Guidebook for Conwy
Food Scene
This cafe, just over the Pont-y-Pair bridge (turn right over the bridge and it's a minute's walk over the road), serves hearty breakfasts to set you up for the day, especially if you opt for the 'belly buster'. Take away one of their traditional bara brith cakes for midnight nibbles. At weekends and during the holidays, the place reopens in the evening as a pizzeria. Order and pay (cash only) at the counter before taking your seat.
Caban-Y-Pair
Caban WayThis cafe, just over the Pont-y-Pair bridge (turn right over the bridge and it's a minute's walk over the road), serves hearty breakfasts to set you up for the day, especially if you opt for the 'belly buster'. Take away one of their traditional bara brith cakes for midnight nibbles. At weekends and during the holidays, the place reopens in the evening as a pizzeria. Order and pay (cash only) at the counter before taking your seat.
Olde World coaching inn serving great food. Located at the opposite end of the village (where the A470 and A5 cross) but still within walking distance, this place oozes atmosphere. You will need to book a table though, especially at weekends.
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Ty Gwyn Hotel
Olde World coaching inn serving great food. Located at the opposite end of the village (where the A470 and A5 cross) but still within walking distance, this place oozes atmosphere. You will need to book a table though, especially at weekends.
You have the choice of the formal restaurant (booking recommended) or the less formal Grill restaurant. The Grill does a great Sunday lunch. A recent guest at the Old Surgery said they had a lovely meal in the Grill.
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Royal Oak Hotel
Holyhead RoadYou have the choice of the formal restaurant (booking recommended) or the less formal Grill restaurant. The Grill does a great Sunday lunch. A recent guest at the Old Surgery said they had a lovely meal in the Grill.
Located 4 miles away in the market town of Llanrwst, this Indian restaurant is probably the best in North Wales. Friendly service, superb food, you won't be disappointed. Taxi services are notoriously poor in the Conwy Valley, so you may need a designated driver or take the bus, which runs from Llanrwst to Betws until 10.30pm (11.30pm on Saturdays). Booking advised on Saturdays.
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Ty Asha Balti House
4 Denbigh StLocated 4 miles away in the market town of Llanrwst, this Indian restaurant is probably the best in North Wales. Friendly service, superb food, you won't be disappointed. Taxi services are notoriously poor in the Conwy Valley, so you may need a designated driver or take the bus, which runs from Llanrwst to Betws until 10.30pm (11.30pm on Saturdays). Booking advised on Saturdays.
Located 4 miles away in the market town of Llanrwst, this restaurant, within the Meadowsweet Hotel (Y Dolydd), serves fine a la carte food and has a great ambience. Booking advised at weekends.
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Lle Hari Restaurant and Bar
Station RdLocated 4 miles away in the market town of Llanrwst, this restaurant, within the Meadowsweet Hotel (Y Dolydd), serves fine a la carte food and has a great ambience. Booking advised at weekends.
Located half way between Betws-y-Coed and Llandudno on the A470 (and nowhere near Colwyn Bay as the address suggests), this former coaching inn has been virtually rebuilt. I keep hearing mixed reviews about the food but on the two occasions I've been, I enjoyed my meal. Booking advised at weekends.
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The Tal Y Cafn
Located half way between Betws-y-Coed and Llandudno on the A470 (and nowhere near Colwyn Bay as the address suggests), this former coaching inn has been virtually rebuilt. I keep hearing mixed reviews about the food but on the two occasions I've been, I enjoyed my meal. Booking advised at weekends.
For longer-staying guests who are exploring the whole of northwest Wales, the restaurant at Plas Bodegroes near Pwllheli is worth a visit if you have a bit of cash to splash. I've not been for a good few years now, but the chef is (or at least was) a former BBC Masterchef champion. It's at least an hour's drive from Betws-y-Coed but if you're staying in North Wales for a special occasion, then take a look at this place on Trip Advisor. The setting is just amazing.
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Plas Bodegroes Restaurant
Nefyn RoadFor longer-staying guests who are exploring the whole of northwest Wales, the restaurant at Plas Bodegroes near Pwllheli is worth a visit if you have a bit of cash to splash. I've not been for a good few years now, but the chef is (or at least was) a former BBC Masterchef champion. It's at least an hour's drive from Betws-y-Coed but if you're staying in North Wales for a special occasion, then take a look at this place on Trip Advisor. The setting is just amazing.
If you find yourself in Bangor during your stay in North Wales, try out Noodle One. Great Thai-inspired food and moderately priced too.
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Noodle One
166 High StIf you find yourself in Bangor during your stay in North Wales, try out Noodle One. Great Thai-inspired food and moderately priced too.
Not been here myself but told by friends it serves great tapas. Let me know if you try this place and what you think of it.
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Olif
Holyhead RoadNot been here myself but told by friends it serves great tapas. Let me know if you try this place and what you think of it.
Drinks & Nightlife
Busy bar at weekends but quieter during the week, serving decent pub grub. Can be loud on Saturdays with football on the TVs.
