The Green Dragon does the most amazing Sunday Lunches and their cabbage (sounds funny I know) is…read moregorgeous - I hate cabbage and I don't know what they do to it to make it edible but it is lovely! We went there for a New Year celebration as my cousin was the singer and we had a great night out.

A very nice olde worlde country pub with a lovely big dining room, comfortable chairs, and an…read moreextensive menu. Several vegetarian choices too and not too expensive (you get lots to eat for the money too). It's usually quiet (soft or no background music) so it's easy to have a chat with friends. I've eaten here lots of times over the last few years, both in the evening and at lunchtime. The staff are usually friendly as well. Can't tell you anything about the beer because I don't drink it - I'll leave that to someone else!

What a truly great place to visit when in Cardiff or nearby. First - real history - the inn was…read morebuilt in 1380AD. It is truly beautiful, historic, warm and cosy. On top of that the food is fabulous, the staff friendly and many real ales. We visited for lunch and kept it simple - I took the green Thai curry which was hot, spicy and truly delicious. Mrs G tried the calves liver and repeatedly shared how great it was. Definitely 5 stars and worth the 30 minute drive from Central Cardiff to this remote and beautiful spot!

The approach to Aberthaw is pretty uninspiring, as this tiny village - once a busy mediaeval port -…read moreis now dominated by a Cement Works and the bulk of the huge coal-fired power-station, with aircraft from nearby Cardiff Airport flying overhead. But ignore all that, because the Blue Anchor is what you come here for. It's a fabulous old pub, with low ceilings (and some very low doorways), stone walls and a thatched roof. There's a new restaurant extension, built in a sympathetic matching style, but the old section has more character, including a wonderful snug with a very low doorway. Dating back to 1380, it has traded as a pub almost continuously since that time. One of the interruptions (in 2004) nearly put paid to that, when the roof caught fire and destroyed the upper part of the mediaeval building. Fortunately, the damage was repaired and, once inside, you feel a world away from the pub's surroundings. It serves a wide range of real ales: these include Wadworths 6X, Wye Valley Hereford Pale Ale, Brains Bitter and Theakston's Old Peculiar, as well as visiting guest ales. As you'd expect from a former CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) pub of the year, they are very well kept. It's also well known for its home-cooked food, often using locally grown ingredients, served either in the restaurant (Egon Ronay recommended) or the bar itself. As you'd expect, it gets busy, and Sunday lunch reservations are essential. Starters are around £5, mains £10 and desserts £5. Lovers of Sticky Toffee Pudding should go for that (and not expect to walk very far any time soon - portions are substantial). There are a few parking places immediately in front of and behind the pub, with a small car park across the road. Well worth searching out if you are in the Cardiff area.

A proper old fashioned pub with buckets of charm where the beer flows freely and the punters are…read morediverse. The main bit of the pub is very much an old school bar lounge with stools and slightly sticky dark wood tables. But there's always a gentle buzz atmosphere wise which is often punctuated with laughter from all over the room. Downstairs, in the basement is a music venue that often showcases local bands as well as cover groups. There's a new cocktail bar attached which I haven't tried yet, but I get the feeling it's probably a bit ghetto. I'm personally a big fan of the basement bar...

Cosy and a great place for a quiet drink! Locals are friendly and bar staff are brilliant!…read more The locaton is great as you've got Cubanas nearby and around the corner from a wine bar and other pub. A great place for a pint!

