A seaside city with access to wonderfully fresh produce from the many farms in the surrounding countryside, Swansea is a great city for those who like their food locally grown. The city is home to some top-class formal restaurants serving Welsh and international dishes, and there are also lots of cozy traditional pubs serving hearty meals, chic sandwich and cafe bars, pavement cafes and, or course, no end of places to pick up a portion of tasty fish and chips.
Superior Seafood
Given its location by the sea, it should come as no surprise that fish and seafood are firm fixtures on menus across Swansea. The city´s Maritime Quarter is perhaps the best place to enjoy a plate of freshly-caught fish. Marina Quays, a restaurant at Victoria Quay, is one of those restaurants. The Mumbles district is also a great place for inexpensive fish restaurants.
Local Specialties
Welsh cuisine is more than just leeks and Welsh Rarebit. There are several restaurants in Swansea where visitors can sample traditional Welsh dishes, the most celebrated of which is Fairyhill, at Reynoldston Gower. Fairyhill is located in a much-loved historic hotel of the same name, and the country garden surrounding the restaurant are as delightful as the food. Fresh eggs from the hotel´s own ducks, vegetables from the garden and locally-raised lamb and beef are among the selections on the menu. Vegetarians should make a point of trying the laverbread--a delicious savory treat made from seaweed.
Pubs and Bars
Swansea´s High Street is awash with impersonal chain bars offering good deals for those who are looking for inexpensive meals, while those looking for a little more charm will find plenty of independent pubs offering filling plates of food along with local ales. Try the alarmingly-named Brains beer, brewed in nearby Cardiff and extremely popular, locally.
Vegetarian Options
There are plenty of options for vegetarians looking for a bite to eat in Swansea. For light meals, many of the city´s sandwich bars offer good vegetarian options. There are also specialist spots such as Govinda´s, at 8 Craddock Street, which offer organic vegan dishes that are as tasty as they are healthy. And, Bizzie Lizzie´s Bistro at 55 Walter Street is a cozy little place offering dishes that will tempt carnivores as well as vegetarians.