On a lunchtime visit, the £5 deals were the obvious place to start.
The £5 lunch line‑up also includes vegan fish fingers and classic sausages, both served with a fried egg, fries and peas, for a fiver, it is hard to argue with the value.
Penarth pub unveils Welsh‑inspired menu with £5 lunch deals | Penarth Times
My favourite was “make a mess for kids” dessert, a playful tangle of meringue, toppings and sauces designed for younger diners to build (and demolish) themselves.
It’s unapologetically sweet, fun to assemble at the table and, at this price point, one of the cheapest family treats in town.
We also tried the southern‑fried chicken burger, which isn’t part of the £5 deal but still feels firmly in “treat without blowing the budget” territory. The chicken comes in a crisp coating with a tangy sauce and plenty of salad was solid pub comfort food.
There are vegetarian choices on the main menu for those who prefer to skip the meat. With bottomless coffee at £2.40 for adults or £5 for coffee and cake, it’s an easy spot to camp out with a refillable mug while kids make use of the darts and pool table upstairs.
Executive chef Jamie Newman, who oversees nine venues for Croeso Pubs, says the aim is to keep The Bear’s Head rooted in its community while moving it away from its Wetherspoons past.
“When we took it over, we knew we had to keep it the cheapest place in Penarth,” he said.
“Our breakfast is still great value, no one can touch us on a full Welsh but we also wanted to bring in more Welsh ingredients and a bit more pride on the plate.”
The new menu includes £5 pub classics such as scampi and chips, ham, egg and chips, sausage, egg and chips and a vegan “fish” and chips, alongside a £9.95 lunch deal pairing a sandwich or baguette with a side and a drink.
Jacket potatoes back in fashion, according to Newman come with several topping choices.
Sundays now feature roasts built around Welsh lamb and beef, served with Croeso’s signature baked leeks made with Teifi smoked cheese.
Newman, who grew up locally and went to school in Penarth, says the pub is busiest at breakfast time, with regulars in for coffee from 8am, and he hopes the refreshed food offer, games upstairs and Welsh‑led “Croeso Tasters” starters will keep both locals and visitors coming back.
“Great food doesn’t have to be expensive,” he said. “It just needs to be honest, well‑sourced and rooted in the best of Welsh produce.”
