Food and drink on the Cambrian Way

We've created this list of foodie favourites along The Cambrian Way in order - from Cardiff in the south to Llandudno in the north. Whether you do some or all and in this particular order is of course up to you!

Cardiff has a buzzing restaurant scene but a current stand out is Home in Penarth, just across the bay. It’s 'home' to local chef James Sommerin and his daughter Georgina. In 2022 it was awarded a Michelin star and that’s no surprise – their flavours are wonderfully balanced, intensely textured. Try the 8-course tasting menu or watch them cook the food before you eat it at a cooking demo evening. Reservations essential.

Read more: Michelin star restaurants in Wales

Worth a detour: Penderyn Distillery is an hour or so west off The Cambrian Way. Do a tour and learn how the award-winning malts are made and aged. Then try a few. Miniatures are provided for drivers to sample later. There’s a smaller Penderyn distillery in Llandudno at the north end of The Cambrian Way too.

Read more: The Welsh whisky revival

There’s nothing like a juicy burger when you’ve built up an appetite and people come from miles to chow down on the mighty bites at Hills Burgers just outside Brecon. Meat is locally sourced and the options are so varied you’ll struggle to choose. There's New York, Mac 'n' Cheese, Beef and Onion dripping, Southern-fried chicken and meat free alternatives all on offer.

A short hop off The Cambrian Way to Newtown and you’ll find everything tasty imaginable in a jar at Radnor Preserves. Fancy Smokey Campfire Marmalade? How about Blackberry and Cracked Black pepper preserve? If you’re planning a picnic Welsh Ale chutney or some Chilli jam would go perfectly in any sandwich!

Worth a detour: At Dyfi Distillery west of The Cambrian Way near Machynlleth, the Cameron family create their remarkable gins using the most fragrant of botanicals harvested from secret hedgerows in the pristine Dyfi Biosphere. You can see how they do it and sample some too. It's exceptional stuff.

Read more: Join the Welsh gin revolution!

Fancy a pub lunch stop? Try the Brigand’s Inn for no nonsense tasty food served with panache. It’s all made with seasonal local ingredients. Light bites like sandwiches and afternoon tea are also on offer. They have rooms too, so you can stay over and try the famous award-winning breakfast.

Read more: Drink in the history of these intriguing Welsh pubs

Another cracking local pub, you'll find the Cross Foxes Bar & Grill with Rooms just past Dolgellau. Top notch pub fayre is served up with real love here. Lots of the dishes are made with locally sourced ingredients and it’s all hearty, soul-warming stuff with great steaks and excellent fish. You can stay the night here too.

Blas ar Fwyd in the friendly market town of Llanrwst is the place for local food and Welsh wines. Top of the shopping list are biltongs and pies, patés and award-winning Caws Cenarth cheeses – all made in Wales. You can buy unusual spirits as well as wine – fancy Pembrokeshire seaweed spiced rum?

Close to the spectacular National Trust Garden at Bodnant you’ll find the Welsh Food Centre. The farm shop sells all sorts of local goodies, there’s a fantastic café too. But for the serious foodie, the cookery classes are the draw. Tastes of Thailand, Pasta Masterclass and Kid’s Baking classes are just some recent classes. It’s essential to book ahead as they are deservedly popular!

There are lots of fine eateries in Llandudno, but Dylan’s is particularly special. The setting in a gorgeously restored Art Deco domed pavilion on the promenade is wonderfully atmospheric. The food is equally inviting – unfussy and locally sourced with plenty to keep kids happy too. You’re by the seaside so the obvious choice is the sparklingly fresh seafood.

Read more: Foodie moments in Llandudno