Author: Bookings

Next time you are looking for accommodation in Newport make sure you explore some of these places to eat. While it may not have the centuries-old food traditions of Paris or Rome, Newport does have a bustling population of people who love to eat well. All the major chains are present but more importantly, there is a growing group of independently run eateries that are quickly turning Newport into a destination that is more than worth the short trip to Wales. Here are some of the shining stars you will want to try on your next visit.

Junction 28

Considered by many foodies to be a must-visit in the Newport area, Junction 28 is housed in a converted train depot complete with dining cars. Large, airy and very comfortable, in a traditional sense, it offers a frequently updated menu with the only constants being delicious food and superlative service. Of special note are the pan-seared scallops served with sautéed wild mushrooms and smoked salmon with capers. Both are worth a special trip when available.

Monusk Tapas

Located along the river, Monusk Tapas pays homage to the sailing ships that once ploughed the seas off the Iberian Peninsula and called Newport home. Their menu features a wide variety of tapas, pintxos and brunch dishes that run the range from local favourites like lamb chops to offerings with more of a Spanish and Portuguese flavour. What Monusk Tapas is best known for is its extensive wine and ale lists which includes in house brews.

Vittorio’s

At the top of Stow Hill, across from the Newport Cathedral of St. Woolos, Vittorio’s is a favourite among Newport locals. Though the restaurant itself has a thoroughly modern feel, the food is steeped in tradition. Operated by the same family for over thirty years it serves classic Italian fare mixed with the latest creations from their head chef. Surprisingly economical considering the quality and quantity of the portions they place before you.

Ridgeway Bistro Bar

Comfortable surroundings, top-shelf beverages and tasty classic bistro-style food done with a modern flair. It is little wonder that among Newport’s resident foodies that the Ridgeway Bistro Bar is a favourite gathering place. Offering breakfast and a special Sunday Roast, The Ridgeway is best known for its 7 hour braised beef brisket, slow-cooked pork belly, roasted chicken and braised Caribbean short ribs. Located on Ridgeway Avenue.

Meat Bar and Grill

Founded in 2009 on Newport’s rather bohemian Clytha Park Road, Meat was originally dedicated to serving the most delicious and original burgers to be found anywhere and that is exactly what they did. Building on that original success Meat now offers a wide variety of tasty and creative specials including offerings specifically intended to be veggie and vegan friendly. If you enjoy classics recreated into modern works of art then definitely visit Meat while in Newport.

The Rib Smokehouse & Grill

Located at The Coldra Court Hotel a short drive from the Celtic Manor Resort, The Rib Smokehouse & Grill offers a blending of traditional English dishes and Creole favourites from Louisiana in the Sothern United States the majority of which share one secret ingredient. They are cooked in hickory burning wood-fired smoking ovens. While they do offer vegan dishes that are quite tasty the star of the menu is their succulent slow-smoked ribs prepared with their signature rub.

Mamma Linas

A multi-award-winning restaurant in Rogerstone-Newport, Mamma Linas does one thing and does it in exemplary fashion, it serves classic Italian cuisine that will make you think you are in Milan, Bologna or perhaps Naples. Family owned and operated its menu is comprised of recipes passed down for generations. From pasta to pizza, from Antipasto to Zuppa del Giorno there isn’t a dish served at Mamma Linas that wouldn’t make a Micheline Star chef proud.

The Pod

The Pod bills itself as the home of “Street Food at Its Best” and they may just be telling the truth. The Pod offers one the widest assortments of craft beers and cocktails in Newport and their innovative takes on such items as chips, burgers, chicken wings, burritos and other street foods makes the perfect accompaniments to enjoy alongside them. Of special note by Newport foodies are The Pods ‘Waffle Me Up’ wings and ‘Mac Daddy’ steak sandwich.

Falafilo Island

For a touch of the Middle East in Newport, you can visit Falafilo Island on the city’s High Street. Featuring a wide variety of Syrian, Kurdish and Lebanese dishes as well as homemade desserts, shisha and Turkish coffee all that is missing is sand and camels to make the experience complete. As you would expect meals here are a little pricier than some places but well worth every penny.

Gem42

The home of art cuisine in Newport can be found on Bridge Street in the guise of Gem42. Dedicated to creating an entirely new dining experience, Gem42 serves marvellous Italian cuisine with a twist that goes way beyond just flavour or the addition of new and exciting ingredients. Sounds and even smells are utilized during the meal to satisfy all five senses.

Let’s get one thing straight first, Propertri is in Newport, South Wales in the county of Gwent, historically part of Monmouthshire, not to be confused with any of the other 14 places named Newport in the UK.

Newport is the third-biggest city in Wales with a population of just over 150,000 . Historically, it was known for heavy industry including coal and steel, in its industrial hayday the port was the country’s largest coal exporter. The Welsh name for Newport is Casnewydd, meaning a new castle which points even further back to the origins of the city.

In fact, Newport was only granted city status in 2002 to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. This helped to raise its profile and boost the economy. Since then Newport has been seen as one of the most forward-looking and best places for investment in Wales.

One of the best things going for Newport is its location with easy access to Cardiff and Bristol from the M4, just 12 miles and 30 miles away respectively. You can jump on a train and be in London in just over an hour and a half, Cardiff is 12 minutes on the train.

Since the tolls on the Severn Crossing were abolished in 2018, Newport has become an even more attractive place to live, especially for anyone crossing the bridge to work in Bristol and other parts of south-west England as they save around £1,400 a year on toll charges.

But Newport isn’t just a convenient location to travel to other parts of the country

Newport was recently ranked the third-best place in the UK to live, making it the number one place to live in Wales. This was based on the availability of jobs, average salaries together with rental price and house prices.

The University of South Wales with its Newport campus overlooking the river Usk produces plenty of bright graduates looking for careers and work placement opportunities with local businesses.

Major employers include Admiral Insurance, Go Compare, The Intellectual Property Office and the Office for National Statistics (ONS). All of whom have helped changed the image of Newport from an old industrial town to a thriving centre for the modern services industry.

New investment includes a £70m on new conference, events and exhibition centre ICC Wales, the International Convention Centre Wales , at the Celtic Manor Resort on the M4 on the way into Newport.

This follows a £100 million spent in 2015 on the Friars Walk retail and leisure centre in Newport city centre. This along with the Riverfront Theatre and the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome of Wales (one of five internationally recognised indoor velodromes in the UK) all of which mean that there are plenty of things to do.

Future investment plans include transforming the regeneration of the former Newport Llanwern steelworks transforming it into a new community including 4,000 new homes, schools, sports facilities and a business park that promises to create thousands of jobs.

Whatever your reason for visiting Newport you’ll receive a warm welcome and have a comfortable stay in our serviced accommodation.