Looking for great food in Swansea? Here are 59 of the best options the city has to offer
Post-pandemic the hospitality industry seemed to take a massive hit, with businesses downsizing and some even closing due to financial difficulties. However, in recent years we have seen a resurgence of independent delicious food joints opening across Swansea showing that the industry is better than ever.
The city showcases cuisines from around the world, whether that be Welsh, Thai, Spanish or Italian (and so many more) that reflect just how diverse Swansea is. Annually, Wales Online compiles a list of the best that the city has to offer, focusing on the independent businesses that make up the incredible foodie landscape.
So, to make your next meal out in Swansea that little bit easier we’ve rounded up, in no particular order, 59 of the best places to eat in 2025 that you must try. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here.
1. Missy’s Bakehouse
Missy’s Bakehouse down Swansea marina opened in December 2023, predominantly as a café which sold coffee and fresh bakes. However, they then extended their menu to include a wide variety of aesthetically pleasing brunches. From bagels to granola bowls, they have things to satisfy a sweet tooth or for those of you who prefer savoury. They are best known for their pancakes and french toasts which are perfect for the ‘gram. They’re based right next to the waterfront which means you have a great view of the docked boats, alternatively it’s also a great spot for people watching.
Sample dish: Raspberry and pistachio French toast or their selection of bakes.
Where: Squire Court, Victoria Quay, Maritime Quarter, Swansea SA1 3XB
2. Joyato
In the centre of Swansea is a little part of Japan in the form of the all-you-can-eat restaurant Joyato. The Japanese restaurant popped up this time last year in Salubrious Place and offers a large array of dishes including a range of sushi, curries, noodles, side dishes, and a couple of dessert options.
It costs £29.99 per person, or £14.99 for children over three, and allows you to order four dishes each every 10 minutes for two hours.
You can read our full review here.
Sample dish: Try everything, especially the Sushi!
Where: Next to Vue Cinema, Salubrious Pl, Swansea SA1 3DA
3. Nomad Bar & Kitchen
Nomad Bar & Kitchen serves wines, beers, hot drinks and small plates using high quality, not on the high street products from low-volume independent producers across Europe.
After a formal education in catering, one of Nomad’s founders Sam used his experience in the industry to work and travel throughout Greece, France, Austria, and Switzerland, later studying for a degree in human nutrition. The Nomad concept was created from these experiences.
Sample dish: Small plates menu, including Gower pasture-fed beef meatballs in tomato sauce
Where: 98 Sterry Rd, Gowerton, Swansea SA4 3BW
4. Verdi’s
Much like Joe’s, Verdi’s is a Swansea favourite when it comes to ice cream. It’s located at the heart of Mumbles, and serves up 30 flavours. But it also takes great pride in its food and its coffee, serving up authentic homemade pizza, pasta and salad dishes, many of which are also traditional family recipes.
Sample dish: Penne Arrabbiata – spicy tomato sauce, garlic, grilled mozzarella.
Where: Knab Rock, Mumbles Rd, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4EE
5. Hoogah
Hoogah is named after a Danish and Norwegian word for a “mood of cosiness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment.” And the restaurant captures that feeling, serving up a range of delicious food sourced from local suppliers.
Sample dish: Three Cliffs ruben pretzel – salt beef, mustard, sauerkraut, spicy mayo, smoked cheese
Where: 68 Brynymor Rd, Swansea SA1 4JJ
6. MAG
After starting out as The Meat & Greet Co. doing Event Catering, Weddings and Markets during 2016 and 2017, they launches a pop-up at a local community café, in Banwen before taking full control of the venue in April 2018.Over the next 4 and a half years they built up the business to be a thriving destination restaurant, specialising in Burgers, Tacos & Sunday Roasts, while also developing a loyal following of takeaway customers. They have since featured in Founders&Co and now have opened a brand new venture in Swansea’s Parc Tawe, which launched last month, June 2025.
Sample dish:The OG Combo. This includes a burger, fries and a taco.
Where: KIOSK 1 & 2, Parc Tawe, Swansea SA1 2AS
7. The Pizza Boys
The Pizza Boyz, run by Delano and Ali Tortorella, twins born in Swansea with their “dad’s Italian roots and mum’s Welsh business head” has won loyal customers since its humble beginnings trading out of a horsebox several years ago before upgrading to a busy restaurant and takeaway on Walter Road, Uplands, in the former Tenby pub. It is known for its delicious handmade pizzas.
