeshire produce, refuel with freshly brewed tea or Coal Town Coffee, sandwiches, soups, or homemade cakes in the café. Try the cheesy leek Welsh rarebit, or the blueberry and almond cake – it’s a best seller!

  • Family-friendly, offering children’s picnic boxes and highchairs are available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Accessible toilets
  • Environment: Spacious, airy and bright; indoor and outdoor seating, with stairs leading to a mezzanine dining area
A plate of cheese and leek rarebit on toast with a huge salad and a pot of chutney.
A plate full of cake with blueberries in, next to a milky coffee.
Inside a grocer's shop - boxes of vegetables on display including leeks, cabbage, carrots and potatoes.

Cheesy leek Welsh rarebit, coffee and cake, and the grocery display at Mannings Grocers, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

The Gourmet Pig

Perched at the start of the Marine Walk, The Gourmet Pig is the perfect pit-stop before a ramble to the Gorsedd Stone Circle, with sweeping views over Lower Town and the Preseli Mountains. Share a charcuterie platter on the roof terrace or grab a handmade pasty or sandwich for a picnic, along with edible souvenirs from the cheese fridge and deli shelves.

  • Highchairs available. Children's options include babyccinos
  • Dog-friendly
  • Vegetarian and vegan options, gluten-free bread and cakes

Accessibility

  • The main seating area is wheelchair accessible
  • Environment: Step-free entrance, indoor and outdoor seating, quiet and well-lit
A cafe counter with large slices of carrot cake, lemon drizzle cake and various others on display.

The Gourmet Pig deli and café, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

JT at the Abergwaun Hotel

Run by husband-and-wife duo Daniel and Lois Thomas-Jones (of Four in a Bed fame), JT at the Abergwaun Hotel is Fishguard’s only fine dining restaurant. Opt for the seasonal tasting menu or mix and match from the à la carte. Standout dishes include cauliflower velouté with wild garlic hazelnut pesto; Welsh beef tartare with ox cheek croquette, Thai-style scallop and herb garden tea; and Welsh venison haunch with teriyaki taco, black garlic and Welsh whisky.

  • Family-friendly with a children’s menu, and highchairs are available
  • Well-behaved dogs are welcome during quieter periods
  • Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, and dietary requirements can be catered for

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Accessible toilets
  • Environment: well-lit, classy atmosphere
A red cocktail in a glass on a table inside a restaurant.
A plate of Welsh pink lamb with vegetables and a jug of gravy.

Cocktails and the Welsh lamb rump, JT at the Abergwaun Hotel, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

Peppers

Peppers – also known as West Wales Arts Centre – is a family-run space led by Myles Pepper, his wife Kim, and their son, composer David Pepper. This creative hub combines an art gallery with an eclectic programme of live music and events, often paired with relaxed, pop-up dining experiences. Expect comforting yet imaginative plates like Polish meatballs in vodka, cream and dill sauce, and beef baked in port, Guinness and pickled walnuts.

  • Smaller portions and child-friendly dishes available upon request - advance notice appreciated
  • Dog-friendly
  • Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible - advance notice required to adapt seating arrangements
  • Large print menus can be made available upon request
  • Accessible toilets
  • Environment: Bright, comfortable and friendly; there's a small, raised step at the entrance

Janes

A treasure trove for knitters and crocheters alike, Janes houses a well-stocked haberdashery and charming coffee shop. Refuel with freshly ground Segafredo coffee, homemade Welsh cakes or bara brith - or go heartier with a Full English or homemade quiche.

  • Smaller portions and highchairs are available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Homemade gluten-free bread, vegetarian breakfast options

Accessibility

  • Environment: quiet; two small steps upon entrance to the coffee shop (assistance available for wheelchair users)
Two Welsh cakes on a white plate, next to a milky coffee.

Welsh cakes and latte at Janes Fishguard, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

Hooked@31

Pop-up fish and chip shop, Hooked@31 cooks battered cod and haddock fresh-to-order, alongside Pembrokeshire potato chips. Treat yourself to some homemade artisan ice cream to finish. Check opening times in advance.

