Good restaurants dot Hay-on-Wye ‘s lovely, curvy lanes. Whether you’re in town for a day or settling in for a longer stay here are some FARMERS’ favourites.
Key Highlights
- Traditional pubs and cafes, a tapas bar, a Michelin star restaurant and a fabulous popup diner are among the pleasing eateries in Hay.
- Hay Castle Café serves seven days a week. Chapters, famed for its Michelin Green Star for sustainability is a delight. When Barclays Bank moved out of town great cooks moved in. Old Bank Hay does delicious pop up dinners ten weekends a year.
- If you want to cook in your holiday home come stay at FARMERS’ Tredegar House in the heart of Hay. We bet you won’t find a better equipped kitchen in town. All the ingredients you want are minutes away on foot and every Thursday morning Hay’s vibrant food market is one step out the front door.
Hay Castle Café
Hay Castle Café serves great food in a castle dating back to about 1070. A clever restoration project has injected new life into the castle whilst celebrating its ancient past. Open every day from 10 to 5 the café occupies a bright, airy space with large windows letting in plenty of light. In winter the café is a warm haven with a large open fire.
Brunch is served from 10 to 11:30 with lunch from 12 to 3. Dishes are made with locally sourced ingredients. The terrace seating is a lovely spot for enjoying meals outdoors, and the café’s menus cater to a wide range of tastes. Veggie options are imaginative and tasty.
Enjoy hot and cold drinks, cakes, and snacks throughout the day. The café’s dedication to local sourcing and sustainability is clear, as they partner with local suppliers to ensure the best quality produce. Licensed.
This spot is a favourite with all our FARMERS’ team. Jess, our Thursday shopkeeper at FARMERS’ Hay store, highly recommends Hay Castle Café for its lovely atmosphere and perfectly prepared food. Whether you’re after a hearty breakfast, light lunch or a refreshing drink, this garden room restaurant delivers a satisfying culinary experience.
The Old Black Lion
The home of The Old Black Lion is a 17th century inn. This award-winning gastro pub is celebrated for its A La Carte menu made with seasonal local ingredients. It holds a Gastro Pub Good Food Award.
Every Friday night, a live jazz performance adds to warm atmosphere. Start time is 8:30 pm.
Chapters
Hay is proud of its top spot, Chapters, with its Michelin Green Star granted for outstanding commitment to locally sourced ingredients often grown or foraged by the owners themselves – Mark and Charmaine. Charmaine, front of house, serves chef husband Mark’s imaginative and delicious dishes with a terrific smile.
The Old CIDER HOUSE
Fancy a Japanese menu? Simon and Kazuko, owners of The Old Cider House, host Hay’s Japanese supper club. Proper Japanese cooking by Kazuko in a beautifully restored building in town.
TOMATITOS
Tomatitos tapas bar is open every day except Monday. This lively bar is run by friendly, welcomingThalia and Trish. Walk right in. No reservations.
The Swan at Hay
The Swan at Hay offers dining in its elegant Garden Room and in the 1812 and Market bars.
Enjoy a light bite by the fire or savour a Welsh Barti (a spicy Welsh rum) in the Market Bar.
Origin Pizza TRUCK
FARMERS’ are in love with Origin Pizza. Described as the “best pizza in the country” by Jess, our Hay-on-Wye Thursday shopkeeper, this mobile eatery operates at various spots in Hay-on-Wye, including the Hay Market on Thursdays and The Granary Pop-up Pizzeria on Saturdays. (The Granary is also a friendly family run cafe serving good home cooked food.)
The high-quality ingredients and expert preparation make these wood fired pizzas a standout choice in Hay-on-Wye. Tell Nick and Bea FARMERS’ sent you.
THE OLD ELECTRIC SHOP
The Old Electric is a quirky department store in Broad Street selling new and vintage items alongside cake, coffee and savoury dishes. Owner Hannah has an extraordinary eye for merchandise. We dare you to visit and and not buy anything. Impossible.
SHOP TO COOK AT HOME
CASTLE GREENGROCERS Head up town to the local Greengrocer for fruit, veg, herbs and a lovely cheese selection. You’ll get a friendly hello from Kieran.
BUTCHERS Hay has two great butchers – Small Farms on Broad Street and Neil Powell on Castle Street.
BREAD Hay has three bread makers. Three! Kate is at 18 Lion Street, Alex Gooch whose bread is available at Hay Deli and every Thursday at the market and Baka (Swedish for Bake) at 28 Castle Street. On market day even more bread makers pop up – like Pobl from Talgarth (pobl = people in Welsh)
HAY DELI This essential shop is across the street from Tredegar House and just past the unmissable Richard Booth’s Bookshop. Look for the minty green trim. It has everything – cheese, bread, milk, cold cuts, coffee, tea, chocolates, cakes, cereal, sauces, jams and veg too. Wine, crisps, pretzels. You name it. Tell Derek hello from us.
Summary
Hay-on-Wye offers a diverse and delightful culinary experience for foodies. From the bright and airy Hay Castle Café to Chapters each stop provides a unique experience.
Whether you’re enjoying the best pizza in the country or the produce at Castle Greengrocer, Hay-on-Wye offers something for everyone. This guide ensures you won’t miss out on the top places to eat and shop for food – making the most of your culinary adventure in our charming town.
If you know of a restaurant missing from our list do tell us!
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Hay-on-Wye check out our house in town, Tredegar House. Or come stay in our gloriously up-cycled moving truck on the farm, Pantechnicon Powys. It’s only a 45 minute drive away from Hay.