The Lower New Inn in Torfaen

Very enjoyable dining, and an interesting and inventive menu. Carl Gough has now closed his restaurant, though he is bound to rise from the ashes and find success elsewhere. I have been running restaurants and hotels for 30 years now, and I have one rule that is set in stone: Never wait for for the council inspector to visit you. Invite him (or her) before you open, and put their recommendations in place. Then you will avoid the fate of the Muddy Toad. Good luck for the future, Mr. Gough. I very much hope that we'll be hearing from you again.

1st class, greeting was warm and friendly. The restaurant is decorated lovely and comfortable. Staff very accommodating and attentive. Food was delicious and plentiful. Had a lovely experience. Just shame I didn’t have enough room for a desert.

Cannot say anything negative about this place from the minute you walk in you are met with a friendly welcoming face, it’s very inviting with beautiful plants and decor almost like a front room. Service was excellent, professional and efficient. Omg food was delicious meticulously served and so tasty 😋 this place is upmarket but very down to earth and relaxing at the same time, it has everything. We have visited here on a Saturday for lunch and a Sunday for lunch we will definitely make this place one of our regular jaunts Keep up the good work guys!

Our first time visit, together with a dear friend and her senior dog. The moment we opened the door the immediate impression was 'Yes, this feels really lovely' and so it proved. Ambience warm and inviting, candles and colours, tasteful and comfortable. The team were welcoming and attentive, friendly and easy going. Sunday lunch was our reason for visit, 2 of us had Roast Beef, my wife had Sea Bass. We'd already had starters which were 'top draw' and our main course was up there too. You can add additional 'sides' (cauliflower cheese/green beans and more) but, there's plenty served as standard, all of which was excellent. Back to our doggie guest, she was made welcome, bowl of water on arrival and greeted with care. It was a treat to be able to dine in such a wonderful establishment and not being relegated to a 'bar area' because of our furry friend. We loved The Muddy Toad, thank you guys, really enjoyed our experience and will most certainly return.

Absolutely outstanding !!!! I have eaten at many places and always find something to criticise but there was nothing at fault. Howard….well what can you say besides amazing, he was super friendly and always helpful, he made our dining experience the best ive had anywhere. Now the food - omg where to start ! Breathtakingly beautiful, the presentation was 10/10 the taste 10/10 in fact everything was 10/10. Thats edible garden pot..blew me away. You have made a dying out pub into the success it is today - well done and cant wait to return.

We visited on a Saturday and consequently set lunch menu unavailable . Nevertheless, interesting a La carte- venison, tuna, chicken at Gastro pub prices - vegetables extra. Despite being the only guests seated we had a long wait for our food . When it arrived it was , mostly, luke warm - possibly as a result of being served on cold plates ? We queried this and the waiter eagerly explained by nature of the expensive, ceramic dishes on which the food was plated you could not heat them as they could crack ! Well, who chose those ? Some of the vegetables were very al dente and one of our party sent her tuna back - not happy at all with its sushi like presentation. Those who had chosen the venison really enjoyed their - albeit luke warm -meals. Additional vegetables come at a cost - one diner costed her chips at almost £1 per chip ! So, overall disappointing - I noticed another diner at a separate table sending her food back too . Won’t be rushing back !

Visited for the first time today despite living less than five minutes away. In all honesty initial bad reviews when first opened as the muddy toad had prevented us from visiting. However we visited for lunch today and we’re so glad we gave it a try. The atmosphere is lovely, excellent decor and perfectly clean. The food was brilliant, hot and fresh. Howard served us and he was an absolute credit to the place, friendly chatty and could not do enough for you. Very glad we visited. We’ll be back in the future!

Really cute restaurant. Amazing plants and bonsai trees. The food was full of flavour. It was incredibly tasty. The service was excellent. Yes it is more expensive than your usual restaurant but it is the kind of food you can’t make at home. I suspect we will be going back.

