Seven Welsh restaurants you absolutely have to visit as soon as you can

Deciding on where to eat out on date night, with friends or family, or just on the hoof when you've not got much in the fridge can be a tough call. For the month of May we've picked out a delectable list of restaurants and places to eat to help you decide.

Some are hot off the awards trail, some have new menus and some are just brand new places to eat we think you might like (and us, too) So check out the list of seven suggestions for whatever your taste or budget.

If you want a longer list of recommendations, go to our 50 Best Welsh restaurants list, and for Cardiff's best places to eat click here. For the latest restaurant reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here

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1. Gorse, Cardiff

Completely transforming the long-time cafe venue on Pontcanna's Kings Road, Newport's Tom Waters, will be opening his first permanent venture in the heart of Pontcanna on May 28. His modern Welsh menus utilise Tom’s close relationships with local growers, fishers and farmers.

He will be locally sourcing a menu that has defined Tom's culinary ethos, with multi-course tasting menus showcasing the best of Welsh produce.

186-188 Kings Rd, Pontcanna, Cardiff CF11 9DF

2. Gigi Gao's Favourite Authentic Chinese, Swansea

Recently awarded the title of Best Restaurant in Wales Award at The Golden Chopsticks, the Swansea Marina-side Chinese restaurant is a favourite of Jay Rayner's thanks to a "thrilling" potato dish and '"spare ribs in the kind of glossy five-spice sauce with which you could varnish a boat deck".

The menu at Gigi's is as vivid and varied as the restaurant itself and includes stand-outs like fish in spicy soup with vegetables, hot and spicy lamb and more. Read more on Gigi and her eponymous restaurant, here.

23 Anchor Ct, Maritime Quarter, Swansea SA1 3XA

3. Cobbles, Ogmore-by-Sea

Always a great stop-off spot for lunch thanks to their huge sarnes, Cobbles, which is around five minutes from the beach, has just launched new, mouth-watering item, the Bronn.

Inspired by the ultimate comfort food, buttermilk biscuits of the Deep South, Cobbles have whipped up their own recipe cheese ‘biscuits’ which will come with six options of fillings from from their sandwich menu, such as The Cool Chick and The Philly.

Cobbles also serve out of Goodsheds in Barry.

Tymaen Farm Buildings, Ogmore Rd, Ogmore-by-Sea, CF32 0QP

4. Home, Penarth

Rated 'exceptional' in the Good Food Guide, owner of a Michelin star and now co-head chef, James Sommerin is nominated for Independent Restaurateur of the Year at the 2024 Cateys awards.

Home is a low-key, blank restaurant front and accessible only by ringing a doorbell, Home serves a menu based around the best seasonal ingredients and changes every five weeks.

1, Royal buildings, Penarth CF64 3EB

5. Carnivore, Cwmgwrach

Formerly The Mine, a small, industrial decored eaterie for those with big appetites tucked away behind a grocery store, owner Stuart spotted the opportunity to change it to a steak restaurant with a more Instagram-friendly look. On the menu, you'll find starters such as baked camembert with honey & thyme and prawn skewers, main like steaks and chops, sharers and 'twisted' street food dishes.

Carnivore, 24 High Street, Cwmgwrach, Neath Port Talbot, SA11 5TA

6. North Point, Cardiff

For an authentic Hong Kong dining experience including curried fish balls, Cantonese-style beef, Hong Kong-style French toast and custard tarts, this new corner cafe in the student-hub of Cardiff promised to bring the island's unique atmosphere and vibrance to Wales.

Salisbury Road, Cathays , Cardiff CF24 4AD

7. Coppa Club, Cardiff

The new city centre clubhouse and restaurant, The Cardiff Townhouse will open on May 13. Split over two separate floors, a dog-friendly ground floor, with its own bar - open early morning for coffee and a first floor Atrium Bar - a horseshoe-shaped cocktail bar set under a skylight.

It's restaurant fare seems to have a nice variety over breakfast and all-day menus with standouts like tahini porridge, rare-seared yellowfin tuna and roasted aubergine with almond and mint pesto.

18 The Hayes, St Davids Centre, Cardiff CF10 1AH