Sample dish: Holy Pepp pizza – Tomato, mozzarella, pepperoni, honey and chilli flakes
Where: 129-130 Walter Rd, Swansea SA1 5RG or at Founders & Co, 24 Wind St, Swansea SA1 1DY
8. Haystack
It is a common sight to see people regularly queuing out of the door at Haystack. It was named as the only Welsh restaurant among the finalists of the Uber Eats Restaurant Awards 2023.
A breakfast and brunch style restaurant which launched six years ago, Haystack’s tables are a premium at all times of the day. It serves up a variety of cooked breakfasts, toasted sandwiches, coffee and pancakes among a varied menu.
You can read our pancake review here.
Sample dish: The Haystack – avocado, halloumi and bacon in a homemade hash brown sandwich topped with a poached egg
Where: Brynhyfryd Square, 1, Swansea SA5 9EB
9. Grandad Needs His Medicine
Independent burger and sandwich cafe Grandad Needs His Medicine takes its quirky name from an amusing conversation the owner overheard in a pub. It has been praised by one of Wales’ top chefs, Gareth Ward, the chef-owner of a two-Michelin-star restaurant, who was blown away by his meal. You can read more about his experience by clicking here.
You can read more about the tiny shop here.
Sample dish: BBQ beef brisket bun – 16 hour slow smoked Welsh beef brisket, house apple BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, pickled chillis in a toasted potato bun brushed with melted butter
Where: 215a Oxford St, Swansea SA1 3BG
10. The Observatory
The Observatory is located right on Swansea Bay’s beachfront and features a bar and restaurant where you can enjoy a cocktail, brunch or a coffee and a cake. Another cool spot to watch the waves crash in or see the sunset.
Sample dish: Goats cheese and red onion pizza
Where: Marine Quarter, The Slipway, Maritime Quarter, Swansea SA1 1YB
11. No 600 Food by Sean
Food By Sean has a great reputation in Swansea, thanks to the dishes served up by Sean Martin, who previously worked as a chef for Marco Pierre White and as former head chef at Langland Brasserie.
Together with his partner Nicola, the couple first started the business finding a gap in the market during lockdown, where, whilst people were unable to enjoy a slap up meal in a restaurant due to Covid restrictions, Sean and Nicola decided to bring the restaurant to them, purchasing a catering van and parking on the driveways of customers to serve them three to four-course meals.
Sample dish: Afternoon tea
Where: 600 Clydach Rd, Ynystawe, SA6 5AY
12. Gower Doughnut Co (Mumbles Market)
GowerDoughnut Co. was created in 2016 by Vicky a passionate baker, before the former chef and owner of The Gower Kitchen & BurgerCo, Chris joined in 2018. Alongside their small team, they make handmade brioche doughnuts filled with all sorts delicious fillings all made by scratch in their bakery in Dunvant Farm Shop.
You can find them across various food festivals and South Wales markets, including Mumbles Market which is a touch closer to home. They have flavours including a traditional jam, pistachio, kinder bueno and our personal favourite the rhubarb and custard.
Sample dish: Any of their selection of doughnuts.
Where: The Dairy Carpark, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4BX
13. Truffle
Run by Jodie Haynes and her partner Jon Cox, Truffle is one of the most revered restaurants in Swansea. One review of the restaurant that carries slightly more weight than others was written by TV personality Giles Coren, who has been a restaurant critic for The Times for the past two decades.
“The vibe in the room is unbeatable,” he wrote in 2022. “My meatballs were absolutely historic,” he said, before adding that his son, who accompanied him to the restaurant, said that he’d like to live in Swansea, as he was so impressed with his experience at Truffle.
Sample dish: Pan-fried fillet of sewin, crispy new potato cake, asparagus, pea and broad bean vinaigrette dressing
Where: 1A King Edward Rd, Swansea SA1 4LH
14. Hanson at the Chelsea
Hanson at the Chelsea is an award-winning restaurant that serves food and drinks of all kinds, but its chefs specialise in seafood, sourcing fresh fish from the local marina. Its restaurant has won 1 AA Rosette award. The head chef and owner is Andrew Hanson, who trained at the Ritz Hotel in London before returning to Swansea where his reputation now precedes him.
Sample dish: Rendezvous of Salmon. Roast scallop &king prawn, new potato, baby vegetables, cockle & clam herb butter sauce.