Had a fabulous lunch in such a lovely setting. Food was amazing. Service impeccable. Great atmosphere. Could have spent all day there.

A beautiful little pub/restaurant with a stunning menu. We had; the goat’s cheese salad & pigeon and beetroot to start, followed by the tuna steak, chicken ballotine and halibut. The food was beautifully presented and tasted just as gorgeous as it looked. We will definitely be coming back!

What a difference a few weeks make. Lovely place, staff great, food not so. A bowl of soup if you want bread with it will cost £ 17.oo ,3 TINY bread rolls with your soup cost £7.00 ridiculous, the vegetables were practically non existent 4 tiny 1 inch carrots ,3parsnips 3 small roast potatoes cabbage that was cold,meat edible, Don’t ask for water it costs £4 a bottle and they just keep pouring it for you ask for wine instead it’s cheaper,.starters were VERY GOOD though.prices have risen but that’s not a problem,, they have to do that.,please just don’t take the Micky.

We were absolutely blown away by this place, the food, the setting and the service was all fantastic. The staff couldn’t do enough for you. The Sunday Roast was outstanding, one of the best roast dinners I’ve had in a restaurant for a while. It came with the trimmings but we ordered the cauliflower cheese and Dauphinoise on the side. OMG they were the perfect accompaniment, it was well worth the money and I can’t wait to go back to try their main menu. We sat in the bar, it was a relaxed but beautiful setting and I would highly recommend this place to anyone.

Absolutely lovely, couldn’t fault anything so well cooked and presented. Family travelled a long way but were not disappointed, thank goodness one guest said the tuna was with the sauce fantastic and they are use to Very expensive restaurants, so what a compliment, Deserts were great but very big ! Only downside it was a bit cold at the back of the place, but the food made up for it .Thanks to them for giving us a wonderful New Year’s Day. Service BRILLIANT. FOOD THE SAME

We came here with friends and family over Christmas. Great atmosphere with attentive hosts and superb food which was beautiful-fully presented and tasted amazing. A great place to go for foodies in the area.

I'm visiting my dad, but grew up here and worked behind the bar before I went to uni in the 90s, so I remember it as the Lower from the olden days (IYKYK). Turns out, both of us look a bit different to how we looked back then. It's had a GORGEOUS makeover, and the decor is just on point with a tasteful fusion of modern and classic European. The music was appropriate, if a touch loud when sat close to the speaker. But not offensively so. The service was excellent; friendly and attentive. Ok so drinks; they have some sort of French gin that was sweet and went perfectly with elderflower tonic, served with what I think were sloes and a sprig of rosemary. I was LIVING for it. Papa said the malbec was very decent too. I also had a chocolate martini, and it was divine too. The food. Yaaaas, queen, the food. So there's not a huge range of choice, like when you go somewhere and you have to go through a ten page menu, but I can recommend the chicken & goose pate and the sirloin steak. Both were done perfectly and I could literally eat that every day for ever. All in all, a well deserved five stars. Not cheap (hence the title), but given there's ample parking and it's a restaurant rather than a pub that shouldn't be a problem. Will definitely recommend and visit again.

Visited The Muddy Toad for an evening meal to celebrate my wife's birthday. The establishment is very welcoming and friendly. Lovely decor with a feeling of visiting a friends cottage. The staff were very polite and helpful. The food is what takes top marks. Michelin grade across the menu. Full of favours and tasty.

Yet again, excellent food, ambiance super - festive yet calm, beautiful decorations (and not just the Christmas decs) the meal presentations were super too - as was the taste. Service really is given with a smile. First class experience, thank you to both chaps managing front of house and excellent meals (to the chef). Here's to a prosperous New Year for everyone providing exceptional food and service - this standard really does deserve patronage. Best wishes and thank you again.

our little gem of a place, food excellent,christmas deco.exceptional, thank-you all so much see you soon

Staying locally for one night and looked up eateries for an evening mesl. The Muddy Toad sounded good and we were certainly not disappointed. Excellent food and service. Care over ingredients, cooking and presentation stood out in all of our food choices. If in the...

