The Jackdaw, a small fine dining restaurant in the medieval walled town of Conwy, north Wales, has won the AA Wine Award of the Year for Wales at the annual AA Hospitality Awards in London.
The AA Hospitality Awards, now in their 29th year, celebrate excellence across the UK hospitality industry, with this year’s ceremony attended by more than 1,000 guests. The AA Wine Award is widely regarded as the highest honour for wine lists.
Chef-owner accepts award
Nick Rudge, chef-owner of The Jackdaw, took to the stage to accept the award for the best wine list in Wales. Rudge, who spent seven years training and working alongside Heston Blumenthal at three-Michelin-starred restaurant The Fat Duck, said: “Winning the AA Wine Award of the Year for Wales is a huge honour, a wonderful recognition of what we have been building at The Jackdaw over the past five years. This Award is a testament to the hard work of our team and the fantastic vineyards we are lucky enough to work with.”
Open since 2021, The Jackdaw is named after the local term for someone born within Conwy's historic town walls. The restaurant has partnered closely with local suppliers, a commitment that shapes its wine list, which pairs with its ever-changing tasting menus.
Fifth anniversary menu
The award comes as The Jackdaw prepares to mark its fifth anniversary. From 6th to 31st October 2026, Rudge will offer a special à la carte menu with dishes that have shaped the restaurant’s story so far. Highlights include Barbecued Courgette with Horseradish and Kefir Sauce, Dyffryn Conwy Lamb with Pickled Cockles and Mint, and the Gynwys dessert.
The restaurant has previously won Restaurant of the Year – Wales at the AA Hospitality Awards in September 2023. It has also earned 3 AA Rosettes, promotion to “Exceptional” in The Good Food Guide, and a place among the UK's top 100 restaurants.
Dining experience
The Jackdaw occupies the first floor of a former cinema overlooking Conwy's high street. Inside, it features whitewashed walls, exposed stone and sheepskin-draped chairs. The wine list is arranged according to how far each bottle has travelled from Conwy, measured “as the jackdaw flies”. It includes international, European and Welsh wines, such as Gwinllan Conwy Solaris, Montgomery Vineyard, Sparkling Demi-Sec and Trimbach Riesling.
Dinner costs £125 per person for around 10 to 11 courses, and a six-course lunch is available for £60 per person. Dishes on the menu include Welsh beef sirloin, Barbecued Scallop & Seaweed, Butter Poached Turbot and Mefys Môn Iced Jasmine Tea. The tasting menu features courses such as Lady Llanover's “Welsh Salt Duck”, Henryd Courgette, and Dyffryn Conwy Lamb.
