Gwen in Powys

Taken here for a birthday treat, and what a treat it was. The 10 course tasting menu was wonderful. Full of flavours, textures and surprises, and the wines recommended by Lily were the perfect accompaniment. Stand out dishes were the eel, bream, quail and Sicilian Pistachio. This is food prepared by people who care and want to give you an experience to remember. The atmosphere is theatrical; the dark walls focus your attention on the plates in front of you, and the shared tables make for a fun evening. Perfect. Highly recommended and a huge thank you to all the team.

Having eaten previously at Ynyshir, the links between the menu, ambience and decor at Gwen are clear. The menu is full of interesting and complex flavours which make the dishes a pleasure to eat. My memories of distinct tastes, one week on, are of celeriac, potatoes and malt- all elevated beautifully in the dishes they were part of. An area for development evident during our visit was staff training. Having opted for the ‘glass of champagne’ on arrival - we were surprised to be offered one glass between two of us at the bar. Quickly remedied. Subsequently, throughout the meal as the sommelier explained the wine-flight to the other table he sat back against ours and ‘butt-cheek’ wasn’t supposed to be on the menu. Recognising that this was a quiet evening and that there were plenty of staff on, these were slips that should not have been made, if the focus is on the complete customer experience. The price of the experience is similar to peers and the quality of the food is good. I’m sure we’ll drop in as we pass again and try the bar offerings. I offer this feedback to help focus the team at Gwen to nail-it

Dining solo can sometimes be lonely - but not at Gwen. I had a fantastic communal dining experience - enjoying the strangers at my table and the friendly staff. Food was amazing - I will never look at celeriac the same again. (The bar was equally as amazing - I can write poetry to its Old Fashioned.) Highly recommend for someone looking for something different from pub grub or to discover new cuisine. Dinner was about celebrating food and building community - a lovely way to spend an evening.

A wonderful lunch with my brother. For me, a return to Gwen and delighted to see that it remains as magical as it was on my first visit. Not only is the food superb, the interaction with Corrin and the team makes it so very special. A lovely range of non-alcoholic drinks available for those not driving. The passion of all the team members shines through and makes it an absolute treat to visit.

What an amazing experience! Well worth the 4 month wait since booking! So cosy and welcoming. Lili was wonderful at the bar and looked after us pre dinner! We were led into the dining room, which was two tables of four people - could have been awkward but it really wasn’t. Like minded people, all there to eat tasty food, drink good wine and have fun! The waiters and sommelier looked after us wonderfully and the food was truly excellent! What an experience! Highly recommended - every bit of it! It was like being guests in a friend’s kitchen! Thank you so much everyone! Diolch yn fawr! We will be back!

Good quality fine dining in an uniquely intimate setting: two four-seat tables in view of the pass. After a drink in the front wine bar, proceed through the curtain to the dining room at the rear. The food was very good overall, with highlights including trout with a champagne sabayon, Korean fried quail, and a cherry miso muffin with marshmallow. Many restaurants claim to be intimate, but you can’t get much more intimate than eight seats huddled around the pass. The tables are communal, so expect to chat to the others who share your table. If you don’t want to talk to strangers, find three (or seven) friends to go with you and you’ll have a great time

If you want to splash out and eat a meal that you will remember for months this is the place to go. Relaxed with exquisite food and amazing service This is dining on another leval.

Absolutely incredible experience, from start to finish we had a wonderful, memorable evening that myself and my family will treasure. What an absolute gem of a restaurant, with a fabulous team and really, really amazing food - if you get the chance, you must go! Thank you to everyone at Gwen for something really special. We can’t wait to come back next year. X

Absolutely loved it, food, experience and venue were all amazing. I would highly recommend.

Having been fortunate enough to have eaten at the Ynyshir restaurant when Corrin was the head chef it would have been a major surprise if the food had not been superb. I am delighted to report that it was imaginative, varied and incredibly flavoured. The atmosphere is very intimate and warm. Jake and the team made my wife and I feel like we were returning to see old friends and we will definitely return. An award of a star won’t be long and it probably won’t be the last.

Food was outstanding. Watching Jamie and Corrin work their magic seeing how much effort went into each mouthful was amazing! A really Relaxed environment and a unique experience. Was well worth the visit, and would go again if in the area.

Establishments with tasting menus and the (intrusive) service that is often felt needs to go with them, too often makes for an unrelaxed evening, but not here. Gwen isn't your normal restaurant experience. This is exceptional food, presented uniquely, without pretence, but with passion and flair. Corrin, Jamie and the rest of the team have created something that special here. Well worth travelling for.

