wisdom and walks

Food & Drink

We’re famous for it. And hand-in-hand with hospitality goes good food and drink. Restaurants and bistros, inns and hotels throughout the Valleys serve locally sourced food cooked for all tastes - from classic dishes like Welsh lamb to inventive cuisine in tune with contemporary tastes.

Local specialities abound. And when we say local we mean Italian - some of the time, anyway. We’re not talking here about Italian restaurants (though you’ll find them easily enough).

The Valleys are famous for their Italian cafés, run in the traditional Italian way with a dash of Welsh inspiration. Art and food make a delicious combination and many of the art galleries and attractions like Llantarnum Grange Art Centre and Cyfarthfa Castle, have cafes or tearooms serving a 'nice' pot of tea with home cooked Welshcakes.

Visit www.foodwales.com for details of food and drink in Wales including recipes, festivals, farmers 

markets, farm shops, indoor markets and Welsh produce.
 

Breakaway and enjoy delicious food in a historic setting

A short break is an ideal way to recharge your batteries.  Miskin Manor Hotel in Llantrisant offers excellent value short breaks providing dinner, bed and breakfast.  This historic, country manor hotel offers 3 nights for the cost of two.  There are 43 individually designed rooms to chose from.  Breakfast and a three course evening meal are included in the price.  Their two rosette award-wining restaurant prides themselves in serving locally produced freshly prepared cuisine.  The restaurant overlooks a wide expanse of stunning gardens allowing you to walk off your meal.  You can even work up an appetite in their health spa, swimming pool and squash court.  Finally, to complete the perfect experience you can rest  your weary head in one of their charming bedrooms.

  

Café Culture – Italian Style

When Italian immigrants settled in the Valleys a hundred or so years ago they did what they do best - open cafés. The same families are still running them today. The accents may have changed a little, but in terms of atmosphere and brio you’re in Rome, not the Rhondda, when you call in for a coffee - made, of course, in one of those gleaming, hissing Italian coffee-making machines. Many cafés double up as ice-cream parlours. One local favourite is Rhondda-based Mr Creamy, an award-winning dairy ice-cream free from artificial colours and flavouring. Scoop some up on your next visit.

 

Need a cuppa?

There are pleasant tearooms and cafés dotted across the Valleys of South Wales where you are most welcome to step in and enjoy a variety of tasty cakes, refreshing pots of tea and the chance to get to know the area that little bit better. If you fancy sipping your tea in regal surroundings the tea rooms at Cyfarthfa Castle offer the perfect retreat from the bustle of life and the chance to choose from a selection of homemade cakes, soups and snacks.

 

If you want a home from home, then The Cottage in the shadow of Tredegar town clock may fit the bill. With home cooked meals and cakes, it is a welcome break from the rush of the day.

Or if you are in Caerphilly, visiting the Castle, pop across the road to Glanmor’s Tea Rooms serving a delightful range of home-made cakes and some traditional Welsh favourites such as ‘Cawl’. Many visitor attractions house cafés, at Rhondda Heritage Park you can enjoy a traditional Miner’s Tea.

The Big Cheese

Cheesemaking is big in Southern Wales. But it’s not just the farms located further west in Carmarthenshire that get in on the act. Penderyn Welsh whisky, Double Dragon ale, Welsh white wine and leeks are some of the flavours added to the four types of artisan cheese handmade by the Blaenavon Cheddar Company. The one that’s captured the imagination is Pwll Mawr, a traditional Cheddar matured underground at Big Pit, just across the way from the shop on 80 Broad Street. Pop in. You can see the cheese being made there and then - or you can buy it online. These cheesemakers are a versatile lot - they also offer guided walks and cycle hire.

www.chunkofcheese.co.uk

Caerphilly, of course, is shorthand for mild, crumbly white cheese. It’s also a friendly town with a big castle and The Big Cheese, an annual festival that’s a highlight of the Valleys’ summer
scene. Not strictly a foodie event, it’s a colourful celebration of history and heritage, with street entertainment, military re-enactments, music, comedy, crafts - and a mouthwatering food and cheese market hosted by local producers. Don’t miss it - in 2008 it takes place from 25th to 27th July

Market Forces

Local and farmers’ markets put the pleasure back into food shopping. They’re a refreshing change from that rush to the checkout. So take your time and visit some of these markets, where shopping comes with a human face.

