Rhydycar Harvester A popular outlet in the South Wales UK

Harvester, Rhydycar, located at Rhydycar Leisure Park in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, is a bright, family‑friendly pub-restaurant open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and takeaway. Known for its flame-grilled meats, rotisserie chicken, burgers, seafood, and a wide range of vegetarian and vegan dishes, it also features a signature unlimited salad bar.

With on‑site parking and proximity to leisure amenities, it is a popular choice for families, groups, and casual diners.

Harvester Rhydycar Opening Hours

Days	Opening Hours
Thursday	9 AM–9 PM
Friday	9 AM–10 PM
Saturday	9 AM–10 PM
Sunday	9 AM–9 PM
Monday	9 AM–9 PM
Tuesday	9 AM–9 PM
Wednesday	9 AM–9 PM

Harvester Rhydycar Takeout Hours

Days	Takeout Hours
Thursday	9 AM–9 PM
Friday	9 AM–10 PM
Saturday	9 AM–10 PM
Sunday	9 AM–9 PM
Monday	9 AM–9 PM
Tuesday	9 AM–9 PM
Wednesday	9 AM–9 PM

Why Harvester Rhydycar Is a Noticed Choice in Merthyr Tydfil

Harvester Rhydycar sits in Rhydycar Leisure Park, close to the A470 and local attractions like the Brecon Mountain Railway and Thomastown Park. It is a go‑to for families, shoppers, or anyone looking for familiar pub‑style grilled food and the well‑known unlimited salad bar. 

Many locals say the service is usually friendly and the setting is bright and modern. Meals are hearty and consistent not fancy, but enough to feel satisfying. The salad bar sees frequent praise for variety that is often the reason people show up for dinner.

Best Times to Go for a Good Meal

Visiting Rhydycar at the right time improves your experience:

• Weekday lunch (12 PM–2 PM) is calm, with quick service and a fresh salad bar.
• Late afternoon (3:30 PM–5:30 PM) is quieter, making it ideal for an early dinner and avoiding the crowds.
• Friday and Saturday evenings (after 6 PM) can be busy. Booking ahead is wise.
• Sunday lunch is very popular. Arriving before 12:30 PM helps avoid waits.

How to Customize Your Meal Like a Local

You can tweak your Harvester meal easily to suit your preferences. At Rhydycar, staff are usually open to adjustments:

• Swap chips for mash, sweet potato fries, rice, or corn.
• Opt for grilled chicken or fish instead of fried.
• Ask for sauces or glaze on the side (BBQ, peri‑peri, garlic butter).
• Skip the bun on burgers to lighten the meal.
• Build your plate at the salad bar mixing different veggies, pastas, dressings, and textures like crunchy croutons or beetroot.

If you have dietary or allergy needs, ask staff can usually help choose suitable options.

Best Food & Drink Matches at Rhydycar

Pair your main dish with sides and drinks that work well together:

Mixed Grill

• Sides: Chips + garlic bread
• Drink: Iced tea or fruit cider

Rotisserie Chicken or BBQ Stack

• Sides: Corn + slaw or mac & cheese
• Drink: Cola or sparkling water

Vegan/Beyond Burger

• Sides: Salad bar plate + sweet potato fries
• Drink: Juice or soda

Kid’s Meal Options

• Includes mini burgers, chicken goujons, pasta or ribs
• Comes with ales, chips or salad, dessert and a drink

Finish with something simple like chocolate fudge cake or apple pie, paired with tea or mild coffee.

What Diners Say Praise and Criticisms

Feedback about the Rhydycar branch varies some regulars enjoy it, while others point out issues. A few Reddit users generalised about Harvester overall:

“Salad bar is good. Everything is aggressively OK. Price of the free salad is clearly folded into the food.” But others highlight inconsistencies:

• Several recent reviewers on TripAdvisor noted slow service or an understocked salad bar when busy.
• Some said meals arrived colder than expected or that tables were cramped or poorly allocated.

That mix of feedback reflects the wider experience of the chain some days are solid; others feel stretched. Still, if you go at quieter times, the chances of a smooth meal are higher.

How Rhydycar Compares to Other Local Harvester Branches

In comparison to other Harvester locations in South Wales, Rhydycar offers:

• Convenient leisure‑park parking and easy road access.
• A modern interior layout with spaced seating.
• A salad bar that often stays refreshed though not always when it is busy.
• Staff who are generally helpful, but some diners report front‑of‑house delays during peak hours.

Overall, it is a steady choice. It is not the fanciest or the fastest, but it tends to meet expectations for a chain pub-style meal.

Location & Contact

Address : Rhydycar Leisure Park A4102 CF48 1UT, United Kingdom
Contact: +441685379552

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Harvester, The Rhydycar remains a beloved local institution, known as the original site of the Harvester chain. With hearty pub-style meals, the signature unlimited salad bar, and consistently high ratings for both food (9.3/10 on The Fork) and service, it offers a warm and family-friendly dining experience.

Strong hygiene standards and attentive staff add to its charm, while minor issues like occasional salad bowl cleanliness are rare and quickly resolved. If you are looking for authentic Harvester charm with dependable quality, this location remains a top choice.

To discover more about Harvester is history and dining philosophy, you can visit the About Us section for a deeper insight into the brand is journey. If you would like to explore more dining options nearby, browse other Harvester locations to find the one most convenient for you.

For any inquiries, special requests, or feedback, the Contact Us page is always available to assist. And when browsing or booking online, reviewing the Terms & Conditions will help you understand how your personal information is handled with care.