What first comes to mind when someone mentions Swansea Bay – beaches, surfing, walking? What about food? You might not know it, but Swansea Bay is full of exciting places to eat and drink. And we don’t just mean nice restaurants and cosy cafés. We’re talking full blown culinary adventures that will not only tantalise your taste buds but will give you a true flavour of our local specialities and Welsh national favourites.
No trip to Swansea Bay would be complete without sampling our delicious ice cream – it’s one of the things we’re known for. With a number of authentic Welsh and Italian ice cream parlours to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Our tip, enjoy award winning fresh cream Italian ice cream at Verdi’s in Mumbles while taking in the spectacular coastal view.
Queuing at the bar? Not in Swansea Bay. We are proud to be home to The Westbourne, Wales’ first self-serve pub, where you can order food, drinks and snacks via an iPad on your table without moving a muscle (there are even lager and cider pumps on each table!). Beer and real ale lovers take note – The Westbourne also has its own beer wall from which you can pour your own drinks, and 6 real ale pumps on the bar. Welcome to the self-serve revolution!
It’s hard to beat the experience of enjoying a delicious meal with a beautiful view. Situated at the top of Wales’ tallest building, the Grape and Olive restaurant offers superb views across Swansea Bay and Mumbles. You can also dine within the original dock buildings of SA1 and take in views across the award winning Sail Bridge, relax in cafés that are so close to the beach they are practically on it, look out over Mumbles light house, and take in historical and cultural surroundings such as a restored Victorian tea room and 5 Cwmdonkin Drive – Dylan Thomas’ birthplace.
Located at the heart of Swansea City Centre where it has stood for the past 50 years, award winning Swansea Market is the largest indoor market in Wales. With over 100 stalls, many of whom have been serving the people of Swansea for generations; it is the place to go to experience fresh local produce, Swansea Bay delicacies, and traditional Welsh fayre. But that’s not all. We also have other fantastic markets in some of Swansea Bay’s best locations, such as Uplands, Mumbles and Swansea Marina.
If you love your seafood, you must pay a visit to Mumbles where you can enjoy it ‘fresh off the boat’ (it doesn’t have far to go!) Swansea Market is also a haven of fresh fish and seafood delicacies, with three high quality fishmongers and a seafood rotunda at the very centre. If you haven’t tried our famous and locally sourced cockles and laverbread, you haven’t had the full Swansea Bay experience!
