Kate A
31 December 2019
After exhilarating adventures amongst the rolling hills, thundering waterfalls, mysterious caves and ancient castles of the Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons National Park, there is simply nothing better than taking the weight off your feet and sitting down to a hearty homecooked meal.
From the finest Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons restaurants with tantalising à la carte menus to cosy Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons pubs serving local Welsh lamb for Sunday lunch, we have chosen some of the best places to eat in this beautiful national park.
Read on to discover the best pubs and restaurants in the Brecon Beacons, and if you need somewhere to stay click the button below.
Skip to:
For more great things to do in the Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon beacons, have a read of our guide to the best places to visit in the Brecon Beacons.
Best for families
The Bear, Crickhowell
The Bear credit: Instagram @thebearatcrick
Packed to the 500-year-old rafters with historic charm, The Bear Crickhowell is a former coaching inn and is one of the best pubs in the Brecon Beacons for families.
Diners can mingle with the locals besides the open fire in the bar, before pulling up a chair in the atmospheric candlelit restaurant or outside in the floral summer garden shaded by trees.
Honest pub classics are served alongside more elaborate specials, and there is a great children’s menu. Best of all, you’ll find a wide variety of locally sourced ingredients from artisan food makers, including Welsh lamb, Gorwydd Caerphilly cheese, and Black Mountain smoked salmon.
Stay nearby:
Acorns - Crickhowell
Other eateries we’d also recommend:
Best for couples
The Walnut Tree, Llanddewi Skirrid
The Walnut Tree credit: Instagram @kentwang.travel
If you’re looking for a romantic setting for a meal for two, then it doesn’t get much better than this iconic Michelin-starred eatery.
The Walnut Tree is one of the best restaurants in the Brecon Beacons, some might say in all of Wales, the food is an eclectic mix of seasonal dishes and the impeccable service is relaxed and friendly.
A daily changing à la carte menu is complemented by a concise wine list and an elegant yet understated bistro-style dining room.
Couples can look forward to dining on game when in season, a mouthwatering array of local produce such as loin of Usk Vale saddleback pork, and fresh vegetables braised to perfection. And the desserts are particularly indulgent, think fig tarts, toffee puddings and baked cheesecakes.
Stay nearby:
The Skirrid Bolt Hole
Other eateries we’d also recommend:
Best for dogs
The Bell at Skenfrith, Abergavenny
The Bell at Skenfrith credit: Instagram @willking_
Nestled within a verdant valley surrounded by woods and hills, this chic 17th-century riverside inn is the perfect spot for a post-walk treat with your canine companion - there are seven different circular treks to sample from here including the incredibly scenic 4-mile Knights Templar trail.
The Bell at Skenfrith is one of the best dog-friendly pubs in the Brecon Beacons and boasts The Dog and Boot Bar, a relaxed space with roaring open fires and plump-cushioned armchairs which warmly welcomes walkers and their four-legged friends.
While pups tuck into some complimentary biscuits, their owners can peruse a menu of hearty classics which combine fresh ingredients from the organic kitchen garden.
Plus there’s no need to worry if your pups are sporting a little bit more muck on their paws than usual, as there is a Pooch Parlour in the rear garden featuring a shower, metal bath and dog towels.
Stay nearby:
Aberdovey cottages
Other eateries we’d also recommend:
Best for Sunday lunch
The Felin Fach Griffin, Brecon
The Felin Fach Griffin credit: Instagram @thefelinfachgriffin
Home to one of the most delicious Sunday lunches in the Brecon Beacons, The Felin Fach Griffin is a laidback country gastropub with a string of awards as long as its wine list.
Welsh beef and lamb, game from local estates, and cheeses from world-renowned dairies all feature on the menu and the rural location is simply breathtaking.
After a brisk walk in the Black Mountains, sink into one of the leather sofas by the open fire with a refreshing pint and enjoy a game of backgammon before you tuck into your homecooked supper.
All the gourmet dishes are cooked to order and the specials change daily depending on what’s in season, plus there’s live music once a month.
Stay nearby:
The Hatchery
Other eateries we’d also recommend:
Best for afternoon tea
Gliffaes, Crickhowell
Gliffaes credit: Instagram @gliffaes_hotel
Gliffaes is the perfect choice for an afternoon spent sipping tea and nibbling cake while overlooking the tranquil River Usk.
Set right in the heart of the Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons, afternoon tea here is a quintessential experience that must be savoured and never rushed.
Having become something of an institution in this picturesque corner of South Wales, people travel here from far and wide.
Take your pick from a buffet-style assortment of sandwiches, savouries, melt in the mouth scones and delicate patisserie, and settle down by the fire or on the terrace with a warm pot of tea. You can even go back for seconds if you’re still hungry!
Stay nearby:
The Olde Coaching Inn
Other eateries we’d also recommend:
Best for a pub walk
The Dragon’s Back, Pengenffordd
The Dragon's Back credit: Instagram @dragons_back
Following invigorating rambles in the Black Mountains, rest those walking boots in this characterful 300-year-old country pub.
The Dragon's Back is the highest pub in the Brecon Beacons National Park, standing at more than 1,000ft above sea level so epic views are certainly guaranteed as you tuck into some wholesome Welsh fayre.
A crackling log fire warms your toes after a chilly wintry walk, and a selection of fine local ales are perfect on a hot summer’s day.
One of the specialities here is the selection of locally sourced steaks, cooked on a hot lava stone at your table.
With very generous portion sizes, it’s easy to see why this is one of the favourite places to eat in the Brecon Beacons for walkers, explorers and adventure seekers.
Stay nearby:
Apple Tree Lodge At Talgarth
Other eateries we’d also recommend:
Stay with us
If we have whetted your appetite with our selection of the best places to eat in the Brecon Beacons, why not have a browse of our cottages nearby?
From cosy retreats just for two to big boltholes for the whole family, our holiday cottages in the Brecon Beacons offer the perfect place to relax and unwind after your unforgettable adventures.
We even have some cottages that are located just down the road from their nearest pub!
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.