There is an excellent choice of good pubs and restaurants, from the local Red Lion Inn (the oldest pub in Powys) which serves a great Sunday roast, and The Lake Country House Hotel (with its 2-rosette restaurant) in Llangammarch Wells, to the Felin Fach Griffin, a wonderful ‘dining pub’ on the A470 near Brecon. Towards Hay-on-Wye, at Glasbury, is the award-winning River Cafe, with a fantastic selection of soups, salads, pasta, local beef and lamb dishes.

In Hay-on-Wye, Oscar's Bistro is one of Michael Winner's 'Welsh Winners'. In Broad Street, The Three Tuns is one of the best dining pubs in Britain, and Kilverts Inn is a famous pub in the centre of town, as is the Swan at Hay in Church Street or The Old Black Lion in Lion Street. The Baskeville Arms was once more famously known as "The Swan" in the diaries of Reverend Francis Kilvert from the late 1800s. Nestled in the village of Clyro, it a mile from Hay. Café Hay, attached to the Craft Centre Complex, is perfect for a good breakfast, freshly made cakes or a light lunch. Their Spanish omelette is very popular with regulars. The Granary in Broad Street is a very popular, bustling vegetarian venue for lunchtimes, and the food is good, filling and well-priced. Red Indigo is a well-thought-of Indian restaurant in Castle Street. As for tea rooms, Hay is the place to come for these: The Old Stables Tea Rooms is popular for its old-fashioned quaintness and great tea time fare; and Shepherd's is famous for its delicious locally made sheep's milk ice-cream and properly made coffee.

Situated near Abergavenny, The Walnut Tree Inn and The Hardwick are both important destinations for food lovers. Under new enlightened ownership, The Walnut Tree has recovered from its unhappy interregnum after the departure of the well-known Franco Taruschio, and recently gained a Michelin star with renowned chef Shaun Hill. Stephen Terry at The Hardwick is a bit of a genius, and doesn't need decorations (although he has had plenty) to entice happy diners from far afield. His portions are generous, his touch is light, and the bill is never too painful at the end of the meal.

The Nantyffin Cider Mill between Crickhowell and Brecon serves ‘the bistro food of rural France’ (01873 810775). Their Champagne and wine is well-chosen. Closed Sunday evening and all day Monday.