The Hardwick is one of Wales’s best-known and most celebrated restaurants. You’ve probably already heard the blurb about their celebrated chef and ethos of generous, un-poncy, meaty, comfort food before. If so, just skip to the pictures of the nosh… Located in the country’s gastronomic heartland of Abergavenny, the rurally set Hardwick could variously be described as a “restaurant with rooms” or a “gastro-pub” depending on which cliché tickles your fancy. Chef-patron Stephen Terry has a serious CV behind him. He trained under legendary chefs Marco Pierre White & Michel Roux Jr; he was awarded his first Michelin star at the age of 25; he’s mentored some of Britain’s finest including Jason Atherton and Hywell Jones; and he obtained household name status when he cooked the fish course on the Great British Menu in 2008. We were visiting the Hardwick during the first flushes of December when I’d only just opened my first packet of stilton and when the thought of pyramids of Ferrero Rocher w
To start, I chose Welsh Rarebit on slow cooked ham hock, with a shallot, dandelion and caper salad, mustard cream and grilled sourdough. Not to put too finer point on it, this was absolutely divine, and the Rarebit topping (which was one of the best examples of the dish I’ve tried) on the tasty, chunky ham hock was inspired! The mustard cream was served in a light, fluffy quenelle and the salad gave a lovely additional texture to the dish. Personally I didn’t need the sourdough with it, but I had a bite and it was good!
Visited last week with a very ill friend who really too poorly to go out as having cancer treatment but really wanted to go to the Hardwick. We turned up late and my friend was unable to wear shoes, or appropriate clothes, so I wondered how well we would be received! The staff were utterly brilliant. Nothing was too much trouble, furniture was moved to make us comfortable, they were kind and helpful but unobtrusive too. Truly exceptional service. The food was excellent. Thank you so much.
Beautiful place, food was excellent staff were very friendly. The restaurant was very clean, tidy, and very well presented.
If I had anything to say, the tables in the bar area could have done with a wipe down.
If you enjoy well cooked and well presented food, please visit The Hardwick
We live only 20 miles away, but I booked a room so we could have a nice relaxed time with some aperitifs, good wine with the meal, and a digestif.
We chose the Hardwick as we've been there before and enjoyed it, good honest food, no unnecessary bits, well cooked.
I read in the local paper that they had a large sum of money stolen by their accountant, and nearly folded, so we chose to go to the Hardwick. I am a wheelchair user, and was helped by the staff, they were all delightful, and the food was outstanding, I can't eat much meat, especially red meat, so I had a fish starter and vegetarian main, delicious and lots of it.
I am really impressed with the resilience of the owners and staff, having been through a terrible time, due to a dishonest accountant. Goodluck to all of them.
Visited the Hardwick on 22nd May. This place came highly recommended by several people, Service very good, staff friendly and welcoming.
Food I had sour dough bread to start, A well done Ribeye for main, the ribeye which was not the best even for a ribeye, chips well salty and a pannacota to finish which wS very nice. The food was tasty in all fairness just not as good as I expected. .. Which I am disappointed about.
My wife had asparagus to start, lamb for main and lemon crunch to finish.... my wife's only complaint was her main was large and a little to big but she enjoyed it all. Would I recommend...Yes of course I would, the food wasn't bad just maybe I built it up to much beforehand....
Delicious food and very varied menu with something for everyone. Very reasonably priced for the quality and fabulous service. Will definitely be back soon
We feel very lucky to have found the Hardwick. We visited for a second time on 5 April 2023. We were not disappointed. The ox tongue and spaghetti with white crab, chili, basil and parsley were superb starters. The children loved their meals too. Service was excellent and faultless. We look forward to our next visit.
We had THE best experience. Food is absolutely delicious. The menu is delightful. The flavours! Excellent wine selection. Fabulous service. Gorgeous breakfast. Hot hot coffee which is a must! My only problem was that we had to leave because we wanted to stay another night it was so good! Looking forward to returning. Ps. Everyone must try the Big H cocktail 🍸
I had the duck confit as an appetizer and the breacon lamb as a main and they were absolutely delicious!!
Father's Sunday lunch today at the Harwick great place exceptional service fantastic food if you haven't been yet go x
Really enjoyed our stay .The room was lovely & clean. Top notch for the price. Meal was superb cooked by the man himself ,Stephen Terry. Who could ask for more.
Would stay again.
I took my mother here to celebrate her 80th birthday. We stayed the night and enjoyed an evening of wining and dining. Although not blown away by the food it was still of a high standard and enjoyable.
Superb Sunday lunch and drinks. A wide ranging menu of food and drink, with particularly good non-alcohlic cocktails and a great wine selection. Our starter and main courses were incredibly flavoursome, beautifully presented and served by efficient and friendly staff. Leave a little room for their knockout desserts!
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes