12 of the Best Restaurants in Snowdonia
Alongside snow-capped peaks, picturesque country parks and adrenaline-filled adventures, Snowdonia is the perfect holiday destination for fervent foodies. There’s a buffet of mouth-watering eateries for every occasion. Head to one of the many cosy pubs for lunch after a blustery mountain walk. Or treat your significant other to a romantic dinner with wine at a five-star hotel. Best of all, there’s no need to worry if you’re a vegetarian or vegan – North Wales has something for everyone! Hungry? Keep reading as we share some of the best restaurants in Snowdonia to satisfy your appetite.
Best restaurants in Snowdonia for special occasions
Y Bistro Yn Yr Hebog
If you’re on the hunt for romantic places to eat in Snowdonia, you’ll adore Y Bistro Yn Yr Hebog. It’s only a short drive from Snowdonia National Park. So, it’s perfect if you want to spoil your partner after a long day of fell walking.
The menu teems with locally sourced produce from standout Welsh suppliers. Plus, there’s not a microwave in sight – the chefs cook everything from scratch. What’s on the menu? Expect uncomplicated Welsh cuisine with big flavours. We love the lamb with braised red cabbage and pork tenderloin stuffed with apples, apricots and sage.
Room for dessert? You can’t leave without squeezing in the traditional bara brith pudding. Bara brith is also known as “speckled bread” because it includes raisins and candied peel. It’s particularly delicious when paired with marmalade and custard. The tanginess of the fruit preserve cuts through the sweetness of the custard for a well-balanced and moreish pud.
Brasserie at Castell Deudraeth
Brasserie at Castell Deudraeth is one of the best restaurants in Snowdonia for special occasions. We suggest booking it for a wedding anniversary or Valentine’s Day.
The luxurious restaurant sits within a 19th-century castle overlooking the spectacular mountains of Meirionnydd. Inside, you’ll find plenty of showstopping period features. The chocolatey oak accents and slate floor perfectly contrast the dining room’s contemporary feel.
The brasserie serves a scrumptious breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you pre-book lunch, you’ll also gain complimentary access to Portmeirion village. It’s an enchanting Italian-inspired haven surrounded by sun, sea and surf.
The menu combines Welsh and Mediterranean influences. Enjoy ham hock terrine served with zingy sweetcorn and red pepper salsa, followed by grilled seabass on a bed of herb risotto. Of course, the wine menu is to die for! The knowledgeable servers will recommend the finest vintages for your dishes.
Olif
Olif is a five-star boutique bed and breakfast in Betws Y Coed – a popular village known as the “gateway to Snowdonia”. The region has a distinctive alpine feel, cocooned by frosty peaks and the dense Gwydyr Forest Park. Plus, a diverse collection of cafés, restaurants and pubs.
Olif dishes up Spanish and Welsh fusion food – who says you have to go abroad to indulge in exotic flavours? The menu boasts tempting small plates using traceable produce. The meat and eggs are sourced from local farmers, while the seafood is fresh from the North Wales coast. Even the butter is churned in Snowdonia!
What treats await on the tapas-style menu? Anglesey eggs and creamy leek mash topped with double cream or tender squid rings coated in beer batter. The grazing boards will hit the spot if you have a big appetite. We recommend the Welsh cheese grazing board. It showcases Perl Wen brie-style cheese, Snowdonia Black Bomber mature cheddar and Perl Las blue cheese.
Cosy and casual places to eat in Snowdonia
Yr Eagles
The best places to eat in Snowdonia are often humble and perfect for relaxing after a hilly stroll. Yr Eagles in Llanuwchllyn is a traditional pub with a spacious outside seating area, cosy dining room and well-stocked bar.
The rustic stone facade gives way to ye-olde interiors, including oak beams and a wood-burning stove. In summer, the view from the beer garden is exquisite, overlooking the winding Afon Dyfrdwy. During winter, nab a table by the fire and warm your cockles with a mulled wine or cider.
