Adorning the banks of the River Wye, Chepstow welcomes you to Wales with its verdant larder, inviting you to dine at one of the many delectable eateries. Boasting a darling mix of restaurants, from cosy French bistros to Michelin favourites in the heart of the Wye Valley, this charming medieval town beckons for relaxed days on the doorstep of ancient woodlands and sweeping valleys.
Embark on a peaceful sojourn in the southern reaches of Wales with our guide to the best places to eat in Chepstow and the breathtaking surrounding valley.
The Whitebrook
With a Michelin Star, Michelin Green Star, and four AA Rosettes to its name, The Whitebrook near Chepstow is one of the top places for fine dining in the area. At one with the natural world, the chefs at The Whitebrook curate exceptional menus around seasonal ingredients, be it from their own kitchen garden, the surrounding hedgerows, or nearby farmers and producers.
It’s this dedication that feeds into every avenue of the restaurant, from the joyfully crafted tasting menu to the wine pairings that play with the flavours and aromas in each dish, creating an experience for the senses you’ll rush to repeat. Alongside the delectable seven-course tasting menu, you can sit down to a set three-course menu, as well as a divine dinner menu that encapsulates the heart and soul of the restaurant, with dishes such as truffle-baked parsnip and Orkney scallops with heritage carrot and rock samphire.
Henry’s Café Bar
Blending the relaxed atmosphere of a café with the freshly-poured delights of a bar, Henry’s is considered one of the best places to dine in Chepstow for good reason. Begin your day with the aromas of freshly ground coffee as you peruse the breakfast and brunch menu, choosing between a melt-in-the-mouth pistachio croissant, heavenly eggs royale, or pillowy buttermilk pancakes topped with tart berries and creamy yoghurt.
The cocktail menu is just as dreamworthy, whether you opt for the ‘Storm In The Vale’, with local Hensol spiced rum and spicy ginger beer or the utterly divine ‘Berry Bramble’ with Hensol black cherry gin and berry liquor. There’s also a deli, which offers delectable antipasti platters, the perfect accompaniment to your refreshing cocktail.
The Two Rivers at Chepstow
Nothing warms the soul quite like a sumptuous Sunday lunch in a beautiful setting, especially when dining at The Two Rivers at Chepstow. Welcoming muddy boots and paws, you can slink into the fire-warmed pub for one of its ‘Slow Sundays’ after a breathtaking stroll through the Wye Valley, or dip into the sun-drenched pub garden for an Aperol Spritz and a deliciously light lunch from the set menu.
Boasting piquant pub classics, including ‘Our Best Ever Pub Pie’, which was crafted by Michelin chef Tom Shepherd, and a selection of simple yet succulent dishes, the menu is awash with epicurean delights. From beckoning breakfasts to divine dinners, this wholesome pub promises one of the best meals in Chepstow.
LT16
A warm yet chic welcome awaits you at LT16, a sleek restaurant that invites you to delve into a creative menu of small plates and cocktails. Beamed ceilings meet modern furnishings and seating to craft a light and bright dining experience. Artfully curated to bring simple ingredients together to vibrant effect, the dishes and small plates celebrate a world of influences, from Persian-style lamb to grilled Thai-style king prawns.
You’ll also find a showstopping steak platter with a Tomahawk steak, truffle mac and cheese, panko onion rings, and a refreshing Caesar wedge with pepper sauce. Add some diver-caught scallops and one of LT16’s signature cocktails, and you’ll soon see why this vibrant restaurant is one of the best in town. Visit on a Sunday and sit down to a decadent Sunday roast, complete with a choice of succulent mains with beef fat roast potatoes, glazed carrots, and a sharing board of Welsh rarebit, cauliflower cheese and seasonal greens.
Tell Me Wine
Inside this charming French bistro, you’ll find a cornucopia of continental delights, from the wine cellars overflowing with aromatic wines to the rustic menu celebrating French cuisine. Stop by for a light lunch laden with cassoulet toulousain, tartiflette, and affogato, or take a moment to sit and relish in the curated art of viticulture with a winsome wine tasting that leads you through the many fascinating aromas and tasting notes of the chosen wines.
