As we near Christmas and the New Year you might be keen on reserving a spot at one of Wales’ many highly esteemed restaurants. Despite the cost-of-living crisis wreaking havoc on the industry in recent years, causing the unfortunate shutdown of many favourites, there’s still an abundance of restaurants you can support.
Although customers may also have found themselves with less disposable income of late, it’s clear that people are helping their local venues where possible – with many venues having limited availability in the coming weeks. With it being a busy time of year for hospitality, we’ve listed some of Wales’ most popular restaurants and checked how far in advance you need to book to secure a table
We attempted to bag a slot for two at 7pm this Saturday night, and although it was tricky to get our preferred time at some restaurants this weekend, some had available slots as early as Saturday, December 21. For the latest restaurant reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here
However, others didn’t have availability for a number of weeks, while one had no 7pm Saturday tables until June. Here’s what we found out at the time we went to press (Monday, December 16):
READ MORE: The full list of Welsh restaurants in the Michelin Guide
READ MORE: The 10 Cardiff restaurants most booked in 2024
Pasture – spring / summer
The restaurant is famous for its dry aged steaks -Credit:Mark Lewis
This is one of the hottest tables in Cardiff if you’re looking for a steakhouse that has it all. Perfect for those looking for a meat feast and great craft beers, cocktails and wines. It’s no wonder that we struggled to secure a table for 7pm on a Saturday.
In fact, the next available table at Saturday night at 7pm is June 7. There is some Saturday night availability at the restaurant from March, but times are generally limited to early or late times. Don’t worry, there is more availability at lunchtimes and weekdays. Make sure to check months in advance if you want to dine here at a specific time and date. However, sister restaurant Parallel, which is right next door, has dinner reservations this week and next.
Where: 8-10 High St, Cardiff CF10 1BB
Website
Ynyshir – mid-January
This is the only restaurant in Wales to be awarded two Michelin stars. From its peaceful setting on the Dyfi Estuary to its luxurious bedrooms, it’s everything a destination restaurant with rooms should be.
The Michelin guide review praises it for its “truly unique experience”. It then adds: “Regional sheepskins and handmade crockery show the team’s pride in their Welsh locale, while you can extend your visit in one of the luxurious bedrooms.”
The eaterie does not take bookings on Saturdays, so we tried Friday at 7pm instead. Unsurprisingly we were unable to get a table until January 17.
Where: Ynyshir Restaurant & Rooms, Eglwys Fach, Machynlleth, SY20 8TA
Website.
Paternoster Farm – this weekend
Paternoster Farm probably still isn’t a name as readily recognised as some of Wales’ best-known restaurants. But you’ll have a job finding better, more delicious, food anywhere. Think slow roast Welsh mountain mutton shoulder, with cavolo nero, shallots and dill oil in the winter, or mullet crudo with locally caught fish, lime and juicy peaches in summer.
They often are booked up months in advance and will advertise last minute tables on their social media. Unbelievably they had a table this Saturday for 6.30pm. The last one left, so be quick.
Where: Paternoster Farm , Hundleton , Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom, SA71 5RX
Book
Asador 44 – post Christmas
If you’re fancying fire-cooked Spanish fare pre-Christmas you might be hard pushed to get a dinner reservation, but lunch and dinner are free. Plenty of dinner reservations open from December 27.
Where: 14–15 Quay St, Cardiff CF10 1DD
Website
The Warren – this weekend
Venison wrapped in bacon with wild rice and mushrooms -Credit:Media Wales
The restaurant and cafe bar had a reputation for its innovative approach long before it even turned the grill on – it opened in 2016 after a crowdfunding campaign raised more than £20,000 and made one man’s dream a reality. In the space of 12 months, it went from a penniless pipe dream to TripAdvisor’s number one restaurant in Carmarthenshire. We were very happy to be able to secure a table at 7pm on Saturday.
Where: The Warren, 11 Mansel Street, Carmarthen, Wales, SA311PX
Read more.
Hiraeth – this weekend, only just
Michelin Guide approved and double AA Rosette-holder Hiraeth opened its doors near Victoria Park in Cardiff in 2024. The independent eaterie took the place of popular small plates restaurant, Nook, closed its doors earlier this year.
Previously Hiraeth called Cowbridge home before the venue was put up for sale and they moved to Court Coleman Manor House Hotel in Bridgend. After exiting the Bridgend site, which they say “didn’t fit” they are now calling Victoria Park home. While at its previous locations, Hiraeth was named in the prestigious Michelin Guide, the AA Guide and the Good Food Guide.
We were not able to bag a 7pm table for Saturday night when we tried, however there were a small number of other times available: 5.30pm, 5.45pm, 6pm and 9pm. There were no available tables left on December 28, but plenty of space the week after on January 4.
Where: 587 Cowbridge Rd E, Cardiff CF5 1BE
Book here.
Home by James Sommerin – next weekend
In November 2021, just months after it opened, it was added to the Michelin Guide before achieving a Michelin star. Its tasting menu is based around the seasons so a meal here will be different with every visit.
