Yr Hen Printworks — Restaurant in Wales

Although only open for a week or so, we had heard mixed opinions about this new restaurant. The main positive was the quality of the food but countered with the quantity and the price. Having been there this evening, I can see why. The offering is “small plates” and the waitress told us they were bigger than we may expect from tapas. They most certainly were not. If anything the plates were smaller than most tapas I have had in the U.K. and definitely in Barcelona, Madrid and rural Spain ! Also not to serve bread and oil on the table is certainly a big no-no. We mentioned that to the waitress and were told that quite a few people had mentioned this so bread will be served.

The menu is quite limited 8 main dishes of which 4 were unavailable. There was one off menu dish, mac’n’ cheese as a special. We quickly ordered the last three salads (there were 6 of us) to share.

So the food - the small plates would be fine IF THEY WERE FULL. But they weren’t. The beef slider (£7.50) was just a smidgeon bigger than those cocktail beef burgers at well catered events. The ingredients are obviously the best and the dish instagrammable - but too small. The mac’n’cheese sat in the middle of a small bowl and didn’t touch the sides. That is not tapas nor small plates - it is just above amuse-bouché. We also ordered 3 helpings of fries (to share) £4 per portion. They were very good chips, thick, crispy outside, beautifully fluffy inside but probably only 10 per portion? If that. Two of our party were from London, until lockdown I visited London at least once a month. All of us are frequent diners and used to varying levels of dining. These prices would not be out of place in Cardiff or London but even there the tapas/small plates would be the correct size portion. I have been given an equivalent size of (for example) the tiramisu as an add on, « freebie » in Jamie Oliver’s. The quality of the food at Yr Hen Printworks is high and to be commended and the decor stunning - obviously a lot of thought and effort has gone into it. What is missing is the understanding when having tapas/mezze/small plates that you order a lot and share, it is a sociable way of dining, difficult when you may only have 3 forkfuls in a portion costing £9

Also why not - again as many other establishments across the country also serving equally good produce - have a price per plate but then also 4 for £x or 6 for £y ? Encourage thé sociability as well as food.

There is a much wider range of drinks than food - again pricey but obviously being enjoyed by customers. Is that where Yr Hen Printworks is going to position itself - as a bar with snacks or as a dining experience ? It could be both and it is early days.

It was busy this evening - presumably as it is new but it has to be sustainable surely and a destination worthy of charging those prices.

Four stars for the high level of what food we did get, the staff and the decor, I really would have liked to give it three and a half but could not get that on. Please rethink your definition of small...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Yr Hen Paintworks, a 4* Michelin restaurant in Cardigan, and I must say, it was a truly exceptional experience. From the moment I stepped inside, I was struck by the authentic, rustic yet modern ambiance that permeated the space. The restaurant's iconic listed feel was emphasised in all the right ways, with the perfect twist of modernity and a sprinkle of suave that added an extra layer of sophistication.

The staff at Yr Hen Paintworks were incredible, informative and down to earth with a splash of human kindness that made the experience even more enjoyable. The perfect amount of people were around, ensuring that the entire dining experience flowed seamlessly from start to finish. I was particularly impressed by the homemade bread that arrived as the first dish, hot and fresh out of the oven. Each dish that followed was a delight, with perfect flavors and exquisite attention to detail that truly showcased the restaurant's culinary expertise.

As someone who is usually vegetarian, I turned flexitarian for the night and was absolutely thrilled that I did. The beef melted in my mouth, while the salmon and hake were equally divine. Yr Hen Paintworks is the perfect example of a restaurant that understands the value of going the extra mile. From the crushed ice to the various glasses that perfectly suited each drink, every detail was thoughtfully considered. The cute coasters were a great branding touch, and even the music was perfectly curated to complement the dining experience.

Overall, I would give Yr Hen Paintworks a full 5-star rating. If you're looking for a culinary experience that is both unforgettable and approachable, then look no further than Yr Hen Paintworks. You won't be...

This is probably 'the' place to eat and be seen eating in Cardigan at the moment. Yr Hen Printworks is a charming restaurant serving small dishes that are skilfully crafted and a delight to behold (even if they are teeny weeny). A friend and I chose Yr Hen Printworks to enjoy a crafted cocktail and a bite to eat. Service was friendly - a lot of establishments these days seem to have forgotten the value of a smile and a friendly face. After enjoying a cocktail we meandered onto the small plates menu. As is the trend these days it just list ingredients, so you have to use your imagination to guess what will turn up. After selecting salmon (a tiny chunk of perfectly cured pink salmon), kedgeree arancini (small but perfectly formed spheres ideal for sharing), potato terrine (a rectangle of crunchy potato with some dark gunk) and carrots (in contrast to all the other tiny portions a mountain of spiced carrots appeared), we could pick through the delicately presented plates. It is a feast for the eyes, if not the tastebuds. This was accompanied by a delicious Romanian pinot noir from the extensive wine list. I didn't have my camera with me on this occasion, so definitely a reason to return and choose more dishes for a photo-shoot...The building is a lovely restoration of the former newspaper print works, with lots of light wood. The only downside was the acoustics and (background noise) and being sat on the galley felt a little bit out of the action - it's usually a pleasure to observe other people enjoying...