Where: 17 St Mary St, Swansea SA1 3LH
15. The Secret Beach Bar & Kitchen
Located right on the doorstep of Swansea Beach, The Secret offers a stunning view of the city’s seafront, and has a menu made up of a contemporary mix of modern British cuisine and authentic Welsh dishes, with plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Sample dish: Crab on toast. White crab, baby gem lettuce, shaved fennel, guacamole and chilli flakes served on toasted sourdough.
Where: Mumbles Rd, Brynmill, Swansea SA2 0AY
16. Nishimura
Independent Japanese restaurant Nishimura, which has locations in Mumbles and Uplands, serves a wide range of authentic Japanese dishes including sushi and noodles.
From donburi to bento boxes it’s a winner if you want that real Japanese flavour.
Sample dish: Chicken Teriyaki Bento. Grilled chicken in teriyaki Sauce, vegetable gyoza 2pcs, salmon belly sushi, mixed pickles, green salad, and steamed rice served with miso soup, wasabi, ginger, and soy.
Where: 580 Mumbles Rd, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4DL
17. Joe’s Ice Cream
Joe Cascarini created a unique vanilla ice cream back in 1922, and four generations later, his family of ice cream purists still use the same recipe to craft and serve the distinctly moreish Joe’s Ice Cream that people flock for in their numbers each and every year. The business celebrated its 100th year of ice cream making in Wales back in 2022, and is one of the things the city is best known for.
Sample dish: Fresh vanilla ice cream with toppings
Where: 85 St Helen’s Road, Swansea / 526 Mumbles Road, Swansea/ 3 Heron Way, Llansamlet, Swansea
18. El Pescador
El Pescador is a firm favourite which local celebrities, including Welsh rugby player, Swansea City football players, Bonnie Tyler and even Sir Keir Starmer has payed them a visit.They are an authentic Spanish cuisine and seafood restaurant based in Swansea Marina. The restaurant has even dubbed itself “the magic of Spain by the sea!”
El Pescador works with local fisherman with an aim to offer customers the freshest products in Swansea with a Mediterranean twist.
Sample dish: Seafood Boil. Ten mussels, five gambas, ten clams, three langoustines, one boiled egg, four potatoes, one corn (you can also add extras) in a spicy cajun sauce
Where: Trawler Rd, Maritime Quarter, Swansea SA1 1LB
19. The Shed
Swansea-born executive chef Jonathan Woolway worked for 16 years at much-loved nose-to-tail restaurant St John and his new restaurant The Shed brings together everything the 43-year-old learned working with Fergus Henderson in London with his desire to return home and bring something different to the food scene in Swansea.
It earned a blistering review from food writer Grace Dent, who lauded the restaurant for its love of Welsh ingredients and the joy of the puddings. Writing in the Guardian, Dent said: “It is a place “for farm-to-fork lovers keen to eat every mooing, baa-ing tasty thing from across the Gower Peninsula, the Brecon Beacons, Herefordshire, and the lush farmland of West Wales and the Monmouthshire borders.”
You can read our review here.
Sample dish: Roast salt marsh lamb rack, courgettes, saffron and mint sauce.
Where: Unit 1-2 J-Shed, Kings Road, Swansea SA1 8PL
20. Pizzeria Vesuvio
For generations, Pizzeria Vesuvio has been one of the city’s go-to places when it comes to getting a good pizza. It is cooked authentically in a traditional pizza oven, and its salted bread is also a firm favourite among customers. Its menu also features steak, pasta and fish dishes.
Sample dish: Linguine Seafood. Linguine, prawns, mussels, calamari and clums served with cherry tomatoes & a lemon wedge. Not forgetting a side of their famous salted bread.
Where: 200-201 Neath Road, Plasmarl, Swansea SA1 2JT
21. The Cowshed, Clydach
Based on Clydach’s High Street, The Cowshed is an independent venture from the same minds behind Pontardawe’s Dillwyn Arms. They opened earlier this year and have made a name for themselves with their sizeable Sunday lunches. Their Sharing Sunday Lunch Platter is an impressive £34.95 for a whole lot of food, it includes three different meats and is served with all the trimmings including cauliflower cheese.
Although, they don’t just do dinners they also have plenty of vegan/vegetarian options, and even host weekend specials like their Slider Special which features a chicken tikka naanwich and a sloppy brisket joe.
