The Open Hearth — Restaurant in Wales

If you’re seeking a place that combines the warmth of a traditional Sunday dinner with exceptional service and top-tier ingredients, look no further than The Open Hearth. Tucked alongsidethe tranquil canal, this restaurant feels like an old-fashioned pub meets a modern dining experience—perfect for indulging in the comforting ritual of a Sunday roast.

From the moment you step into The Open Hearth, you’re greeted by a cozy, inviting atmosphere. A crackling fire in the hearth adds that perfect touch of intimacy, especially on cooler days, making it a lovely place to unwind with friends or family.

The service is friendly and personable, with staff who make you feel right at home. The energy of the restaurant strikes a balance—bustling enough to feel lively, but relaxed enough for leisurely conversations over a good meal. It’s the kind of place where you can easily forget the outside world and enjoy a slow, comforting Sunday. Me and the family had a traditional Sunday roast with all the trimmings.

The Sunday dinner menu at The Open Hearth is a true celebration of British tradition, with a range of comforting options that cater to every taste. At the heart of it all is the roast—each week, there’s a selection of perfectly cooked meats to choose from, including juicy roast beef, tender lamb, golden roast chicken, and slow-cooked pork, although the selection of meat does change so please be mindful. Each roast is served with all the classic sides, and the portions are generous, making it easy to see why this is a go-to spot for a hearty Sunday meal.

The star of the show, however, has to be the Yorkshire puddings. These little golden wonders are perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, offering just the right texture to soak up the rich, flavorful gravy. Add to that creamy mashed potatoes, perfectly caramelized carrots, roasted parsnips, and crunchy Brussels sprouts, and you have a plate full of well-executed comfort food.

For those who prefer a lighter meal there is the srunning prawn cocktail, rich in flavor and hearty enough to satisfy. Each dish is paired with a rich gravy that has just the right amount of depth—velvety and packed with savory goodness, but not overwhel

The quality of the ingredients at The Open Hearth is exceptional. It’s clear that care is taken in sourcing the best local produce and meats, and the dishes reflect that attention to detail. The meats are cooked just right, with the beef offering a perfect balance of tenderness and flavor, while the lamb practically falls off the bone. The vegetables are fresh, vibrant, and cooked to perfection—not overdone, but with just enough bite to add texture to each bite.

What truly sets the food at The Open Hearth apart is the balance of flavors and textures. The roast potatoes are golden and crispy, with a fluffy interior that pairs beautifully with the rich gravy. The veggies are caramelized to perfection, offering a natural sweetness that complements the savory elements of the dish.

The plating is simple yet elegant—there’s no fuss, but everything looks as good as it tastes. You can tell this is food prepared with care, not just to fill the belly, but to create an experience that feels comforting and indulgent.

The service at The Open Hearth is attentive without being overbearing. The staff are knowledgeable about the menu, happy to recommend wine pairings or offer information about the day’s specials. They seem genuinely invested in ensuring your experience is nothing short of perfect, with friendly smiles and a relaxed attitude that adds to the overall sense of comfort.

For the quality of the food and the generous portion sizes, The Open Hearth offers excellent value for money. The prices are fair for a Sunday roast of this caliber, especially when you consider the quality of ingredients and the care that goes into each dish. While it's not the cheapest option in town, the level of comfort and satisfaction you get in return makes it well worth the price.

Definitely can't wait to...

I would like to give them the benefit of the doubt and say they were just having an off day, but the service was absolutely terrible.

We were in a group of 6 (+1 Child). Our waitress took our starters, then left. Another waitress asked if we’ve been served and ended up taking our drinks & main orders. My husband’s starter of potato skins came out without the sour cream (no biggie) we asked for sour cream, and had to ask 3 times before getting it, by then, everybody else was done with their starters- and as he started eating, he realised that he got mushroom & onion, not ham and cheese like he asked for, thankfully he wasn’t allergic, and by then he was too hungry and just let it slide instead of asking them to re-make it, but of course let them know afterwards. Our nephew also asked for his pizza (a microwaveable pizza) to come with no beans or chips, but they came anyways. My main course was excellent (just a simple Angus burger with salad) however, my father in law and sister in law asked for rare steak and both came out well-done. My mother in law had to ask (again, 3 seperate times) for gravy for her pie, even though that was also listen on the menu as part of the meal. By the time it came, she had already finished her pie, and the mashed potatoes were cold. (And it’s not like we’re terrible customers that ask every .02 seconds if we don’t get something immediately, we would wait about 5 minutes between each request to find our waiter again, if it wasn’t brought out after that time). By then, the rest of the family wanted to drink, so they went outside to sit on the benches next to the water, while my MIL, husband, and I stayed for dessert. We waited 30 minutes for somebody to clear plates and take dessert orders, in that time we saw waitresses texting, checking their makeup in the mirrors (like.. excessively 😂), plying begins the bar, etc. It’s not like they were slammed, I would understand better if they were. My mother in law had to ask for the bill multiple times as well, with a 10 minute wait each time.

There was no offer of a drink on the house, free desserts, discounts for service, etc. the only apology was “sorry, we have a new member of staff” (but the new member of staff was actually our favourite out of the total of 4 waitstaff that served us) and I know none of those are required for us, but after nearly 3 hours of slow service and hearing other customers complain about the same- we left feeling a bit cheated and like the wait staff just didn’t care, which was a shame, we went to Wales for a funeral, of which the member of the family that had passed had fond memories of this place, so the last thing we wanted was a bad memory here.

On a positive note, the water is beautiful, the kids had fun at the little park, and drinks outside of our dinner...

If you’re ever in the mood for a hearty, soul-warming meal, the lasagne and the double stacked burger at The Open Hearth is a must-try. From the moment thr lasagne arrives at the table, it’s clear this isn’t just any lasagne; it’s a dish crafted with care, passion, and a sense of tradition.

The layers are perfectly balanced—each one generous but not overwhelming. The pasta is fresh, with a subtle bite that provides just the right texture. It’s neither too thick nor too thin, and holds up beautifully under the weight of the rich, meaty sauce. Speaking of which, the sauce is a standout—rich, savory, and full of deep, complex flavors. You can tell it’s been simmering for hours, allowing the flavors to meld into something truly comforting. There’s a nice balance between the earthy taste of beef and pork and the tangy burst of tomatoes, without one overpowering the other.

The ricotta and mozzarella blend is decadent yet not overly greasy, giving each bite a creamy richness without feeling heavy. And as if that wasn't enough, the top layer of cheese is perfectly golden and slightly crisp around the edges, adding a delightful contrast in texture.

What really sets this lasagne apart is its balance. It’s indulgent without being overwhelming, and each bite feels like a warm hug on a plate. Whether you’re sharing it with friends or savoring it solo, it’s the kind of dish that brings people together and leaves you satisfied in the best way.

My partner had the double stacked burger. The beef was a perfect blend of rich succulent beef and fresh clean taste of the crisp lettuce and tomatoes. An excellent marriage between the freshest of food. The triple cooked chips we're yet again something that very few restaurants manage to achieve. They were soft and fluffy on the inside but light and crispy on the outside without being oily. The service was as usual on par with the excellence of the food. The proprietors really understand how to cater for a customers tatstebuds.

PLEASE VISIT THIS PUB AND SEE...