Food was lovely!! Would recommend the bubble & squeak and goats cheese salad, both delicious. Monkfish was well received and steak was very nice (albeit a bit fatty). The peppercorn sauce was nice, but definitely had a curry type taste to it, which was a...

Amazing service and food. Really enjoyed it, the Steak to share was superb, everything we had was mega tasty, the surprise was the pineapple that was outstanding. Lovely evening and food was defo 10/10.

mid week lunch excellent could not wish for anything more attentive staff and good atmosphere thank-you

My friend treated me to lunch for my birthday we had the set lunch menu which consisted of two courses. The soup was amazing best I have ever tasted and the sea bass was lovely too, my friend had the risotto she said was lovely...

Great little pub/restaurant. Food was fresh, good selection on the menu and service was very attentive. Would definitely return. Maybe try lunch next time to see what the place is like during the day. There are very few places to eat near Cwmbran of any...

Gorgeous restaurant with lovely atmosphere. Staff friendly and attentive. Food and drink was amazing. Erin and stephan were lovely servers making sure that we had a great experience and that nothing was an issue. A 10/10 evening. We was celebrating a friends engagement but would...

Food & Drink The food was possibly some of the best my partner and I have ever tasted. It was fresh, every ingredient was at its best, and every dish we tried was seasoned to perfection. Even my partner, who is notorious for salt, didn’t...

Won't be going back there, they wanted to charge 25 quid to bring birthday cake to the table! We told them not to bother, never had any other restaurant ever do that!

Lovely pleasant restaurant, staff were incredibly helpful, food was fantastic, atmosphere was perfect Would go there again

Four of us met up last night for a catch up and we had a lovely night. We found the menu limited and would advise you read it before booking. The food was lovely and well presented. The decor and ambiance is excellent. The service...

Great food very tasty and good choice 2 course menu @ £18 p.p. Staff were very welcoming and very attentive. My son had his choices from a la crate menu which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Food is fantastic, service is great too. The restaurant is contemporary and relaxing. Slightly expensive but worth it. Wine was lush but £11 a glass for malbec. So the only real down point for me was the Ambient music was too loud to be ambient...

Visited the muddy toad for Sunday lunch yesterday. Ordered the beef main, which was one of the best Sunday lunches I’ve had out in a long time. The meat was delicious, and seasoned beautifully. Great presentation too. Roast potatoes were golden and crispy. I would...

We visited with a party of 6 and 4 people reasonably enjoyed their meals although not overly impressed.One of our party had the haddock dog which was overpriced and was very disappointing.My duck leg was small and grossly over cooked and was simply dreadful and...

Superb. From start to finish this was a wonderful experience of what a top restaurant should provide. Warm welcome and service, wonderful food cooked and presented to perfection with an ambience that made you feel right at home. The Muddy Toad deserves to go from...

Wonderful atmosphere food fabulous thank you Earin Ron Kim and team looking forward to our next visit a

A wonderful character-packed restaurant, beautifully decorated & complimented by warm, welcoming & attentive staff. The food was gorgeous, beautifully presented & served with smiles. Top marks to all the staff & I will recommend you. We will be back & wish you every success. You...

We were warmly greeted when we arrived and shown to our table and given menu's and a wine list. While we were studying the menu we ordered some home made Focaccia bread and olive oil which was delicious. To start, my wife chose the beautifully...

Lovely food and great service. From the moment we walked in the service was warm and attentive. A dinner for my daughters birthday was very special, highlights were the Scotch Egg, Scallops starters the Chicken supreme, steak and the haddock dog Mains! The deserts were...

All style no substance. While the restaurant looks nice, the food is mediocre at best and vastly over priced.

Not impressed. Was asked on getting table if we would like water. It not being specified expected a jug of tap water, a bottle arrived, £4.50 on the bill. My wife and my mains were ok, bit pricey asserted desserts, but as for my aunt’s…....