Sample dish: Sharing Sunday Lunch Platter
Where: 44 High St, Clydach, Swansea SA6 5LG
22. Thai Taste (Swansea
Thai Taste is one of those Swansea market gems that is always so busy that you struggle to get a table, on the plus side this shows how delicious the food is. Their menu is authentically thai and has been a staple in the market since 2014.
Their known for the delicious menu of noodles, rice dishes, curries, side dishes and friendly staff. Thankfully, they also do takeaways so if you are nipping out on your lunch break, don’t fret if there aren’t any tables available.
Sample dish: King prawn pad thai and a side of vegetable spring rolls
Where: Swansea Market, Swansea SA1 3PQ
23. On the Rocks
Located in Mumbles’ Old Lifeboat House, On the Rocks enables you to have one of the best views whilst you eat some fresh and delicious food. They opened in 2023Once a month they even host ‘Sunset Sessions’, live music performed by local talented musicians, so you can enjoy some music whilst dining or having a nice drink overlooking the sea. They are known for their steaks which are served on the rocks (get it). They offer various cuts of steak served rare with a hotstone sharer to perfect the cut to your taste. However, their menu is packed with different options including lighter salad perfect for a warm day, and they also have a entire plant based menu which features a vegan hot rocks steak experience.
Sample dish: Burrata with toasted sundried tomato focaccia, rosemary infused honey, seared peaches, salad leaves and a basil oil.
Where: Old Lifeboat House, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4EN
24. The Cwtch
The Cwtch is located opposite Swansea’s famous taxi rank around the corner of Wind Street. They are known for their pink signage and delicious brekkies. They have breakfast, brunch and lunch options to cover all bases from 9am to 3pm.
They also offer private hires, afternoon teas and special occasion gift boxes packed full of sandwiches and sweet treats for the likes of Mothers Day and Easter from £30 for two people.
Sample dish: The ‘Welsh’. Sausage, two bacon, flat mushroom, hashbrown, vine tomatoes, egg cooked to your liking, cockles, laverbread and toast.
Where: 9 Caer St, Swansea SA1 3PP
25. Beer Riff
Beer Riff are known for their own microbrewery and top notch pints, however they also serve up some pretty tasty stone baked pizzas too. You can get a pizza and a pint for £12 every Tuesday.
With a reduced menu the bar, what they do, they do well. They also host a challenging pub quiz every Wednesday, where the winner receives a selection of beers, what more can you want?
They also often host popups from popular street vendors like VeganFilth, WeirdDough Pizza Co. and Cwtchitas.
Sample dish: A pint of flamingo lingo and a stonebaked pizza.
Where: Beer Riff Brewing, Pilot House Wharf, Maritime Quarter, Swansea SA1 1UN
26. Nonna’s
The family-run bakery called Nonna’s is tucked away in Swansea Market and serves up delicious, generously-sized iced doughnuts and other sweet and savoury vegan treats. It is run by Barbara Johnson and her husband David Johnson.
Sample dish: A range of doughnuts, coffee, croissants, brownies and cakes.
Where: Swansea Market, Swansea SA1 3PQ
27. Brewstone
BrewStone is an independent day and night bar and restaurant located in Uplands area, serving up a varied menu from breakfast through to dinner, with food cooked in an authentic wood-fire oven with locally sourced ingredients. In the evening, its right side opens up to our industrial-style copper bar. It has also recently opened up a games area featuring interactive darts, shuffleboard, pool and classic arcade games.
Sample dish: CYMRU AM BYTH- Soft cheese crème fraiche base, leeks & smoked Welsh cheese.
Where: 33 Uplands Crescent, Uplands, Swansea SA2 0NP
28. Whocult (Albert Hall)
WhoCult, which originally opened in 2019 on an industrial estate in Bridgend, was immediately so popular that customers queued around the block to get their hands on sweet treats made there.
Since then, the business has grown and gone from strength to strength, opening new locations at Porthcawl, Goodsheds in Barry, Newport Market, and most recently Cardiff’s Royal Arcade. They then expanded once again to open its sixth location in Swansea’s Albert Hall.
Sample dish: Their wide selection of doughnuts
Where: Albert Hall, Craddock St, Swansea SA1 3EP
29. Pant-y-Gwydr
Rustic-chic dining room with stone walls and pine floors serving traditional French cuisine. Every starter, main course and dessert from the French fish soup, stocks and sauces to the desserts, sorbets and ice creams are all made with the skills of a French chef on site.
