
A good night out at a restaurant or pub could be the highlight of your holiday. The enjoyment of delicious food and drink on a staycation can’t be denied; after a long day of exploration and touring, a fine meal accompanied with your favourite beverage is a virtually unbeatable way to unwind. For our North Wales guide to pubs and restaurants, we have chosen some lovely hostelries from all along the north coast, across to Anglesey, and Snowdonia/Eryri, and as far inland as Machynlleth for you to uncover. If the Llyn Peninsula is your destination, take a look at our dedicated blog post to find places to eat there. If gastropubs are your favourite, we have recommended some enticing establishments deep in the North Wales countryside with fine views to take in, and crackling fires to warm your feet; there are family and dog-friendly options listed below too.
For additional inspiration, we have written a collection of mouth-watering blogs for food lovers visiting Wales (including North Wales) that include food festivals to visit and famous Welsh food and drink. The best way to get to know these North Wales pubs and restaurants is to treat yourself to a stay at one of our self-catering holiday cottages. Click on the button below to explore our collection of holiday properties in North Wales.
Visit our North Wales cottages
Show me the best pubs and restaurants in North Wales
Best pubs and restaurants in Snowdonia/Eryri

Bryntirion Inn, Bala
Savour a visit to the Bryntirion Inn, near Bala, after a day trekking around Snowdonia/Eryri National Park, whether that’s a climb up Cadair Idris, a trek around Llyn Tegid or Llyn Mwyngil, or a rewarding search for Little Italy amongst the slate mine ruins of Corris - it’s well worth your while. The Bryntirion Inn is an exemplar of a hotel restaurant with an impressive menu and wine list, so add it to your must-visit places when you are in pretty Bala.
Best for: Wine
Stay nearby: Ty Capel | Sleeps: 4 guests + 1 dog
Bala cottages

Groes Inn Hotel, Ty’n-y-groes
Located close to the River Conwy, the coast and Snowdonia Way long-distance walking trail, the Groes Inn Hotel (dating back to 1573), is a comfortable choice for those who like to dine at country hotels. Claiming to be the first licensed pub in Wales, this prospect certainly has an interesting history. The Sunday roast draws locals in from far and wide, and there are several interesting signature and Welsh dishes on their impressive menu. The choice of drink ranges from classy whiskies to wines from all around the world.
Conwy cottages

The Grill Room at The Royal Oak, Betws-y-Coed
If you love nothing better than a smoky BBQ piled high with grilled steaks, chicken, fish, sausages, bacon, then The Grill Room at The Royal Oak in Betws-y-Coed is the place to step lively to. Betws-y-Coed is a good base for hikers that have come to Snowdonia National Park for a walking holiday. Walk off your carnivorous feast at Swallow Falls, Fairy Glen or Mount Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa; Betws-y-Coed isn’t called 'The Adventure Capital of North Wales' for nothing. A meal at The Grill Room is all part of the fun and games; we think it’s one of the best places to eat in North Wales.
Best for: Grilled meats
Stay nearby: Tailor’s Cottage | Sleeps: 4 guests + 2 dogs
Betws-y-Coed cottages
Best pubs and restaurants on Anglesey and Holyhead

Black Lion, Anglesey
Head over the Menai Strait to Anglesey and seek out this dog-friendly pub called the Black Lion / Blas Mwy. Experience a taste of Wales whilst taking in the view of the peaks of Garn, and Holyhead Mountain. The menu offers Welsh classics like Glamorgan sausages and rarebit, alongside a slightly continental take on pub favourites like battered haddock, steaks, and burgers. We think you’d agree that The Black Lion is one of the best gastropubs in North Wales.
Anglesey cottages

The White Eagle, Rhoscolyn, Anglesey
From the outside, The White Eagle may look like a restaurant, but it’s also a pub. Many locals use it as a place for a relaxing pint at the end of the day. Set in a coastal hamlet, The White Eagle near Rhoscolyn on Anglesey is well-loved for its upmarket fish and chips, and freshly harvested oysters from beds in the Menai Strait. Overlook the alluring dessert menu at your peril.

