Bodnant Welsh Food — Restaurant in Eglwysbach

We went there in the hope to experience some lovely Welsh produce in a nice setting. The location itself is stunning but the rest is a bit of a letdown. Portions were a bit mean and the food not terribly well executed. The service was also very slow and not attentive, which was frustrating as it wasn't particularly busy.

For our lunch, we ordered the Welsh Rarebit and the Southern Fried Chicken Burger. The Welsh Rarebit was ok but the cheese had not melted and the mustard was a bit over the top - disappointing for what was one of the few "Welsh" items on the menu. The accompaniments on the plate were bizarre. Crisps covered in sauce which had gone soggy and a teeny portion of very chunky coleslaw (like a giant piece of onion, next to a giant piece of cabbage?)

The chicken burger had a burnt brioche bun and two tiny chicken goujons for the meat. This was really disappointing for £10.95.

The chips were greasy and overdone. No salt was provided, and nobody came to check whether we were enjoying our meal or wanted anything else, so we couldn't flag someone down. We were given three sachets of mayonnaise. I will never understand why a restaurant hands out sachets and not just either a squeezy bottle or a jar of mayo. Covid may be a factor here...but it is surely possible to wipe the bottles down between use?

The best thing about the experience was the local bottled cider, which was very nice. We would have liked to have ordered another round of drinks, but nobody came to check on us. It took a long time to get the bill and when someone did finally come to take payment there was no "how was your food?" etc. Just a "that's £28 please", tapped the card and not even a good bye... Quite sad really. I won't go into the ice creams which is a whole different story in itself... (vastly overpriced, tasteless and using plastic spoons which seems very wasteful in this day and age).

My wife then went into the farm shop in the hope to get some nice Welsh cheeses and some of the cider she had tried earlier. The cider selection was good, but she was underwhelmed by the number of Welsh products on offer - particularly in the cheese and deli counter. She was surprised to find that a lot of the products were in fact Italian, which made it harder to find anything local.

This place feels like it has real potential, but just falls short, which is disappointing because we really buy into the ethos of the place and it's the type of place we'd like to be able to support. To do that, the quality of the food and service really needs some attention. Fingers crossed that...

As a wedding photographer, I've had the pleasure of working at numerous venues, each with its unique charm. However, Bodnant Welsh Food stands out as a true gem in the world of Welsh wedding venues.

Full of rustic charm and scenic beauty. The lush landscapes and picturesque surroundings provided the perfect backdrop for creating timeless images.

The team at Bodnant Welsh Food goes above and beyond to ensure that every event runs seamlessly. Their professionalism and friendliness make the atmosphere not only conducive to capturing beautiful moments but also enjoyable for everyone involved. It's always a pleasure to work alongside this team.

One of the aspects that I appreciate as a photographer is the meticulous attention to detail that the venue pays to its aesthetics. Every nook and cranny seems to be thoughtfully designed. The venue's homely feel adds a warmth and authenticity to the photos, making them truly reflect the love and joy of the couples celebrating their special day.

But what truly elevates Bodnant Welsh Food is the wealth of opportunities that lie in its surrounding areas. Whether it's a scenic drive into the majestic Snowdonia mountains or a leisurely stroll around the famous Bodnant Gardens, the venue opens up a world of possibilities. The ability to seamlessly incorporate the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape into wedding photography adds an extra layer of magic to the images.

We've just posted a blog on our own site, where we showcased an autumn wedding held at Bodnant Welsh Food. The venue not only provided an enchanting backdrop but also allowed for exploration and creativity in the surrounding areas. This is an ideal choice for couples seeking a romantic and adventurous...

We recently got married here at Bodnant Welsh Food, and we couldn't have wished for a better day, largely in part to Olivia and the rest of the staff that worked on the day - extremely friendly and helpful!

Olivia decorated the ceremony and reception rooms the morning of the wedding - which allowed my bridal party and I to get ready stress free - including breakfast brought to my room!

The entire day went extremely smoothly - Olivia was very attentive and would often check in to make sure we were happy. The food was incredible - we haven't stopped receiving compliments from guests about how much they loved the food - including quite a few saying it was the best food they've EVER had at a wedding! Big shout out to Hayloft.

The rest of the staff were really pleasant and friendly and helped make the day what it was. They even saved some canapes off to the side for the us as we went straight to Bodnant Gardens for photos. Special thanks to the member of staff (name unknown but drives an Audi!) who gave one of our guests a lift back to the Hilton due to them being sick, due to it being on her route home from work! We really appreciated it.

The included breakfast at the cafe the next day was a lovely final touch to the amazing couple of days at the Bodnant Welsh Food. We were lucky with the weather on the day which really highlighted just how beautiful the location is - we were lucky enough to get pictures outdoors.

If you're still on the fence about a wedding venue, we would highly recommend you visiting as we were instantly sold on it the moment we arrived, and then solidified once we'd met all the lovely people...