Five of Wales’s finest restaurants have made it onto this year’s list of best restaurants in the UK and we’re delighted that some of our favourites are included!

Duck Hash at The Hardwick © Visit Wales

The National Restaurant Awards are decided each year by a panel of 150 industry experts – including chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and other food professionals – who choose the best 100 restaurants out of all the restaurants in the UK.

Not surprisingly, the list is dominated by eating places in London, so it is great news that five restaurants in Wales have made it onto the list. This compares to four from Scotland and one from Northern Ireland.

At number 11 is The Walnut Tree in Llanddewi Skirrid in Monmouthshire, South East Wales. The Walnut Tree is the highest placed Welsh restaurant on the list and this Michelin starred restaurant concentrates on fresh, local produce, so the menu changes daily to reflect what’s in season and what’s available. The Walnut Tree is famous for its seafood dishes.

Just five minutes away from The Walnut Tree is another top rated restaurant. Coming in at number 40 on the list, The Hardwick in Abergavenny is a comfortable yet high end restaurant and hotel situated on the edge of the Brecon Beacons. The Hardwick is all about local produce, serving award winning bread from Hay-on-Wye, Welsh cheeses and locally line-caught fish to name but a few specialities.

Jumping up 10 places from last year to reach number 60 is Wright's Food Emporium in Llanarthne in Carmarthenshire, West Wales. This unpretentious café-restaurant, near the National Botanic Garden of Wales, is well positioned for a top notch lunch or supper after a day out, though many travel to the area for Wright's food alone. The menu balances world-inspired dishes with local produce and traditional favourites.

At number 76 is Tyddyn Llan in Corwen, North East Wales, a restaurant run by a husband and wife duo. The top-end dishes and taster menus feature specially-sourced ingredients including fish fresh from the coast and game from the nearby butcher.

Ynyshir Hall © Visit Wales

Ynyshir Hall in Machynlleth, West Wales, is at number 85.This multiple award-winning Michelin starred restaurant is an elegant fine-dining destination. With only set menus and taster menus to choose from, diners are treated to an experience, not just a plate of food. Like the other Welsh restaurants on the list, it excels in finding the best Welsh produce in its vicinity. 

The top UK restaurant in this year’s National Restaurant Awards was The Sportsman near Whitstable in Kent.

Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel and Tourism, said: “It is great news that Wales is now one of the regions outside London which boasts the highest number of top restaurants, as recognised by the National Restaurant Awards. We are delighted that some of our favourite eating places in Wales are on the list and just a few weeks ago we enjoyed a sumptuous meal at The Sportsman in Kent with a group of food and drink connoisseurs.”

Click here to find out more about the National Restaurant Awards and click here for more information about the Welsh restaurants on the list. If you would like Janet Redler Travel & Tourism to organise a tailor made tour for you or your group taking in some of the UK’s finest food and drink experiences please do contact us.