Indoor Markets:
Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypridd; all Monday–Saturday

Outdoor Markets:
Abertillery (Thursday), Brynmawr (Saturday), Ebbw Vale (Friday), Merthyr Tydfil (Tuesday and Saturday), Mountain Ash (Friday), Pontypridd (Wednesday and Saturday), Treorchy (Thursday)

Farmers’ Markets:

Caerphilly (second Saturday of the month February–November), Church Village (third Thursday of every month at Llantwit Fadre Sports Centre), Ebbw Vale (third Thursday of every month), Llantrisant (first Friday of every month), Merthyr Tydfil (first Friday of every month), Penderyn (last Sunday of every month), Tonypandy (second Friday of every month - please check), Treorchy (last Thursday of every month)

Chocs Away

Take what you make at this unique chocolate experience. Find out how chocolate gets from bean to bar at Chocs Away, Pontypool. Then make your own, which is packaged up for you to take home. Sounds delicious.

www.chocsawayparty.co.uk

 

Rioters, rebels and real ales

Local legend has it that during 1839 a group of thirsty Chartist rioters stopped in the Green House, Llantarnam for a quick drink. Apparently it was a much smaller group that carried on the riots as the rest chose to stay in the pub!
Over the years the Green House has also been used by travelling judges as a courthouse and even as a mortuary. Nowadays it makes a refreshing break from soulless pub chains with its unique atmosphere and original features.
Whet your appetite at this sixteenth century coaching inn with its real ales and range of light and full meals.

 

Picture this…

There has been a pub on the site of Tafarn Ty Uchaf, Tredegar for around 170 years and with fantastic views over the Brecon Beacons it is easy to see why it has become a firm favourite with so many people in search of good food and a relaxing atmosphere.

If you stop here for lunch then ensure you enjoy the vast assortment of black and white pictures which decorate the walls and tell the story of the local area including Nye Bevan, the Quarry and the Bryn Oer Heritage Trail.

Bustling bistros to à la carte restaurants
For a truly relaxing meal what could possibly be better than enjoying the atmosphere at one of the many hotel bistros, restaurants or bars.

One such hotel is the Nant Ddu Lodge near Merthyr Tydfil where you can work up an appetite with a stimulating swim in the indoor pool and collapse in the spa after your delicious meal. Enjoy the log fires with a good beer or glass of wine whilst you decide whether to eat in the popular bistro or intimate bar. The extensive menu changes regularly to reflect the availability of fresh produce. You can even stay the night in one of their 28 bedrooms and wake up to a full breakfast.

 

Attention!

For a location with a difference visit Sergeants Restaurant. Situated in the former police station of the village of Nelson, it is a building rich in history and an experience to be relished as all staff wear ex-policemen’s uniforms, complete with epaulettes. You can also stay the night in one of their new luxury 4-Star en-suite bedrooms.

 

Message in a Bottle

Scotland needs to look to its laurels. Penderyn, on the northern fringes of the Valleys, is home to the Welsh Whisky Company. It has been busy winning awards for its golden Penderyn Single Malt, launched to huge critical acclaim a few years back. You can make wine in Southern Wales too. At Llanerch Vineyard near Llantrisant they’ve proved that Welsh wine is up there with the best by winning awards in prestigious international competitions. See - and taste - for yourself on a ‘Tour and Tastings’. There’s also a restaurant and food school - and you can even stay for the night.

www.welsh-whisky.co.uk

 

Pubs/Inns

 A selection of food and drink venues. Listed alphabetically by the nearest town.

Please note that this is only a ‘taster’ of the many food and drink venues throughout the Valleys of South Wales.

