Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in South Wales

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in South Wales? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Butterflies Bar & Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (1559)

£25 and under

Steakhouse

Pontypool

About the restaurant

Multi-award winning restaurant situated in the heart of the World Heritage Town of Blaenavon.
Originally built in 1832 as the Cross Keys Hotel we have been serving the locals of Blaenavon and beyond for almost 200 years.

We are well known across South Wales for our award winning steaks and hearty portions

Voice awards - Best chef 2018
Voice awards - Best Sunday lunch 2019
Voice awards - Best steaks 2019
Welsh hospitality awards - Best Welsh restaurant 2021
Welsh restaurant awards - Best in South Wales 2023
Best commercial garden - 9 consecutive years
Best Restaurant in Wales 2024
Current Finalist Best Restaurant in Wales 2025

Top review

Erica

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent food, I've been here a few times now and just gets better

Janet's

4.8

4.8 (844)

£26 to £40

Chinese

Pontypridd

About the restaurant

Janet's Pontypridd is a premier and authentic Restaurant that has been proudly serving the Pontypridd area since 2019. Since then, our mission has been to provide high-quality food for all those that wish to combine fun and enjoyable ambiance with skilful cooking into one extraordinary dining experience. We are committed to putting Pontypridd on the map as a food destination.

Top review

Susan

Dined 6 days ago

Food for f high standard . Waitress v polite and helpful V interesting talking to Janet and having insight into running a busy restaurant.

Gaucho Cardiff

4.7

4.7 (912)

£26 to £40

Steakhouse

Cardiff

About the restaurant

Father's Day | Sunday 15th June | The World’s Best Steak for the World’s Best Dads

This Father’s Day, Give Dad the Gaucho Treatment. From our iconic 100% Argentinian steaks to our indulgent Sunday roast available at selected locations, we’re serving up bold flavours the whole family will love.

At Gaucho Cardiff, every detail is crafted to enchant. The venue effortlessly blends sleek industrial design with cultural sophistication, creating an atmosphere of sultry glamour that’s both inviting and unforgettable. Whether you’re here for a business lunch, an afternoon cocktail, or an indulgent dinner, the setting elevates every moment.

Top review

Laura

Dined on May 31, 2025

Fabulous dining experience here on Saturday night. Egle was our server and she couldn’t have done enough for us, very attentive and kind. We were celebrating my birthday and were given a complimentary dessert which was a delicious dulce de leche cheesecake. We will definitely be back in the future

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4.6

4.6 (271)

£26 to £40

British

Swansea

About the restaurant

Hiraeth; a term unique to Wales and Welsh culture, an intangible pull on the heart that conveys a deep sense of belonging, the desire to return to the place of one’s birth, to come home. For The Shed Restaurant and Executive Chef Jonathan Woolway, our place in the world is happily Swansea.
Composed along the expanse of Swansea Bay, flanked by the Gower Peninsula and Brecon Beacons, within striking distance of the fertile valleys, coastal plains and farmland of West Wales, the Waterfront City of Swansea sits at the beating heart of nature’s larder. Bounties of the season from land, sea and pasture are at our fingertips.
Our daily changing menus reflect a constant creative evolution, making use of local produce at the very place and moment of their seasonal prime. This begins in the kitchen and is realised at the table; Egalitarian, convivial and accessible to all. Full in heart and generous of spirit.

Top review

Joshua

Dined 6 days ago

Excellence is the best way to summarise The shed, an innovative menu serving fresh local produce in time with the seasons paired with a laid back but detailed service from front of house makes this place a must try and one I will be coming back too again.

Côte Brasserie - Cardiff Bay

4.5

4.5 (87)

£25 and under

French

Cardiff

About the restaurant

Cote is inspired by the brasseries of Paris, serving authentic French dishes all day in our classically designed restaurants. We are committed to producing authentic French classics, freshly cooked to order, from the highest quality sourced ingredients.

Top review

GeorginaVIP

Dined on May 24, 2025

We had a lovely family dinner here on Saturday night.

The George

4.5

4.5 (321)

£25 and under

British

Chepstow

About the restaurant

The George hotel is a beautiful 400 year old hotel, currently only used as a restaurant. Taken over in 2020, the restaurant is tastefully decorated, adourning wonderful photos of chepstow through the years. The menu boasts an array of fabulous dishes, from the traditional 'pub grub' with our 2 for £16 menu, to our in house dry aged Steaks, cooked to perfection by our chefs or brought out to you on our signature sizzling hot stones. On a Saturday evening, the restaurant comes alive with wonderful live music, starting off with a relaxed vibe whilst you finish off your meal, and a livelier second half to finish off your evening. Finish the week here on a sunday, where we have fast become the place to come for a sunday lunch, with rave reviews and recommendations across the board. With a vast drinks and food menu, the George is the ideal place to come, either for a relaxed lunch for two, an evening out with friends or a large family gathering.

Top review

Paul

Dined on Jun 6, 2025

Early Friday evening very quiet in dining area although quite a noisy group in the bar area. Service and food excellent. One rump and one ribeye both done to perfection. Nice price on bottle of house wine and overall pricing very satisfactory.

Pho Cardiff

4.5

4.5 (524)

£25 and under

Vietnamese

Cardiff

About the restaurant

Pho Cardiff is a healthy Vietnamese restaurant with loads of vegan and gluten free options. We specialise in pho, the Vietnamese noodle soup, and also serve delicious curries, rice dishes, wok-fried noodles and healthy salads, too. We also have loads of starters that are perfect for sharing with friends and family. Over a third of our menu is vegan, and nearly all of it is gluten-free, so we are a great destination for people who follow those particular diets. We are accredited by Coeliac UK. Aside from our lovely food we offer a brilliant range of healthy juices, as well as delicious wine and beer, and a fantastic cocktail menu too. If you're unable to dine-in, you can click & collect your order, or find us on Deliveroo. We look forward to welcoming you!

Top review

Annie

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

Tasty food and value for money. Very authentic. Enjoyed a lovely lunch and staff were very helpful

The Ivy Asia, Cardiff

4.5

4.5 (3400)

£25 and under

Asian

Cardiff

About the restaurant

The Ivy Asia brings beautiful fusion flavours, exotic cocktails and late night entertainment to the heart of Cardiff, every night of the week. Located in St David's Shopping Centre, just a short walk from the city's historic castle and Cardiff Market, The Ivy Asia Cardiff is perfectly placed to provide a stunning sanctuary for shoppers, tourists and locals alike.

Top review

Keilly

Dined 3 days ago

Seriously, the best dining experience ever. The food was so delicious and exciting. The staff were so friendly and welcoming.

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Popular dish

Crispy Duck Spring Rolls

Côte Brasserie - Cardiff Central

4.4

4.4 (112)

£25 and under

French

Cardiff

About the restaurant

Top review

Nick

Dined on May 23, 2025

Great food and brilliant service! Thanks to everyone for a great evening!

Aura

4.4

4.4 (75)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Cardiff

About the restaurant

AURA
A sanctuary for your senses, nestled within the historic Coal Exchange, we present a contemporary bar and brasserie. Engage in intimate and elaborate exchanges against a backdrop of heritage luxe. A lively all-day dining experience awaits, with fresh ingredients taking center stage. Discover your Aura

Top review

Terina

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

We had such a lovely Sunday roast here - the place was packed with groups but it never got too loud, the staff were friendly and there was an excellent live musician too. The food was delicious too - I’m going to be dreaming about that berry and pecan crumble for weeks!

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