Carmarthenshire’s lush fertile valleys and flowing rivers have awarded the county with a huge variety of fantastic local produce, grown and nurtured from the land; with a delicious array of traditional dishes served up as specialities across the county for centuries. One of the most famous is the traditional dish of Cawl, a warming winter stew, still gracing menus as a favourite in establishments across the county.

Traditionally made with mutton or lamb from the Black Mountains and crammed full of vegetable goodness including root vegetables, Welsh leeks and wild garlic, Cawl is a staple on the county’s foodie map; with each recipe boasting its own secret ingredient or 'twist' on the old favourite. From artisan delis in the market town of Llandeilo to thatched inns dating back to the 14th century, establishments across the county are serving up their own take on the hearty dish synonymous with Carmarthenshire cuisine. To help visitors discover the fantastic Cawl on offer across the county, a 'Cawl Crawl' has been launched; highlighting all of the best places to feast on the delicious stew. 

Y Sied

St. Catherine's Walk, Carmarthen SA31 1GA & Yr Egin, College Road, Carmarthen. SA31 3EQ

Y Sied Cawl is a best seller throughout the winter months, and their ham cawl's delicate sweet flavour can be enjoyed right through into spring. Made with Cawl's traditional root veggies and homegrown parsley (from the cookery school garden) it's a perfect way to celebrate St David's Day in a café that embraces its Welsh heritage. The recipe is no secret, you can find it in one of Lisa's cookery books: Blas / Taste, and is delicious alongside a crusty 'toc a menyn' (bread & butter) and a chunk of strong Welsh caws Cheddar cheese.

Y Sied

Caban

Caban, Marsh Rd, Pendine, Sands SA33 4NY

On the Pendine seafront overlooking its fabulous 7-mile sandy beach. The Caban is the perfect space in which to relax, unwind, and the perfect setting to enjoy a warm bowl of cawl following a coastal or beach walk.

Caban's Cawl is made with Celtic Pride Welsh Beef, and what makes it so unique is not only do the Welsh ingredients speak for themselves, slowly cooked to let the flavours fully infuse. Served with delicious Welsh cheddar cheese and Shirgar butter. But what makes Caban Cawl so special is that you can enjoy your delicious Cawl with the most beautiful view right on the sea front. 

Cabanpendine.wales 01267 224622

Carreg Cennen Castle

Trapp, Llandeilo SA19 6UA

Cawl at Carreg Cennen Castle is the perfect accompaniment to the brisk wind that battles these majestic fortifications.  Controversially their Cawl boasts no meat- our best seller for over 30 years is a hearty broth which owes its success to the red split lentils that are slowly simmered to perfection and add the perfect sweetness to lots of chunky vegetables.  Served with a thick slice of bread and a good chunk of Welsh Cheddar. 

carregcennencastle.com   01558822291

The Plough Rhosmaen

Rhosmaen. SA19 6NP

The Plough is proud to be one of the oldest hostelries in Llandeilo, as far back as 1858 when it was one of the 23 public houses in a town of only 290 houses.  Since then it has grown not only in size but also stature to become the 4 star boutique hotel that it is today.  However, not forgetting our roots we serve a traditional cawl made with welsh lamb and fresh locally sourced vegetables served with welsh cheese and crusty bread.

ploughrhosmaen.com  01558 823431

The White Hart Thatched Inn and Brewery

Llanddarog, Carmarthen. SA32 8NT.

Found in the village of Llanddarog, The White Hart Inn is one of the oldest thatched inns in Wales, and offers a warm, homely atmosphere and traditional interiors; including traditional oak beams and a cosy log fire. The inn even brews its own beer and cider on-site, with a new on-site distillery opening later this year, set to be Wales’ largest craft distillery. The White Hart serves Cawl throughout the winter months and ensures their signature beer is added to the mix alongside the traditional ingredients of Welsh lamb, vegetables and pearl barley. The warming Cawl is served alongside hot baked bread and Welsh cheese.

www.coles.wales 01267 275395

Wright’s Food Emporium

Golden Grove Arms, Llanarthne. SA32 8JU.

