Three South Wales pubs, described by visitors as being "of the highest quality", have been named among the best in Britain.
The Good Food Guide has released its first-ever list of the 100 best pubs in Britain, featuring boozers across the country from the Highland Laddie in Leeds to the Applecross Inn on Scotland’s North Coast 500.
Despite the doom and gloom currently surrounding Britain’s pubs, with closures currently averaging one per day in 2025, The Good Food Guide is celebrating the nation’s thriving appetite for genuine pubs with proper food and proper beer – and the growing number of venues that are delivering it.
Why are so many UK pubs closing?
Editor of The Good Food Guide, Chloë Hamilton, said: "We went searching for the pubs that nail the drinking and dining side of the equation.
"It turns out the harder you look the more you find, and they’re not all hidden away in the Cotswolds. The Highland Laddie – a city-centre slam dunk – is a very good case in point."
The best pubs in Britain
The top 10 best pubs in Britain, according to the Good Food Guide, are:
- The Highland Laddie, Leeds
- The Kinneuchar Inn, Fife
- The Merry Harriers, Surrey
- The Beckford Arms, Wiltshire
- The Radnor Arms, Kent
- Greyhound Inn, Pettistree, Suffolk
- The Pelican, London
- The Abbey Inn, North Yorkshire
- Inn at The Sticks, Carmarthenshire
- The Pack Horse, Hayfield, Derbyshire
You can see the full list of the top 100 best pubs in Britain on the Good Food Guide website.
The 3 South Wales pubs among the best in Britain
Three South Wales pubs featured among Britain's best on the Good Food Guide list:
- Heathcock, Cardiff (56th)
- Hare & Hounds, Glamorgan (61st)
- The Bunch of Grapes, Pontypridd (100th)
Heathcock
Heathcock was the highest-ranked South Wales pub on the Good Food Guide's list, ranking 56th.
The Cardiff-based establishment was commended for its "laid-back sophistication" with food that is "intelligent and considered".
The Good Food Guide adds: "From bar to beer garden, the Heathcock majors in laid-back sophistication: expect simple white walls, reclaimed furniture, a decent selection of beers, and warm, efficient service.
"Here, informality never equates to idleness, and the same is true of the food, which – for all its rustic edges – is intelligent and considered."
It's not just the experts who have praised Heathcock, with customers also raving about the South Wales pub.
It has a 3.8 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 274 reviews (at the time of writing) and has been described as "one of the best dining experiences" by visitors.
One person said: "The Sunday lunch here was probably one of the best I've ever had - so delicious - everything cooked to perfection!
"The atmosphere was lovely too - and friendly and efficient staff.... faultless!"
Hare & Hounds
The Hare & Hounds was the second South Wales pub on the Good Food Guide's list, featuring in 61st place.
The popular pub, which is located in Aberthin near Cowbridge, is described as "snug" and brimming with "folksy features".
The Guide continues: "Wonky whitewashed stone walls, stripped floorboards, a Welsh dresser loaded with jars of preserved fruits, and a wood burner in an inglenook that contrasts with the polished metal of the open kitchen."
"The ever-changing menu takes its cue from the setting – traditional by inclination, but shot through with contemporary freshness.
"Executive chef (and local boy) Tom Watts-Jones previously worked at Fergus Henderson's St John in Clerkenwell, and it shows."
Hare & Hounds also comes highly recommended by visitors, boasting a 4.2 rating on Tripadvisor from 541 reviews.
This guest posted: "Exquisite meal of the highest quality. Perfect. The service was attentive and the food quality and flavours were sublime. Haven't had food this good in years."
The Bunch of Grapes
The Bunch of Grapes, which has been a part of Pontypridd since 1851, took up the final spot on the Good Food Guide's list, ranking 100th.
The experts said: "A staple of the Pontypridd scene since 1851, this forward-thinking community pub is a veritable hive of activity.
"Not only a staunch champion of Welsh produce, it’s also home to the Otley Brewery, which sits in the grounds behind the building.
"There's a tap room if you want to chill out, as well as a craft beer shop selling an astonishing range of cans and bottles, and assorted special events from live music and cheese nights to macramé workshops.
"As for food, local and sustainable ingredients dictate the show, with Welsh heritage proudly showing its colours in the form of cockles on toast with laverbread or a Merthyr brisket pie with mash – although much of the action centres on the charcoal barbecue."
The Bunch of Grapes has a 3.7 rating on Tripadvisor from 787 reviews.
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One person, describing their experience at the South Wales pub, said: "Visited on a Slice and Dice Sunday night. Board games are available to play and pizza was being served in the beer garden from Loaded Dough (I think).
"The pub has a great feel and nice decor. Staff friendly. The pizza was delicious.
"There aren’t many pubs as decent in South Wales so hope it has good business and stays."
