Eating Out
when stating at Abercelyn Country House & Cottages

We recommend that you book in advance, particularly for bank holiday periods, or if there is a major event taking place locally - note establishments may be closed in some winter periods

In Bala (15 minutes on foot, or no time by car):

• Y Cwrt (Court House) Restaurant  (62 High St. Bala) Tel: 01678-521500 Brasserie style Restaurant, serving Fresh-style cuisine. There is an interesting menu available and a good range of wine.

• Plas-yn-Dre (Mansion House) Restaurant
  23 High St., Bala; Tel: 01678-521 256; traditional Welsh fare, popular with Abercelyn guests, service on the quick side, last order 8pm-ish; car park to rear

• Awel-yr-Aran (Aran Breeze) Restaurant
  High St., Bala; Tel: 01678-520 020 small informal restaurant with a limited menu and good food; All dishes are homemade and feature local Welsh produce wherever possible, the menus have a modern British theme

With children:

• Express Pizzeria
  Berwyn St. Bala; Tel: 01678-520 591; good pizzas, pasta and salads, eat in or takeaway

• Plas-yn-Dre Restaurant (see above) has a children’s menu

Pubs (within 10 minutes drive):

• Bryntirion Inn:
  traditional pub with real ale near Llanderfel, Tel: 01678-530205
  friendly atmosphere with real ales and freshly cooked fine foods limited choice but good value.

• Eagles Inn:
  Welsh pub in Llanuwchllyn, Tel: 01678-540 278 use produce from family-related farm

Nearby:

• Llanelltyd (near Dolgellau)

  • Mawddach Restaurant:
    family run restaurant Tel: 01341 424020 (Llanelltyd on the Barmouth road, 30 minutes by car), stunning barn with views of the Mawddach estuary; featuring fresh, locally sourced, seasonal produce from own & local farms

• Dolgellau (25 minutes by car):

  • Dylanwad Da:
    informal restaurant (Bistro-style), 2 Smithfield Street, Dolgellau, Tel: 01341-422870 limited but interesting menu, specialise in wine, several accolades

  • Meirionnydd:
    cellar restaurant, Smithfield Square, Dolgellau, Tel: 01341 422554, 17th Century cellar with granite walls and floor of huge slate slabs, formerly the county jail house. Straightforward dishes with fresh, local ingredients, where possible.

• Llangollen (30 minutes by car) has several good, informal places to eat:

  • Gales Wine & Food Bar:
    18 Bridge Street, Llangollen, Tel: 01978-860 089;
    simple home cooked food using local ingredients

  • The Corn Mill:
    interesting Pub, a former corn mill in a superb location overlooking the River Dee with excellent views of the Town Falls (upstream from the bridge), Dee Lane, Llangollen, Tel: 01978-869 555 – simple, classic food with an emphasis on quality and freshness of ingredients

For that special occasion (reservation essential):

• Tyddyn Llan Restaurant, Llandrillo (15 minutes by car)
  Tel: 01490-440 264; Numerous accolades including Michelin * & Egon Ronay ** top 25 restaurants in the UK
  Highly recommended for a special occasion

• Hotel Portmeirion, Nr Penrhyndeudraeth (35 minutes by car)
  Tel: 01766 772440; Modern Welsh cusine based on the best of local Welsh produce; Wonderful views of the estuary from the dining room, outstanding service, two AA Rosettes

• Palé Hall, Llandderfel, Nr. Bala (10 minutes by car)
  Tel: 01678-530 285. Well worth a visit for the interesting building and furniture alone, dress code.

• Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel, Penmaenpool (35 minutes by car),
  Tel: 01341 422 219; Country House Hotel with traditional service, "Contemporary British Food" with an emphasis on flavour, use of local produce and simple, careful presentation

Bistro Betws-y-Coed, Betws-y-Coed (Tel: 01690 710328) family run traditional Welsh Bistro

The Plas Restaurant, High Street, Harlech (Tel: 01766 780204) panoramic view over Cardigan Bay to the Lleyn Peninsula flanked by Harlech Castle

Castle Cottage Restaurant, Harlech (Tel: 01766 780 479) features local & Welsh produce, winner of “Wales True Taste, Eating Out in Wales Award 2008/9” & listed in the Good Food Guide 2009

Café Indiana (Indian), Fairbourne (Tel: 01341 250891) Owned and run by Noorie, the wife of Bollywood superstar Mayur Verma (Raj); see Daily Post review

Brigands Inn, Mallwyd, near Dinas Mawddwy (Tel: 01650-511 999), 15^thCentury Coaching Inn  with restaurant & bar menus, serving interesting food

Eating out Guides:

Restaurant Guide (Gwynedd)

Further information in the “Abercelyn Eating-out Guide” folder, at Abercelyn Country House & Cottages.

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