Since the late 18th Century, this traditional coaching inn has served traditional, local food and refreshments. Now homing Wright’s Food Emporium, this quirky bistro-style cafe serves a host of locally sourced produce and fresh home-cooked dishes with a twist; with a huge focus on local, artisan goods and delicious deli staples. Their Cawl is a firm favourite amongst patrons, made using ham hock, shoulder of lamb, plenty of vegetables and served alongside Hafod Cheddar and homemade granary bread.

wrightsfood.co.uk   01558 668929

The Boars Head

120 Lammas Street, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, SA31 3AE.

Dating back to the early 17th Century, The Boar’s Head Hotel is a former coaching inn steeped in history. Found in the centre of the thriving market town of Carmarthen, the old coaching inn offers an inviting, cosy pub atmosphere to guests - complete with 16 comfortable en suite rooms - Cawl is one of the pub’s most popular dishes, made from a traditional recipe and dished up with a fresh crusty roll and a block of Welsh cheese. You may have to book a place here, with coach loads of visitors regularly stopping by for a taste of the pub’s most famous dish!

boarsheadhotel.net   01267 222789 

Tea Traders

15 Guildhall Square, Carmarthen, SA31 1PR

Tea Traders is a specialist tea shop on Guildhall Square in the heart of Carmarthen. Stocking over 100 different loose leaf teas as well as serving Fairtrade coffee and freshly prepared snacks and cakes. Using locally sourced produce in their freshly prepared vegetable cawl which is made with Welsh leeks and root vegetables , it is served with a rustic baguette and a wedge of mature Welsh cheese. Simple honest food. Delicious with a pot of tea and why not finish off with one of their freshly baked cakes, a slice of Bara Brith, or a couple of Welshcakes. 

Teatraders.co.uk   01267237101

Daisy's Little Coffee Shop

The quaint cafe located just before Pembrey Country park offers homemade cawl. The beef cawl is in such high demand here that customers are advised to order in good time to ensure it hasn't all gone. Served with cheese and farmhouse bread and butter.

Y Waunydd, Factory Road Burry Port SA16 0DZ

Newton House

Enjoy a delicious bowl of beef Cawl in historic Newton House, at the heart of Dinefwr’s 800 acre Estate.   Cawl is just one of the dishes served in the fully accessible National Trust café, where the menu includes a range of hot and cold drinks, cakes and snacks.  Relax in beautiful surroundings, admire the views of Dinefwr castle and enjoy a browse around the House and Garden, where you could be lucky enough to spot the herd of resident Fallow deer.  Dogs on leads are welcome in the café and ground floor of Newton House.

Normal admission applies.

Dinefwr  01558825910

Cegin Diod

Located at the newly renovated Yr Hen Farchnad in Llandeilo Cegin Diod is the sister location to Diod which is at the centre of Llandeilo. Cegin Diod is a a great place to catch up with friends, enjoy a hearty bowl of cawl, grab a paned in peace, or bury your head in a book. Cegin Diod provides a relaxed scandi Welsh vibe and atmosphere. Choosing to serve a Welsh Beef Cawl, the meat is sourced from a local Llandeilo butcher and using the freshest ingredients. You can enjoy it with some fresh bread and Welsh cheese and even pair with a bottle of Welsh ale. Keeping things local is key and you’ll be able to enjoy other Welsh food and drink from producers such as Gower Coffee, Tea Traders Wales, Llaeth Liw Wines, and Gower Brewery to name a few.

Cegin Diod

Stacey's Kitchen

Abergwili, Carmarthen SA31 2JG

The café is located at Parc Yr Esgob-Bishop’s Park. In addition to the beautiful home made cawl, Stacey’s Kitchen also provides light lunches, cakes, tea, coffee and also offer pre-bookable Grazing Tables and Afternoon Teas.

Stacey's kitchen

Inn at the Sticks

High Street, Llansteffan, SA33 5JG

An 18th century inn located in the stunning village of Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire. Enjoy a delicious bowl of cawl made with local neck of Lamb which is braised for hours in the stock used for the Cawl. This is slowly cooked with rosemary, pearl barley, carrots, potato, leeks, parsnips and pearl barley and split peas to add another flavour. All served with homemade special sourdough, welsh butter and Hafod cheddar.

Inn at the Sticks 

Llanelli Market

A number of cafes in Llanelli market serve cawl. Check out the Welsh Diner, serving cawl using slow cooked beef, with fresh vegetables, and a secret ingredient, that they ask customers to guess what it is.All made from locally sourced produce and served with cheese and a fresh bread roll. The Teapot offer freshly made cawl on site using lamb from the market's very own butcher. The cawl is packed with fresh root vegetables and leeks and serve it with crusty bread and butter and a lump of Welsh cheddar.

Llanelli market