As expected we were not able to get a table as soon as this Saturday. We were also unable to get a 7pm next Saturday on December 28, however there were plenty more times available. When we tried this in December 2023, there was limited availability for several weeks. We highly recommend booking as early as possible, particularly at busy times of year.
Where: 1 Royal Buildings, Stanwell Road, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, United Kingdom, CF64 3EB
You can book here.
Ciliegino – this weekend
The authentic Italian restaurant was named one of Cardiff’s most booked restaurants in 2024. The star attraction of the menu is its famous Pizza with dough that takes 48 hours to prepare.
We were very pleased that we could secure a table for two this Saturday. There were plenty of times available when we checked, including our preferred 7pm slot. However, we did check five days in advance to secure this time, so we recommend checking at least a week in advance just in case.
Where: 90 Grand Arcade, Dewi Sant, St Davids Centre, Cardiff CF10 2EL
Find out more.
Janet’s Authentic Northern Chinese Restaurant – this weekend, just about
Korean honey chicken and crispy sweet and sour pork at Janet’s in Pontypridd -Credit:Karen Price
Janet’s Korean and Chinese roots flavour every dish on her ever-changing menu, and it’s thanks to her family’s traditions, thriving in the Korean part of China where thousands of Koreans emigrated to in the 19th century and during the Japanese occupation in the early 20th century.
The menu features a selection of dishes, from all over South East Asia, but we specialise in Food from the Yanbian Area of China and Korea. It promises there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
When we tried booking a table for two at 7pm on Saturday, there were no slots for that time. However, there were slots available at 6pm and 6.15pm. Mor times were available the following week on December 28.
Where: 3 Church St, Pontypridd CF37 2TH
Website.
Freckled Angel – next weekend
Bangor-born chef-owner Michael Jones’ small plates combine Welsh ingredients with international flavour combinations. Previous dishes include king prawns with chorizo croquette and charred corn, and twice baked perl las souffle with balsamic grapes.
We were not able to book a 7pm table for Saturday, with no slots available after 5pm. However, there was more availability the following weekend on December 28, including at 7pm.
Where: Freckled angel, Dale St, Menai Bridge LL59 5AH
Read more.
Terra Mare – this weekend
Terra Mare opened in Cardiff’s High Street in October, promising the Welsh capital ‘a slice of high-end London dining’. It serves dishes such as grilled octopus, celeriac, tapenade and chard as well as snail bolognaise, parsley sponge, spenwood, pane casereccio crisps.
We were pleased to be able to book a table for this Saturday. Although we weren’t able to select a 7pm table, there were still a number of times available for us to choose from.
Where: 28 High St, Cardiff CF10 1PU
Website.
The Shed – this weekend
Roast mallard, cavolo nero and bacon -Credit:WalesOnline
The Shed opened in Swansea in February, bringing together everything Swansea-born executive chef Jonathan Woolway, 43, learned working with Fergus Henderson in London. You can see pictures inside the venue by clicking here.
It was even praised by Guardian food writer Grace Dent for its love of Welsh ingredients and tasty puddings. Writing in the Guardian she said: “It is a place for farm-to-fork lovers keen to eat every mooing, baa-ing tasty thing from across the Gower Peninsula, the Brecon Beacons, Herefordshire, and the lush farmland of West Wales and the Monmouthshire borders.” We were pleased to see we could get a table for two for Saturday at 7pm. There were plenty of tables available.
Where: Unit 1-2, J Shed Arcade, Kings Rd, Swansea SA1 8PL
Find out more.
Yr Hen Printworks – this weekend, just about
The restaurant opened in June 2021 and has already received critical acclaim for its small plates menu which features locally sourced ingredients. The venue on Carrier’s Lane in the town centre was originally the stone-built Old Hope Chapel and later became the printworks for the local newspaper, before undergoing a complete renovation two years ago.
Last year it became only the third in Wales to be awarded a prestigious Michelin accolade, the Bib Gourmand. While we were not able to get a 7pm table for Saturday, there was availability at 8pm, 8.30pm and 9pm.
Where: Carrier’s Ln, Cardigan SA43 1FA
Find out more.
Six by Nico – next weekend
Deep-fried Mars bar at Six by Nico -Credit:WalesOnline
The restaurant has branches in London, Manchester and Liverpool, among other places. Its London branch was described in a food review as being “the busiest restaurant on Charlotte Street” where staff were “fobbing off hopeful walk-ins by the dozen”.
There is no surprise that availability this weekend was limited, with no tables available between 4.45pm and 9pm. More slots were available to book for the following weekend on December 28.
Where: 27 High St, Cardiff CF10 1PU
Website.
The Gaff – next weekend
In the heart of Abergavenny, The Gaff serves creative small plates with influences drawn from across the globe and uses only the best quality ingredients. Chef-owner Dan Saunders was a former head chef at the Walnut Tree so he’s learned a thing or two from one of the country’s best. If it’s a glorious sunny day, you can enjoy the weather in their gorgeous courtyard.
While there were no tables available later than 2pm on Saturday, December 21, there were more tables available the following week on December 28. With so many tables already booked up five days in advance, it’s best to try making your reservation at least two weeks in advance.
Where: Unit 4 The Courtyard, Lion St, Abergavenny NP7 5PE
Book a table here.