By: A Clueless Blogger With No Culinary Qualifications – For The Riff Report Blog 🍔🎸
Look, I’m not a food critic. I’m not even 100% sure how to pronounce “confit” or what a jus is (is it just gravy wearing a suit?). But I do know when something tastes lush. And mate… this cowshed? It slapped.
So, here’s the story: I was told Wales’ Best Local Restaurant was basically in a field, possibly invisible on Google Maps, and had nearly been evicted. Naturally, I packed a hoodie, a fork, and blind faith in The Good Food Guide, and set off on an accidental pilgrimage to Paternoster Farm in Hundleton, Pembrokeshire – aka “the best place to eat in Wales, apparently.”
Let’s begin this ridiculous foodie journey I had no business being on…
🗺️ First Challenge: Finding the Place
The first boss battle was just locating it.
Typed “Paternoster Farm” into Google Maps and my phone just shrugged. Had to switch to “vague countryside instincts” and follow a lane that looked like it hadn’t seen tarmac since the Romans.
Halfway there I started questioning if I was about to eat in a literal barn or accidentally attend a cult meeting. Spoiler: it’s both – but the cult is food and I’ve joined.
🐄 Welcome to the Cowshed of Dreams
Yes, it’s in an actual old cowshed. Yes, there are stone walls, wooden beams, and the sort of rustic charm that makes you want to grow a beard and buy a sourdough starter.
Inside, it’s all cosy vibes, fairy lights, and people using words like “locally-sourced” and “heritage carrots.” I don’t know what makes a carrot have heritage. Maybe it’s from a long line of noble root vegetables?
Anyway – it’s well tidy, and the whole thing screams “Instagram this, peasant.”
🏆 Award-Winning But Almost Homeless
This joint just got crowned Best Local Restaurant in Wales by The Good Food Guide – and rightly so.
BUT (and here’s the bonkers bit), they were nearly kicked out! The council tried to evict them until the people of Pembrokeshire basically said “not today, Satan,” and public pressure got them a last-minute reprieve.
So yes, this is now officially a restaurant with a comeback arc, like a Rocky movie but with duck rillettes instead of boxing.
🍽️ What I Ate (Sort Of)
I ordered what the table next to me was having because the menu had words like “reduction” and “foraged” and I panicked.
I think I had:
- A slice of bread that tasted too good to just be bread
- Something involving lamb that may or may not have looked at me in a previous life
- A side of veg that tasted like it had just been lovingly massaged by a Welsh druid
It all came out looking like art. And I wanted to eat it with my eyes first but my stomach said, “do it or I riot.”
It was delicious. That’s the official term, right?
No notes. Except maybe “why did I wait 30 years to eat in a cowshed?”
💬 I Asked a Real Foodie What Makes It So Good
She said:
“It’s about the atmosphere, the quality of the produce, and the deep respect for Welsh culinary tradition.”
I nodded like I understood. Secretly I was thinking: “Mate, that gravy slapped and I’d sell my soul for another spoonful.”
👑 The Underdog Story of the Year
Let’s just summarise this madness:
- Nearly evicted
- Public saved it
- Now crowned best in Wales
- Still basically in the middle of nowhere
- Cowshed vibes. Michelin-level food.
- Foodie mecca status unlocked
If this place were a band, it’d be that unsigned group who got kicked out of their rehearsal space, went viral, and then headlined Glasto by accident.
🧭 Should You Go?
YES.
Even if you don’t know what half the menu says, just point and eat.
Even if you think “tasting menus” are code for “you’ll leave hungry,” trust me – you’ll need rolling out.
Just bring Google Maps, a strong will, and stretchy trousers.
🥕 Final Thoughts From a Fake Foodie:
Paternoster Farm is Wales’ culinary Hogwarts.
They turned a barn into a flavour cathedral.
And if the council ever tries to shut it again, we riot. With cutlery.
📍 Location: Somewhere in Hundleton, Pembrokeshire – look for vibes, cows, and glory
**🗓️ Book ahead or be sad
**🍽️ Award-winning farm food even your nan would love
**🎸 Rock star underdog status achieved
#CowshedCuisine #PaternosterPower #AccidentalFoodie #TheRiffReportEats #OnlyInWalesMun
