Newport Ship ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
Estuary Road, Spytty – May 2025 – free – only available Friday and Saturday 10.30am – 4pm
It may not look much from the outside but this City Council funded attraction staffed by volunteers from the Friends of the Newport Ship is a must see. We were greeted by a guide who was very kind and knowledgeable and answered all our questions. We were taken through the stages of the discovery, excavation and treatment of the timbers and the analysis of its origins. There are models, films and guide books available providing more detail. The sheer scale of the Ship and the importance of the find to Newport cannot be underestimated. There is no cost for the guide or exhibition just a polite request for a donation or the purchase of a guide book. Excellent.
Sen BBQ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chepstow Road, Maindee – April 2025 – 2 x small lamb shish and chips – £21
Not be confused with the Sen Bakery just along the street. The Sen BBQ is a favourite haunt over many years but I have not visited since the pandemic. It’s pleasing to note the food is as good as ever, excellent lamb, flatbreads and salad. Perfect following a pint even if you have to avoid the Brexity Wetherspoons next door.
Tiny Rebel Bar ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wern Industrial Estate, Rogerstone – April 2025 – 3 beers £17.50
A brief visit to the Bar and setting of the Tiny Rebel Brewery. The bar and restaurant is set in two areas adjacent to the brewery and administration offices. A great space with a vibrant atmosphere with plenty of bar style food options and excellent ales , lagers, beers and soft drinks.
Jones Fish Bar ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Chepstow Road – numerous times, 2023 to 2025 – most recent (April 2025) 2 x cod and chips – £19.50
Exemplary fish and chip shop with chips cooked in beef dripping and excellent freshly cooked battered cod. There is a huge range of other options, with online ordering and delivery/collection services. Simply the best in Newport, consistently good, great customer service too.
Fratelli ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
113 Caerleon Road – May 2024 – Linguine Gorgonzola, Spaghetti Fratelli (seafood), Garlic Bread, Morreti x1 Pinot Grigio Rose x3 – £53
Replacing the former San Remo restaurant on Caerleon Road the return of a Fratelli restaurant, but it is nothing to do with the original Fratelli/Allonzi family. In fact it is the relocation of a restaurant from Caldicot. The interior is smart and modern. The service was excellent. The food was very good. Linguine Gorgonzola was pasta with broccoli, mushrooms and leek with a rich cheese sauce. The seafood pasta was spaghetti with mussels, squid and prawns in a cherry tomato sauce. All freshly cooked. Pasta and pizza dishes are offered at just under £9 at lunchtime. Normally our dishes were circa £15. The menu is slightly different from the norm with a mix of traditional dishes and some innovations.
There were only three covers during the time we were there although the waiter reported that the coming Saturday was busy. Lunchtimes though were quiet. It only opened on May 1, there has been limited promotional activity and they still do not have an accessible website. Hopefully, they will build a following. We will be back. Given the quality of this restaurant this is a case of ..Newport, use it or lose it!