The Groes Inn
Tyn y Groes
Conwy
LL32 8TN
On an exceptionally bright and sunny Sunday afternoon, after spending the morning at the Welsh Mountain Zoo drinking in amazing panoramic views while watching penguins, sea lions, and snow leopards strut their stuff, we headed up the Conwy Valley toward the Groes Inn. Proudly wearing its status as the first licensed house in Wales (1573! Decades before the Mayflower set sail! Whoa!), we walked into the ancient inn cum pub cum restaurant and were instantly charmed by the thickly beamed ceilings and a warren of little pub rooms clustered around a well-loved bar. We were taken to our table in a bright back room, which looked onto a sun-drenched terrace with views of Snowdonia beyond.
For food, I started with homemade fish goujons (top picture), which were simply delicious (but you must know that I am a total sucker for fish goujons - don't know why, but they're awesome. Like fish sticks but soooo much better). RR had a concoction of bacon, mushrooms and black pudding, which he rather enjoyed as well. Mains were slightly less impressive, but perhaps this was just because expectations were set so high by the starters. I had a salmon filet with big chunky chips, mini-carrots and peas, which was nice, though slightly bland (though I appreciate I am likely to blame for this, as I asked for it without the dairy-rich sauce - Picture 2). RR opted for the mushroom and pastry parcel vegetarian main, served with a squash mash and new potatoes (Picture 3). He deemed the dish tasty, but not incredible.Desserts were sticky toffee pudding with ice cream and a mixed berry crumble, also with ice cream. Both were well executed and heartily enjoyed.
Groes Inn by the Numbers
Starters: 8.5/10
Mains: 6/10
Desserts: 7/10
Ambiance: 8/10
Staff: 8/10
Value for £: 8/10
portion size: typical British (i.e., medium)
total for 2 for sunday lunch (w/ 3 glasses of wine & sparkling water): £54.00
Bottom Line: The oldest licensed house in Wales is definitely worth a visit, with a good value Sunday lunch in a really stellar setting, inside and out.
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