I finally managed to eat Wales' most sought after Sunday roast which has a 12-month waiting list - here's the honest truth

Wales’ most sought-after restaurant has a year long waiting list, so when a last-minute cancellation popped up, I dropped everything I was doing and scrambled to claim it before anyone else could. Booking via OpenTable was tense; even after entering my card details, the system warned that if someone else was faster, I’d miss out. It was loading for what felt like forever, but sure enough, my booking was confirmed, and I was buzzing. I had originally tried to book Butterflies Bar & Kitchen in October for a Sunday lunch with my family in December. That is when I realised every single Sunday lunch table is booked up until December 2026. So, it might seem sad (or mad) to some, but if you're a foodie like me, this was the kind of booking you rearrange your day for without a second thought. Nestled in the heritage town of Blaenavon, this award-winning restaurant is warm, cosy, and welcoming—less the formality you might expect from a place with such a reputation. The dining room hums with conversation and the comforting aroma of roast meats. It carried an almost nostalgic charm — the kind of place that makes you feel at home even if it’s your first visit. The menu was as expected, offering a great range of starters. Meat options for the roast included chicken, lamb, pork and beef. But the best part, for me, was that they offered more than just Sunday roast, too, with options such as a beef burger or mushroom and camembert wellington for anyone less enamoured with the nation’s favourite comfort food - there's always one. It's two courses for £26 or three courses for £32. There are optional extras such as cauliflower cheese, for £6 and dirty roasties for £7. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here Desserts included sticky toffee pudding, cheesecake, Eton mess and so much more. For the main course, we went with the lamb and chicken. Both were tasty, well-cooked, and came in generous portions—so much so that we ended up taking our leftovers home. The lamb was tender and seasoned nicely, while the chicken was juicy with a crisp, golden skin. Bonus points for the presentation too. The sides were just as satisfying. The cauliflower cheese was creamy and flavourful, with a TikTok worthy cheese pull, and the “dirty roasties” were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. They were roast potatoes loaded with steak and ale pie and cheese, with a spicy sauce and crispy onions. A very creative addition to a roast dinner. Desserts were worth saving room for. The sticky toffee pudding was warm, rich and comforting, paired with your choice of ice cream, cream or custard. I would go as far to say it was the best dessert I have ever had. Overall, Butterflies Bar & Kitchen lives up to its award-winning reputation. The food is solid, the portions are generous, and the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere makes it easy to see why so many people are happy to wait a year for a table. Butterflies serves a variety of dishes which can feature pork, fish and Welsh lamb as well as their famous dry aged steaks, and have recently introduced a vegan and vegetarian menu. Butterflies' was the only Welsh addition to the OpenTable’s Top 100 Restaurants in the UK 2025 list released in November, but that is just the latest accolade the restaurant can boast. It won best restaurant in Wales at the Best of Welsh Business Awards in 2024 through a public vote, and has previously won best restaurant in South Wales at the awards. I'll be back to try a steak next, though unless I can find another last minute cancellation, I might be waiting a while.