While it might often be overshadowed by neighbouring Cardiff, Penarth has been proving that it's a great place to go for seriously good food.
From luxury fine dining to modern tapas and fish and chips, Penarth’s food options cover the whole spectrum.
Whether they've been there for years, or a new addition, the small seaside town certainly punches above its weight when it comes to food.
Read more: The former Cardiff convenience store serving brilliant value Sri Lankan food
Here, in no particular order, is our pick of the best.
1. Bar 44
With sister branches in Cardiff and Bristol, Bar 44 is one of the most highly regarded restaurant groups in Wales. Their menu focuses on modern tapas, including sticky sherry chicken with toasted hazelnuts, jamon croquetas and confit duck burgers. There’s also a big range of Spanish wines, beers, sherries and cocktails.
Where: 14 Windsor Rd, Penarth CF64 1JH
2. Home by James Sommerin
James Sommerin and his family are the team behind Home. With its blacked out windows, moody dark interior and high end cooking, it’s a lovely venue for a swanky meal. Home gained a listing in the Michelin guide just four months after opening in 2021 and there’s every chance that James will gain a Michelin star very soon.
Where: 1 Royal buildings, Penarth CF64 3EB
3. Fauvette
Specialising in artisan British cheese as well as natural wines, Fauvette is owned by two lifelong friends who come from a cheesemaking background. Their cheese bar is open during the day and you can enjoy a selection of platters accompanied by wine by the glass.
Where: 8 Glebe Street, Penarth CF64 1ED
4. Brod
A taste of Denmark in the middle of Penarth, Brød serves freshly baked Danish goods including spandauer, made with layers of sweet pastry with a custard centre and icing, and kanel snegl, a soft dough swirl laced with cinnamon.
Where: 6 Glebe Street, Penarth CF64 1ED
5. Keyif
With its walls adorned with photos of countless happy customers, this Turkish restaurant serves a menu full of Middle Eastern cuisine such as cold and hot mezze, grilled meats and fish, and vegetable stews.
Where: 21 Glebe Street, Penarth CF64 1EE
6. Mint & Mustard
Mint & Mustard’s high end Indian cooking has a particular emphasis on the fish, coconut and curry leaf packed cuisine of Kerala. Dishes include Alleppey swordfish curry, Lola’s Keralan chicken curry and scallops simmered in coconut milk.
Where: 33-34 Windsor Terrace, Penarth CF64 1AB
7. The Galley
This small cafe in Penarth Marina showcases the best of Welsh produce. Their sausages come from Thompson Butchers in Penarth, bread comes from Bruton’s and their bacon is sourced from west Wales. Lamb cawl, breakfast burritos, eggs benedict and pancake stacks all feature.
Where: Compass House, Penarth Portway, Penarth CF64 1TT
8. Pickfords Galley and Bar with Rooms
Run by a husband and wife team who previously ran an award-winning restaurant at Penarth Yacht club, this restaurant with rooms has stunning views out over the seafront. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, there’s a focus on seafood with dishes including crab salad and tempura king prawns.
Where: The Esplanade, Penarth CF64 3AU
9. Waterloo Tea
This highly regarded group of independent cafes also has branches across Cardiff. They import a broad range of teas from across Asia and also serve a range of creative all day brunch dishes including miso aubergine brioche buns and Welsh rarebit with leeks and yunnan tea.
Where: 1-3 Washington Buildings, Stanwell Rd, Penarth CF64 2AD
10. Foxy’s Deli
A hub of the Penarth community for over 17 years, Foxy’s Deli serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea and was also recently named one of Britain’s best brunch venues. Dishes on offer include crumpets with laverbread and bacon, Glamorgan sausage sandwiches and Welsh rarebit.
Where: 7 Royal buildings, Victoria Road, Penarth CF64 3ED
11. Mo’s
This modern and cheerful Bangladeshi restaurant is always busy with people eating in or collecting takeaways. A particular selling point is that it’s bring your own alcohol so you can take your favourite bottle of wine or beer.