What an amazing experience! Gwen is set up as an intimate/sociable/chefs table kind of experience, where the 8 seat restaurant is split into two tables of 4 right by the chefs pass so you can watch each dish being painstakingly prepared. The wine bar is fantastically presented, and you start your experience here with some lovely cocktails and some canapés before walking through to the restaurant. The 8 course meal was phenomenal, with each course bringing a new flavour and experience. I won’t spoil the menu here, as it’s all part of the fun, but it was fairly fish heavy in the initial courses. Everything was cooked to perfection by head chef Corrin, and his team. The Sommelier, Jake promoted a relaxed take whereby not forcing pairings for each dish, but working with you when your glass was empty and selecting perfect wines for a group of courses. We’ll definitely be back again in the near future with some friends!

What a lovely and memorable experience. If you truely appreciate food and wine you so need to try this. 🥰

Amazing food in a little gem in our little town. Corrin and Jamie were brilliant to watch. Well worth a visit and enjoy the atmosphere for just a drink or eating experience.

What an amazing experience to dine at Gwen! The 10 course menu was absolutely incredible and the atmosphere was super relaxed. Corrin and the team welcomed us warmly and we felt really well looked after all evening. So interesting to see the dishes being prepared before your eyes, whilst chatting to the chefs and the flavours were superb; we especially LOVED the eel! We absolutely loved every minute of this memorable evening! If only we lived closer...

Chef Corrin seems a bit highly strung.

Only had the curry...and nibbles lovely flavoured nicely presented Cocktails were top dollar amazing flavours very good indeed

Kicked off with a glass of wine in the bar and enjoyed the fact that we didn’t have to angst over the food choices as this is a tasting menu. Did the wine pairing as well to try the matches and sample new examples. This worked really well. Shared our table with two local ladies and enjoyed the conversation with both them and the chefs. Needless to say having eaten several times at Ynyshir our expectations were high. We were not disappointed! Relaxed. Great food. Great fun.

Corrin and Jake head up this small but perfectly formed team at Gwen’s, set in the heart of Machynlleth. With the best of best ingredients from the sashimi quality blue fin ,to the most delicate British eel each and every of 10 courses was truly spectacular. Great interaction from all of the staff added to this wonderful dining experience, and we will certainly be back very soon

Fantastic, intimate, wine bar/restaurant. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. We were able to watch the food being prepared and plated up. All 10 dishes were superb, with wonderful flavours. The wine list is really good and fairly priced. We will definitely book again and again!

Incredible experience from start to finish! Wales has something very special on its hands

After dining at Gareth's main restaurant for my birthday last year I thought I'd try Gwen. I wasn't disappointed, everything about the place was fantastic, the food, the service, the atmosphere! Very intimate but very friendly, everything prepared in front of us whilst talking to the chef. The cocktails were excellent as was the recommended wine. I can't recommend it enough, will definitely be going back!

Wonderful experience and an incredibly indulgent lunch. The experience made us feel special from start to finish. Will definitely be making a return visit. Easy parking just across the road too.

Amazing tasting menu in this intimate and friendly space, which also has a cosy wine bar . The ingredients are top quality and each flavour shines through . The combinations are delicately balanced and the menu both delights and satisfies . You are seated within the cooking environment and can watch head chef Corrin Harrison as he puts together each dish with loving care . A great plus was the trio of delicious desserts which rounded off the menu . A truly memorable evening !

This is a restaurant on another level of excellence. We had the tasting menu at the phenomenal price of £100 per head. You would pay so much more anywhere else for a meal of such high quality. It was beautifully presented and just like sitting at a chef's table watching your food prepared and cooked while the chef and his sous chef explain what each course was. Sublime and we will be back, hope the price stays the same!!!

Has a local pub feel to it, staff was friendly and are a dog friendly pub. Food was decent