🚨 I’ve seen previous reviews of how amazing and wonderful the food is. That’s not my experience sadly. I think these people haven’t ventured out very far. Completely over priced for the food that they are serving. Even the cocktails are steep. I’d be happy...

We had Sunday lunch menu. both had starters that were great. We then had our mains😤I had the the topside and my wife had the vegetarian gnocchi. Her gnocchi came out black with all the vegetables oven baked to the same colour and texture (crunchy...

I had seen this restaurant on social media posts and thought we would give it a try . What a wonderful find , lovely ambience, greeted warmly on arrival . Food was absolutely delicious, we loved every bite !! Would highly recommend and will definitely...

Visited this pub on Saturday night with friends (6 of us in total). The atmosphere was great, the food was good but there were a couple of snags. 1 They advertise as a steak house - but they ran out of steak (on a Saturday...

We were on a birthday trip and decided to find somewhere local to go out as staying in The Parkway Hotel. We had a look at local restaurants and found this place and booked a table. Inside is beautiful! Green calming and wonderful. Scallop started...

Well, wow! On entering the decor is just lovely and the greenery everywhere is lovely. Our waitress was beyond amazing at her job - massive kudos to her for making the experience what it was. We had Oysters which my Daughter likened to something from...

Staff are great, foods good too. Don’t get on the wrong side of the owner. Customer is not King in the Muddy Toad!

Chose this for a family celebration. The waiting staff were friendly, but the food was severely lacking and overpriced. A piece of stale bread and butter was £5. The scotch egg starter was described as having a runny yolk. When we asked why the yolk...

Absolutely gorgeous food, lovely decor and atmosphere, and very attentive and friendly staff. Came here for Father’s Day lunch, 10/10 experience would absolutely return and recommend.

We were looking forward to lunch here. The photos though are artful and do not adequately illustrate how poor the food is. We didn't have starters, the reference to 'emulsion' in each one put us off. I had steak (handily cut up for me) and...

Found this little gem by accident, called in late afternoon and the staff were very welcoming and very attentive, it was spotlessly clean. The food was excellent, my partner had the lamb and it was cooked perfectly, l had the pasta which was delicious, can't...

The Muddy Toad is a breath of fresh air. Offering fine dining, locally sourced ingredients and a very warm welcome. I ordered a pork dish which was outstanding. My husband ordered steak frites with peppercorn sauce which was exquisite. The deserts were amazing too. I...

Dined at this pub/restaurant for Sunday lunch we booked for 5 0clock.The refurbishment and decor is absolutely beautiful,but sadly the food is not as acceptable as the decor.We were greeted by very friendly staff and were promptly served our drinks,however two starters were late and...

1st class lunch We called in for an ad hoc lunch visit when passing. On entering the restaurant described as a Gastro pub we were impressed by the immaculate decor clearly well thought out and pleasing to the eye. I ordered tender pork loin which...

Terrible customer service! Offered constructive feedback on their social media outlets (which, I hasten to add, they bombard clients with at every opportunity). I very politely pointed out double digit spelling issues on their soon to launch 'spring menu' to be abruptly banned from commenting...

Lovely little gem, booked for a friend’s birthday last weekend, staff were superb, friendly, very accommodating and excellent service, nice atmosphere, there was a slight delay with the food but we were advised well in advance of this so it was not a problem, food...

We were so excited to visit this fabulously marketed venue. On social media it looked as seemed amazing. Our expectations were high! Unfortunately we were really disappointed. The venue is beautifully presented and we’re greeted by a lovely welcome. When we were seated we were...

We have eaten here a number of times recently and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It is therefore difficult to reconcile some of the negative reviews with what we have experienced. The atmosphere and decor are just right. The food is excellent and great value...

