Cafés and restaurants in Neath, Port Talbot and Pontardawe

Right in the centre of Neath, Forty Six 46 is a locals' favourite for its handmade coffees and paninis, pies and filled baguettes. Kids will love it for its quirky interior - old telephones, an ancient propeller, vintage car parts and all sorts of old photos adorn the wood-panelled walls. There's also some nice space at the back to sit outside if it's a sunny day.

A two minute walk from the centre of Neath, this cosy pub bistro is stacked with atmosphere. The Meat and Greet Co prides itself on the quality of its steaks, fish, burgers, loaded fries and homemade deserts. If you're in town on a Sunday, try the roast. It's not to be missed!

Handcrafted coffees, decadent cakes and cookies and sandwiches are the order of the day at Brew&Co, a friendly neighbourhood coffee joint. In their own words 'the coffee is clean and sweet with flavours of dark sugar and chocolate'. The owners are big dog lovers , so pooches are particularly welcome. No surprise that their bulldog stars on the coffee bar's logo.

Sgwd Gwladys is about 15 minutes north of Neath. It takes its name from a nearby waterfall and there are several close by, so it's the ideal place to stop off for a bite after a morning or afternoon exploring them. The menu features dishes made with local ingredients like burgers, fish and chips, sandwiches and steaks. There's a good kids' menu and plenty to keep vegans and veggies happy.

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All your curry favourites are served up at Cinnamon Kitchen, but there are plenty of chef specials to try too - like tangy, spicy Beef Jagnnathpur and hot and rich Balisahasra Chicken. Dine here on Sunday and there's a special buffet - meaning you can sample all sorts of dishes for a fixed price.

The owners lovingly returned this old pub to its former glory back in 2014. Formerly called the Britannia, the Brit Pub is now a welcoming local up the valley a little way in Cwmavon. Inside you'll find upcycled furniture, quirky wall hangings and a bar stocked with quality ales. The excellent food is mostly homemade, using locally sourced ingredients with lots of veggie and vegan offerings. It's everything you'd expect from a cracking local pub.

Franco and his wife Teresa opened their fish and chip shop on Aberavon beach back in 1970. Over 50 years on, Franco's still family-run with a busy restaurant alongside. Classic breakfasts will set you up just right for the day. Freshly cooked fish and chips will be just perfect after a swim or sitting in the sun enjoying the views from one of the outdoor tables by the beach. Burgers, pies and more are on the menu if fish isn't your thing.

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Pub food classics, well cooked and presented are what to expect at the Butchers. There's a changing list of chef specials too with freshly caught fish a regular feature. Despite the name, veggie and vegan options are available. Save room for the homemade deserts. They get great reviews!

There are a few classic Indian restaurants in the centre of Pontardawe. And healthy competition between them means all are well worth a visit. All the usual favourites are on offer at Tamarind and Cardamon  - biryanis, bhunas, massalas, jalfrazis and more. Plenty of veggie options too.