Swansea Restaurants and Dining

(Swansea, West Glamorgan, South Wales, UK)

Fine dining is plentiful in Swansea and a hearty plate of food is never far away, wherever you are in the city. Some of the best restaurants in the whole of Wales can be found in and around the Gower Peninsula, as stated by famous food critique Egon Ronay, and neighbouring Swansea is no exception to this. With its coastal setting, many restaurants in Swansea choose to specialise in freshly caught seafood from nearby waters.

Very few of the cities in the whole of the United Kingdom can compete with Swansea's extensive and rather surprising selection of restaurants, many of which boast superb views across the bay.

With coffee shops, cafes, themed bistros, quality restaurants and more, your dining experience in Swansea is sure to be one that you will remember and is often the highlight of a holiday here.

Opening Hours

Apart from fast-food restaurants and cafes, which often open early in the morning for breakfast, pastries and coffee, from 07:00 onwards, most eateries open for lunch at 11:30 or 12:00, closing their doors after service, at around 15:00. Bakeries stay open throughout the day and are the perfect place to purchase a lunchtime snack of a sandwich, baguette, pasty or similar. Those planning an evening meal will find that restaurants and other dining venues, including pubs, begin serving food as early as 17:30 for early birds, although most start at 18:30 or 19:00.

Where to Eat

Many of the best restaurants in Swansea are concentrated around Wind Street, which is a particularly lively and vibrant part of the city. A good selection of familiar chain restaurants reside in this area, together with a huge variety of traditional pubs, bars and other notable eateries. Some of the most attractive restaurants along Wind Street were once banking branches and have retained much of their grand character and facade, and large interiors.

The Kingsway area of Swansea is another happening nightspot and is filled with restaurants, bars and clubs. Further dining opportunities line much of St. Helen's Road, which links the very heart of the city with the Brynmill district and is known for its Indian cuisine and takeaways. If you are planning to self-cater or are simply in the mood for a picnic, then consider Swansea Market, between both Union Street and White Walls, or the enormous Tesco supermarket on the south-eastern side of the bus station.

In Mumbles, a large number of restaurants stand alongside the seafront promenade and take in some uninterrupted views of Swansea Bay. Verdi's, on Mumbles Road, sits on Knab Rock, right next to the sea, where it specialises in Italian cuisine. Seating is available both inside and out, and food is simply ordered at the till by quoting your table number. The pasta dishes, pizzas and ice cream sundaes are all extremely popular and in the summer months, this place is often packed with diners enjoying both the food and the vistas. For Sunday lunch dining, the nearby Mumbles Carlton Hotel offers an 'all you can eat' buffet with a real seaside character, and is regularly fully booked.