The best places to eat in Ceredigion

Crwst, Cardigan

Best for: Brunch

Named by The Guardian as one of the best breakfast cafés in the UK, Crwst on Priory Street in the centre of Cardigan is a must-visit for a hearty way to start your day. This laidback eatery has several sites across Wales, all serving their renowned baked goods and delicious meals. Sweet tooths will love the freshly baked, mouth-watering brioche doughnuts or the loaded pancake stacks. Or if something savoury is more your thing you could opt for the full Welsh breakfast made with local bacon, sausage, eggs, black pudding, homemade beans and traditional laver bread. 

The Beach Hut, Llangrannog

Best for: Casual fish dishes

The Beach Hut is a casual family-run café serving fresh, home-cooked fish dishes right beside the sea. It's popular with locals and visitors alike for its hearty fish & chips, fish burgers, fish curry, baked sea bass and more – all to be enjoyed with views over the golden sands of Llangrannog beach, nestled between dramatic cliffs. You can grab a takeaway or eat in, soaking up the sea air out on the terrace or seeking shelter in the rustic indoor space if the weather’s a little wild. There are local beers and wines on offer to pair with your meal too, should the mood strike.

Caws Teifi Cheese, Teifi Valley

Best for: Cheese! 

Caws Teifi Cheese is the longest-established artisan cheesemaker in Wales, and the most highly awarded in Britain. For more than three decades they’ve been making cheese on their farm in the gorgeous Teifi Valley, using their raw milk process which is said to have a better taste, be better for the environment and have all kinds of health benefits. You can visit the farm shop to buy some to take home or you can book a tasting experience where you’ll learn all about the farm and its history, as well as sample some of the delicious cheeses, of course. Their selection includes Natural and Heritage classic Teifi cheeses, as well as a whole range of different flavours including cumin, nettle, sweet pepper and seaweed. 

Ynyshir, Eglwys Fach

Best for: Michelin Star fine dining 

For an extra special fine dining experience head to Ynyshir, a prestigious two Michelin star restaurant with 5 AA Rosettes – it’s the only restaurant to have such high accolades in the whole of Wales so you’ll need to reserve your table well in advance. With Chef Gareth Ward at the helm, Ynyshir serves alternative tasting menus taking you on an immersive culinary journey. Expect up to thirty courses over four to five hours, with the likes of peking duck, lobster, black cod and bluefin tuna – complete with accompanying music curated by an in-house DJ. Its remote rural location near Snowdonia National Park and Machynlleth only adds to the adventure too.

Pizza Tipi, Cardigan

Best for: Pizza

If handmade stone-baked pizzas in a quirky waterside courtyard sounds up your street, make sure you check out Pizza Tipi in Cardigan. Set in a cosy tipi-style tent on the banks of the River Teifi, this unique venue has a great atmosphere as well as great food. On the menu you’ll find an array of wood-fired pizzas crafted with locally sourced ingredients and creative flair from the young owners and chefs. You can expect tasty toppings like ‘spicy nduja sausage’, ‘beef with garlic basil pesto’ and ‘mushroom moussaka’. They serve an excellent range of Welsh craft beers too, plus sweet treats and ice cream if you’ve got room for dessert. 

Dragonfly Bistro, Aberystwyth  

Best for: vegetarian & vegan dishes

Dragonfly Bistro is an award-winning restaurant in Aberystwyth with an ethos to ‘create a great experience for vegans, vegetarians and those with allergies and intolerances, by offering a wide selection of food, cakes and treats’…and that it does! With hearty pies, loaded fries, soups, salads and cakes all available on the lunch menu and full three-course vegan dinners on offer in the evening, there are plenty of delicious options for plant-based foodies. They also host events like ‘chippy night’ and ‘American diner night’ so keep an eye on their Facebook page to find out what’s on.

Y Talbot, Tregaron

Best for: A cosy pub setting

Y Talbot is a Grade II listed inn that dates back 400 years, set in the bustling market town of Tregaron. It’s maintained its character too, with slate floors, low beamed ceilings, fireplaces in the inglenooks and Welsh cask ales behind the bar – perfect for a cosy lunch or dinner on a brisk day. The 2 AA Rosette restaurant serves full-flavoured traditional dishes made with local produce fresh from the Teifi Valley and Cardigan Bay. You’ll find a good mix of hearty pub classics and modern cuisine on the menu, from ribeye steak and homemade chips to ‘confit duck leg’. 

The Harbourmaster, Aberaeron

Best for: A picturesque location

This cobalt blue hotel and restaurant sits on the picturesque Georgian quayside in Aberaeron, a former fishing town often described as ‘the prettiest town in Wales’. The Harbourmaster aptly specialises in local seafood dishes, as well as Welsh lamb and beef, Ceredigion cheeses and organic vegetables served from the restaurant or bustling bar overlooking the water. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, charcuterie and dinner, so there will be something delicious for you to enjoy whatever time of day you’re visiting. Plus there’s a long list of excellent wines if you’d like a tipple to wash it all down.