The team believes a good meal is the highlight of any day. As such, they take great care in preparing soul-soothing pub favourites. Keep it simple with a succulent grilled gammon steak or beef lasagne. Fancy something lighter? Try the lunch menu. There’s an impressive spread of paninis, sandwiches and soups.
The Cross Foxes
The Cross Foxes in Trawsfynydd provides a refuge for intrepid explorers. Its outdoorsy location makes it the perfect spot for adrenaline junkies. Nearby, you’ll find an abundance of walking trails and cycling paths – not to mention lakes for canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding.
The restaurant is unassuming but memorable, with a good selection of food for meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans. You can’t go wrong with scampi, chips and a citrusy tartare sauce. Been brushing up on your water sports skills all day? Stave off the chill with a delicious pie and mash.
The B&B has also got you covered if you’re heading out on a fun-filled adventure. They offer scrummy meals on the go, so you have more time to discover the glorious Welsh countryside. Most importantly, their packed lunches are backpack-friendly.
Yr Hen Fecws
Yr Hen Fecws in Porthmadog is one of the prettiest places to eat in Snowdonia. The bustling coastal town has a rich maritime history. Moreover, it’s a convenient base for trekking through Snowdon’s jaw-dropping mountain ranges. Feeling energetic after lunch? Visit the local railway lines – the Ffestiniog, Welsh Highland Railway and Welsh Highland Heritage Railway cut through the region’s rolling green vistas.
The charming guest house dazzles famished tourists with traditional architectural features. The exposed beams and stonework are wonderfully antiquated. But the interiors are surprisingly modern. We adore the rustic brickwork and roaring fireplace. They both add to the venue’s cosy ambience.
There’s enough on the menu to delight the fussiest eaters. The influence? Classic pub grub with a twist. Who needs a bland pork chop when you could have crispy pork belly with chorizo mash, tender stem broccoli and Chantenay carrots? Instead of calamari rings which are – let’s face it – almost always overdone, try the pan-seared scallops with a black pudding crumb and pea purée.
Caffi Gwynant
Whether you’re looking for a substantial meal or a light snack, Caffi Gwynant ticks all the boxes. It’s one of the best restaurants in Snowdonia for ramblers who are about to start or have finished summiting Snowdon. As you can imagine, scaling the UK’s second highest mountain is hungry work. So, the team has put together a soulful menu packed with global cuisine.
The 1085m climb requires some calories. Before setting off, choose a filling yet healthy burrito bowl with avocado, wild rice and lime-pickled onions. Got a sweet tooth? You’ll go crazy for the homemade banana bread. Who can resist grilled bananas, Greek yoghurt, blueberry compote and caramelised banana pistachios? Delicious!
Afterwards, you can opt for something a little heavier. Celebrate your victory with a buttermilk turkey and parmesan potato waffle doused in maple gravy. The beef brisket benedict is equally naughty. The smoky shredded meat, soft poached eggs and slightly spicy ‘nduja hollandaise sauce is an irresistible combination.
Best restaurants in Snowdonia for vegans and vegetarians
Y Sgwâr
Searching for places to eat in Snowdonia for veg-heads? Check out Y Sgwâr. It’s suitable for every taste and dietary requirement, thanks to its tasty and varied menus.
The cobble-stoned building is nestled within the market square of Tremadog. This magical Welsh-speaking village hasn’t changed much over the last two centuries. There are countless historic buildings to explore, including cosy inns and magnificent chapels.
The restaurant invites hungry travellers in with hearty portions. Alongside homegrown meat and freshly caught seafood, there’s a wealth of options for vegetarians and vegans. Forget about wilting lettuce leaves and soggy tomatoes. Instead, feast on mock duck pancakes, garlic mushrooms with sourdough and arancini.
