The Castle Inn, Newport

Alison and Glyn have run the Castle Inn since 2016 and have refurbished it without knocking the character out: the bar is still wood-panelled with a fire, a pool table and darts, and the restaurant has a 'cwtch' corner, local art and music. The building is a couple of hundred years old and sits in the heart of Newport, ten minutes on foot from Newport Sands and five from the Parrog.

The kitchen's pitch is that if it can be made fresh, it is. Curries and chillies are made from scratch, burgers from the local butcher's meat, the steaks Welsh; specials have run to liver and bacon, pigeon pie and sea bass with cockles and samphire, and there's a proper vegetarian and vegan list — jackfruit chilli, halloumi burger, wild mushroom stroganoff. A 'light' section suits children and smaller appetites, and there's an ice-cream hatch that does a dog-friendly scoop. Local and cask ales on the bar.

Dogs get treats, water and a welcome in the bar and garden (not the restaurant) and can stay in the rooms by request. Three rooms upstairs — Y Parrog, Bettws and the attic Cwm — come with a full Welsh breakfast. Book online for up to eight; larger tables by phone. Opening hours and room rates weren't on the pages we could reach, so check with the pub.