The Jackdaw in Conwy, a Michelin-recognised restaurant, has won over a self-confessed simple eater with its Welsh tasting menu, proving that such experiences need not be an endurance event. The restaurant, open since 2021, offers a dinner menu at £125 per person and a six-course lunch at £60, rooted in Welsh culinary history.
A Chef's Journey from The Fat Duck to Conwy
Chef-owner Nick Rudge, who trained under Heston Blumenthal at The Fat Duck, brings technical precision to his cooking, but with a distinctly Welsh focus. The menu rotates seasonally, featuring dishes like Welsh beef sirloin, Barbecued Scallop & Seaweed, and Butter Poached Turbot.
The restaurant has earned 3 AA Rosettes, a place in The Good Food Guide's 'Exceptional' category, and was named Restaurant of the Year – Wales at the AA Hospitality Awards in September 2023.
A Wine List Measured by Distance
The wine list is arranged by how far each bottle has travelled from Conwy, measured 'as the jackdaw flies'. It includes Welsh wines like Gwinllan Conwy Solaris and Montgomery Vineyard, alongside international options.
Standout Dishes
Highlights include Lady Llanover's 'Welsh Salt Duck' from a 19th-century cookbook, and Hafod and Conwy Sauce Rarebit, which elevates the classic with a rich mixture of stout, mustard, and Welsh cheeses. The Lamb Cawl reimagines the traditional dish with deconstructed elements and a crystal-clear broth.
Dessert features Gynwys, a playful nod to the legend that Guinness was a Welsh invention, with layers of roasted barley cremeux, yeast caramel, and malt ice cream.
The writer, who usually avoids tasting menus, found the experience satisfying and filling, a conversion she attributes partly to the Welsh wine.
