OWNERS and staff of a restaurant located between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth are celebrating after it was named the best in Wales.

The Good Food Guide 2018 has announced that Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, a Michelin star restaurant in Eglwysfach, is the best in Wales and the 12th best in the UK.

With a cooking score of eight, the restaurant, whose head chef is Gareth Ward, has rocketed up the top 50 from number 40 in last year’s guide.

Elizabeth Carter, Waitrose Good Food Guide editor, said: “It may be a destination restaurant, but it doesn’t take long to realise that this fine country manor house doesn’t have too much truck with tradition and convention.

“Gareth Ward’s menu is a clever and meticulous no-choice affair — a celebration of local produce infused with Japanese flavours and real skill. But most of all, his cooking is about flavour.”

The Good Food Guide is compiled by combining reader feedback on restaurants up and down the country with anonymous inspections by a team of experts.

The top 50 recognises the very best talent in the country. A place on the list represents a huge achievement, with each position earned by its score in The Good Food Guide, editor appraisal and strength of reader feedback.

Welsh restaurants also featuring in the top 50 this year alongside Ynyshir are Restaurant James Sommerin, in Penarth, Glamorgan, which comes in at number 35; and The Whitebrook, in Whitebrook, Gwent, earning its spot at number 49.

The Good Food Guide will be published by Waitrose on 4 September.