TASTE TEST: Fouzi's in Llangollen perfects its flavour

In the heart of Llangollen, Fouzi's Cafe, Bar & Pizzeria has become a favourite among locals and tourists for its homemade fresh menu.

Due to high demand, the eatery opened another venue based in Rossett, Wrexham, in November 2023 which has gone down a treat.

Established in 2008, the restaurant has been run by family generations bringing years of experience to each dish. It's website highlights it's authenticity, excellent service and delicious food, creating the perfect setting for a family meal or catch up with old friends.

In a relaxed environment, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner with Costa Coffee and a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available.

Having moved to Llangollen last summer, I'm surprised it's taken me to long to try it for myself.

Situated on Castle Street yards away from the bridge that overlooks the River Dee, I'm always impressed to see the venue's outdoor tables taken by people enjoying a fresh coffee for breakfast or beer later on in the afternoon. It truly is the perfect dining spot.

On a glorious sunny evening in May, I decided to call ahead and try their most popular dishes. I opted for the takeout service due to the small and intimate restaurant being completely fully booked - no surprise there. But a generous 10% off is applied for all dine-out customers.

Still, I was keen to see what the fuss was about and with a menu of endless classics to choose from, I didn't know where to begin.

Bruscuetta Ai Funghi with Bufallo Mozarella (Image: Newsquest)

To start, I ordered the Bruscuetta Ai Funghi with added Bufallo Mozarella for an additional charge, but oh was it worth it. It arrived neatly packed and presented with a delicious fresh salad that certainly had a mild kick to it.

The taste of vine tomatoes, mozzarella and hint of basil was so fresh and I knew it had been prepared to order. The perfectly toasted ciabatta was lightly drizzled in olive and balsamic oil which added beautiful flavour, making you forget how messy it is to actually eat. A go-to favourite of mine in any Italian restaurant and it certainly did not disappoint.

Fouzi's Seafood Platter (Image: Newsquest)

The warm temperature put me in the mood for fresh fish so my friend and I bravely opted for the Fouzi Seafood Platter. In my experience, a dish that can very easily go wrong.

It came with a salmon fishcake, compact with a divine homemade filling, crispy calamari, scampi and a prawn cocktail, as well as another fresh salad, toasted garlic ciabatta, aioli and a chilli sauce. Plenty for two.

The scampi coated in crumbs was a personal favourite, it was cooked just enough without the being overdone. Everything was oozing with flavour which was only enhanced by the accompanying sauces. I only wish I'd have dined in to see its full presentation. 

Garlic Chicken Pizza (Image: Newsquest)

Since Fouzi's is known for it's pizzeria, we were recommended the Garlic Chicken Pizza which came with spinach, garlic butter, red onion and chicken. 

The homemade dough was baked to perfection. It wasn't chewy and there wasn't a drop of oil or grease in sight - it ticked all the right boxes.

The generous amount of toppings and combination of flavours was also truly delicious and completely fresh-tasting. I could see why this choice was so popular with customers. Ultimately, it tasted homemade which is what we'd been promised. 

The menu is the same for both venues in Llangollen and Rossett so there is no excuse not to try it for yourself. There is a decent amount of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available, also.

The lack of space inside the Llangollen venue is certainly made up for in its food and service quality. And with outside tables on offer, what's not to love. I'm already keen to try other options during my next visit!