The Cross Oak, Blackwood T: +44 (0)1495 222264

The Whistle Inn, Blaenavon T: +44 (0)1495 790403

Bar 98, Blaina T: +44 (0)1495 292866

The Barn, Llantrisant T: +44 (0)1443 222333

The Gwesty Bach, Brynmawr T: +44 (0)1495 310245

Y Draenog, (Gastro Pub), Brynsadler T: +44 (0)1443 222287

The Fisherman's Rest, Caerphilly T: +44 (0)29 2086 3424

The Travellers Rest, Caerphilly T: +44 (0)29 2085 9021

Ashbridge Inn, Cwmbran T: +44 (0)1633 876678

Greenhouse, Cwmbran T: +44 (0)1633 482859

The Castle Inn, Ebbw Vale T: +44 (0)1495 302087

Carpenters Arms, Efail Isaf T: +44 (0)1443 202426

Countryman Inn, Llantrisant T: +44 (0)1443 231935

The Gaelic Cross, Merthyr Tydfil T: +44 (0)1685 384443

The Grawen Arms, Merthyr Tydfil T: +44 (0)1685 370822

The Open Hearth Inn, Pontypool T: +44 (0)1495 763752

Wain-y-Claire, Pontypool T: +44 (0)1495 785216

The Forgehammer Inn, Risca T: +44 (0)1633 613943

Maen Llwyd Inn, Rudry T: +44 (0)29 2088 8505

The Carpenters Arms, St Illtyds T: +44 (0)1495 211182

Tom's Tavern, Treforest T: +44 (0)1443 406666

Tafarn Ty Uchaf, Tredegar T: +44 (0)1495 717690

Restaurants

Monnington Lodge, Blackwood T: +44 (0)1495 230240

Butterflies, Blaenavon T: +44 (0)1495 791044

Reeds Bistro, Blaenavon T: +44 (0)1495 790251

Bell Capri Restaurant, Caerphilly T: +44 (0)29 2086 9612

Greenmeadow Golf & Country Club, Cwmbran T: +44 (0)1633 869321

Dynasty Chinese Restaurant Llantwit, Fadre T: +44(0)1443 218218

Indica Restaurant, Pontypridd T: +44(0)1443 404443

Ruffles Bar & Kitchen, Treforest T: +44(0)1443 486339

Tai Pan Chinese Restaurant, Cwmbran T: +44(0)1633 482542

The Hollybush Inn & Restaurant, Draethen (nr Newport) T: +44 (0)1633 441326

The Bridgend Hotel & Huttons Restaurant, Ebbw Vale T: +44 (0)1495 302171

The Park Hotel, Ebbw Vale T: +44 (0)1495 371431

Defoy’s Restaurant, Bryn Meadows Golf and Country Hotel, Hengoed T: +44 (0)1495 225590

O’Sullivans Brasserie, Llantrisant T: +44 (0)1443 237774

Fwrrwm Ishta Restaurant & Bar, Machen T: +44 (0)1633 440227

Brewsters Pentrebach House Merthyr, Tydfil T: +44 (0)1443 693616

The Castle Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil T: +44 (0)1685 386868

Nant Ddu Lodge Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil T: +44 (0)1685 379111

Sergeants Restaurant, Nelson T: +44 (0)1443 450999

Alfred’s Bar & Grill, Pontypridd T: +44 (0)1443 404060

Fagins Bar & Restaurant, Pontypridd T: +44 (0)1443 202419

Harvester Restaurant, Pontypool T: +44 (0)1495 751551

Llechwen Hall Hotel, Pontypridd T: +44 (0)1443 742050

Anchor Hotel and Mongolian Restaurant, Taffs Well T: +44 (0)29 2081 0104

Café

The Coffee Shop, Abertillery T: +44 (0)1495 312044

Glanmor’s Tea Rooms, Caerphilly T: +44 (0)29 2088 8355

Frenchies Baguette Bar, Ebbw Vale T: +44 (0)1495 307777

Butchers Arms Gallery & Coffee Shop, Llantrisant T: +44 (0)1443 229285

Anne's Pantry, Merthyr Tydfil T: +44 (0)1685 383447

Castle Tea Rooms, Merthyr Tydfil T: +44 (0)1685 723112

Princes Café, Pontypridd T: +44 (0)1443 402376

Mr Creamy Ice Cream Parlour, Tonypandy T: +44 (0)1443 432382

The Old Barn, Torpantau T: +44 (0)1685 383358

The Cottage, Tredegar T: +44 (0)1495 713913