Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re in Wales, talking about food! A lot of the food in Wales is similar to the food in England, but I’m going to talk about traditional Welsh food that is unique to Wales. It’s not all weird stuff that you can’t identify; Welsh cuisine is actually pretty good! That’s why I want to give you a head’s up on what you should eat when you visit Wales.
Welsh Cakes
One of the most popular items in Welsh cuisine is Welsh cakes. They look like little pancakes. It’s actually more like a round, flat scone. Welsh cakes are very dense and usually have something inside, like raisins. They make a great snack as you are out sightseeing in Wales or the perfect accompaniment to afternoon tea.
Ten Things That Will Shock You in Wales
Bara Brith
Another item common in Welsh cuisine is the Bara Brith. It looks like a fruitcake that you’d have at Christmas in the United States. However, it’s not as dense. Bara Brith is served sliced and is another great snack. You can find this at pretty much any grocery store.
Welsh Rarebit
This sounds very similar to rabbit, but it’s really just a simple open-faced toasted cheese sandwich. There’s usually a sauce added underneath the cheese, and if you order this at a restaurant, it may come with additional toppings. This is a quick and easy meal if you just want to grab a bite at a pub and continue on your road trip through Wales.
Laverbread
This is pronounced like lava-bread, but as with most Welsh cuisine, this is misleading. Laver is actually seaweed. It usually comes with some bread slices you can spread it on. It’s actually not too bad, but it’s definitely a “love it or hate it” kind of food.
Lamb & Leeks
Leeks are one of the national symbols of Wales, so it’s a very common ingredient in many Welsh dishes. The lamb in Wales is really fantastic. Lamb Cawl is like a lamb stew, or you can just get the lamb chops. Lamb is my go-to meal when I visit Wales.
Shellfish
The shellfish in Wales is really good. The mussels are quite good; my son was a big fan! If you have a choice, get the bread instead of fries as your side so you can dip the bread in the sauce from the seafood. If you see cockles on the menu, those are small clams and they are pretty tasty as well.
Local Beer
Of course, you will need something to wash down all this tasty Welsh food, so I like to recommend a local beer to try during your travels. Brains Beer is probably the most popular beer brand in Wales, and they make multiple different types of beer, from dark to light. Once you leave Cardiff, you’ll see all kinds of local ales in the smaller regions, so give those a try as well.
The Don’ts of Wales: What Not to Do When You Visit Wales
Wales is a great place to visit. You’ll find all kinds of little restaurants and pubs as you travel through Wales. If you visit Wales with kids, make sure you check the hours that kids are allowed in the pub. There’s usually a cutoff time when children are no longer allowed, so you need to plan ahead and eat earlier. Looking for more tips on what to eat while traveling? Check out some of these other blog posts!