If you’re wrapping up a day of exploring the rugged trails of Eryri National Park, the Gwydyr Hotel in Betws-y-Coed offers the ultimate Welsh welcome. Dating back to the 1800s, this splendid Victorian gem sits right at the gateway to Snowdonia, managing to feel both delightfully historic and wonderfully refreshed thanks to a sleek, recent transformation. It is exactly the kind of warm, unpretentious retreat where walkers, families, and four-legged friends can effortlessly dust off their boots and settle in for a seriously comforting meal.
The dining experience splits across two equally inviting spaces depending on your mood. In the beautifully rejuvenated Gwydyr Restaurant, things take a slightly more elegant turn, making it the perfect spot for a lavish afternoon tea or a celebratory evening dinner. If you’re after a more casual, lively atmosphere, head straight for the wood-paneled Gwydyr Bar or the relaxed outside dining area, where locals and visitors swap hiking stories over local cask ales and freshly shaken cocktails.
Across both spaces, the kitchen places a massive emphasis on home-cooked comfort, built entirely around the finest local Welsh produce. Partnering with trusted regional suppliers like A. L. & R. O. Jones - a brilliant local butcher down the road in Llanrwst - the menus champion genuine provenance. You can dive into robust pub classics like a slow-cooked red wine lamb shank piled high over buttery mash, or tuck into a spectacular ten-ounce local farmed sirloin steak paired with triple-cooked chips. There are also plenty of lighter, modern touches on offer, from a fragrant Malaysian-style chicken curry to a fresh leek and wild mushroom risotto finished with truffle oil.
To discover more of the region's best hidden gems and finest dining pubs, check out our full guide to the best restaurants in Wales.