The Bay, Holyhead
The Bay at Trearddur Bay Hotel on Holyhead is a superb choice of eatery for those that love a diverse seafood menu. The restaurant itself overlooks the beach at Trearddur Bay, so it has amazing sea views to take in too. At the bar, you can enjoy an array of award-winning cask ales and spirits from all over Wales and beyond.
Holyhead cottages
Best pubs and restaurants on the North Wales Coast

The Toad, Colwyn Bay
Located on the seafront in Colwyn Bay is The Toad. This is the pub to come to if you fancy a good old-fashioned, straightforward meal after a rewarding walk along the prom. On a nice day, you can sit out in the garden and watch the world go by. If you are a dog owner, then this pub is one of the best pet-friendly pubs in North Wales. They are allowed inside the bar, but they’d probably prefer to be in the garden waiting for tableside scraps of grub!
Colwyn Bay cottages

The Cosy Club Bar, near Rhyl
If you are in the Rhyl area with your family, the Cosy Club Bar is the spot to head for a good burger or a reliable plate of sausage, egg and chips. Sometimes a relatable choice of dinner-time favourites is all you need if you are looking to get the kids fed to satisfaction. Dogs are also allowed table-side, which is quite a rarity for restaurants in North Wales. It’s a friendly choice of restaurant if you are on a budget, yet still want to have a good hearty meal.
Best for: Families
Stay nearby: The Tardis | Sleeps: 5 guests + 2 dogs
Rhyl cottages

The Kinmel Arms, Abergele
Just south of Abergele is the popular Kinmel Arms. It is thoroughly modern and very welcoming to visitors. The owners host regular events and offer gourmet food for you to try. The pub owns its own field where veg is grown and cows are reared, so the ingredients are very local in the main. It’s just 25 minutes from Chester and even closer to the coast at Abergele and Rhyl. Local visitor attractions include Bodnant Gardens and the ruins of Rhuddlan Castle.
Best for: Locally sourced food
Stay nearby: Ty Ucha | Sleeps: 8 guests
Abergele cottages
Best pubs and restaurants across the rest of North Wales

The Hand at Llanarmon, near Llangollen
For a spot of fine dining in informal but very pleasant surroundings, The Hand at Llanarmon is the place to head for. Doubling as a pub for locals and a welcoming waystation for walking parties on the trail, The Hand has a great selection of cask ales and an astonishing menu full of classics and inventive one-offs. There is also a spa at The Hand, that is open to guests. Dogs are welcome in the bar too, making it one of the top places to eat in North Wales.
Best for: Cask ales
Stay nearby: Stabl Y Ddol | Sleeps: 4 guests + 2 dogs
Llangollen cottages

Glynne Arms, Hawarden
The Glynne Arms is a 200-year-old coaching inn situated opposite Hawarden Castle and Estate. Owned by the Glynne family, descendants of the former Prime Minister, William Gladstone, it’s a unique place to indulge in a lovely evening of fine dining in contemporary-styled surroundings. The menus at The Glynne Arms are overseen by a chef that once ran a Michelin-starred restaurant, so you know you’re in for a culinary treat.

Riverside, Machynlleth
Deep in the Welsh countryside close to Machynlleth, with its associations to the former Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndwr (1400-1415), stands the 16th-century Riverside or Glan yr Afron, where you can indulge in a slap-up meal. Made from the best of local Welsh produce, you can tuck into a selection of Welsh and English dishes from their long menu. The bar is well-stocked with a bold selection of wines, spirits, and Welsh cask ales. It’s a welcome pub with a cwtch and woodburning stove, and we think it’s sure to become a favourite if you are holidaying nearby.
Machynlleth cottages
Where to find North Wales best pubs and restaurants
Find out where these pubs and restaurants are located with our handy map.
Stay at a self-catering holiday cottage in North Wales
Stay at one of our self-catering holiday cottages in North Wales on your gastronomic adventure. As you can see there’s a huge variety of places to choose from if you are hoping to eat out of an evening, and we’ve only just scraped the surface. Browse our collection of North Wales accommodation so that you can enjoy the region’s many holiday delights. Where will you stay?
Browse North Wales cottages