Sample dish: Pan-roasted duck breast, roasted asparagus, Port sauce served with ‘gratin dauphinois’ potatoes
Where: 180 Oxford Street, Swansea SA1 3JA
30. Cwtchitas (Founders & Co)
Cwtchitas, located inside Founders & Co, serves up Mexican food which has gone down a storm since it first opened in the city, together with the venue itself. Its menus change weekly, but it specialises in a range of tacos.
Sample dish: Tres Carnes Birria Tacos.
Where: Founders & Co, 24 Wind St, Swansea SA1 1DY
31. Kokodoo
The restaurant has been a favourite in Swansea after first impressing at the Swansea Bay Pop Up, serving 5,200 meals in eight weeks.
Now located in Uplands, it serves authentic Korean fried chicken alongside dumplings, fans can choose between four homemade sauces of sweet and spicy, honey glazed, sticky soy and fiery chilli for £9 with a choice of sticky rice or delicious skin on fries. Sides of chicken dumplings, breaded prawns and pumpkin croquettes are amongst the choices of additional options ranging from £2.50 to £4.50.
Sample dish: Fiery chilli Korean fried chicken – Authentic Korean fried chicken smothered in extra hot fiery chilli glaze, served with sticky white rice and Asian-style coleslaw.
Where: 37 Uplands Crescent, Uplands, Swansea SA2 0NP
32. Slice
Slice is an established restaurant in Swansea run by business partners Adam Bannister and Chris Harris, who have been cooking together since college and subsequently in high end restaurants around the country.
Since opening in 2014, Slice, a 16-seater restaurant in Eversley Road, Sketty, has gained entry to the Michelin Guide and Good Food Guide. In 2015 Adam won the Welsh title on the BBC’s Great British Menu and competed again in 2016.
Sample dish: Suckling pig, loin, shoulder and faggot, savoy cabbage, celeric terrine, caramelised apple puree
Where: 73 – 75 Eversley Road, Sketty, Swansea SA2 9DE
33. Beach House
Beach House serves up the freshest local produce, whether reared, caught, picked or grown, served through each season, and aims to delivers “a refined dining experience” overlooking the iconic Oxwich Bay.
Head chef Hywel Griffith opened the Beach House doors in 2016, bringing this old coal house on the shore of the iconic beach to life. His food showcases the full flavour of produce from across Wales, and the restaurant has won numerous awards for the quality of its food, including three AA Rosettes, and a coveted Michelin Star which it has held since 2020.
Sample dish: Oxwich Bay Lobster, bbq gem lettuce, elderflower vinegar, fermented chili, hispi cabbage and fennel
Where: Oxwich Beach, Swansea SA3 1LS
34. Little Valley Bakery
Little Valley Bakery operates from the heart of Gower in Parkmill as artisan bakers, selling high-quality bread using organic flour and traditional methods.
The bakery is owned and run by Tamara Williams, an accountancy graduate and self-professed food lover. Testament to its popularity, it opened its second location in St Helen’s Avenue in Brynmill in 2021.
Sample dish: Gower loaf, focaccia bread
Where: 197 St Helen’s Avenue, Swansea SA1 4NE
35. Kardomah Cafe
Kardomah Cafe has been an institution in the city for over 100 years, having initially opened in Castle Street in 1905, with the likes of Dylan Thomas, and poets Vernon Watkins and Charles Fisher filling its seats and even becoming known as the Kardomah Gang.
The cafe was destroyed as the Blitz struck the city but for its many loyal customers Portland Street has become the place they have grown to call their ‘second home’ for the last 67 years. And it hasn’t changed a bit in all that time, with its original tables, pillars, tiles and overall appearance staying exactly the same as the day it opened.
Sample dish: Lasagne served with salad, chips or a small portion of garlic bread (Or a frothy coffee and custard slice!)
Where: 11 Portland Street, Swansea SA1 3DH
36. Smokin Griddle
Smokin’ Griddle serves up burgers cooked with the finest cuts of British & Welsh PGI beef, along with seasoned fries, thick ice cream shakes and homemade sides.
Sample dish: Signature burger – Stateside bacon, hash brown and cheese
Where: 7a, 9a Humphrey St, Swansea SA1 6BG
37. Papi’s Pizzeria
Papi’s Pizzeria has carved out a great name for itself among pizza lovers in Swansea. Its dough for its bases and breads, along with its family recipe sauce are made fresh on-site daily. It has locations in both Mumbles and Uplands.
