The Coastal Way: Taste Trail
Running along the entire sweep of Cardigan Bay, from Aberdaron in the north to St Davids in the south, the 180-mile/290km Coastal Way is one of three Wales Way national touring routes. Rather than a rigid set of directions, each ‘Way’ is a flexible route with plenty of opportunities to venture off the main path, following loops and detours so that you can create your very own personal journey.
This delicious three-day itinerary allows you to sample some of the finest food and drink The Coastal Way has to offer. With super-fresh seafood, locally reared beef and lamb, brilliant beers and spirits bursting with Welsh flavour, there’s something to please every palate.
Day 1
Get things started with some liquid refreshment at Cwrw Llŷn in the pretty seaside village of Nefyn. This local brewery produces a range of delicious hand-made beers inspired by the landscape, legends and history of Wales, as well as running backstage tours that lift the lid on the brewing process.
When you’ve built up an appetite, follow the Llŷn Peninsula’s south coast to Criccieth and Dylan’s Restaurant. Located in a stylish art deco building right next to the beach, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a taste of the sea (try the Menai mussels, a house speciality, perfectly prepared with white wine, cream and garlic). Then follow the A496 coast road south through Barmouth to Mawddach near Dolgellau, where you can sample Snowdonia-reared beef and lamb with a side order of stunning views over the Mawddach Estuary and Cader Idris.
Suggested overnight: Dolgellau.
Day 2
Continue down the coast to Aberystwyth, where you’ll find Ultracomida, a Spanish-influenced restaurant and deli that stocks a cracking selection of local Ceredigion cheeses. For the freshest seafood, head to Jonah’s Fish Market to take your pick from the day’s catch. If you’d prefer some sweet treats, pop into Ridiculously Rich by Alana on the harbour. Founded by Alana Spencer (winner of TV’s The Apprentice) it offers a tempting selection of indulgent cakes and brownies.
From Aberystwyth, stay on the scenic coast road along Cardigan Bay for cosmopolitan Cardigan’s, a foodie’s favourite. Try Crwst, a café and deli specialising in freshly baked bread, cakes and pastries, housed in a building that was once an ironworks and car showroom.
Suggested overnight: Cardigan.
Day 3
From Cardigan, it’s a short hop to St Dogmaels and the award-winning Ferry Inn, where a tempting seasonal menu of contemporary-influenced classic dishes is built around supplies from the area’s best butchers, cheesemakers, farmers and fishermen. Pwnc Café in Newport also likes to keep things local. The ingredients for its delicious but healthy meals and snacks are sourced from the surrounding region (and the café’s own garden).
End your culinary journey in St Davids at St Davids Kitchen, a farm-to-fork restaurant that places local growers and producers at the heart of its business. Alongside hogget (sheep’s meat) from Ramsey Island and fresh fish from the waters around St Davids Peninsula, you can try local gin made with hand-foraged botanicals.
Suggested overnight: St Davids.
More itineraries are also available under the headings of adventure, walking, heritage, Welsh language, culture, landscape, coast, family breaks and golf.