24-05-2025
TASTE TEST: The Wepre Bar & Grill in Connah's Quay
Despite being five minutes away from where I live, it's tucked away location has meant it has never really featured on my radar when thinking of places to eat out.
That has now changed.
The Wepre Bar & Grill, formerly GTs Bar & Grill, reopened in Wepre Lane, Connah's Quay, two years ago.
Since then, the eatery located on Wepre Lane, has become "a go-to destination" for foodies and families.
Hidden gem or not, it does have a growing reputation as one of the best places to eat in North Wales.
Earlier this year, The Wepre Bar & Grill was named in the top 10 restaurants in North Wales - according to the public.
Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly two million global diner reviews from the previous four months.
The Wepre Bar & Grill.
They sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants all over the UK.
The Wepre Bar & Grill made it on the list alongside esteemed destinations The Jackdaw in Conwy, Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay, and The Potted Lobster in Abersoch.
The Wepre Bar and Grill.
Did it deserve its place on the list? I went to find out.
It was a gloriously sunny day, weather which suited the location and layout of The Wepre Bar & Grill.
ROOM FOR MORE?
There was lots of grass in front of the restaurant, a children's play area, and outdoor seating. The perfect place for families to enjoy a bite to eat on a sunny afternoon.
My friend and I were shown to our table.
This was perhaps the one negative of our experience as, located as we were between the front door and the bar, we felt a little on show.
But what is important is the food, and that was very good. Very good indeed.
We both opted to have a starter, which were both generous portions that might have satisfied smaller appetites as a small main.
The Wepre Bar and Grill: Welsh Rarebit.
I had the Welsh Rarebit that, made with Colliers mature cheddar, delivered a powerful cheese taste. This was balanced with crunchy sourdough toast, perfectly poached eggs, and the sharpness of pickled vegetables. A warm, comforting dish that was very pleasurable to eat.
The Wepre Bar and Grill: Falafel.
My friend had the falafel, of which he said: "A very generous portion, and perfectly prepared. The falafel was very well cooked, and full of flavour. The humus was delicious, and the whole chickpeas added a nice texture. The red pepper topping was superb but if anything could be improved, there could have been a little more of this as it was a wonderful accompaniment."
The Wepre Bar & Grill.
It must be said that the staff at the bar and grill are very friendly and attentive.
One told me that my choice of steak, ale and mushroom pie was their favourite item on the menu.
I soon found out why.
The Wepre Bar and Grill: Steak and Ale Pie.
The handcrafted pie was a work of art, crumbly pastry containing a generous and rich filling of steak and mushrooms. The gravy was rich and think, with a jug containing more that was a thing of beauty when slowly poured into the pie.
The Wepre Bar and Grill: Steak and Ale Pie.
Served with chunky triple-cooked chips and homemade mushy peas, this was elevated comfort food of the highest order.
The Wepre Bar and Grill: Steak and Ale Pie.
As a vegetarian, my friend was well catered for in terms of options. There were several vegetarian dishes but, which seemed something other restaurants could adopt, many of the dishes had the option to be served vegetarian, vegan or gluten free,
The Wepre Bar and Grill: Beetroot and lentil burger.
For his main, he chose the beetroot and lentil burger, which on another day, even as a meat eater, I could well have gone for from its description on the menu.
The Wepre Bar and Grill: Beetroot and lentil burger.
Of it, he said: "The main was equally delicious. The chips were well flavoured, and suitably crisp on the outside whilst the coleslaw provided the perfect additional flavours. The main burger was tasty, many places go for a meat alternative but this was beetroot based and was very pleasant. The only issue was the burger was slightly overdone; vegetarian burgers often need cooking less time than meat alternatives, and the edges were a little too dry. A shame, but easily fixable, and the rest of the burger and, indeed the meal, was excellent."
The Wepre Bar and Grill: Coleslaw
Hidden no more, this gem of a restaurant is definitely somewhere I will be visiting again.
I would describe it as the best of both words, having the cosy warmth of a pub with the fine food of a restaurant.
The Sunday carvery is very tempted, and the Table D'Hote menu, available only between Tuesday and Thursday, seems very good value at £20 for two courses, £25 for three.
There is even an Al Fresco menu available only to diners seated outside that sounds perfect, especially if we get a proper summer this year.
