Pembroke has always been a town that knows good food. Nestled beneath the imposing walls of one of Wales's greatest Norman castles, this medieval borough has welcomed travellers, traders, and those with discerning palates for nearly a thousand years. Today, that tradition continues in the most delightful and unexpected of forms: a pop-up cafe that has quickly become one of the most talked-about eating spots in all of Pembrokeshire.
The Gallows Cafe is not what you might expect from its name. There are no dark dungeons or grim historical reenactments here. Instead, what you will find is a bright, welcoming space filled with the aroma of freshly baked cakes, the gentle clink of teacups, and the kind of warmth that only comes from food made entirely by hand, from scratch, with locally sourced ingredients wherever possible.
Everything is homemade, from the pastry in our quiches to the sponge in our cakes. You can taste the difference when someone actually cares about what they are making.The Gallows Cafe Kitchen
What began as a pop-up venture has grown into something that the people of Pembroke now consider essential to their daily routine. Regulars arrive early for the breakfast offerings, linger over a mid-morning coffee and slice of cake, and return at lunch for one of the hearty savoury dishes that change with the seasons and the inspiration of the kitchen.
The menu is never static. That is part of the magic. One week you might find a rich Welsh rarebit made with a local ale and mature cheddar, the next a Mediterranean-inspired roasted vegetable tart with herbs from a garden just down the road. The cakes follow the same philosophy: seasonal, inventive, and always made that morning.