You can just feel the ghosts of pirates in this seaside tavern. With its nooks and crannies, it's…read morejust perfect for an illicit rendevouz and talks of treasure over a glass of brandy and the crackling fire. This has got to be one of the oldest pubs in South Wales, it's medieval and dates from 1380. This is one of those places that reminds you how small we used to be - I'm only 5ft 7 and I stoop through the worn wooden doors. I havn't eaten here, but there is also a well respected restaurant upstairs offering a good selection of seafood dishes. Dishes include: Brixham Crab Cake with baby leaves and lemon butter sauce (£5.25); Plaice Goujons with paprika and a sweet red pepper tartar sauce (£4.95); Roasted Fillet of Hake with a chorizo and roasted red pepper risotto ith tomato, garlic and orange sauce for £13.95 For the vegetarians on the day I visited there was: Tomato Fondue, Wild Mushroom and Aubergine Bake, finished with garlic crumb and poached egg (£4.95) and Rosemary and Truffle Arancini Risotto with a tomato, red onion and spring onion salsa ( £4.95). The restaurant opening times are Monday to Saturday from 7pm to 9.30pm. They also offer bar meals between 12 and 2 pm Mondays to Saturdays and evening meals Monday to Friday from 6 to 8 pm.

One of my favorite pubs when I come home to Wales. I've been coming here for 40+ years. Great…read morebeers, lovely staff, exceedingly good food on a great menu, and a building that should last another half millennium plus. And a beautiful spot for a picture that will include a thatched roof and hanging baskets.

I have to say I don't normally give a 5 star to any review but I must say my best meal 2022 amazing…read moreservice accommodating above and beyond food was A1 service was amazing food was tasty and hot well done to the chef my steak was cooked to perfection and the staff were on top of it being short staffed did not reflect on the service to very hungry ladies left full and content I will be going back with all my friends

Popular eating house and pub beside the busy A48 at Bonvilston…read more When I visited recently the menu had a good range of options from light snacks to full meals. Very attentive and helpful waiting staff; however the quality of the food was mediocre at best, and I felt it was clearly all cooked from frozen. This was ultimately a disappointment for a medium priced restaurant where I would have expected better. I won't be coming back as I can clearly have better at home, with very little ease.

My favourite pub in Cowbridge by a long way. Actually, The Vale and The Edmondes Arms (at the top…read moreend of the high street) are the only two 'proper' pubs in the town, the likes of The Bear and The Duke having gone a little bit too 'laa dee da' for my liking. It looks like a pub from the outside, and it smells like a pub on the inside (that's not a bad thing, in case you were wondering). The staff are all nice and friendly, the beer is lovely (and varied), I've heard that the food is very good although I've yet to try it, and on one of the previous occasions when I visited, there was part of a male voice choir in there belting out a spot of 'Delilah' whilst stood at the bar. True story. If you visit Cowbridge, do yourself a favour and visit The Vale. Tell them that Mark sent you. It won't mean anything to them but it'll make me feel important!

Can't recommend a stay here due to the bizarre green light above the bedroom door. It's after 3am…read moreand I haven't slept a wink. Tried covering my head with pillows, my blanket, etc and it's no use as the glow of the light is such that I feel I'm sleeping under a street light. Dreadful.

This a lovely, historic pub in a lovely historic village, in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan,…read morebetween Barry and Cowbridge. Llancarfan may be tiny now, but it was once home to one of the most important Welsh monasteries in the mid-6th century, founded by the mysterious St Cadog. The only remnant of this is the church, rebuilt many times since then, and some earthworks. But set in lovely countryside, it's an excellent place for long week-end walks. The pub itself dates from the 16th century, and the stone walls and low-beamed ceilings certainly feel like it. Although it's quite large, it feels cosy and features roaring fires in winter. Outside, there's a lovely beer garden, set beside a stream. An idyllic spot on a hot day. As well as the local Brains beers, (including the renowned Brains SA - Special Ale, better known as Skull Attack...) the pub features regular guest ales. But the pub is also famed throughout the area for its food. It's as close as you get hereabouts to a gastro-pub, but with nice, straightforward cooking and sensible prices. Although I'm a veggie, I'm told the Welsh Lamb is superb. The staff are helpful, efficient and friendly, although it can get very busy indeed on summer week-end lunchtimes. I've not stayed there, but the pub and setting is attractive enough, and the staff are so friendly, that I'd suggest this venue rather than one of the dreary chain hotels if you were flying into or out of nearby Cardiff Airport (and at £75 B&B for a twin room, it's good value).

