Places to eat in Swansea

If you’re looking for an unforgettable fine dining experience, these are the places you want to head to. There are a number of Michelin star restaurants in Cymru, including Abertawe’s Beach House and Michelin listed Slice, so if you’re looking for something a cut above, I recommend these spots. Heads up, it’s well worth booking in advance – these spots are popular!

It should be illegal to visit Abertawe without taking a trip to Penrhyn Gŵyr (the Gower Peninsula)! Beach House is located on Bae Oxwich (Oxwich Bay) and comes with spectacular views of never-ending sea and sand dunes. Hywel Griffiths and his team have created something special here, it really is one of the best restaurants in Abertawe and has won multiple awards including a Michelin star. The last time I visited I’d gone for a long walk, a quick sea dip followed by a sauna at Ty Sawna and finished our day off here. Stunning views, local produce and next level food presented via exciting dishes – it’s a no brainer!

Slice is one of those places that feels like a secret. It’s a small space in Sgeti (Sketty), west of the city, and can be easy to miss, but the impact of their set menus really sets it apart. Focusing on seasonal and local produce the food they design is always on the fun side, something I think fine dining should offer! Go for the à la carte or the tasting menu, accompanied by a well-priced wine pairing.

Nestled in a quaint row of shops in the heart of Y Mwmbwls (Mumbles) you’ll find Môr – a perfect example of fine dining that offers something for everyone. With street art on the walls and a relaxed atmosphere, the menu here always focuses on unique dishes with fresh ingredients from local suppliers. I recommend a stroll on Mumbles promenade followed by some oysters!

For those looking for something a bit more laid back, there are plenty of places in Abertawe to check out. Sometimes you need a spur of the moment decision when exploring – here are my top picks.

It’s no surprise that the Gower Seafood Hut is one of the most popular places to eat in Swansea. It’s so simple but so effective. It’s tiny hut, currently situated in Southend Gardens, Y Mwmbwls, that churns out classics like chilli prawns, calamari, cockles, whitebait and more, all sourced from local fisherman. It’s worth noting, that these guys stop trading here over the winter, but they also run The Gower Seafood Deli just on the other side of the road where you can pick up local caviar, laverbread, crab sandwiches and other goodies.

One of the city's gems for probably the most interesting and fresh brunch you could have. Square Peg in Sgeti, is known for championing local produce providers which results in an array of seasonal and very special dishes. Square Peg head chef Gregg puts a signature spin on your well-loved brunch dishes, but the specials board is where you want to be looking. To top it off you can get one of the best coffees in town and pastries and cakes from local bakers. It’s a top café with wonderful friendly staff who put community at the heart of everything they do – it’s no surprise that they never have a quiet day!

Sometimes all you need a decent pie. Let me introduce you to Motley in Gowerton, who brought the art of Australian handheld pies to Abertawe. Their takeaway menu includes a breakfast pie, chicken and mushroom and your classics like steak and ale and can come with mash, gravy and peas. They also have an excellent selection of cakes, pastries and their coffee is excellent too. Fresh, friendly, homemade and I must also shout out the cinnamon buns!

Eateries based on European market halls are now all the rage and a welcome new addition to the town centre in Abertawe is Albert Hall. The building was built in 1864 and hosted a range of events including theatre, cinema and bingo. It now serves as the city’s largest food hall and features a number of traders, all offering their own unique menus. Here are my top picks:

If Italian food is your bag, The Italian Job is the one for you. Italian Street food cooked up by Dean who has 17 years worth of culinary experience under his belt. It’s pasta heaven with a Abertawe twist – I recommend the Kingsway Karbonara!

One of the city's most loved eateries run by Deano and Ali: Abertawe twins with Italian roots and a passion for food. Starting out in a horse box with a built in Pizza oven, the Pizza Boyz have honed their craft and now make one of the best pizzas you’ll ever have. Every time I’d recommend the Stateside Swirl – tomato, mozzarella, chicken, salami with cool ranch and Sriracha swirl.

Olive and Oregano is some of the best Greek street food you’ll ever have. I’ve worked our way through most of the menu and everything is so delicious, fresh and well-seasoned. The signature souvlaki is a no brainer and I really enjoy the haloumi pitta wrap.

Abertawe has a long, rich history with Italy and its culture has influenced cafes, restaurants and of course ice cream parlours in the city. After all, what’s a trip to the coast without an ice cream? Here are two must visit spots:

If you’ve heard of Abertawe, chances are you’ve heard of Joe’s Ice Cream. Over 100 years ago, Joe Cascarini created a unique ice cream recipe that is still used today and it’s safe to say, it’s pretty outstanding. There are many delights to enjoy including a range of sundaes, ice cream cakes, standard scoops but I’d recommend a North Pole: two blocks of ice cream sandwiching a wafer with raspberry and cream sauce.

You’ve got a choice of three parlours to visit in Abertawe, but my favourite is the original parlour in the city centre where Joe used to sit and watch all his customers at the bottom of the stairs. It’s true what they say at Joe's: 'Everything else is just Ice Cream'.

Situated towards the pier on Y Mwmbwls promenade is Verdi's – an family run Italian café serving coffee, food and authentic Italian Ice Cream. With indoor and outdoor seating for up to 400 people and stunning panoramic sea views of Bae Abertawe (Swansea Bay), its menu specialises in classic Italian pasta and pizza dishes all based on family recipes. It’s ice cream parlour boasts an impressive 30 different flavours (I recommend any of the sorbets) and they also have a heavenly selection of cakes and desserts.