Having visited 'Ynyshir' last year for my wedding anniversary, and sampled the delights of Corrin Harrison's phenomenal cooking, I was excited to try Gwen; the latest venture of 2 Michelin Starred, Gareth Ward, who transferred his Head Chef over to his new venue. Situated in what used to be a café, this tiny wine bar and fine dining restaurant is located on the main high street in Machynlleth. It's décor is very similar to that of Ynyshir, and you can definitely see the influence; the dark walls and the smoky smell. Having only opened this year, I actually requested this venue to become listed on Tripadvisor to review it. Watch this space- it will climb up the ratings rapidly! We booked around a month beforehand for the exclusive tasting menu- ten courses. They offer two sittings a day, we attended at 3pm and we ended up leaving at around 7.30pm. The 2 tables seat up to 8 guests, so my husband and I shared a table with a lovely couple who were equally as passionate about their food, and photographing their food too (just as I am). This is not the first time I have experienced this set up at a fine dining restaurant, and whilst it may seem a little off putting, my experiences of meeting and dining with strangers has always been really positive. Whilst they offer an extensive wine menu, unlike Ynyshir, they are able to offer a wine pairing. Jake's knowledge of wine is phenomenal, as is the wines they offer- I particularly enjoyed the Jena-Baptiste Souillard Viognier. Much to my husbands delight, they start by bringing you a loaf of bread. Up next was the eel- so creamy! This was followed by a very humble dish of potato which was the end of their own grown. Served with hen egg it was rich in taste. The Japanese Tuna had been salted at Ynyshir, highlighting the close connection between the two ventures. Never before have I been served curry in a fine dining restaurant- nor had I had quail curry, but I can confirm it is delightful. My favorite of the main dishes was the trout, whilst my husband (and probably all the other guests!) were blown away with the spectacular lamb dish- with a huge rack of lamb ribs placed upon the table. If I were to dig deep for a criticism it would be that we didn't need so much wild garlic sauce. That is the only thing I can say negatively! The BBQ pork on any other menu would have probably been a star course, but with other great dishes around it, this dish didn't stand out. Please don't see this as negative however; it was beautifully cooked and prepared. The class of the other mains on the menu were out of this world. Desserts have never really been my bag, but we had 3 delightful dessert dishes, with a range of flavors and local ingredients (Ynyshir Honey for one!). Service was spectacular, knowledgeable, friendly. Venue was clean. May I just add, the bar is dog friendly! (not sure about the restaurant, but it is fortunately I live hundred of miles away for the sake of my bank balance with this in mind). We went out to the bar and then ordered a plum sake which was incredible. Followed by a really interesting English wine called 'The Ancestral Pink'- biodynamic and stunning. I am almost certain that Gwen will have a star before long. I am certain that this time next year I will be needing to make a reservation 3 months plus in advance. Corrin has been supported, guided and taught by arguably one of the greatest chefs this country has seen. The ten courses of Gwen as opposed to the 30 of Ynyshir make this fine dining experience far more accessible to the masses. It is now up there in one of my most favorite dining experiences and I cannot wait to see this place take off.

Went for wedding anniversary and it was magical. Theatrical atmosphere and wonderful food. Can’t wait to go back.

Gwen really is magical. Went for dinner for my birthday. Staff very attentive, yet not intrusively so. Greeted warmly, given that days menu and a drinks list and left alone to peruse what we wanted to drink. The wine pairing list looked extremely interesting, but as I am not a big drinker we just decided on a delightful bottle of red wine. Once taken through to the dining room and seated, the real theatrical nature of the evening starts to unfold. Of course as it is a communal dining experience you will, most probably, be seated with another couple you've never met before, so it's not really a time to be shy - more so as you share a cutlery drawer with the diner who is sat on the same side of the table as you. The small kitchen is in full view at the end of the two four seat tables, so there is no hiding for the chef. As each course was served it was accompanied by an excellent description of what was in front of you; what, where, when and how it was cooked. Small, but extremely rich portions of exquisite food arrived over an approximately two and a half hour period. An experience to savour, and of course you wouldn't want to dine there every week. However, we would love to go back for a return visit next time we have something to celebrate. A big thank you for such a fantastic evening to all the Gwen team members.

Unreal food, friendly staff and a great experience to be able to chat to the chefs as they prepare your meal

An absolutely amazing experience, really good food we will definitely be going again

Had a fantastic night with friends. We eat in a lot of top restaurants and this was on par. Excellent food and ambience. Great wine. Would definitely go back

Amazing little spot very intimate and very tastefully decorated in keeping with vibe . Food was very good and great knowledge /sourcing of ingredients. The standouts of the meal was a local lamb with pickled onion slivers and mint and the Amelia tomato / celery granita and Chawanmushi with broccoli and eel . In all honesty it was all very good .

You’ll need to travel some distance to experience food of such consistently high quality at anywhere near this price point. Service reaches the same standard - reputation will only grow

Should really keep quiet about Gwen but that seems unfair... First visit tonight, The 10 course tasting menu provided a selection of small plates which ranged from simply excellent to really quite amazing. I am a keen cook and resent paying for food when I know I could do better myself,, absolutely no risk of that occurring here. The ingredients are obviously very well sourced, meticulously prepared and then expertly assembled into dishes which deserve to be slowly savoured for their exquisite flavours and textures. The wine selection is also something to behold, presenting very distinctive and interesting varieties which compliment the food very well. I must also mention that the service and attitude of all the staff was absolutely impeccable. This was not a cheap evening out by any stretch but I would consider that this 2 & 1/2 hour culinary experience was worth every single penny and I will not hesitate to return. Seriously very, very well done to all concerned; absolutely superb.

Went here recently had the taster menu. Wow, what great menu the Crab was exceptionally nice, credit to the owners they have really transformed the little restaurant. Good atmosphere, great service. There is plenty of whine and beer choice, including none alcohol beers. The evening went really quick, and we meant some really nice people that sat on the table with ourselves. It is a bit pricy but the quality is amazing so we'll worth it. Definitely what Machynlleth needed.

Chanced upon this small bar/diner during comedy festival, so glad we did, really friendly staff, lovely ambiance and very tasty food, that made us felt a bit special for the night ❤️

Cute wine bar. Small restaurant opening this summer.