Superb dining whether inside or outside. Sampled the main menu and can recommend every dish! Favourites the cocktails x

We had lunch here yesterday and were pleasantly surprised. The food was really good and the service excellent. A well needed eatery in the Torfaen area and beyond. Pleasant, engaging and helpful staff who were happy to take feedback. I read some of the negative...

Service: Without exception all the staff were engaging and attentive. Food: High standard, small menu (I am looking forward to trying the rest of the dishes. Drinks: Good Value and there was a nice wine range. Interior: Lovely soft furnishings with subtle background music. Well...

Abysmally poor level of food preceded over by the unbelievably inept Chef Tom lodge. Ate here recently and despite the busy atmosphere and good décor the execution of the food is beyond a joke and in the words of Uncle Bryn, ill tell you for...

Superb. Really good food, friendly staff. Going back! My review needs to have a 100 characters so here, 107

Disgraceful, the sooner this place is shut down the better. Incompetent staff and clearly no adequate chef. Avoid at all costs. Overpriced would be an understatement and the food was so bad I didn’t even take it home to the dogs. Left there still hungry...

Absolutely awful. Waited over 30 minutes for drinks to arrive and when we enquired it turned out they had forgotten. Meal was terrible, all fat and no meat. We informed the waitress and the Waitress responded, “it’s the luck of the draw.” Left there starving,...

The staff are very friendly and attentive, the food was absolutely sublime and the decor and ambiance were very nice as well. Sensible prices to boot- this is one not to miss!

Stunning food in a great setting with great service , Sunday lunch will be next ,with late sittings , so definitely worth a try .

It was our Anniversary so myself and my partner wanted to do something special. I saw the reviews and thought it looked lovely. On entering the resteraunt looks lovely. We were then given the drinks menu on what looked like a photo copied stained paper...

Steak brought out and was told medium, we had ordered medium rare, went back to kitchen and then came back immediately and said it was medium rare, their error, we did not then see a server until we had finished our meal, we were in...

Had been to the Lower New Inn a number of times and the food had always been good, so we thought we would give its latest version a try. The menu was OK, nothing really jumped out at you. We both had the Soup Starter...

First visit very welcoming place and friendly staff , just a few pointers to the menu as there’s always someone in a group that is fussy with food and they always feel left out ? So the menu I think needs at least one simple...

I am only giving one star because I can’t give zero, although I will say the restaurant has been decorated in a lovely way. By the end I literally thought there was a hidden camera on us and a Saturday night show host was going...

Incredible! Every bite had a ‘wow’ factor and all was presented beautifully. So excited to have this on my doorstep, will be returning very soon!

Service was rather slow but polite and food was excellent. Our party ordered pork, lamb and salmon mains - everyone cleared their plate and declared the flavours superb. I loved the base for the pork dish. Desserts were tasty but the rhubarb needed more attention...

We attended as a group of 8 to celebrate a 40th birthday on a Friday evening at 7pm. Be aware they don’t cater for children so she was offered a “pasta and a tomato sauce” option but the 9 year old instead opted for chicken...

The food was exquisitely presented, full of flavour and perfectly cooked. The service was perfectly timed, attentive and the staff were very knowledgeable. I am looking forward to my next visit for an evening meal. A great new restaurant for Pontypool where I will enjoy...

I have seen lots of mixed reviews regarding this restaurant so decided to try it as our monthly catch up. We have been regular customers to the Lower New Inn over the last five years and have never experienced such bad food as this week....

Excellent food. Erin our server was outstanding, great knowledge of food and drink and a pleasure to meet. Great personality 5* service and food. Highly recommended.

We've been wanting to visit since we heard that Tom Lodge was going to be creating the menu and we weren't disappointed. The food was beautiful. The skill and care taken with every meal was clear immediately. We both had the hake and salmon and...

Went for lunch on a Friday afternoon, we had two courses , Bubble and squeak and mushrooms on sourdough, Was amazing so tasty I could have had it again for mains , the chef came out to check all was good and he was very...

