The Best Restaurants, Cafés & Foodie Experiences in North Wales

Last updated on August 5th, 2026 at 11:47 am

North Wales might be best known for its dramatic mountains, beautiful beaches and historic castles, but it’s also an incredible place to eat.

From cosy traditional pubs and award-winning restaurants to artisan farm shops, local cheese producers and cafés serving homemade cakes, there’s something here for every kind of foodie. Whether you’re spending a weekend in Llandudno, exploring Conwy, or road-tripping through Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, you’ll never be far from a great meal.

I first discovered many of these places during a foodie trip with Visit Wales, and I’ve returned to North Wales many times since. Alongside the restaurants I was lucky enough to visit, I’ve also included a few places that come highly recommended by locals and fellow travellers.

Whilst I certainly haven’t eaten in every restaurant in North Wales, these are some of my favourite foodie spots, along with a few places that come highly recommended. If you have a favourite that I’ve missed, let me know in the comments – I’d love to check it out on my next visit.

At a Glance

If you’re short on time, here are a few of my favourites:

• Best traditional pub: The Cottage Loaf, Llandudno
• Best farm shop & foodie experience: Bodnant Welsh Food
• Best fine dining: Signatures Restaurant, Conwy
• Best café: Forte’s, Llandudno
• Best for local produce: Edwards of Conwy

Traditional Welsh Foods You Have to Try

• Welsh Rarebit – Rich, cheesy toast with a mustard and ale sauce.
• Welsh Cakes – Somewhere between a scone and a biscuit, best eaten warm.
• Bara Brith – Fruity tea loaf served with salted butter.
• Caerphilly Cheese – Wales’ most famous cheese.
• Welsh Lamb – Some of the best in the UK.
• Menai Mussels – Fresh mussels from the Menai Strait.
• Laverbread – A traditional seaweed delicacy if you’re feeling adventurous!

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Best Foodie Experiences in North Wales

Bodnant Welsh Food

If you only have time for one foodie stop in North Wales, make it Bodnant Welsh Food.

Nestled in the beautiful Conwy Valley, this award-winning food centre celebrates everything that’s great about Welsh produce. Set within lovingly restored farm buildings, it’s much more than just a restaurant. You’ll also find a farm shop, bakery, deli, butchers, dairy, tearoom and beautiful gardens, making it the perfect place to spend a few hours.

One of my favourite parts of the visit was seeing where some of their famous Welsh cheeses are made (I’m slightly obsessed with cheese, so this was always going to be a highlight!). We also enjoyed a wine tasting before sitting down for lunch at the Hayloft Restaurant, where local ingredients take centre stage.

Even if you don’t stop for a full meal, it’s well worth visiting to stock up on Welsh cheese, cakes and local produce to take home.

Best Places to Eat in Conwy

Signatures Restaurant

One of the biggest surprises of the weekend was Signatures Restaurant.

Hidden within the Aberconwy Resort & Spa just outside Conwy, this stylish restaurant completely exceeded my expectations. From beautifully presented dishes to excellent service and a relaxed atmosphere, it felt more like somewhere you’d expect to find in a city than on a holiday park.

Everything I ate was delicious, but what I remember most was finally trying Welsh rarebit for the first time. If you’ve never had it before, it’s one of Wales’ most famous dishes and definitely worth ordering if you see it on a menu.

Watson’s Bistro

A lovely family-run restaurant tucked away inside Conwy’s medieval walls.

After a morning of zip lining, this cosy little bistro was exactly what we needed. Everything is made using locally sourced ingredients, and my pumpkin soup followed by a chicken Caesar salad hit the spot perfectly.

It’s a great choice if you’re exploring Conwy Castle or wandering around the town.

Edwards of Conwy

If you love local produce, don’t miss Edwards of Conwy.

This award-winning family-run butcher and delicatessen has become something of a North Wales institution. It’s famous for its high-quality Welsh meat, homemade pies, sausages, locally produced cheeses and deli treats, and every time I walked past there was a queue outside – always a good sign!

Whether you’re picking up supplies for a picnic, ingredients for a holiday cottage, or just fancy taking a few Welsh goodies home, it’s well worth stopping by.

Next door you’ll also find Parisella’s Ice Cream Parlour. Sadly, after an entire weekend dedicated to eating my way around North Wales, I simply couldn’t squeeze in another dessert! But judging by the constant queue (even on a chilly October day), I’d say it’s definitely worth adding to your North Wales foodie list.

Best Places to Eat in Llandudno

Llandudno has no shortage of fantastic places to eat, whether you’re after a hearty pub lunch, fresh seafood, homemade cakes or an ice cream while strolling along the Victorian promenade. I’ve eaten at a few of these myself, while others come highly recommended by both locals and visitors and are firmly on my list for my next trip.

The Cottage Loaf

If you’re looking for a cosy traditional pub, The Cottage Loaf is hard to beat.