Sample dish: Cacciatore pizza – tomato, mozzarella, ham, spicy Italian sausage, pepperoni and salami
Where: 135 Mumbles Road, Mumbles / 75 Uplands Crescent, Uplands
38. The Indian Street Kitchen
The Indian Street Kitchen started in 2019 as the vision of Mumin Uddin, who was hugely popular as a pop-up business, which then evolved into a food truck in Swansea city centre. He now runs a successful restaurant at Walter Road in Swansea serving up a fusion of Indian food and street food dishes.
Sample dish: Pulled tikka burger – Signature hand pulled tikka in a brioche bun with a potato waffle, lettuce, creamy cheese and tamarind chutney.
Where: 16 Walter Road, Swansea, SA1 5NG
39. Gower Seafood Hut
The award-winning Gower Seafood Hut, once ranked the best place to eat in Swansea, has been trading for seven years and sells a range of freshly cooked fish and shellfish. The hut is run by partners Chris Price and Sarah Kift and has won praise from The Observer, Independent, Sunday Times and Daily Telegraph. We’ve tried it too and it deserves all the accolades.
Sample dish: Calamari – squid rings rolled in paprika, served with a choice of homemade sauces and a lemon wedge
Where: The Antelope Slip, Southend Park, The Mumbles
40. Gigi Gao’s Favourite Authentic Chinese
Gigi Gao’s Favourite Authentic Chinese currently holds the title of being The Golden Chopsticks Awards’ best Chinese restaurant in Wales. We reported in July 2022 how one of the UK’s most respected food critics, Jay Rayner, was bowled over by the food on offer at Gigi Gao’s, describing it as “candy-coloured, garlanded, ribboned, sequined and tasselled world” of “all round bloody good things”.
He explained how he “rampaged through the menu like toddlers let loose on a no-limits sweetie pick’n’mix” ordering dishes that turned out to be so delicious they reordered them. You can read more about that by clicking here.
Sample dish: Those griddled potatoes Jay raved about, surely?
Where: Marina, 23 Anchor Court, Maritime Quarter, Swansea SA1 3XA
41. Langland Brasserie
Langland’s Brasserie is an independent family-owned restaurant. Owners Camelia and Emilio Fragiacomo have been working together in the restaurant industry since 2001.
It has a beautiful beachfront location, nestled right on the seafront of Langland Bay, Mumbles.
Sample dish: Bouillabaisse provencal with salmon, gurnard, mussels, king prawns garlic and rouille
Where: Brynfield Road, Newton, Swansea SA3 4SQ
42. Hiks
Hiks restaurant and takeaway is run by Emir Hikary, who started the business sitting in the garden shed at home peeling potatoes, stocking up his van before driving around a few destinations in Swansea hoping to generate business.
He now has a thriving business at Llangyfelach Road in Brynhyfryd, having won a plethora of awards, including Wales’s number one takeaway of the year, number one Swansea takeaway of the year, being named among the top ten fish and chip shops in the UK, and among Fry Magazine’s prestigious Top 50 in the UK.
Sample dish: Cod, chips and a side salad
Where: 189 Llangyfelach Road, Brynhyfryd, Swansea SA5 9LE
43. Good Morning Vietnam
Good Morning Vietnam, also known simply as Vietnam restaurant in Uplands, is run by Dawn Harries and is well-known locally for being its interior featuring pictures, artefacts and newspapers from Vietnam – and for its authentic Vietnamese and Southeast Asian dishes.
Sample dish: Authentic Vietnamese lemon-grass vermicelli dish with spring rolls.
Where: 36 Uplands Crescent, Uplands, Swansea SA2 0PG
44. Square Peg
Established in March 2015 as the first speciality coffee shop in Swansea, it has since become a lively community hub in the centre of Sketty. It serves up a full brunch menu Monday to Saturday, and also hosts a guest roaster at the store each month on espresso and filter beans, alongside its house custom roast by Coaltown coffee roasters.
Sample dish: The Teifi – Grilled bacon with melted teifi savel cheese, poached egg on sourdough.
Where: 29B Gower Road, Sketty, Swansea SA2 9BX
45. Sloth Coffee
David and Harrison Lees opened Sloth Coffee Co in 2023. The brothers, who both have a background in carpentry, followed their passion to open their own coffee shop when they saw a former osteopath business premises up for sale, and it has been a massive success. The business has gained great popularity for its coffee and cake, especially its pastel de natas.