If you time your visit right, you can join Tell Me Wine for one of its superb supper clubs, where carefully crafted menus celebrate a chosen theme to great effect, or a live music performance.
Parva Farmhouse
Celebrating simplicity, both in setting and menu, this Arcadian farmhouse invites you in for honest fare that never disappoints. Earning a place in the Michelin guide, the menu showcases unhurried cooking, with classic British dishes welcoming subtle influences from across the globe. Sup on the likes of white asparagus, chicory, and blood orange butter sauce, followed by halibut with mussels, baby potatoes, romanesco, saffron and garlic sauce, with a vanilla crème brulee with prunes in Armagnac to finish.
Breakfasts are served daily, while the restaurant welcomes guests from Wednesday to Saturday. Make sure you book in advance to avoid disappointment. Nestled in the verdant realms of the Wye Valley, a short drive from Chepstow, Parva Farmhouse is perfectly placed for a woodland wander after your meal.
Ego at the Groes Wen Inn
Set in a gorgeous character pub in the nearby village of Penhow, Ego at the Groes Wen Inn promises a warm welcome and an à la carte menu adorned with ambrosial dishes that draw influences from across the Mediterranean. Dine on chargrilled merguez spiced lamb koftas and aromatic paella entwined with chicken, chorizo, king prawns, squid and mussels for a delightful melange of land and sea.
On Thursdays, kebabs take centre stage, with a sumptuous mix of piri piri chicken, lamb rump, pork loin, and Cypriot halloumi blending with refreshing mint yoghurt and charred vegetables. Sundays promise a lavish roast menu, while the afternoon tea invites you to sup on delicate sandwiches and mini desserts. The cocktail menu paints a flavourful picture, with creative mixes leading the way and delightful sharing pitchers of sangria offering the perfect accompaniment to your Mediterranean medley.
The Boat Inn
Built in the 18th century, The Boat Inn draws you in with its olde-worlde charm and high beams, crafting a heartsome spot to pause and take in your surroundings. Riverside views add to the ambience of the pub, whether you choose to unwind upstairs overlooking the gently flowing waters or in the lovely pub garden where festoon lighting fills the evening with golden hues.
The menu holds pub fare at its heart, with the likes of herb-crusted cod, rich homemade pies, and prime-cut steak burgers ensuring you leave utterly satisfied and ready to explore the delights of Chepstow. The cosy bar beckons for an array of moreish repasts, from local ales to world wines, while Sundays call to those wishing to indulge in the UK’s favourite foodie tradition with all the trimmings. Offering a relaxed atmosphere and dog-friendly seating downstairs, The Boat Inn is a beautiful pub worth exploring during your stay in Chepstow.
Panevino
Perched on the banks of the enchanting River Wye, this Italian restaurant promises serene moments watching the waters ripple and flow as you relax in the sun-trap alfresco seating area. By day, soak up the idyllic setting as you sip an aperitif or visit as the sun sets for a seat by the flickering fire pit under a starlit sky.
Turning your gaze to the menu, you’ll soon be swept up in the tide of Italian dishes, which proffer a heavenly pastiche of pastas, pizza, and antipasti delights, from the refreshing zest of a caprese salad to the indulgence of lobster ravioli in a white wine and saffron sauce. Pair your meal with a glass of crisp white or full-bodied red and sit back as you soak up the charms of Italy from the verdant setting of Chepstow.
Salkaara
From Italy to India, Chepstow’s beloved restaurants ensure your palate tours the globe without leaving the leaf-gilded charms of South Wales. Derived from the Malayalam word for ‘warm welcome’, Salkaara promises that and more in this sleek Indian eatery. With dishes shifting with the seasons to match available ingredients and Indian traditions, the menu is an ever-changing kaleidoscope that draws inspiration from Kerala (where Chef Santhosh is from) and South India.
Artfully presented with a flourish of spices drawing together a mix of local ingredients, each dish brims with flavour, from rich Tandoori murgh with red chillies to vibrant Keralan fish curry with a fragrant burst of ginger.
Feeling inspired for a heavenly homestay? Take a look at our luxury cottages in Wales.