Where: 6 Station Approach, Penarth CF64 3EE
12. Villa Napoli
You might recognise the Glendale Hotel as the setting in Gavin and Stacey where Nessa told Smithy she was pregnant. But their Villa Napoli restaurant and bar is worth a visit in its own right. You can enjoy a cocktail on their terrace and their Italian-influenced menu focuses on pizza and pasta.
Where: 10 Plymouth Road, Penarth CF64 3DH
13. Crafty Devil Cellar
This is one of the two taprooms belonging to Cardiff craft brewery, Crafty Devil. Make sure you order a pint of their headline beer, Mikey Rayer, a clean, crisp and hoppy session pale ale. And whilst you’re at it, you can enjoy a burger made using patties from local butcher, David Lush.
Where: 17 Windsor Road, Penarth CF64 1JB
14. Pizza Pronto
If you’re in a hurry then this handy street food hut is located close to the railway station, town centre and bus stops. Artisan pizzas range from a simple margherita to the meat-packed King, topped with chicken, ham, bacon and pepperoni.
Where: Stanwell Road, Penarth CF64 3EU
15. The Busy Teapot
A popular family run cafe, The Busy Teapot serves all-day breakfasts, brunches and sandwiches. If you’re looking for a rib-sticking corned beef pie or ham, egg and chips, then the Busy Teapot is the place to head.
Where: 27 Glebe Street, Penarth CF64 1EE
16. The Old Custom House - El Puerto and La Marina
The bustling open plan El Puerto restaurant is on the ground floor of the grade 2 listed Custom House whilst sister eatery, La Marina, is located upstairs. Choose your meat and fish from the counter and it will be cooked the way you like it. Typical dishes include whole sea bream with garlic butter sauce and honey roast duck with sweet red cabbage.
Where: Penarth Marina,Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 ITT
17. The Pilot
The Pilot is part of the Knife and Fork group of food-focused pubs. With regular guest ales and a changing blackboard menu featuring dishes like slow-roast brisket with mustard mash and smoked salmon with beetroot and a crispy egg, this independent pub is a cut above any run of the mill boozer.
Where: 67 Queen's Rd, Penarth CF64 1DJ
18. Beachcliff Fish and Chips
You’ve got to have fish and chips when you’re by the sea and this restaurant and takeaway is located right on the seafront. Impressively, they also cater to gluten free and vegan diets with a big range of options on offer.
Where: Beach Cliff, The Esplanade, Penarth CF64 3AS
19. The Deck
With great views out over Penarth Marina, you could almost be eating lunch in the glamour of Monaco or Cannes. The Deck’s menu draws influences from across the globe with dishes including seafood bouillabaisse and whole baked seabass with an Asian style marinade.
Where: Penarth Marina, Penarth Portway, Penarth CF64 1TQ
20. The Posh Fish and Chip Company
This award-winning fish and chip shop certainly lives up to its posh billing. Homemade smoked salmon and asparagus fishcakes, calamari and battered king prawns all give this takeaway a swanky twist. Or you could just order cod, chips and curry sauce.
Where: 108 Glebe St, Penarth CF64 1ED
21. Holm House
Set in a mansion which dates back to the 1920s, this luxury hotel, restaurant and spa has stunning views across the Bristol Channel. Enjoy a cocktail in the garden bar, afternoon tea in the lounge or dinner in the restaurant. Options include braised BBQ pork belly, butternut squash ravioli and pan fried scallops with a chilli and ginger broth.
Where: Marine Parade, Penarth CF64 3BG
22. Tony’s Taste of Italy
With pasta made on the premises and recipes brought from Tony’s native Italy when he moved to Penarth 40 years ago, this restaurant uses fresh ingredients to make rustic pizza, pasta, seafood and meat dishes. Modelled on an American diner, they also serve burgers if you’re not in the mood for Italian.
Where: Unit 3, Herbert Terrace, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, UK, CF64 2AH
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