  • Children's menu available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Vegetarian options available

Accessibility

  • Environment: brightly lit, step-free entrance, limited seating space
A cardboard box filled with fish and chips from a chippy.

Battered cod and chips in a box at Hooked@31,Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

Cresswell’s Café

The cheap and cheerful breakfasts at Cresswell's Café are the talk of the twin towns. In a nod to owner Allan’s Scottish roots, start your day with a full Scottish breakfast with haggis, square sausage and black pudding. Alternatively, play it safe with a traditional breakfast, or opt for a legendary Sunday roast dinner.

  • Children’s breakfasts and meals on offer, and highchairs are available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options including vegetarian and vegan breakfasts, sandwich fillings and jacket potato toppings

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Environment: Bright, comfortable and friendly; there's a small raised step at the front entrance
A breakfast plate with sausages, baked beans, tomatoes, bacon, fried egg, mushrooms, fried bread and a cuppa on the side.

Breakfast at Cresswell's Café, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

Places to eat in Goodwick

Ocean Lab Café

Sitting on Goodwick Parrog, Ocean Lab Café is run by Sea Trust Wales and sits next to Sea Môr – a small aquarium showcasing native marine life like rays, small sharks, lobsters, anemones and even an octopus. The space offers a glimpse into the biodiversity of Welsh waters. Indulge in all-day breakfasts, loaded jackets and sandwiches, alongside Welsh classics like rarebit and cawl.

  • Family-friendly with aquarium tours, a nearby play area, children's meals and highchairs available
  • Well-behaved dogs welcome
  • Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options; dietary requirements can be catered for

Accessibility

  • The ground floor of the cafe, the gift shop and the aquarium are wheelchair-accessible
  • Accessible toilets
  • Environment: Well-lit, with indoor and outdoor seating. The aquarium space is somewhat dimly lit
A bowl of beef cawl, a chicken baguette and a cup of coffee on a cafe table.
A aquarium with rocks and a long, thin fish in it.

Beef cawl and fiery Moroccan chicken baguette with coffees and an aquarium at Sea Môr, Ocean Lab Café, Goodwick, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

Dolphin Fish and Chips

Perched opposite the Parrog, Dolphin Fish and Chips is a popular Goodwick chippy known for its freshly cooked cod and haddock, crispy amber-hued Pembrokeshire potato chips, and all the chip shop classics – including meat-free options like halloumi burgers, falafel wraps, and spring rolls.

  • Children’s menu and highchairs are available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Vegetarian options available

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Accessible toilets
  • Environment: Brightly lit; takeaway or indoor seating
A large plate full of battered fish, chips and a pot of mushy peas on a table.

Battered cod, chips and mushy peas at Dolphin Fish and Chips in Goodwick, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

Old Station Café

Based next to the railway station, this unpretentious Goodwick café is best known for its hearty breakfast. However, The Old Station Café's toasties, jackets, and Sunday roasts are well-worth a try too.

  • Children’s menu; highchairs available
  • Dogs are welcome outside, but not inside
  • Vegetarian breakfasts, sandwich fillings and jacket potato toppings; gluten-free menu

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible
  • Accessible toilets
  • Environment: Brightly lit; somewhat noisy
A doorstep of a ham and cheese sandwich on white bread, with a side salad.

Old Station Café, Goodwick, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

So, next time you’re in Pembrokeshire, head north to uncover the thriving food scene behind Fishguard and Goodwick’s ferry-town façade. If you time your visit for October you can also catch the Fishguard Bay Food and Drink Festival.

Use our search to discover attractions, activities and accommodation in Fishguard, or attractions, activities and accommodation in Goodwick for any time of year.

Find out more about Kacie and her work:

A cardboard box with fish and chips in resting on a harbourside wall.

Fish and chips at the harbour in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, West Wales

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