Sample dish: Selection of coffee and cakes
Where: 102 Glanmor Road, Uplands, Swansea SA2 0QB
46. Boo’s Kitchen
Boo’s Kitchen is an independent plant-based cafe serving locally-sourced wholesome food and speciality coffee. However, they announced it June that they have decided to start incorporating some meat to their menu. It serves a range of nachos, burgers, dirty fries and salad bowls, including the boo-fu bowl with sesame tofu, slaw, kimchi style sauerkraut, edamame, brown rice and spring onions.
Sample dish: Boo’s house breakfast – Poached egg, VG sausage, potato hash, baked beans and smashed avocado, served with Little Valley bakery toasted sourdough with mixed leaves, seeds and chilli salt
Where: Woodville Road, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4AD
47. Rok Mumbles
Rok Restaurant and The Lighthouse offer dining experiences with some of the most stunning views of Bracelet Bay. At Rok, you can enjoy a mouth-watering menu of dishes including Welsh rib eye and whole sea prawns, whilst at The Lighthouse, you can choose from a menu of pizzas, burgers, baguettes and small plates.
Sample dish: Peanut panko chicken, satay sauce, Asian green salad.
Where: Bracelet Bay, Mumbles Rd, Swansea SA3 4JT
48. Burger Boyz (Albert Hall)
Ex-steelworker and engineer Jack Phillips and Marcin Sadlos, from Port Talbot, had a change of career in 2021 when the school friends bought a burger van and set up Burger Boyz despite no experience in the trade. They have venues in their hometown, Newport Market and now in Swansea’s Albert Hall.
The restaurant’s menu consists of seven different burgers, along with loaded fries and sides, and has gained a great reputation for the quality of its food. We tried it ourselves in 2023. You can read about that by clicking here. It has been visited by professional competitive eaters at its Port Talbot restaurant, including Randy Santel, Katina Eats Kilos, Joel Hansen (modelvsfood) and Leah Shutkever.
Sample dish: Brian Griffin. Patty, American cheese, crispy bacon, peanut butter and chilli jam.
Where: Albert Hall, Craddock St, Swansea SA1 3EP
49. Crafty Smuggler
Situated in the unlikely location of Western Street, Crafty Smuggler café sits at the end of a row of terraced houses and has been beautifully renovated by Bam Day from a derelict building which had previously been used for storage into a vibrant cafe which is popular for its coffee and pastries.
Sample dish: Selection of coffees and pastries
Where: 82 Western Street, Swansea SA1 3JS
50. Môr
Môr, located in Mumbles, is a well-regarded independent restaurant which “works with local suppliers to source the finest ingredients and every dish is lovingly made from scratch.” It’s not short of compliments for its atmosphere and service as well as its food.
Sample dish: Fillet of beef, carrot and thyme puree glazed salsify, ox tail roulade.
Where: 620 Mumbles Road, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4EA
51. Muswanna
The authentic tastes of countries such as China, Japan, and Korea are all served under one roof at Muswanna. The small family-run operation has a menu which offers diverse food options including crispy pork belly, duck pancake options, noodles, Korean beef ribs, bao buns, ramen and more.
Sample dish: Peking roasted duck (whole) boneless duck with cucumber, leek, hoisin sauce, and pancake wraps
Where: 13 Dillwyn Street, Swansea SA1 4AQ
52. Plough and Harrow, Murton
The restaurant has an AA rosette for culinary excellence and has previously been crowned gastro-pub of the year at Cardiff’s Food Awards Wales, and was named best pub in West Glamorgan at the London Pub and Bar Awards.
Sample dish: Overnight- roasted Welsh pork belly. Stuffed with white pudding and rhubarb pom puree, pickled mustard seed, roasted baby leeks and a madeira jus.
Where: 88 Oldway, Murton, Gower, SA3 3DJ
53. Bluebell Coffee and Kitchen
Bluebell was founded by owners Tim and Sophia back in March 2017, and has become a staple of the Sketty community. It is open seven days a week, and cooks everything from scratch. Its menu features breakfasts, burgers, pizza, soups, fish cakes, and lots more, along with Sunday lunch, Sunday brunch and afternoon teas. It also serves up coffee and cake.