Located right in the heart of Llandudno, this popular gastropub is known for its warm atmosphere, generous portions and excellent selection of local ales. I stopped here for lunch on my last visit and loved it. It was Sunday, so the roast dinners were flying out of the kitchen, but I opted for the lasagne with garlic bread and salad instead. As someone who’s very picky about lasagne, I can honestly say it didn’t disappoint.

I told myself I was far too full for dessert… until I spotted the menu. Let’s just say the millionaire’s shortbread brownie sundae was worth making an exception for!

Home Cookin’

A Llandudno favourite for decades, Home Cookin’ is famous for generous portions of traditional Welsh and British comfort food. Think homemade pies, roast dinners, casseroles and plenty of delicious homemade desserts. If you’re looking for hearty, home-cooked food at reasonable prices, this is one of the town’s most popular choices.

Osborne House

Overlooking the seafront, Osborne House combines beautiful views with modern British cooking. It’s a popular spot for everything from a relaxed lunch to a special evening meal, with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients and locally sourced Welsh produce.

Forte’s

Whether you’re after breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake or simply an ice cream while wandering along the promenade, Forte’s is a Llandudno institution. This long-established family-run café is loved by both locals and visitors and makes the perfect place to stop and refuel after exploring the town.

The Goat

One of Llandudno’s newest restaurants, The Goat has quickly built an excellent reputation for its modern British menu showcasing locally sourced Welsh ingredients. Its stylish interior and seafront location make it a great choice whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself to dinner by the sea.

Looking for More Llandudno Recommendations?

Llandudno is one of my favourite bases for exploring North Wales, and I’ve put together a dedicated guide covering the best things to do, where to stay, hidden gems and plenty more restaurant recommendations.

Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Llandudno

Best Places to Eat in Betws-y-Coed

Whether you’re refuelling after a hike in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park or simply exploring one of North Wales’ prettiest villages, Betws-y-Coed has plenty of great places to eat.

Y Stablau

If you’re looking for somewhere relaxed after a day exploring Eryri (Snowdonia), Y Stablau is a brilliant choice.

This lively bar and grill is known for its hearty portions, locally sourced Welsh ingredients, craft beers and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’ve spent the day hiking, mountain biking or simply wandering around Betws-y-Coed, it’s exactly the sort of place where you’ll want to settle in with a good meal and a drink.

The Grill Room at The Royal Oak Hotel

For something a little more special, head next door to The Grill Room at The Royal Oak Hotel.

Serving modern Welsh cuisine using seasonal local produce, it’s one of the village’s best places for a leisurely dinner. The charcoal Josper grill is a real highlight, producing beautifully cooked steaks and grilled dishes packed with flavour, while the menu changes with the seasons to showcase the very best ingredients North Wales has to offer.

Hangin’ Pizzeria

One of the most popular restaurants in Betws-y-Coed, Hangin’ Pizzeria is known for its wood-fired pizzas, relaxed atmosphere and generous portions. It’s a great choice after a day spent hiking, mountain biking or exploring the surrounding waterfalls.

Ty Gwyn Hotel

Dating back to the 16th century, Ty Gwyn Hotel is one of the village’s best-loved traditional pubs. Expect hearty home-cooked meals, local ales and a cosy atmosphere, especially during the cooler months when the fire is roaring.

The Alpine Coffee Shop

A favourite with walkers and cyclists, The Alpine Coffee Shop is the perfect place to stop for breakfast, lunch or a slice of homemade cake. Their sandwiches, soups and cakes have earned them an excellent reputation over the years.

Caffi Caban-y-Pair

Overlooking the River Llugwy, this friendly café is a lovely spot for coffee, brunch or lunch while watching the river rush past below. It’s particularly popular during the warmer months when you can sit outside and enjoy the view.

Cadwaladers

No visit to North Wales is complete without trying a Cadwaladers ice cream. Founded in Criccieth in 1927, this famous Welsh ice cream company now has cafés across the region, including Betws-y-Coed, serving delicious ice cream, waffles, cakes and hot drinks.

Worth the Detour: Tu Hwnt i’r Bont Tearoom

Just a five-minute drive from Betws-y-Coed in the pretty market town of Llanrwst, Tu Hwnt i’r Bont Tearoom is one of the most photographed buildings in North Wales.

Dating back to the 15th century, this historic tearoom sits beside the beautiful Pont Fawr bridge and is famous for its ivy-covered exterior, which turns a spectacular shade of crimson in autumn. Inside, you’ll find a cosy tearoom serving traditional Welsh dishes, homemade cakes, afternoon tea and, of course, plenty of tea and coffee. It also serves Welsh classics such as rarebit, bara brith and Welsh cakes, making it the perfect place to sample some local flavours.

I hope this gives you some ideas of places to eat in North Wales! Let me know if you have any other recommendations I can add to the list!

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Please Note: Thank you to the team at Visit Wales for hosting me on my trip. As always, all opinions are my own. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate sales help with the running costs of this site, so thank you for your support!