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Stables Bar - Y Stablau
Holyhead RoadBusy bar at weekends but quieter during the week, serving decent pub grub. Can be loud on Saturdays with football on the TVs.
Just over the Pont y Pair bridge (2 minutes' walk from the cottage), this traditional pub has recently changed hands. Always a favourite boozer among locals, its food offering dramatically improved under the previous owners and its Sunday lunch was superb. I haven't been there since the new owners took over, so can no longer vouch for the food. I'll try and get an update soon.
Pont-y-Pair Inn
Holyhead RoadJust over the Pont y Pair bridge (2 minutes' walk from the cottage), this traditional pub has recently changed hands. Always a favourite boozer among locals, its food offering dramatically improved under the previous owners and its Sunday lunch was superb. I haven't been there since the new owners took over, so can no longer vouch for the food. I'll try and get an update soon.
Fancy a trip to the coast? The Cottage Loaf in Llandudno is a great pub which serves excellent food too.
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The Cottage Loaf
Market StreetFancy a trip to the coast? The Cottage Loaf in Llandudno is a great pub which serves excellent food too.
Located 4miles away in the market town of Llanrwst, the Eagles Hotel on Ancaster Square has a cosy lounge bar serving nice pub food. The hotel's Ancaster Bar is a pleasant place for drinks while watching major sporting events (usually involving Wales) on the big screen.
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The Eagles Hotel - Hotel, Bars & Restaurant
Ancaster SquareLocated 4miles away in the market town of Llanrwst, the Eagles Hotel on Ancaster Square has a cosy lounge bar serving nice pub food. The hotel's Ancaster Bar is a pleasant place for drinks while watching major sporting events (usually involving Wales) on the big screen.
Parks & Nature
Known in English as Fairy Glen, this place has to be seen to be believed. Stunning scenery.
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Ffos Anoddun
A5Known in English as Fairy Glen, this place has to be seen to be believed. Stunning scenery.
Beautiful waterfall and scenery. Opposite the Swallow Falls Hotel where you can grab a drink and some pub food.
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Swallow Falls Waterfall
Beautiful waterfall and scenery. Opposite the Swallow Falls Hotel where you can grab a drink and some pub food.
Bodnant Gardens is a lovely way to spend a summer's afternoon. There's a tea room and nursery if you're into gardening like me.
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Bodnant Gardens station
Bodnant Gardens is a lovely way to spend a summer's afternoon. There's a tea room and nursery if you're into gardening like me.
Great for walking the dogs (on a leash) and for fishing (you can buy a day permit in advance I believe). Stunning scenery.
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Llyn Crafnant
Great for walking the dogs (on a leash) and for fishing (you can buy a day permit in advance I believe). Stunning scenery.
Arts & Culture
Located on the A470 midway between Betws-y-Coed and Llanrwst, Ffin y Parc Gallery has changing art exhibitions. The tearoom cum (daytime) restaurant is lovely, serving hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and cakes and hot meals too (check out the specials menu). I recently had the homemade beef bolognese with penne and it was lovely.
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Ffin y Parc Gallery
24 Betws RdLocated on the A470 midway between Betws-y-Coed and Llanrwst, Ffin y Parc Gallery has changing art exhibitions. The tearoom cum (daytime) restaurant is lovely, serving hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and cakes and hot meals too (check out the specials menu). I recently had the homemade beef bolognese with penne and it was lovely.
Essentials
Spar
Holyhead RoadYou can get most essentials here, including drinks and your breakfast ingredients.
The nearest supermarket is in Llanrwst, four miles away. You can get nearly everything here if you want to cook in or have a barbecue.
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Co-op Food
Plough StreetThe nearest supermarket is in Llanrwst, four miles away. You can get nearly everything here if you want to cook in or have a barbecue.
Entertainment & Activities
Located in nearby Dolgarrog, you can take the kids surfing here. Check opening times/seasons before you set off.
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Adventure Parc Snowdonia
Conway RoadLocated in nearby Dolgarrog, you can take the kids surfing here. Check opening times/seasons before you set off.
Zip World Fforest
A470Great fun for all the family.
Sightseeing
One of the best preserved castles in North Wales (along with Caernarfon Castle), this is a must-see for history buffs while staying in the area.
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Conwy Castle
Rose Hill StreetOne of the best preserved castles in North Wales (along with Caernarfon Castle), this is a must-see for history buffs while staying in the area.
No visit to Snowdonia would be complete without a visit to Wales's highest peak.
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Station van de Snowdon Mountain Railway
No visit to Snowdonia would be complete without a visit to Wales's highest peak.
For longer staying guests (especially from overseas), you don't want to miss a visit to Caernarfon Castle, where the investiture of the Prince of Wales takes place.
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Caernarfon Castle
Castle DitchFor longer staying guests (especially from overseas), you don't want to miss a visit to Caernarfon Castle, where the investiture of the Prince of Wales takes place.