Food and drink attractions along the North Wales coast for itineraries

Built within the castle walls of the iconic town of Conwy, the Albion Ale House was awarded CAMRA North Wales Pub of the Year 2015. The pub is unique in the UK in that it is ran as a joint venture between four North Wales breweries, Conwy, Great Orme, Nant and Purple Moose – meaning that visitors can really experience North Wales’ finest locally brewed beers and ales! The pub also retains many of its original features including original fixed seating and four original hand pull pumps from the 1920s! Parking is possible within the town centre.

Welsh food is showcased at the Bodnant Welsh Food located at Furnace Farm on the Bodnant Estate, north Wales. It has a wonderful range of stone farm buildings dating from the 18th century. There’s a farm shop selling mainly Welsh produce, a tea room and coffee shop. The Hayloft is also available for private events.

Located on Colwyn Bay Waterfront with views of the coast lies Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. The restaurant, café and bar received a Michelin Bib Gormand for its “exceptionally good food at moderate prices” and the menu is produced using Welsh seasonal produce and local ingredients whenever possible. The informal setting has an open kitchen where seafood is their speciality. Visitors can chose to dine for breakfast and then take a long stroll down the beach, a light lunch while taking in the sights of windsurfers and sailors out on the water (or go out on the water themselves), or an evening meal after a busy day exploring the surrounding areas of Colwyn Bay and Rhos on Sea.

They cater for 64 covers at one time and booking is advisable. Groups of 14 and above can be catered for but best to ring before hand. There is suitable parking for coaches.

The award winning Dylan’s Restaurant is located on the banks of the Menai Strait on Anglesey and also on the seafronts in both Llandudno and Criccieth. Seafood is their speciality with the aim to provide dishes which not only celebrate local produce, but also the beauty and character of the region. Menai Bridge was their first location with views of the water and Thomas Telford’s Menai Suspension Bridge from many tables.

Edwards of Conwy is an award winning famous butcher shop in the heart of Conwy, home of the award winning traditional Welsh sausage company. Edwards sells a number of ready to eat, Welsh and local products in its deli so visitors can grab a quick lunch or picnic and choose locally reared meat from the butchery to prepare themselves.

Parking is possible within the town centre.

Halen Môn Sea Salt comes from salt flakes harvested from the Menai Strait in Anglesey, with a mineral content that makes it unique in appearance, texture and taste. Visitors can have a tour of the Saltcote visitor centre and learn the history of the sea salt and also learn about how it is produced. There is also a wonderful shop selling Halen Môn products and other Welsh produce. 

The behind the scenes tour is suitable for up to 12 guests. Led by a trained guide, the tour includes a tutored salt tasting and lasts approximately 60 minutes. They can do special tours for larger groups and can accommodate up to 45 delegates on evening and weekends and up to 28 on week days. Wild Seaweed Baths are also on site. Booking in advance is essential. There is suitable parking for coaches.

Visitors can take a look around the large food hall at Hawarden Estate Farm shop which stocks local, Welsh produce from the surrounding area, as well as freshly grown fruit and vegetables from the Hawarden Estate and local farms. The farm shop also has its own onsite butchery which sells meat reared on the Estate and a deli where visitors can purchase home cured meats, pies and other artisan food products. There is also a café where visitors can relax for lunch after exploring what the estate has to offer!

There is a large car park suitable for coaches.

Tours at Llanfairpwll Distillery are available for up to 10 clients and last 1hr. There is minibus parking available outside the property. Your clients will get an insight into the history of the distillery and Anglesey Rum Co. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and taste three different products before visiting the shop with a discount. Booking is essential.

The elegant 18th century Plas Newydd House and Garden, right on the shores of the Menai Strait, has many attractions. These include spectacular gardens, Rex Whistler’s famous trompe d’oeil painting in the dining room and a military museum containing the world’s first fully articulated false leg, and the Old Dairy café. Once the haunt of milk maids is now a stylish restaurant serving barista coffee, homemade cakes and hearty local dishes including Welsh pork and ‘Anglesey Eggs’ – which combines eggs, potatoes, leeks, and Caerphilly cheese to delicious effect. Opening times vary so please check the website for details.

Not to be missed: The Plas Newydd sunroom and a scoop (or two) of Ginger Nut ice cream – a flavour created in honour of the Marquess of Anglesey’s favourite biscuit.

If your clients fancy something different for the evening they can try their hand in catching their own tea! Sea Fishing Trips offers visitors the chance to board a two hour boat trip with captain and marine biologist Carl Davies to learn more about the life and conservation of lobsters and also view the incredible scenes around the Great Orme. Upon returning to dock there will be a chance for visitors to purchase freshly caught lobster and crab and have it prepared and cooked by the chefs. Other types of fishing are also available.

The Seahorse Restaurant and Bistro in Llandudno prides itself on the use of local, fresh and seasonal ingredients including Great Orme Lobsters and Conwy and Menai Mussels and fresh fish caught by the chef himself. This buzzing venue in the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno can seat up to 50 diners split between an intimate cellar bistro, and an upstairs restaurant with Mediterranean murals, where your clients can sample fresh anchovies in tempura batter or baked hake with rich thermidor sauce. Visitors can appreciate the original features of the Grade II listed building inducing original oak pews and priests’ chairs. Booking is essential for big parties and a deposit is required.

Not to be missed: A walk down Llandudno pier, the longest pier in Wales or a ride on the Great Orme Tramway - one of only three in the world to run on public streets. They’re both just a few strides from The Seahorse.

The Sea Shanty café website doesn’t just mention all of their delicious food – it gives the times for high and low tide. This is handy information given that this £1.5 million seaside café sits among the marram grass at the edge of Trearddur Bay’s golden crescent of sand. It’s no surprise the Sea Shanty celebrates the village’s maritime history, with actual rowing boats hanging from the beams while radio shipping forecasts and sounds of the sea play in the toilets. It’s open all day until 9pm, seven days a week for coffee and cakes, ice creams, and inventive main courses featuring local delicacies such as Menai mussels, Church Bay crab, and Anglesey-cured gammon.

Not to be missed: Breakfast. If your clients are planning a walk on the Wales Coast Path that virtually passes the door, a plate of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs should set them up nicely.