Penarth's Touring Club to receive Michelin's 'Bib Gourmand'

We were there when it opened in July last year to much excitement, we tried the new breakfast menu in September and we hinted at more Michelin success after Home, to make Penarth proud in November.

Well, they’ve done it. Touring Club is one of just 20 unique places to have been awarded a “Bib Gourmand” from the Michelin Group.

What is a “Bib Gourmand” you may ask? Well, it’s not quite a star, but most definitely not a consolation prize, the Bib Gourmand - named after Bibendum, the official company mascot for the Michelin Group - is a just-as-esteemed rating that recognizes friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.

Ahead of this year’s Michelin Guide Ceremony for Great Britain and Ireland – which takes place in Manchester on Monday, February 5 – the group has revealed the 20 restaurants newly awarded a Bib Gourmand, and head chef Bryn Williams was delighted his business is one of them.

Speaking to us, Mr Williams thanked fellow owners Dylan Griffith, Rowan Hobbs and Grant Maunder, but he reserved special praise for his staff.

“It's a testament to the teamwork from top to bottom," said Mr Williams, "and to me, it’s the staff who are the true stars and the consistency and effort they give day in day out.”

The uber chic and modern Touring Club was being celebrated for delivering quality food at a reasonable price (Image: Newsquest)

The Touring Club revealed it was coming to Penarth in May last year with a selection of fine food and excellent wines served using the Coravin wine system – meaning you can get top-quality wines and pay by the glass instead of forking out for the whole bottle.

The club, inspired by the travels of its owners, opened its doors in summer 2023 set in the striking black colour the front had been painted and with slick and modern inside/outside street decking.

Head chef, the award winning Bryn Williams celebrated his team, especially the staff (Image: Newsquest)

Read more

• Penarth wine bar Touring Club opens. See inside, here
• Penarth wine bar Touring Club starts new breakfast menu
• Touring Club's food catches eye of Michelin

On announcing Touring Club as one of the Bib Gourmand recipients, Michelin said: “Across the River Severn, you can find further reasonably priced dining at Penarth’s Touring Club.

“It’s a slick, relaxed spot where you can while away the hours with a few drinks and unfussy small plates.

“It’s run under the auspices of Welsh chef Bryn Williams, who was partly inspired by the Touring Club Hotel in Patagonia.”

Got a story in Penarth? Email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.