Sample dish: Spartan feast – homemade Greek style sausage, halloumi, tomato chutney, streaky bacon, tzatziki, basil aioli, toasted brioche bun, Greek lemon pots with feta and crispy onions.
Where: 17-18 Carnglas Court, Carnglas Road, Sketty, Swansea, SA2 9BQ
54. Fika
Fika – named after a Swedish word which roughly translates to having a good natter over coffee and a small bite to eat – opened in Newton Road in September 2022, and has since earned some stellar online reviews since. Their offering is simple: bagels, coffee and cocktails, and as our reviewer found out in 2023, they do it well.
Sample dish: Buratta bagel. Tomatoes, buratta, pesto and oil
Where: 44 Newton Road, Mumbles, Swansea SA3 4BQ
55. Gower Deli
A former MasterChef semi-finalist, Christos Georgakis found fame on the small screen after wowing with his culinary creations on the BBC food show, and established himself in Swansea with his private chef business before opening Gower Deli.
The Gower Deli has won a plethora of awards from food critics, despite having been open for less than a year. You can read more about Gower Deli here.
Sample dish: Gower Welsh roast beef deli sandwich. Overnight local farm roast beef, house bacon jam, gouda, balsamic mayonnaise, rocket, and Little Valley Bakery sourdough bread.
Where: 65 Southgate Rd, Southgate, Swansea SA3 2DH
56. West Cross Inn
Located on Mumbles Road, the West Cross Inn’s garden area is perfect for taking in the scenic views of Mumbles Head and Swansea Bay.
The gastropub has been a staple in Swansea for years, and offers fresh food including lighter meals, grills, vegetarian and children’s meals. Now, they have also opened their own family and dog friendly cafe Awel Y Mor. They will be serving food, cakes, coffee as well as wine and beers.
Sample dish: Bacon, cockles and laverbread on sourdough, topped with a poached egg.
Where: 43 Mumbles Rd, West Cross, Swansea SA3 5AB
57. Klub Kitchen 83
Walk down the road and you could probably be forgiven for not knowing it is there. Strolling past The Sketty Club in Swansea’s Eversley Road, from the outside it just looks like an entrance for any other social club of its kind.
But look a little bit closer at its entrance and you’ll see a menu in the window for an entirely separate food business which operates above it, serving up some of tastiest burgers around, and with a heart-warming story at its core.
The two men behind it the business are founder Sam Childs and his childhood friend Mike Green, both from Mumbles, who share a passion for “great heart-warming food”. Growing up, the pair dreamed of “creating a place where everyone feels at home”, with a space filled with “good vibes, great company, and mouth-watering burgers made from the freshest ingredients.”
You can read more here.
Sample dish: Klub 83 burger. Two three oz homemade beef patties with Welsh rarebit, red onion jam, smoked streaky bacon, toasted seeded brioche bun and seasoned skin on fries.
Where: 83 Eversley Rd, Sketty, Swansea SA2 9DE
58. XO (Albert Hall)
XO is the brain child of Larkin Cen, the former Masterchef finalist and owner of popular food establishment in Bristol and Swansea. It features pan-Asian cooking, packed full of authentic flavours. They have noodle dishes, katsu curries and a variety of small plates.
He said when he launched at the Albert Hall: “I can’t wait to open in Swansea and to be part of the local community. I have many friends who are from Swansea and I know they are excited as well. I have an exciting new concept called XO.”
Sample dish: Beef bulgogi bao buns (BBQ Korean beef, pickled shallots and gherkins) and their XO original boba
Where: Albert Hall, Craddock St, Swansea SA1 3EP
59. Food Anarchy food truck (Swansea Marina Market)
Food Anarchy may still be one of the best kept secrets of Swansea’s street food scene. Clearly, it’s a case of ‘if you know, you know’, as queues regularly form outside the food van with customers looking to get their hands on Phil Fraser’s newest culinary creations, as we witnessed at Swansea Marina market.
Phil Fraser has been a chef for 20 years, having worked as sous-chef at Oldwalls for five years alongside Andrew Purnell Rees, and also helping to open Fairyhill. He also once worked at The Mermaid and former Castellamare, which is now known as Rok.
You can read more about Food Anarchy here.
Sample dish: ‘The Nigella’, a single cheeseburger, topped with slices of steak, truffle mayo, parmesan, lettuce and gherkin in a brioche bun
Where: Dylan Thomas Square, Marina, Swansea SA1 1TT