Newport pub The Tickled Trout is city's best kept secret

South Wales Argus

19-07-2025

It looks rather unassuming, but upon stepping through the doors I am greeted with warmth from managers Poppy Morgan, 29, and Lesley Davies, 36.
The pair took over the pub not too long ago, turning it from a tired Spanish tapas bar to somewhere that you can take part in a leisurely lunch, a drink over a boardgame, or even a 'Taylor Swift cake decorating class' – I'm promised that these themed classes are extremely popular and not as strange as they sound at first.
Poppy and Lesley have turned the Tickled Trout into a place for everyone (Image: Supplied) It has a cozy atmosphere and the welcome from the staff on duty is incomparable – it feels like they truly care about this venue and want customers to care too.
Strictly speaking, The Tickled Trout is not a really a pub - it's in the no-man's land between restaurant and bar, but this doesn't bother them one bit.
The people are Newport are beginning to love the Tickled Trout, as are customers from further afield. Poppy and Lesley detail how just last week they had a customer travel to visit all the way from Oxford, and they couldn't speak highly enough of the relaxed and cosy atmosphere of the pub.
With five separate food menus to choose from, there is something on offer for everyone. The Tickled Trout has aimed to redefine traditional Spanish tapas to include flavours from across the globe, changing customers' perceptions on what they already know of the small dish options.
The Tickled Trout is redefining traditional tapas (Image: Supplied) The pair are proud of the fact that the basis for every single item on their menu is gluten free, vegan and created using fresh ingredients. It creates an inclusive dining experience and ensures that everyone is catered for with no risk.
Lesley said: 'We get a lot of praise for our vegan menu.
'We get the ingredients in fresh every day, and our chefs create the dishes from scratch. Rather than buy pre-made sauce mixes, all our aioli's and anything else we use and serve is made from scratch.'
The Tickled Trout creates all their dishes from scratch (Image: Supplied) Alongside their usual menus, they offer a daily bottomless brunch that brings together an extensive cocktail menu full of well-known favourites and their varied tapas dishes.
Poppy laughs: 'We get everyone in for bottomless brunch, from the 18-year-olds who drink actual cocktails to the older ladies who usually prefer a glass of prosecco.'
Lesley said: 'People usually go to a bottomless brunch and expect either good food, or good cocktails. We're proud that with us you get both.'