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Best Local Restaurant
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Y Polyn

Carmarthenshire, Nantgaredig - Modern European - Restaurant - £££

No-frills country restaurant with a loyal local following

Overall Rating: Good

Uniqueness:Does the establishment stand out in the context of the local area? Good

Deliciousness:How delicious is the food? Good

Warmth:How warm is the service and the hospitality in general? Good

Strength of recommendation:How enthusiastically and widely would you recommend the establishment? Good

The converted tollhouse deep in the Towy Valley between Carmarthen and Llandeilo has been a stalwart of the Guide for many years. A car park full of 'rustic Range Rovers' on Sunday lunchtime tells you how much the locals have taken it to heart, which might be partly explained by the stated declaration that 'you won't find foams, gels or technical wizardry on the plate'. You didn't come to Carmarthenshire for a foam, did you? Thought not. What you will find is excellent Provençal-style fish soup with croûtons, Gruyère and rouille to start, competing with a tagliatelle dish featuring local Middle White pork sausage ragù, topped with pangrattato and Parmesan. Steaks of Welsh black beef are hugely satisfying, perfectly timed, anointed with truffled mushroom butter and served with sublime beef-dripping chips (almost evidence of technical wizardry, dare we say?), while crispy roast pork belly is given a Mediterranean spin with chorizo, cannellini beans and gremola...

The converted tollhouse deep in the Towy Valley between Carmarthen and Llandeilo has been a stalwart of the Guide for many years. A car park full of 'rustic Range Rovers' on Sunday lunchtime tells you how much the locals have taken it to heart, which might be partly explained by the stated declaration that 'you won't find foams, gels or technical wizardry on the plate'. You didn't come to Carmarthenshire for a foam, did you? Thought not.

What you will find is excellent Provençal-style fish soup with croûtons, Gruyère and rouille to start, competing with a tagliatelle dish featuring local Middle White pork sausage ragù, topped with pangrattato and Parmesan. Steaks of Welsh black beef are hugely satisfying, perfectly timed, anointed with truffled mushroom butter and served with sublime beef-dripping chips (almost evidence of technical wizardry, dare we say?), while crispy roast pork belly is given a Mediterranean spin with chorizo, cannellini beans and gremolata. Fans of seafood, meanwhile, make a beeline for Y Polyn's amply laden traditional fish pie accompanied by tenderstem broccoli. 

Finish with a daring take on tiramisu, a dark sponge topped with astonishing espresso ice cream, or the equally lovely silky vanilla ice that sits alongside a glorious apricot frangipane tart. A short wine selection offers nearly everything in three glass sizes, all at 'accessible price points'.

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N Holmes

29 June 2025

When I return to Carmarthen our first port of call is Y Polyn. Consistently good food, good service. It has a welcome we’ve come to expect. I do not think we’ve ever had a bad dish from starter through to dessert. Well worth a trip to try.

VENUE DETAILS

Capel Dewi
Nantgaredig
Carmarthenshire
SA32 7LHGB

01267 290000

View opening times

OTHER INFORMATION

Private dining room, Separate bar, Wheelchair access, Parking, Family friendly, Dog friendly

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