Caffi Gerlan — Restaurant in Wales

One of Snowdonia's hidden gems

An unpretentious little cafe that sits alongside the main A487 Caernarfon to Porthmadog road on the Inigo Jones Slate Works site. However don't be fooled by the external view. This is a smashing little cafe that produces brilliant, tasty, home made food, produced by very friendly staff. We've had two visits to date. The menu has something for everyone. We are slowly aiming to make our way down the menu. First visit was their excellent all day breakfast with a lovely selection of egg, bacon, sausage, tomato, mushrooms, baked beans, toast, but most importantly the nicest tasting black pudding we've ever had - and all for just £8.99! Washed down with a very tasty latte. This was the best breakfast I have had in years and finished us off for the rest of the day. Second visit was to try their version of lobscouse - a famous Welsh dish.

Lobscouse is a traditional Welsh recipe for a classic stew. The original recipe stems from the Norwegian Vikings who raided the Welsh coasts after the Roman occupation. The recipe is based on an original Norwegian recipe for Lopskaus, which was made using fish. The Welsh preferred the taste of meat - either lamb or beef - and Cafe Gerlan's version is wonderful Welsh beef, provided by their excellent butchers and farm shop next door.

Lobscouse became a very popular dish in the 1700s aboard ships. Sailors used to keep the meat stored in barrels, heavily salted so it would keep for a long time. In the North Wales slate quarry communities, where money was always tight, traditionally this recipe would sometimes start out with meat, which would be put into the cook pot over the fire once a week. Daily it would be topped up with water, potatoes and root vegetables!

So many restaurants charge a fortune for a bowl of a thin, not very tasty soup. This is the real deal - a generous bowl filled with meat that has been slow cooked with root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes onions etc, served with a fresh bread roll and butter. They charge just a fiver and the meat alone must be worth more than that. Not sure we're going to get to report on much else on the menu as I can't see us moving past the lobscouse when we go back. Don't take my word - go and try it.

The staff are smashing, very friendly and - like all of us - love a bit of praise about their food. When you have finished, have a look in the farm shop - the meat is wonderful and fresh. (Oh and the slate works is...

It's the best All Day Breakfast in the area! Freshly made and adapted if you request slight changes, eg.I prefer scrambled eggs.. It's very relaxed and known to locals who come for a te and chat. It's plain and simple and a 'keeper'! Note...cost for two breakfast which include tost in the price, but you pay extra for a coffi or te...total cost is £25.and some pence... this reflects recent increased prices, like everywhere. PS the cakes look nice! Bench seat tables outside and food is served to you...

Good place to stop if you are on way to or from Bangor. Years ago places like this would be called 'greasy spoon'. But not now. Next to the Inigo Jones slate works and store, this cafe has a simple interior that although is plain and a little on the tired side provides, everything you might want on a journey. A good breakfast, hot or cold rolls, tea toast etc, everything except a loo on site (although Inigo has one a short walk away behind the adjacent store). Great parking,...