The Bunch of Grapes

The story

The Bunch of Grapes Pontypridd: Award-Winning Welsh Gastropub & Cwrw Otley Brewery

The chef and the kitchen

Nick Otley has steered The Bunch of Grapes in Pontypridd for twenty-five years, blending his background as a founding figure of Welsh brewing with hands-on cooking. This gastropub has anchored the local scene since 1851, evolving into a forward-thinking space that champions regional farmers and butchers. The kitchen relies on charcoal and coal fires to bring texture to its menus, favouring smoke over heavy sauces. The team sources ingredients within the Rhondda Valleys, ensuring every plate reflects the immediate landscape.

Seasonal Welsh classics and smoke

This approach to Welsh cooking places cockles served on toast with laverbread and smoked pancetta at the top of the list. The kitchen smokes its own brisket for a hearty pie paired with mustard mash, while the grill turns out coal-fired picanha steak and buttermilk-crusted sea trout. Small plates shift with the days; Monday brings pork belly burnt ends with pickled ginger, and the seafood menu features scorched mackerel with horseradish aioli. Desserts round out the service with sticky toffee pudding or a whisky and orange cheesecake drawn from local distilleries.

Cwrw Otley and the community bar

Behind the building sits the Cwrw Otley microbrewery, established in 2022 with a 500-litre system and five fermentation vessels. Nick Otley oversees the brewing alongside the food service, pouring cask ales and seasonal craft beers from nine handpulls and five keg taps. The dining room offers a traditional layout where regulars gather for macramé workshops and cheese nights alongside their meals. A dedicated craft beer shop stocks an extensive range of cans and bottles for takeaway, reinforcing the venue's role as a hub for both Welsh ale culture and communal dining.