Family Home in the Charming Coastal Town of Barry

Inspired by a restaurant in Patagonia, this slick spot is a great place to while away the hours with a few drinks and accomplished small plates. The relaxed surroundings offer multiple areas to dine in, including on the terrace and at the kitchen counter bedecked with beautiful blue tiles. The menu ranges from snacks to the more substantial, with the unfussy approach resulting in simple, fresh-tasting dishes like a terrific take on Welsh rarebit. Add in the friendly service and you’ll leave with a smile on your face – just ensure you get here early as they don’t take bookings.

Enter via the glass door between the shop fronts and head up to this bright, sleek Indian restaurant where flashes of purple ensure it lives up to its name. Abstract murals, exposed brick walls and blonde wood chairs complete the look. The interesting menu showcases recognisable dishes like lamb rogan josh, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for the chef's signature tiffin sea bass too. Throughout, the subtle spicing and quality produce ensure layer after layer of wonderful flavour comes through in each bite. Warm, welcoming service is the chutney on the poppadom, so to speak.

The Welsh word ‘hiræth’ has no direct translation, but it broadly refers to the pride and longing the Welsh feel for their homeland. That ethos comes through at this likeable little restaurant, thanks to the use of regional produce including locally foraged ingredients and some from their own smallholding. The cooking comes in a tasting menu format, with dishes flying highest when emphasising the quality of their ingredients, like sous-vide skrei cod with a mussel and wild garlic velouté. The team show pride in their work and will ensure you are well looked after.

Within the Pontcanna Laundry development in one of the city’s most food-loving suburbs, this fun and friendly restaurant could easily become a neighbourhood go-to. Faux-industrial touches decorate the room along with fridges bursting with ageing prime meats. You can therefore expect to find steaks and homemade sausages on the regularly changing menu, alongside other ingredient-led dishes such as giant Atlantic king prawns with a smooth shellfish bisque. Be sure to order the profiteroles with a Cointreau-laced chocolate and caramel sauce to finish.

There’s a welcome brightness to this neighbourhood restaurant in one of Cardiff’s foodie suburbs. The simple décor includes light-wood furnishings and a white-topped counter, ensuring a clean, uncluttered feel. The cooking has a similarly straightforward ethos, looking fairly pared-back on the plate, but packing a punch in its flavours. Seasonal British ingredients and a notable Italian influence guide the menu, leading to daily made focaccia and a choice of pasta dishes – such as spaghetti topped with lovely red mullet.

Arrive early for a cocktail in the bar of well-known Chef Tommy Heaney’s stylishly laid-back suburban restaurant. Dishes are seasonal and modern, with some sophisticated contrasts; the set lunch menu delivers good value while, at dinner, the tasting menu takes centre stage. Next door is Uisce – his no-reservations, small plates restaurant – which showcases herbs and vegetables from the pretty kitchen garden.