29 October 2024
From the southern coast of Tenby to the north western peninsula of St Davids. Of course, not everyone is a vegetarian nor a vegan, and we can’t pretend that Pembrokeshire - a predominantly coastal and farming region- isn’t proud of its local fish and meat.
However, the best vegan and vegetarian places to eat are those where meat eaters and plant eaters can dine side by side, with equal attention given to the respective dishes. Being vegan shouldn’t limit your options, and in many of the restaurants and cafes below, the vegetarian and vegan options take centre stage on the menus.
We’ve done the research on vegan- and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Pembrokeshire so you don’t have to! You’re welcome.
Umi, Tenby
Head to Umi for a relaxed yōshoku dining experience with super fresh, healthy and delicious Japanese-influenced dishes all cooked to order. The fusion menu offers many vegan and vegetarian options such as vegetable gyoza, kos, edamame and seaweed salad, vegan katzu curry, chilli tofu ramen, and vegetable udon noodles.
The Fuchsia Café, Tenby
This cute little café’s menu is packed with veggie and vegan options for daytime dining. Serving lovely breakfasts (including Welsh specialities!), sandwiches, salads, and platters, meat definitely takes a backseat in this friendly establishment! Try the Coronation Chickpea sandwich with chickpeas, sultanas, red onion, lightly spiced mayo, mango chutney, and spinach. Or a classic BLT with a vegan twist: meat-free 'bacon' rashers, lettuce, tomato, and vegan mayo.
Plum Vanilla, Narberth
Open during the daytimes for breakfast and lunch, and serving predominantly plant-based dishes, the food at this colourful cafe is unquestionably delicious and it’s a firm favourite with locals. In summer be prepared to queue for a table, but we assure you, it’s worth the wait! Think roasted carrots with labne and salsa, laksa with tofu, vegetables and flat rice noodles in a creamy coconut south east Asian broth, and vegan and gluten free lemon meringue pie!
The Grove, Narberth
If you’re after something fancy, there are fine dining options available. In Narberth, the 3AA Rosette Fernery Restaurant at The Grove Hotel has won many accolades for its food, and has ample options for those with dietary requirements. With separate tasting menus for vegetarians, vegans and pescatarians, and the choice of either five or eight courses with wine pairing available, you’re in for a very special treat! The vegan menu features silken seaweed, celeriac pithivier, and chocolate with fig leaf and burnt orange.
Black Pool Mill, Canaston
This converted Georgian Mill is a spectacular dining spot on the banks of the river Cleddau. Spread over several floors with the original mill workings still in situ, the chefs partner with local producers to create exciting menus with a variety of fresh produce and seasonal ingredients sourced locally. Their Sunday lunch menu serves up roast cauliflower steak for the main and Malva pudding for dessert. While the seasonal dinner menu could feature stuffed courgette parcels with creamy mushroom and cashews.
Runwayskiln, Marloes
If you’re exploring near Marloes Sands in St Brides Bay, be sure to stop at Runwayskiln for a top-quality, veg-filled lunch with a view. Perched above the popular beach and right next to a National Trust protected wetland and bird habitat, there is ample wildlife to gaze out at, while enjoying the delicious food from this farmhouse café under big (and hopefully blue!) skies. Highlights include the sweet potato pakoras with lemon and herb hummus, shaved cabbage,
Runwayskiln pickles, coriander and tahini dressing.
Grain, St Davids
While not exclusively vegan, Grain’s bill of artisan pizzas is so good it’s worth travelling cross county to enjoy a plant-based slice at its funky St Davids venue. Situated in a courtyard with covered booths and outdoor tables, it’s a bit of a sun trap, which also makes it the perfect place to sample the local Bluestone Brewery beers in the afternoon. The team always ensure there is a vegan pizza option on the menu. Whatever you go for, you can be sure it has been crafted from the freshest local and seasonal ingredients – like the Beetroot to Yourself! This cheeky little special comes with a basil pesto base, roasted beetroot, shallots & pickled cabbage.
We absolutely love the ‘Squashed’ pizza, which has – you guessed it – a butternut squash rather than tomato base, scrumptious local goat’s cheese, courgette and pine nuts. The several veggie options can be made with vegan cheese to ensure all dietary requirements are available.
Mamgu’s, St Davids
Try Mamgu’s café in the refectory in St Davids Cathedral for a unique breakfast… They do a fantastic vegan fry up with a real Welsh twist – all their dishes are served with hot-off-the-griddle Welsh cakes that come in all kinds of flavours. (We love the leek and cheese, but there are always vegan and gluten free choices available too).
The Really Wild Emporium, St Davids
For an indulgent vegan dining experience, look no further than The Really Wild Emporium. This fabulous cafe/restaurant offers a tantalising six-course vegan tasting menu (not available during the summer holidays). Immerse yourself in a culinary adventure, savouring the imaginative creations crafted by their clever chefs. Expect squash, leek and saw wrack soup, sweet chestnut laver cake, and blackberry and almond milk pannacotta.
Ffresar y Wesh, Mannings Grocers, Fishguard
Located inside a characterful old building in the town’s centre, this daytime eatery does salads and typical café offerings alongside some vegan cakes and sweet choices. There is a lovely outdoor garden and covered seating area, and they do regular pizza nights and live music outdoors in the summer.
The Canteen, Newport
Located in the centre of Newport in North Pembrokeshire, you will find The Canteen on the corner of Main Street and Market Street. A welcoming café and restaurant, The Canteen is open daily offering lunch and dinner to eat in or takeaway. Specialising in pizzas and salads, pretty much their entire menu is available in both gluten free and vegan options. You can even build your own gluten-free and vegan pizzas!
The menu is then rounded out with a specials board often offering homemade burgers, desserts for those with a sweet tooth and local ales. You can view their menus on their website.
LlysMeddyg, Newport
The 2AA Rosette LlysMeddyg is one of Pembrokeshire’s top choices for foodies. Though it only has a small menu allowing chefs to give each dish time and care, there is always a vegan choice and we can guarantee it’ll be good. Like the Miso aubergine with Ajo Blanco and pepper caramel. There are a variety of settings in which to dine at LlysMeddyg, from lovely outdoor tables in their kitchen garden, their romantic restaurant or the cosy cellar bar for an after-dinner tipple.
The Ferry Inn, St Dogmaels
Make tracks to this stunning waterside inn for a nourishing feed at its vegan-friendly restaurant.
The all-day dining spot with amazing estuary views shifts its offering to suit the season: warm evenings are filled with vibrant salads and grilled veggies, while winter nights showcase heartier fare. Happily, there’s always a cracking selection of vegan dishes on the menu – whatever the time of year you visit. For mains you can choose from dishes such as garden vegetable tagine
rice, poppadom, naan and mango chutney, spiced garden burger, watermelon and feta salad and vegan lasagne, while desserts include vegan chocolate brownie, blueberry frangipane bake and vegan chocolate and cherry cheesecake.
Sunday lunch sessions cater for vegans too. The butternut squash, lentil and almond wellington is a fab alternative to the traditionally meat-centric roast dinner.
Here in Pembrokeshire we are extremely proud of our produce and local ingredients, and we have fantastic chefs to prepare it for you, so we hope you find something you love!
