The Fanny Talbot

The dishes flowed so well that it felt like being taken along the journey the chef had planned. This is up there with the best tasting menus, and with its AA 3 rosettes and Michelin guide recognition, it’s putting Barmouth on the map. The gift from the kitchen had tasty, meaty ham hock. The butter had a nutty flavour with a hint of toffee. The cod loin with satay, sesame and miso was perfectly cooked. The flavours didn’t win me over right away, but by the end I was using a spoon to get every last bit. I’d have licked the bowl clean if no one was looking. I was least excited about the red leg partridge with parsnip, pancetta and blackberry when I read the menu. The chef deserves credit for the pairing, though. The partridge was soft, full of flavour, and went really well with everything else on the plate. The stone bass had a cracking aroma and crispy skin. If I’m being picky, it could have been seasoned more. The black beef fillet with celeriac, hen of the woods, black garlic and beef sauce had a lot going on. The black garlic cut through the sauce and left a fantastic taste while I waited for the rhubarb. The Yorkshire rhubarb with stem ginger and yoghurt was refreshing and made me think of spring. The ginger didn’t overpower it. Last came the 63% chocolate with hazelnut praline and cocoa nib ice cream, a real powerhouse and a complete wow. I told the chef not to lose his pastry skills. He looked at me and said, “Is it me?” 🫣

Savannah was an absolute star and managed to fit us in after we booked the wrong day. The staff were so warm and friendly, and went above and beyond for us yesterday. What a Sunday lunch, every course was incredible. Highly recommend this restaurant.

Book ahead, as this seems to be a very popular spot. Lunch was fantastic and reasonably priced, though there’s a 10% service charge added at the end. I’d go back in a heartbeat. Make time to walk around town and visit the stunning beach, too.

Aaron really looked after us throughout the evening and helped make our anniversary feel special. The whole team, including the head chef, were warm and attentive, and every detail impressed us. We can’t wait to return and have already told friends and family it’s a must-visit. Gary from the Bae Abermaw B&B had recommended The Fanny Talbot for our anniversary, and it completely blew us away. We stopped in for a drink that afternoon, where Sally sorted out our reservation and helped with parking. My husband was thrilled to find Tetley’s Bitter on tap, which is hard to come by these days. Aaron served us then and took care of us at dinner too. When we arrived for our meal, we were shown to a lovely table and given a glass of bubbly to celebrate. We chose the three-course evening set menu, and it was outstanding. The warm sourdough with local butters and the crisp cheese and chive balls were both wonderful. The lobster starter had exquisite, beautifully balanced flavours. The duo of black beef was so soft and rich it melted in the mouth, and we couldn’t resist having triple-cooked chips on the side. My husband ordered the same, though we both found it hard to choose because everything sounded so good. I finished with the chocolate pavé, smooth and deeply chocolatey, just right to end the meal. I didn’t want any of the courses to be over. A big thank you to everyone for an unforgettable evening.