The Plwmp Tart, Penbryn

Best for: Welsh cakes

Just a short stroll away from the beautiful Penbryn beach you’ll find this gorgeous hidden gem, charmingly named The Plwmp Tart. The traditional-looking stone Welsh café serves simple, great quality light lunches such as quiche and wraps, as well as a selection of delicious cakes and bakes – and it’s the perfect place to sample the country’s famed Welsh cakes! The café is surrounded by tranquil woodland too, so you can sit outside and enjoy a moment of peace amongst nature whilst you savour your goods with a hot coffee, before heading to the beach for a walk in the fresh sea air. 

Cegin 1176 Kitchen, Cardigan Castle

Best for: History-lovers 

If you’d like to tie in your dining experience with a historic day out, head to Cardigan Castle on the shores of the Teifi Estuary. As well as medieval remains, a Georgian mansion and a Regency garden to discover, there’s an onsite eatery here serving excellent locally-sourced food with lovely views! Cegin 1176 Kitchen is named in honour of the year when Wales’ first Eisteddfod was held at this very castle. And on the lunch menu you’ll find a selection of tasty baguettes, flatbreads and salads as well as a sharing deli board for two and plenty of cakes and desserts. It’s the perfect pitstop for a day exploring the castle’s fascinating history. 

The Stubborn Duckling, Abaraeron 

Best for: Sunday roast

The Stubborn Duckling is a cosy modern bistro set in a former florist shop on the square in Aberaeron. Run by husband and wife team Dan and Emma Powell, the eatery serves seasonal dishes from its relaxed yet premium menu. It’s especially highly rated for its roasts, so much so that it was given the accolade of the ‘best Sunday roast in Wales’ by the Observer Food Monthly Awards! The three-course Sunday roast menu includes starters such as duck liver parfait and Cardigan Bay crab mac & cheese; mains with quality local meats, fish and veg; and the likes of lemon meringue tart and vanilla creme brulee for dessert.

The Hafod, Devil’s Bridge 

Best for: Lunch by a waterfall

Devil’s Bridge is a popular tourist attraction for its breathtaking 300-foot waterfalls set in an ancient wooded gorge in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains. If you’d like to follow your visit to the falls with a satisfying lunch, you’ll be pleased to find The Hafod just a few steps away. This welcoming hotel has a great bar and grill restaurant serving freshly prepared pub classics made with local ingredients. Choose from hearty burgers and steaks, curries, pies, pasta and more – or for something a little lighter there’s a great sandwich and ciabatta menu too.

Afon Mêl Honey Farm, New Quay

Best for: Local honey

Set on a picturesque farm on the outskirts of New Quay, Afon Mêl is a small, family-run bee farm business that’s been producing award-winning mead and honey for over twenty years.  You can visit to learn all about their artisan processes, get up close to the wonderful bees and browse the well-stocked shop for some sweet treats to take home. And with flavours like Apricot, Cherry, Blackberry and Ginger to choose from, you must pick up a bottle or two of the farm’s famous mead, made from a traditional recipe with fermented honey (it’s thought to be the oldest drink in the world!).

The Falcondale, Lampeter

Best for: Afternoon tea

If you’re looking for afternoon tea in a beautiful setting try The Falcondale, a Victorian country house hotel at the top of the Teifi Valley. The Afternoon Tea menu is available between lunch and dinner time and includes a selection of delectable traditional treats, including the likes of salmon and cucumber sandwiches, cheese and leek Welsh cakes, pastries and sponges and, of course, scones with cream and jam. On a warm day you can enjoy your food and pot of tea out on the terrace with stunning views of the surrounding greenery and dramatic valley. Or if you’d rather stay cosy indoors, there are beautiful views from the heated conservatory too.

Aberystwyth Farmers’ Market, Aberystwyth 

Best for: Local produce

For an authentic glimpse into Ceredigion’s food culture, head to one of the county’s farmers’ markets to browse the stalls and chat with the producers face-to-face. Aberystwyth Farmers’ Market is a particularly popular one, typically held on the first and third Saturday of every month at North Parade. The market was launched over twenty years ago and hosts a range of stalls selling seasonal fruit and veg, local cheeses, free-range eggs, artisan breads, homemade pies, preserves, cakes and more, so you’re bound to find something that takes your fancy. Every market day is buzzing with both the local community and visitors – so it’s a lovely activity for foodies to enjoy!

Staying in Ceredigion

If you’re searching for a beautiful Welsh base for your foodie adventures, take a look at our handpicked selection of glamping hideaways in the Ceredigion countryside. Choose from enchanting yurts amongst the trees or an idyllic shepherd’s hut overlooking the Cambrian Mountains.