Wales: Cardiff and Betws-y-coed

[RichardNYC]

Any recommendations for restaurants in Cardiff or Betws-y-coed?

[FriedClamFanatic]

We llived in the UK for 5 years and made many a trip into that area. let me put in a vote for Bodysgallen. The food is GOOD, the walled gardens a delight and there is lots to see in the area. In Betws-y-coed, it is very hit or miss. We've also had some good lunches in some of the places in Llangollen (sp?) if we went to look at the river or the canal-boat bridge.

And if you are over that way and obviously driving, take a ride through horshoe pass......wonderful scenery. There is a servicable restaurant about halfway (expect coach tours!)

[rrems]

When we were in Wales several years ago, we stayed in Caerphilly (just outside of Cardiff) and at the Meadowsweet Hotel in Llanwrst (near Betws-y-coed) . Had dinner at the Meadowsweet one night, which was good but nothing special. The other night went to the Bull's Head in Beaumarais, which despite foggy, rainy weather, was well worth an hour's drive. We ate very well in and around Cardiff. Here are my posts from 2008:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/559983

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/561574

[Harters]

Betws-y-coed is a small village which is heavily tourist orientated. You'll be hard pushed to find even a decent pub lunch. Unless you are chained to the village, you'd be better driving to Conwy or Llandudno (where I can suggest several decent places)

[RichardNYC]

We're staying there because it seemed a convenient hub for the places we want to visit.

Please suggest anything good within reasonable driving distance.

[FarleyFlavors]

I agree with Harters - in fact, at the Ty Gwyn in Betws-y-coed I had one of the worst pub lunches I've ever eaten.

I've had several very good (and excellent value) meals at Maes y Neuadd, which is about 40 minutes away.

http://www.neuadd.com/

[RichardNYC]

Ty Gwyn is rated number 1 in Betws-y-coed in tripadvisor http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant... which goes to show something

[FriedClamFanatic]

Nice to know!!!! Interestingly, I just finished Ken Follets latest book ( the 2nd of a trilogy) and he has Ty Gwyn as the Welsh Manor House of one of the richest men in the UK. Not the same place. of course, but a fun coincidence

[DietStartsTomorrow]

'Ty Gwyn' means White (Gwyn) House (Ty) and there's LOADS of them in Wales. Interesting that Follett uses it - most mega rich people would live in a manor in the cotswolds, not Wales :)

[Harters]

All these at or under 45 minutes drive:

Kinmel Arms, Abergele (very good food for a pub)

Bulls Head, Beaumaris (has a quite up-market restaurant on the 1st floor - reservation essential - and a more casual bistro on the ground floor,. Both good)

Celin, Beaumaris (recently opened and I havnt yet been. I guarantee the meat will be top quality - the owners farm on Anglesey and sell at my local farmers market. Great beef)

Bodysgallen Hall, Llandudno (perhaps my favourite place along the coast) - pleasant surroundings, good food in lovely old building)

St Tudno Hotel, Llandudno (very old school place, quite formal. May be a bit of a faded star nowadays - but you will be well looked after)

Queens Head, Glanwydden, nr Llandudno (decent pub food, leans towards seafood)

Paysanne, Deganwy (pseudo French seafood bistro - does what it says on the tin. I'd reckon reservations would be essential, it was rammed but we were there during Conwy Feast)

I'll also mention Y Tanerdy at Llanwrst, which I've seen get a couple of mentions here and there. Not been but I mention it because it's close to Betwys. By the by, you know the current fashion for naming kids after the place where they were conceived - well, you might well be talking to Llanwrst Harters

[PhilD]

Betws-y-coed is climbing and hill walking central with 90% of the visitors pursuing on or more outdoor activity. Thus food is high carb in big portions - perfect after a scrambling up Tryfan but not food for a gourmet experience. The roads around Snowdonia are narrow and twisting so maybe better to stay nearer to good food rather thn driving.