
The Open Hearth
Quick info
About The Open Hearth
The Open Hearth is a pub on Wern Rd in Pontypool, set beside the Brecon canal at Sebastopol. It has a beer garden on the canal bank, and dogs are welcome there as well as in the bar. Inside, separate lounge and bar areas are set aside for eating, and a downstairs room adds more space. The kitchen makes its food home made, and the menu runs to burgers, including a lamb and goat cheese burger with sweet onion chutney, alongside steak dishes and a beef dinner. At the bar, ales, lagers and beers are on tap, with a gin selection for those who prefer it. The pub also hosts live music.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking · Paid parking lot
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, parking lot, restroom
- Good for kidsGood for kids
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention canal-side beer garden, dog-friendly bar, steak dishes and lamb goat cheese burger.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention canal-side beer garden, dog-friendly bar, steak dishes and lamb goat cheese burger.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often point to the seating beside the canal, where a decked garden lets diners watch barges and wildlife over a pint or a meal, and dogs are welcome in the bar and garden. Food comes close behind, with the steak called tender, the steak melt cooked medium rare, and the lamb and goat cheese burgers with sweet onion chutney praised as filling. Several describe the dishes as freshly made and homemade, and the staff are repeatedly called friendly and attentive, even when busy. The complaints are about the setting and small details. One reviewer calls the place tired, says the 80s seats are uncomfortable, and describes the music in the lounge as a horrendous noise for people eating. The same reviewer was brought a larger pint instead of the IPA they ordered. Another found too much BBQ sauce on the gammon and wished for Welsh beers and spirits in place of Canadian beer and a bland gin. One notes the inside is small. A wedding party shared duck bon-bons as starters and finished with a lemon meringue sundae.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often point to the seating beside the canal, where a decked garden lets diners watch barges and wildlife over a pint or a meal, and dogs are welcome in the bar and garden. Food comes close behind, with the steak called tender, the steak melt cooked medium rare, and the lamb and goat cheese burgers with sweet onion chutney praised as filling. Several describe the dishes as freshly made and homemade, and the staff are repeatedly called friendly and attentive, even when busy. The complaints are about the setting and small details. One reviewer calls the place tired, says the 80s seats are uncomfortable, and describes the music in the lounge as a horrendous noise for people eating. The same reviewer was brought a larger pint instead of the IPA they ordered. Another found too much BBQ sauce on the gammon and wished for Welsh beers and spirits in place of Canadian beer and a bland gin. One notes the inside is small. A wedding party shared duck bon-bons as starters and finished with a lemon meringue sundae.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Food was absolutely fantastic, had steak, beautiful, tasty and so tender! Staff were brilliant, nothing was too much trouble. Looking forward to our next visit. Definitely 5*”
- Google user
“One of the best pubs around especially in the summer. You can sit outside on the canal, watch the barges and wildlife whilst enjoying a lovely drink or great food!”
- Google user
“Great atmosphere with live music. All good deemed freshly made not shop bought frozen. Staff attentive and helpful. What more could you want?”
- Google user
“This area is a desert, which makes the Open a god send. Staff are very friendly, food was good. (Poss too much BBQ sauce on my gammon). The burgers looks AWESOME. The beer was well kept , but it is such a shamecthat a pub in wales is serving Canadian beers (Sharps). Surely there is a market for LOCSL Welsh beers in Wales? The gin selection was also national with the very bland Gilbey Whitnall. Wales has a superb distillery in ABER FALLS, why not stock a selection of welsh spirits?”
- Google user
“Called in spur of the moment today (saturday afternoon) so glad we did its the first time but will now make it place to go to We went in the bar because had our dogs with us. The staff were friendly and helpful The food was absolutely delicious and hone made. Situated next to.the canal i cant wait for weather to warm up for a meal.alfresco !”
Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
Show more amenities
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Beer
- Food
- Table service
- Live music
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Romantic
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Parking· 4
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
- Dining options· 2
- Outside food allowed
- Seating
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live performances
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Location
Bars near The Open Hearth
- Greenhouse4.42,3253.5 mi£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleGood for kids
sunday roast, beer garden with play area, pigs in blankets
- Ponthir House Inn4.32704.3 mi
sunday lunch, generous portion sizes, lamb dish
- The Ship Inn Caerleon4.39316 mi awayWheelchair accessible
sunday roast dinner, beef and lamb roast, ship burger
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Open HearthReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.41,017 | — | £10–20 | canal-side beer garden, dog-friendly bar, steak dishes |
| GreenhouseReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.42,325 | 3.5 mi | £10–20 | sunday roast, beer garden with play area, pigs in blankets |
| Ponthir House Inn | 4.3270 | 4.3 mi | — | sunday lunch, generous portion sizes, lamb dish |
| The Ship Inn CaerleonWheelchair accessible | 4.3931 | 6 mi away | — | sunday roast dinner, beef and lamb roast, ship burger |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.