The venue is also ideal for a warming Sunday lunch. The meat-free roast comes with crispy potatoes and colourful vegetables. The pièce de résistance is the chef’s famous seasonal crumble – fruit always tastes better straight from the tree!
Pete’s Eats
Pete’s Eats is a small but friendly café that serves a good selection of plant-based grub. The no-frills setting is ideal for a quick catch-up with friends or a light bite before touring the town of Llanberis.
Alongside breakfast, lunch and dinner, the venue serves some of the best coffee in the area. Prefer lager over lattes? Quench your thirst with the fantastic selection of natural Dutch beers.
The pizza menu is perhaps the biggest incentive. There are plenty of veggie-friendly options available, including a vegan margherita. You can even jazz up the traditional base with vegan sausage, red onion, caramelised onion or goat’s cheese.
The Eating Gorilla
More people than ever are adopting a plant-based lifestyle. This means many restaurants are adapting to meet the growing demand. Too often, vegetarian and vegan food is tasteless and unimaginative. Luckily, The Eating Gorilla is on hand to change that.
The café is entirely vegan, meaning you can dine guilt-free. Even better, most ingredients are seasonal and homegrown, eliminating unnecessary air travel. We know veg-heads love avocados, but shipping them to Wales isn’t particularly economical!
Expect dishes like the winter buddha bowl. It’s packed with marinated artichoke hearts, red cabbage and cherry tomatoes. The southern fried chickless wings and battered fishless fillet are also worth a try if you love decadent comfort food. Seasonal specials might include a superfood-centred spring risotto or festive nut roast.
The restaurant is proud of its charity work. It supports the Pole Pole Foundation. It’s a grass-roots NGO that protects the endangered eastern lowland gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. When you eat here, you’ll also be supporting their vital preservation work.
Are there any Michelin star restaurants in Snowdonia?
Palé Hall
While there aren’t any Michelin star restaurants in Snowdonia, there are a few on the outskirts. The short journeys are well worth the exceptional settings and food. One of these venues is Palé Hall in Llandderfel. It’s only a stone’s throw from Snowdonia National Park.
The acclaimed restaurant boasts three rosettes and a Michelin green star. The latter is awarded to establishments that are pioneers in sustainability. The team work with ethical suppliers and strive to remove non-recyclable materials from their supply chain.
Head Chef Gareth Stevenson consistently surprises guests with his vision, creativity and skill. His eight-course tasting menu is an unforgettable culinary experience. It’s overflowing with unusual combinations like yeast-glazed maitake mushroom and confit hen’s yolk. Classic flavours include salt-baked beetroot with crème fraîche and scallop tartare on a bed of roast cauliflower.
Ynyshir
Ynyshir is slightly further afield, brushing the southern flank of Snowdonia. Nevertheless, it’s a must-visit if you’re in the vicinity. It’s the only restaurant in Wales with two Michelin stars, so you won’t regret the drive.
At £350 per head, you expect an experience from start to finish. Clearly, Ynyshir delivers. It promises kitchen theatrics, live music, fire (yes, you read that correctly) and intense world flavours. The dinner takes around four to five hours in total. You’ll leave well-fed with stories to share for a lifetime.
The menu changes pretty often, but its descriptions are always vague. This adds to the overall intrigue and excitement. However, expect the best meat and fish from around the globe and a trove of unusual spices. Be warned – you cannot make substitutions, and the restaurant doesn’t cater to dietary requirements.
Book your gourmet tour of Snowdonia today
Now you know the best restaurants in Snowdonia, it’s time to flesh out your holiday itinerary. Alongside tucking into the region’s finest cuisine, explore its abundant green spaces, rocky crags and wildlife hotspots. There are adventures to be had for the whole family.
Searching for comfortable accommodation? Visit our website to find more helpful guides. You might like luxury cottages with hot tubs or self-catering lodges. Alternatively, weather permitting, you could become one with the great outdoors on a back-to-basics campervan or glamping expedition.
