TV chef James Martin reckons Welsh restaurant is ‘best place to eat in world’
It’s consistently named as one of the best restaurants in the world and now the Welsh eatery which has two Michelin stars has had a major seal of approval from TV chef James Martin.
The Saturday morning host described prestigious Welsh eatery Ynyshir as the “best place to eat in the world”.
Speaking on the Routes podcast James explained why the Ceredigion establishment has captured his culinary imagination.
He said: “Gareth Ward, the greatest chef in the UK at the moment, the most talked about chef in the UK at the moment, two Michelin stars at the moment. The minute that chap deservedly gets three in February, you’re not going to get in, no chance.”
The Saturday Morning presenter now predicts the restaurant could clinch a third star at its next assessment, which would make it Wales’s sole three-Michelin-starred venue – a considerable achievement of global significance.
James added: “It is epic, 34 courses, no choice, the most amazing food you’ll have in your life.”
The UK’s most comprehensive food guide Hardens published their ‘Best UK Restaurants’ list for 2026, with multiple Welsh restaurants claiming a top 100 spot, including a glowing review for Ynyshir.
Hardens described the restaurant as a “maximalist, black-painted mansion: an unlikely but nowadays fully established culinary mecca whose renown is all the more impressive given its off-the-beaten track location, deep in the boondocks of mid Wales.”
One reviewer described the experience as “blurring the line between a meal and theatre… 31 odd courses and all excellent!”
The Eglwys Fach restaurant is currently accepting reservations for its three-hour dining experience in March. Bookings are open two months ahead of time, with exclusive behind-the-scenes and front-row packages on offer.
Speaking to Wales.com, Gareth shared his grand ambitions for the destination venue, a favourite on many people’s foodie bucket lists.
“This part of the world, this part of Wales, this building – everything about it deserves to be at the highest level and I won’t stop until we get there,” he said.
Previously known as Ynyshir Hall, the restaurant underwent a rebrand following the death of its former proprietor Joan Reen in 2016, with Gareth taking over the operation and shifting the focus towards functioning primarily as a dining establishment with accommodation facilities.
Gareth added: “When you eat here, I want you to sit down for three hours and have maybe 20 different experiences of flavour. To do that you’ve got to re-think the way you cook completely.”
Find out more here: https://www.ynyshir.co.uk
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Completely bonkers £468 per person for the set meal with the audacity of a 12.5 % service charge. Lets’s add in accommodation as you are unlikely to walk there from your house. So probably £1500 for a night out for two. Is that the Wales I recognise? No, obviously. Why give it free publicity? Ps I’m no party pooper but come on, you’re ‘aving a laff. My state pension is £760.92 per month.
Free publicity, maybe the restaurant will launch a book and give the endorser a share of profits!! BBC books published a book about Wales worst restaurant https://www.amazon.co.uk/Franco-Friends-food-Walnut-Tree/dp/0563383763 In 1990s kitchen staff in Walnut Tree were paid from tips only, and if tips were low the kitchen staff suffered; waiters etc were paid well. The owners daughter went to my primary school in Abergavenny and every year the restaurant closed in February for the owners family to have an amazing holiday in locations such as Jamaica. . Why the BBC does not do basic checks on how ethical its’ partners are… Read more »
Not to mention that the set menu does not cater for vegetarians, vegans, gluten free, etc.
They do cater for vegans. There’s ten acres of pasture out the back.
Much less than watching Oasis in the stadium. I personally wouldn’t spend that sort of money on either but I don’t begrudge others their choice of once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Recently awarded a 1/5 food hygiene rating – major improvement necessary. I wouldn’t visit a takeaway with a rating like that, let alone someone charging £500 a head. Hard pass.
Then you get the Ceredigion Food Hygiene inspector who walks in at Ynyshir and sees the Sashimi raw fish bowl which needs to rest at room temperature for 30mins. So giving it the following scores on the doors. Hilarious.
https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/863829/ynyshir-restaurant-rooms-eglwys-fach
Reminds me that Jenny Rathbone MS (Cardiff Central – Labour) wants to put a red warning label on Menyn Cymreig Shirgar for its high fat content. James Martin can have access to my secret stash of proper quality Welsh butter if he wants.
If the council is using underqualified inspectors as you suggest, doesn’t that risk the council being held liable for reputational damage?