Ynyshir, The Best Restaurant In Wales
It’s fair to say Ynyshir started 2018 with a bang, being named the Decanter Magazine/Hine Restaurant of Year in January. But then again, last year wasn’t too shabby either. The Welsh restaurant with rooms retained its Michelin star, was awarded five AA rosettes (the first restaurant in Wales to achieve this level and one of only three such venues in the UK) and moved up to 12th in the Good Food Guide’s Top 50 Restaurants list. The driving force behind the success is Ynyshir’s Chef Patron Gareth Ward.
Ward arrived at Ynyshir in 2013 and his complete commitment to flavour and ingredients was recognised with a Michelin star in his first full year. This acknowledgement was quickly followed by four AA rosettes, making Ynyshir the first ever establishment in Wales to be awarded the accolade. In January 2017, Ward was named Chef Patron, taking a stake in the business with his partner Amelia Eiriksson, General Manager of the restaurant and rooms.
Tucked away on the mid-Wales coast between the golden sands of Borth Beach and the rugged mountains of Snowdonia National Park, Ynyshir’s remote location makes it the perfect escape for food lovers looking for a completely unique culinary experience. Dishes are brought to life by the chefs who serve them in the intimate restaurant, which has just 26 covers including a chef’s table for six. Having created the dishes, the chefs are able to talk knowledgeably, passionately and naturally about each element. Suppliers and growers are paramount to the cuisine, and Ynyshir is proud of the relationships it has.
Perhaps the most unusual local ingredient, which highlights Gareth’s interest in Japanese techniques, is Welsh Wagyu Beef. Sourced from a farm in Montgomeryshire, the cows are reared on clover rich pastures and a daily bottle of Monty’s beer, giving it a unique taste and marble rich texture. The open kitchen has two digital displays showing the current time that the beef has been ageing in days, hours, minutes and seconds. 2017 saw the team continue to work on the refurbishment, with each stage moving Ynyshir further away from a traditional country house hotel, towards an exceptional destination restaurant and rooms.
Ynyshir’s 10 guest rooms are each individually furnished mixing contemporary touches with cosy elements. All rooms have spacious king-size beds and an en-suite with a separate bath and shower and featuring high quality products. Most rooms offer views over the gardens and Cambrian Mountains. Ynyshir is open 5 days a week and room rates start at £150 bed & breakfast (per person based on double occupancy). Dinner is served Tuesday to Saturday from 6.30pm to 9pm with a choice of two 4-hour Dinner Menu Experiences £110pp or the Chef’s Table Bespoke Experience £130pp. Lunch is Wednesday to Saturday 12pm – 1pm, a 2-hour Lunch Menu £39.50pp.
Photo credits: Fjona Black