Inn at the Sticks

The story

Inn at the Sticks Review: Award-Winning Welsh Cooking in Llansteffan

The kitchen and its makers

Inn at the Sticks brings inventive Welsh cooking to Llansteffan from inside a Grade II listed building that has served travelers since 1809. Owner Teej restored the property before reopening in June 2023, bringing chefs Debs Neale and Melanie Fairman into the brigade. They draw on regional training to shape a menu built around seasonal sourcing from Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire farms. This dedication to local produce helped secure a Good Food Guide award for 2026, continuing a streak of national recognition that began in 2024.

Plates designed for the table

Dishes lean toward communal dining, with shareable formats that highlight regional produce rather than rigid plating. A beef, beer and Perl Las blue cheese pie delivers tender meat chunks suspended in a dark gravy beneath a crisp pastry lid. Cockle popcorn arrives lightly battered alongside homemade chilli vinegar and a small pot of aïoli for dipping. Sweet root vegetables get turned up with whipped feta, almond crumb and a honey drizzle, proving that contemporary Welsh cuisine responds well to modern techniques.

Room and atmosphere

The dining space balances rustic character with deliberate restraint, featuring quarry tiles, wide plank flooring and exposed wooden beams throughout. Brickwork lines the walls while chunky wood burners anchor the seating areas, creating a steady warmth against the coastal air. An adjacent gallery and deli displays work from local makers, extending the building’s role as a community hub beyond the dinner service. Guests move easily between the polished restaurant floor and the outdoor terrace when the weather permits.

Sweets and evening pours

Desserts lean heavily into familiar flavors refined through careful technique, starting with a soft bara brith sticky toffee pudding resting on butterscotch and tea sauce. A Welsh coffee panna cotta follows, finished with candied walnut crumbs and a sleek caramel glaze. The bar maintains a strong selection of wines and craft beers to complement the rich textures on offer. Staff rotate through both front of house and cellar duties, keeping the pacing steady throughout the evening.