A North Wales restaurant has been named among the best in the UK for 2024.

One of the UK's top independent restaurant commentators, SquareMeal, has released its annual list showcasing the top 100 restaurants in the country.

The list is based on the restaurant experts' in-house critics as well as thousands of diner votes.

SquareMeal's 'UK's Top 100 Restaurants for 2024' list is a chance for them to "shout about the best-of-the-best" and celebrate the "incredible chefs and hospitality teams out there going above and beyond to give their diners top-class experiences".

SquareMeal said: "We say it every year, but this year truly must have presented the highest calibre of restaurants yet.

"Whittling down the UK’s burgeoning dining scene into just 100 top spots was an excruciating job that took months of planning and deliberation by both our team, and you, our readers.

"Despite incredibly tough economic circumstances, our homegrown hospitality professionals have overcome it all and managed to deliver top-class experiences for diners, with flair, ingenuity and individuality."

It added: "When we say this list is months in the making, we really mean it.

"We take huge care and pride in making sure only the very best in the industry find a place on the list, and have eaten at hundreds of restaurants over the past 12 months to whittle down the winners."

Pine in Northumberland was revealed as the best restaurant in the UK by SquareMeal. 

This 'UK's Top 100 Restaurants for 2024' list included places from all over the country including the likes of Cornwall, Edinburgh and North Yorkshire.

There were five Welsh restaurants to make the list including The Jackdaw Conwy.

You can see the full 'UK's Top 100 Restaurants for 2024' by SquareMeal here.

The Jackdaw Conwy named among the best restaurants in the UK

The Jackdaw Conwy - located in Conwy - was revealed as the 24th best restaurants on the list.

SquareNeak said the restaurant blends "modern British and Welsh techniques and flavours in a smart, contemporary dining room".

Describing the Conwy-based establishment, the restaurant experts added: "The Jackdaw name has special significance in Conwy, North Wales - Jackdaw (or jac-do in Welsh), is the nickname given to a person born within the walls of Conwy town, taken from the jackdaws which can be found nesting in the walls of the town and castle.

"Chef proprietor Nick Rudge doesn't technically qualify, but he is a North Wales native from nearby Llandudno, and he worked in the area before taking a job at Heston Blumenthal's world famous Fat Duck restaurant in Bray.

"In 2021 Nick Rudge returned to North Wales and opened The Jackdaw in Conwy, a contemporary British restaurant that combines techniques learned in his seven years at The Fat Duck with top quality local Welsh produce.

"Inside, the restaurant is smart but relaxed - bare wood tabletops match the hardwood floors, whilst bookshelves and fireplace give an otherwise minimal room some homely comforts.

"Rudge’s cooking may have been mostly forged in Bray, his menus often pay homage to Wales.

"Mains include a dish of Welsh salt duck with pickled damson and hispi cabbage, and Welsh beef sirloin with Bara Brith and girolles.

"Local produce abounds all over the menu, from barbecued Llyn scallops with chicory leaf, pickled celery and grapes, to flamed mussels with parsley, garlic and fennel veloute, and Welsh cheeses with seasonal chutney.

"What better way to finish than with a Snowdon Pudding (Prdin Eryri, in Welsh) with Amarena cherry and lemon cream.

"The menu is available both as a tasting menu and as an a la carte, and there is an optional wine flight available with the former."

The Jackdaw boats a 4.5 rating on Tripadvisor from 99 reviews with guests describing their experience at the Conwy restaurant as "a Welsh Culinary Experience", "a real Welsh treasure" and "a must if you're in North Wales".

All the restaurants in Wales named among the best in the UK

There were five restaurants in Wales to make the best in the UK list released by SquareMeal. 

North Wales Pioneer: Five Welsh restaurants were named among the best in the UK.Five Welsh restaurants were named among the best in the UK. (Image: Tripsadvisor)

These restaurants (and their rankings) were: 

  • Ynyshir - Machynlleth, Powys (2nd)
  • The Jackdaw Conwy - Conwy (24th)
  • Gwen - Machynlleth, Powys (36th)
  • Annwn - Narbeth, Pembrokeshire (40th)
  • Home at Penarth - Penarth, Cardiff (51st)

For more information on The Jackdaw Conwy or any of the other restaurants to make the list visit the SquareMeal website. 

Or to book a table at The Jackdaw visit the restaurant's website.