Top Hay-on-Wye restaurants and pubs

Hay-on-Wye is known far and wide for its outstanding array of bookshops and literary festivals. Situated on the Welsh/English border, there are also some incredibly scenic walks in Hay-on-Wye, as well as a myriad of exciting things to do.

The town is the perfect spot for a staycation, and it won’t be long before you’ve worked up an appetite. So where are the best places to eat in Hay-on-Wye? This picture-postcard town is home to some of the best pubs and restaurants in South Wales, so you’ll never be short of dining options.

We’ve created a guide to the top Hay-on-Wye pubs and restaurants where you can rest and refuel after your adventures with some delicious food made with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. You might also like to read our Wales food and drink guide for some more inspiration.

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The best Hay-on-Wye restaurants

From international cuisine to traditional Welsh dishes, the restaurants in Hay-on-Wye serve a wide variety of flavours to suit all tastes and budgets.

Photo credit: Instagram @chapters_hayonwye

Chapters Restaurant

With sustainability at its core, Chapters Restaurant is set within the old meeting rooms of St John’s Chapel and showcases all that is great about Hay-on-Wye and the surrounding areas. A seasonally changing, locally sourced set menu supports many of the town’s small independent food and drink producers to ensure the food miles are kept to a minimum. The kitchen produces zero food waste, recycles all its cooking oil, and uses eco-friendly cleaning products. And the modern British dishes are exquisitely presented, boasting highly original flavours.

Tomatitos Tapas Bar

Another of our favourite restaurants in Hay-on-Wye is Tomatitos Tapas Bar. Marrying a taste of Spain with a touch of rural Welsh décor, this lively local favourite serves traditional tapas with a distinctive twist. From tasty tagines to meat and cheese mezze snacks, the cuisine uses ingredients sourced locally, carefully matched to their Spanish and Portuguese wines. Relax beside the open fire inside with a coffee or sip a glass of red outside in the beautiful courtyard garden.

Image credit: Instagram @theswanathayhotel

The Swan at Hay Hotel

A tantalising blend of French cuisine and fare native to Herefordshire and the Welsh Marches, The Swan at Hay Hotel is one of the best Hay-on-Wye restaurants for a special occasion. Here, hearty local ingredients are transformed into elegant, delicate dishes for a truly memorable experience. As a former coaching inn – built in 1812 – The Swan is brimming with character, from the original Georgian windows overlooking the garden to the cobbled stable block. Choose between an informal meal in The Market Bar or a luxurious dinner in the candlelit Garden Room.

The Granary

Flaunting a day-long selection of meat, game, fish, vegetarian dishes, and superb home baking, The Granary is widely regarded as one of the top places to eat in Hay-on-Wye. This established family restaurant and licensed bar has a reputation for quality country cooking and a relaxed atmosphere. It is uniquely situated within a former agricultural warehouse extending over two floors, with seating indoors and outdoors. Locals flock here for the restaurant’s regular pop-up evening events where other local establishments take over the building and serve up delicious foodie feasts and three-course suppers.  

Image credit: Instagram @globeathay_burgerme

Burger Me

The Globe at Hay is an independent arts centre hosting live music, art, and community events. It is also the home of Burger Me, where you can get your tastebuds tingling with a mouthwatering array of burgers, side dishes, sharing plates, desserts and specials. Not forgetting their indulgent selection of ‘freak shakes’ and colourful dessert cocktails. Vegetarians and vegans are well-catered for too – the wild mushroom, beetroot and tricolore quinoa burger sounds heavenly.

Image credit: Instagram @offgridgourmethayonwye

Off Grid Gourmet

One of the more unique places to eat in Hay-on-Wye, Off Grid Gourmet is a solar, wood and wind-powered supper club in a blissful setting on the edge of an orchard. The menu is created on the day to suit the tastes of the guests and the weather, and high-quality local produce is cooked over wood fires, in smokers or over charcoal. The owner and chef, Hugh, states on his website, ‘Bring an appetite, there is a lot of food, don’t expect lots of dainty courses with a drizzle of this and a foam of that, expect a table packed with loads of dishes to share, it’s Christmas gone mad.’

The best Hay-on-Wye pubs

Overflowing with charm, the pubs in Hay-on-Wye are perfect for those seeking a relaxing dining experience or a drink with the town’s friendly locals.

Image credit: Instagram @theoldblacklion_hayonwye

The Old Black Lion

When it comes to cosy pubs in Hay-on-Wye, you can’t beat The Old Black Lion. This Grade II-listed 17^th-century inn is steeped in history, and legend has it that Oliver Cromwell sojourned here while the Roundheads besieged Hay Castle. We don’t blame him either, as inside, the pub is warm and inviting, with dark beams, and oak tables worn by many a pint glass. The food served here from the pub’s à la carte, lunchtime or Sunday roast menus has earned it an AA Rosette, and if you dine on a Friday evening, you might even be treated to a spot of live jazz.

Image credit: Instagram @thethreetunshay

The Three Tuns

Reputed to be the oldest surviving house in the town, The Three Tuns is a Grade II-listed watering hole, that is also a hidden culinary gem. It’s easy to see why this is one of the best Hay-on-Wye pubs when you peruse its diverse Italian-inspired menu. Delectable dishes are prepared with locally sourced meat, organic local vegetables, home-baked bread and fresh fish. All are accompanied by a wonderful selection of local beers, cask ales and wines by the glass. Take a seat by the crackling fire on chilly days or dine on the sun-soaked terrace in summer.

Kilverts

Slap-bang in the centre of town, Kilverts is an imposing Edwardian former doctor’s house turned inn that is perfect for a laid-back meal. Inside, a wood burner belts out cosy warmth while outside, a stunning beer garden provides an idyllic spot for sipping a Wye Valley ale in the sunshine. The food regularly receives rave reviews and includes a superb mix of traditional pub classics such as burgers, fish and chips, and pie of the day.

The Blue Boar

Enjoy a peaceful pint and a good book by the fire in The Blue Boar. One of the best dog-friendly pubs in Hay-on-Wye, this characterful eatery has been owned and run by the same family for many years. You’ll find two separate seating areas on either side of the central bar, where you can make yourselves comfortable and dig into a wholesome plate of homemade pub grub. The regular beer is usually supplemented by two or three guests and food is available all day.

Map of the best places to eat in Hay-on-Wye

Find the best pubs and restaurants in Hay-on-Wye featured in our guide on this handy map.

Enjoy a foodie holiday in Hay-on-Wye

With such an extraordinary variety of places to eat in Hay-on-Wye, you’ll need a place to place to call home for a while. We’ve got a vast collection of holiday cottages in Hay-on-Wye to choose from, including romantic retreats, family-friendly boltholes and dog-friendly holiday lets.

Just click the link below to browse our self-catering accommodation in Hay-on-Wye.

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