Review: The Beach House, Gower - Wales’ Most Gorgeous Michelin-Starred Restaurant

There’s something quite extraordinary about eating beside the sea. The light hits differently, your shoulders drop an inch or two, and every bite feels more alive. Wales, with its epic coastline, has the scenery in abundance, but restaurants like Beach House in Oxwich Bay are rare. Rare, and utterly worth the visit.

We arrived on a sunny Saturday for lunch. Fishing boats bobbed in the bay, the tide slow and steady, and a few brave women swam in the spring chill, whilst we sipped our aperitifs. If you’re looking for a restaurant to feel fully at peace, this is it.

I wore a crisp cream skirt and a gingham jacket, with black court shoes and a classic handbag in hand, trying to channel my best “coastal chic” energy. Nicky kept it fresh in light tones too, pairing a sky-blue summer cord shirt with navy trousers and suede loafers, the kind of effortless style that says, I’ve read the menu already. We looked like we were attending a beautiful lunch, which, happily, we were.

The Setting

Housed in a former coal shed perched above the beach, Beach House has kept its bones whilst embracing its surroundings. It feels timeless, like it’s grown into the sand. Rugged stone walls, smooth surfaces, and windows that drink in the bay. A lesson in restraint. All this light, all this view. Perfect spot on a lovely day, saying that, I bet it's pretty cute when it rains.

Chef Hywel Griffith, the talented force behind the Michelin-starred Beach House in Oxwich, brings a deep-rooted passion for Welsh produce to every plate he serves. Originally from North Wales, Hywel’s culinary journey has seen him rise through some of the UK’s top kitchens before returning to his homeland to showcase its rich natural larder. At Beach House, perched on the Gower Peninsula with sweeping views of Oxwich Bay, Hywel champions hyper-local sourcing, using the freshest ingredients often found within just a few miles of the restaurant—whether it’s seafood caught that morning, foraged herbs, or vegetables from nearby farms. His cooking reflects both a refined technique and a heartfelt connection to the land and sea around him.

We Chose the Six-Course Tasting Menu – £118 + Truffle Supplement.

Here’s the menu we enjoyed, every dish a love letter to the Gower:

1. Cranc / Crab

Tiny bites of delicately dressed crab, cool and sweet. Like a sea breeze in tartlet form. It arrived alongside other small bites to open the palate and declare: “This is not your average Saturday lunch.”

2. Betys / Beetroot

Beetroot prepared in every way imaginable - pickled, pureed, and cubed. A colourful, earthy dish that delivered more depth than you'd think possible from a root vegetable.

3. Sewin / Sea Trout

A glistening disc of sea trout, topped with thinly sliced radish and framed by a rich broth. Bright, fresh, slightly briny, and perfectly balanced. The ocean, served in a bowl.

4. Carw Fallow / Fallow Deer (+£15 Truffle Supplement)

Rich, pink slices of fallow deer paired with seasonal accompaniments and a generous shaving of truffle. Deep, woodsy, luxurious. It was both our favourite dish.

5. Sitrws / Citrus

A clever pre-dessert to refresh the senses. Light, zingy, and palate-cleansing. Think of it as the Welsh Riviera's answer to sorbet.

6. Trofannol / Tropical

A delicate tropical dessert of pineapple and coconut with a hit of lime. Light enough to end the meal, zingy enough to leave you smiling. A dish that wore its sunshine well.

Coffee & Petit Fours

We stayed on for coffee and petits fours, watching people walk the beach and children dig holes that would inevitably fill with seawater. The chocolates were little works of art - elegant, miniature, and almost too pretty to eat (we managed).

The Wine Pairing

Nicky opted for the “Curious” flight (£79), which paired each course with a glass of something interesting and inspired. The sommelier was spot on, warm, knowledgeable. The pairings were thoughtful without being clever for the sake of it.

The Service

Welcoming, effortlessly polished, and unmistakably Welsh. The team struck that perfect balance between attentiveness and giving you space to enjoy the view. Everything felt calm, deliberate, and generous.

How to Book

Visit https://beachhouseoxwich.co.uk to reserve a table. This is not a place to leave to chance, book early, especially on weekends.

Final Thoughts

Dining by the sea is surprisingly rare in Wales, considering we’re wrapped in so much coastline. Beach House shows exactly why that needs to change. It captures the essence of the Gower and plates it beautifully, without fuss or gimmick. It’s quietly confident, utterly delicious, and one of the most unforgettable meals you’ll have in Wales, if not the UK.

If you’re going to drive to the end of the road for a Michelin-starred lunch, let it be this one.

Book here

Ad | PR visit - views are my own.