Where Chefs Eat: International Women’s Day 2025
The talent of women in the food and drink industry in North Wales has been exciting for many years, and seems to be getting more exciting.
The bakers, chefs, farmers, and producers of Gogledd Cymru work long hours and face constant high pressure. However, their overcoming of obstacles allows them to become role models for future generations.
I contacted some of my favourite women in the North Wales food industry, asking them where their favourite places to eat are and why.
North Wales may be small, but our female talent is mighty!
Aimee, Earthly Feasts
Private chef Aimee is known for her creative and nourishing seasonal dishes, and is making her name known within North Wales. NWG cannot wait to see where 2025 takes her!
I'm such a cafe girl.
Caffi Caban in Brynrefail is a great place to meet people and head out for a walk. I adore feeling like I'm in the trees and watching the seasons change through the picturesque windows.
Reubens in Upper Bangor reminds me of the beautiful cafes I visited when I lived abroad. It's become the meeting place for many friends and business meetings and it's super chill about you working on your laptop.
Yugen Coffee House in Lower Bangor has the best matcha. Also, I appreciate that they have bags of used coffee for your garden, for that, I'll always support.
Nothing compares to Catch 22’s Sunday roasts…I think about them often. If I wasn't self-employed, this is a place I would want to work in & learn with their team.
Amy - Caffeina Coffi, Prestatyn
Source: Caffeina Coffi Facebook
Amy, the owner of Caffeina Coffi has added a new energy to the Prestatyn High Street with its contemporary space and enticing coffee, bakes and light bites menu, and improves year on year.
Dishes by Andrew Sheridan - I think everyone who lives in Prestatyn will agree we've been dying for a good restaurant! I actually am still in shock that we even have Dishes on our doorstep. The food is unreal. A small, carefully designed menu in a cosy, intimate setting. It's definitely on par with any top restaurant you would visit in Manchester or Liverpool. I've not tried their Sunday roast yet but I've heard amazing things so it's definitely on my to-do list.
Nuance is run by Jake, who is originally from North Wales. It’s my go-to spot in Chester whenever I have a day to myself and want a great coffee and lunch. It always feels like you're calling in to a friend's house for coffee super welcoming and chilled atmosphere. Their food is top tier and cakes by Kookaburra, you can't go wrong!
You can tell it's run by someone who genuinely cares about more than just serving good coffee. It's been carefully designed to be a space where a real sense of community can thrive. They have an art gallery upstairs and have a set of decks for their music events. It's just an all round cool place, I wish it was closer!
Nomi - Nomi’s Restaurants in Pwllheli, Bangor, & Porthmadog (coming soon!)
Along with husband Kartik, wife Nomi have created some of the best Indian restaurant in North Wales. They have perfected a modern Indian cuisine menu with a twist, appealing to a variety of tastebuds.
Our favourite places to eat are very close by. Firstly, Just Mary’s in Abersoch - it’s a family run cafe offering a variety of brunches, light lunches made from local produce with many middle eastern-inspired dishes.
We also love Two Islands, also in Abersoch. They’re a small batch ice cream parlour, who make delicious cakes.
Maggie - Maggie’s African Twist
Source: Facebook
Maggie from Maggie’s African Twist creates and sells a fantastic range of exotic flavours including African spices and pastes right in the heart of Gwynedd.
I recommend Bwyd Da in Bangor. Bwyd Da is a community interest cafe and restaurant on the High Street. It houses excellent staff, food and locally sourced produce.
Laura - Two Islands Ice Cream Parlour, Abersoch
Source: Two Islands, Facebook
Laura is Head Baker and part owner of the wonderful Two Islands with her partner Jack. Both the ice cream and bakes are made in-house daily with seasonal and local produce.
I always head to Crust for a pizza after a busy day at the shop and kitchen as we don't fancy cooking. I always have the white sausage, tomato base and no cheese. Always good!
The Erskine Arms always provides a nice pub lunch. I then take a look around the independent shops in Conwy.
Over to Llandudno, we love looking round second hand and antiques shops so we'll do a day trip, with lunch at the Cottage Loaf, followed by coffee from Providero.
One of my recent favourite day trips to Anglesey was when we grabbed some picnic food from & Caws in Menai before heading to Newbrough Beach and a walk around the forest. Another favourite is a day trip to Rhosneigr and lunch at the Oyster Catcher.