I was expecting to enjoy a tasty traditional pub lunch but was left disappointed in just about…read moreevery way! The beef burger was served on a soggy bun and while the patty was quite large, it lacked seasoning and flavour. The chips were undercooked and oily. I did have a nice shiraz but 5 of their tap beers were off on the day we visited - considering it was during the Christmas period I would have thought they would have plenty of stock. I would usually give this place 2 stars but a couple of the locals I was with assured me it was an off day. Here's hoping they're right.....

very nice atmosphere for either a quiet drink at the front or for a good night in the back. Local…read moreales available aswell as a vast range of popular brands. The decor is very nice too with lots of cowbridge history dotted around the place. Beer guardian outside is nice aswell, especially in the summer heat.

Update - February 2009…read more Now renamed 'The Local', it is still part of the Thresher chain - part of a rebranding exercise - and still just as friendly. --------------------------- A larger than average branch of this off-licence chain, situated on the steep hill that is St Nicholas Road in Barry. It's slightly out of the way - there are no other shops around - but there is a small parking area in front, and most people seem to visit by car. It has a pub-style sign on a post in front, and so looks rather like a pub (until you get closer). The range includes a good selection of wines from around the world, as well as a good beer section, and a small range of mixers, spirits and snacks. And whilst Thresher is not normally my preferred place to buy wine or beer, it's one of the best places in Barry (there's no Oddbins here). Apparently, the building is Barry's oldest shop, dating from around 1860 (Barry essentially being the creation of the railway from the 1880s). It is certainly located in the area of the original small village but whether or not this is actually true, I have no idea!

This is tricky to get to because of the road that it's situated on - its a busy little street so…read morepulling in and out can be awkward. However, its worth it as there's so much selection. The staff are helpful and the premises are clean and tidy.

Update 07-03-2010…read more After a disappointing visit last year, a more recent visit went better. The meal was fine, and came in at around £20 a head (some had two courses, others three), and service was friendly (they made a couple of mistakes but rectified them straight away without a quibble). Decent portion sizes still, but not a great deal of choice for vegetarians. --------------- Located in the tiny village of Penmark in the Vale of Glamorgan, the Six Bells is a traditional pub with a restaurant area and function room, under new management (as of January 2009). Penmark itself has a church and the remains of a 12th century castle, once home to the Umfraville family. The Pub itself has a traditional bar area with a low ceiling, wooden beams and a tiled floor and a large fireplace, which is home to a roaring fire in winter. There's a second bar on the other side of the servery leading to an airy, modern dining room, although I prefer the cosier side myself. They serve real ales, which on my visit included Hancock's HB and Old Speckled Hen. They also serve food (Tues-Sats, 12-14.30 & 18-21h) ranging from sandwiches, warm baguettes and salads to a decent menu of pub grub favourites, including a curry, lasagne, sausages and mash, fish and chips and a slightly more upmarket menu with the likes of steak and sea bass. They also have a daily selection of traditional desserts and a Welsh cheese board. During the week they do a £10 for two courses special offer. On Sundays they do a traditional roast from 12-16h, for which it is advisable to book. We had a family meal there recently, and the food was both well cooked and very good value indeed, with everything freshly prepared - be warned that some of the portions can be on the generous side, so if you want pudding, you may want to skip the starters! Although they weren't terribly busy with diners (it was a Saturday lunchtime), service was spot on, and all the staff were very friendly and helpful. The pub has strong competition locally, as neighbouring villages feature the Blue Anchor (a genuine 'olde worlde' building with excellent real ales and a posh restaurant) and the Fox & Hounds at Llancarfan (also well known for its food, but pricier). The Six Bells sensibly goes for something slightly different, and scores on quality and good value food and the friendliness of its service. In terms of practicalities, it also has a large car park tucked behind the building, so parking is straightforward. It is accessed by a minor road off the B4265 Cardiff Airport - Llantwit Major Road. Worth looking out for.