Originally conceived by a group of culinary-minded friends 20 years ago, the Hat Shop fulfilled a need for a small, unpretentious restaurant that served fresh, locally sourced food – all of which nicely reflected the engaging idiosyncrasies of the Welsh Marches. We’re still the best of friends, and our formula remains the same, the only real difference being that our friendship has now been augmented by a small legion of customers who come back and eat with us again and again.

Actually, as many more of our ingredients are now from organic sources, there have been a few changes over the years, and as a benefit of being in the orchard-rich Marches, we also offer locally-pressed apple juice and make our own fruit cordials. But although the Hat Shop’s eclectic, globally-inspired menu changes constantly, there are always steak, fish or vegetarian options available, plus a choice of famously toothsome puddings and cheeses.

So whether it’s a celebratory dinner for 18, a light lunch a deux, takeaway tapas or kebabs, our homely individual cooking, a selection of wines and beers that can yield some pleasant surprises and the easiest-going of atmospheres ensure that once you’ve discovered us you’ll become best friends with the Hat Shop, too.