Any Swansea folk around? Need a recommendation.

[DestinyIsAll]

Going to Swansea for son’s graduation next week. it’s a long drive and a short ceremony so we’d like to go for a nice celebratory dinner afterwards. Unfortunately as it’s mid-week the ‘nice’ restaurants recommended to us are not open.

When we’ve visited him before we’ve tended to have more casual dinners and I’d like something just a bit nicer. Nothing jumping out to me on googling or on TA. I wondered if anyone knows of a really nice pub or restaurant with great food and service that I’m missing? Thanks

The Shed? We haven’t been but friends did recently and it’s lovely, apparently.
Langland Brasserie - informal but nice food in really lovely setting overlooking Langland Bay.

@Willowskyblue Thanks, Langland we have been to just for a light lunch and agree, nice food and setting. The Shed I considered but read comments about how loud and echoy it is. I’m deaf and really struggle in that environment, but if it comes to it I’ll manage, as there doesn’t seem too many options.

The Woodman has an open fire and decorations and the food is good. I'd say it's nice pub food rather than fancy, but it's always an enjoyable meal. You can ask to be near the fire.

Noswaith da! Hope you have a lovely time and 'llongyfarchiadau' to your son for his graduation. I highly recommend the Welsh House - food and staff great and, although it's in one of the old grainhouses as is The Shed, the interior is better-designed so hopefully hearing won't be an issue (my dad likes eating there when he's in town and he's half-deaf): https://thewelsh-house.co.uk/menus/ and they are so helpful, if you book and ask not to sit under a speaker and ideally in one of the booths then you should be grand.

If not WH, The River House is just across the way: https://www.riverhouse.co.uk - really lovely place overlooking the 'third' section of the marina.

Alternatively, there is the Grand Hotel near to the station: https://www.thegrandhotelswansea.co.uk

Those are the three that come to mind - there's Altitude28 but I haven't been there since it reopened and also The Observatory, which I love but which might be a bit too noisy and casual for your needs.

Hope you have a lovely day and greetings from the Bay!

Pant-y- Gwydr is a lovely French restaurant very central in Swansea (had my all time favourite desert there once) There is actually a Michelin star restaurant in the Gower- which isn’t far, called The Beach House- if you want something a bit special. Vesuvio (pizzeria) has a wide menu, nothing much to look at on the outside, but good atmosphere and has these salty bread rolls in the bread basket they bring that are amazing! We used to pop to Swansea for tea pre kids often for that bread!
have a lovely visit :)

I wouldn’t call The Grand Hotel fancy to be honest, and I’ve had shocking service in the Woodman that has put me off for life.

I would suggest The Lighthouse overlooking Bracelet Bay, Gin and Juice in Mumbles, or Bella Ciao in the city centre which has recently moved to larger premises - the service there is amazing and the food is so good. If you like Japanese food look at Joyato. I’ve also heard really good things about The Valley in Bishopston.

I don't think the word 'fancy' was used - just 'nice'. I had afternoon tea at The Grand a few weeks ago and it was very nice, with great service, which I think is what the OP requested...

If it's a long drive I wouldn't bother going out as far as Mumbles, Bracelet Bay or Bishopston and adding extra time on to the journey, stay central. Joyato was no better than Yo Sushi the last time I went - not bad, but not special.

Thanks for suggestions so far. It’s been a really challenging for him to complete his degree, he had to resit an exam so missed summer grad with his very tight-knit friend group, something he was really sad about (they were there together throughout lockdown, all a long way from home, two lost parents to cancer in that time and I also had cancer, it was awful for them all and they were so bonded as a result), so I want it to be nice for him.

I recommend the Anchor or Gallini’s in Swansea marina. Gallini’s is more upmarket and does lovely fish dishes!

I like Gilligan’s for a family dinner. We went to Truffle for DS’s graduation but can be a bit noisy there if you struggle with hearing.

Thanks so much!

Bouchon de Rossi on Oxford Street is lovely, the food fantastic and is reasonably priced.
Hanson at the Chelsea again great food, just off Wind Street.
Gallinis is a lovely Italian in the Marina.

The King Arthur is lovely, but might be too far out of the way.

www.kingarthurhotel.co.uk/

Oh yes, I agree, Bouchon de Rossi is lovely, family run.

Under similar circumstances we went to Truffle. It's difficult at the time of year with restaurants being closed at the beginning of the week & Christmas bookings. We had a nice meal at Truffle & it's BYO so we were able to take champagne.

Disagree with Gallinis personally, I don’t rate the food at all. On the Rocks in Mumbles is great but steak focused. Pretty fancy with a gorgeous view.

if you want decent fare but aren’t fussed about beauty, there are loads of good places on St Helens Road - Istanbul for Turkish, Garuda for Indonesian and The Banana Leaf for Sri Lankan. It’s a v multi cultural, interesting street but not smart.