Celebrity chef James Martin has declared the Welsh restaurant Ynyshir as the “best place to eat in the world,” though he warns that securing a reservation is becoming increasingly challenging. Having sampled cuisine across the United States, France, and Spain, the 53-year-old chef’s top recommendation is a hidden gem nestled in Ceredigion, Wales.
James’s admiration for Ynyshir runs deep—in fact, he once drove over 200 miles in a vintage car to honour a reservation he had booked months in advance. The restaurant, led by chef Gareth Ward, earned its second Michelin star in 2022 and may soon achieve its third, which would make it Wales’s only three-star venue.
On the Routes podcast, James enthusiastically praised Gareth Ward as the “greatest chef in the UK at the moment,” adding that a third Michelin star would make it nearly impossible to secure a table.
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He raved about the dining experience, which features a 34-course tasting menu costing around £468 per person. “It is epic, no choice, the most amazing food you’ll have in your life,” James shared with Wales Online.
James, who trained at France’s Hostellerie de Plaisance and worked in a three-star restaurant himself, previously named Ynyshir 2024’s best restaurant during the Good Food podcast. He said, “It’s my birthday soon, so I’m taking a vintage car up to Ynyshir in North Wales because it’s absolutely spectacular.”
Ynyshir, located in Eglwys Fach, currently accepts reservations two months in advance, with March dates now available. The restaurant offers exclusive dining packages, including behind-the-scenes access and front-row experiences.
Chef Gareth Ward aims to make Ynyshir a true destination restaurant. Speaking with Wales.com, he said, “Everything about this place deserves to be at the highest level, and I won’t stop until we get there.” Since taking over after previous owner Joan Reen’s passing in 2016, Gareth has transformed Ynyshir from a traditional country house into a cutting-edge culinary venue that also offers ten guest rooms for overnight stays.
Gareth describes his 3-hour dining experience as a journey through “20 different flavour experiences.” To achieve this, he has completely reimagined his cooking style, focusing on smaller dishes with bold, soy-based dressings and fermented juice accompaniments that deliver an “explosion of flavour.”
If you’re looking for a remarkable dining adventure, Ynyshir promises an unforgettable meal—just don’t wait too long to book.