Absolutely fabulous meal. Visited with our son and his girlfriend for his birthday. The staff were great, service also great, starters delicious. We all enjoyed our meals, 2 had steak, I had hake which was delicious, but we all had food envy for the pork...

Well what can I say, expected big things and heard really good reviews but left completely disappointed. Went for Sunday dinner ( if you check my previous reviews we have been going to lots of places to try different Sunday dinners). Table booked for in...

Visited for a Sunday lunch and it was a disaster. Awful awful meal. I've had better microwave meals. Cold, hardly anything on the plate. What was on the plate was unedible. Absolutely gutted considering what they charge. Dessert was a laugh for £7!! Stunning decor...

Been waiting to try this local venue now under new ownership and booked a Sunday lunch to celebrate my birthday. How disappointed we were. I ordered the beef roast and my wife the chicken roast. They arrived and it was difficult to identify the elements...

The staff were welcoming and friendly, the atmosphere was relaxing and the food was excellent! A better steak I haven't had in a very long time! I would definitely return and recommend to friends and colleagues! A lovely way to celebrate our wedding anniversary!

We visited on Thursday evening for the first time. A really old pub with a lovely relaxing atmosphere! We had burgers from the new burger menu which is exceptional value - 2 burgers for £15 😯 We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and have already booked...

First visit as normally go to Butterflies was not disappointed great food and friendly staff will be back as it’s on our way back home from our holiday home in Wales 10/10

Really enjoyed our visit this week, booked in to try their new burger menu and wasn’t disappointed! I had the dirty mochyn and my partner had the polo parmo. Every bite was delicious and we even saved room for a piece of sticky toffee pudding...

Canteen like experience. Thought it would be a treat night , felt like a canteen. Furniture being moved all the time we were in ,changing a large table to individual tables ,the grating of chairs on stone floor 😱 These tables weren't needed as no...

We were looking to take some friends out for a nice and special meal, near Cwmbran ,so after checking the area and looking at the reviews and web site we made the choice to choose the Lower New Inn. We had arrived a little early...

Fabulous dining experience! Food was wonderful, fresh and well presented. The staff were second to none, so friendly & efficient. A lovely atmosphere, can’t wait to return. 😀 x

I only normally write reviews if we have a bad experience because I really don’t like paying for bad food. The food here was absolutely amazing. We had three different mains and deserts, they were absolutely delicious. The portions were generous, the food hot, the...

5 of us visited here after pre booking for a Saturday night at 6pm. We couldn't believe how quiet it was for a Saturday! It looked closed as we arrived. Think it must have only just opened. A good menu & we all enjoyed our...

Visited The Lower New Inn, for lunch with my partner. Food was stunning, great sized portions and cooked to perfection. Service was outstanding in a chilled and comfy environment! Would highly recommend and will be returning. 5⭐️s

Been here a few times and food has been great, a little on the expensive side but large dishes so it's acceptable, but also what you expect from a gastro pub. My most recent visit at Christmas was however, not on par due to the...

Three of us came here and were not disappointed. Ethan was our server and he was happy, polite and helpful. He answered all our questions about different dishes and was a pleasure to talk to. We had three different dishes and all three were large,...

Just come back from the New Inn after celebrating my birthday. The staff there are amazing, nothing was too much trouble, they brought out a cake, a young boy called Dan brought out our food, he was so pleasant and polite. Nothing was too much...

I went with family to the Lower last week. Having had meals at Butterflies, its sister restaurant, I had high hopes for an excellent experience. I wasn't disappointed. The surroundings, welcome, service and food were all excellent. Our orders were taken within five minutes of...

My wife and I ate at the Lower last night. I had creamy pesto chicken which was well cooked and very pleasant but could have done with a bit more sauce. The real star of the show was my wife's slow cooked belly pork with...

We visit here most weekends sometimes we just pop in for a drink and sometimes for food. Our last visit was for my mums 75th birthday. We had 2 tables for social distance rules. Which was fine as we could chat to each other. This...