Great pubs, restaurants and cafes
The obvious choice for dining is Hay on Wye, which is walking distance at 1.2 miles away, or a few minutes by car. Advance booking is vital though, particularly at weekends. There are some exceptional places further afield, which for reasons of space we have not included here but please ask if you would like details.
The Three Tuns: Cosy 300-year-old, heavily timbered pub with small outside area. The closest to us and very good value, although service can vary as it gets busy, notably at weekends. Italian inspired menu with excellent winter dishes such as porchetta and slow braised brisket, all sub £20 and great value wine list. Always busy.
Chapters Restaurant: Intimate, understated venue with seasonal set menus highlighting avant-garde mains & desserts. Open Thursday through Sat evenings only. Holds a Michelin Green Star. Spectacularly good.
The Blue Boar; Old, well-known pub in centre of town. Very spacious yet feels cosy in winter, with a good terrace to the rear for warmer days. Prices can be steep but a nice menu with everything from burgers to pigeon and venison. Good staff.
The Swan at Hay; large Georgian hotel and something of an institution in Hay. Great garden area perfect for summer dinners. A bit too muddled inside for our taste but very much a part of Hay. Wonderful lunch menus with superb sandwiches.
The Old Black Lion; Elizabethan, well regarded pub and restaurant. Generally, very good, although can be more expensive than others. Always very busy particularly the Jazz evenings on Friday.
Tomatitos; Tapas bar and restaurant, which is another Hay institution, although we never understood why. Now under new operators, it’s changed markedly and is a delightful, vibrant and friendly place with great tapas and good Spanish wines. Odd opening times, so always check.
A little further afield
Rhydspence Inn (3 miles away) Old inn originally dating from 1400s with the main building around 500 years old. Now under the excellent stewardship of two, very young proprietors from London with a small, efficient team. Sensible and beautifully balanced menu with top quality delivery and presentation. Excellent in every way.
Casa Bianca, Whitney (3 miles away) Part of a five strong chain with a strong following, which opened on the site of the former Bridge Eatery. Wonderful waterside setting at the old toll bridge and open all day, every day. Very long menu, with all the classic staples and delivers very well with sensibly priced dishes and very drinkable house wines.
The Roast Ox; Painscastle (4 miles away) Delightful old pub at the centre of a pretty hamlet. Solid choice for unfussy, trustworthy, good value pub meals with a small but varied menu. Excellent fish and chips. Open evenings Weds to Sat.
Foyles of Glasbury (4 miles away} Smart and expensively refurbished Georgian hotel cum restaurant with rooms. Bright and welcoming conservatory dining area, good menu with excellent, well- presented food, good wines and first-rate service. Overall, a very safe bet.
