YouTube food critic Gary Hanna has delivered a six-word verdict on Ynyshir, the acclaimed restaurant in western Wales, after spending £540 on a 30-course meal. The reviewer, known as @GaryEats, concluded that chef Gareth Ward and his partner Amelia had “smashed it out of the park”.
Details of the meal
Hanna visited the restaurant in Eglwys Fach, north east of Aberystwyth and directly west of Aberdyfi, accompanied by a cameraman. The meal took just over five hours. He rated the experience 10 stars, saying: “It’s a simple 10 star.”
While effusive, Hanna acknowledged the cost and time commitment are not for everyone. “How much did this cost? £540 per person. You book in advance… The only way you can understand what I’ve just experienced is experience it yourself,” he said. “Not every dish was to my liking and we actually disagreed on certain points. The other thing is you think this has gone on all night and it takes forever to do…. It took just over 5 hours.”
Restaurant reputation
Ynyshir holds a 4.8-star average on Google Reviews from over 270 reviews. On TripAdvisor, it is ranked the number one hotel in Eglwys Fach with a 4.6 average across 465 reviews: 363 rated it excellent, 49 good, 26 average, 15 poor, and 12 terrible. The Michelin Guide also praised the venue, noting: “For a truly unique experience, head for rural Wales and this matt-black house with an immersive approach and a mellow soundtrack.” It highlighted chef-owner Gareth Ward’s five-hour culinary journey featuring around 30 vibrant servings, with a reverence for Japanese cuisine including sashimi and A5 Wagyu beef.
Hanna advised potential diners: “If you are a massive foodie this is definitely for you. What I suggest you do is actually come here, book a hotel and have the whole experience and enjoy the ambience of some of wonderful wines, whiskies, etc etc.” He added: “Quite a few are going to say it’s ridiculous price. Yes, it is a ridiculous price. Are you paying for the whole experience? You’re paying for this. You’re paying for a dream and that’s what it is. I think it’s their dream, they have smashed it out of the park.”
