St David’s Day menu
- Alice Johnston
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Celebrate St David’s Day with a hearty feast of Welsh recipes. Our three-course dinner party menu includes classics such as cawl, onion tart and Welsh cakes.
Across Wales and beyond, 1 March is a national day of commemoration for the patron Saint David. This is marked by an array of festivities encompassing feasting, parades, singing and poetry competitions. Needless to say, food and drink feature largely as an expression of national identity, with leeks worn as badges and Welsh cakes being rustled up in fairs, shops and households across the nation.
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So whether you're Welsh or not, why not embrace the spirit of the red dragon by gathering round family and friends for your own St David’s Day celebration. Our three-course dinner party menu showcases the best of Welsh cuisine and provides options for both meat eaters and vegetarians. You can also find more inspiration from our St David's Day recipes.
Try our selection of Welsh recipes whether you're celebrating the day or enjoying them throughout the year, then try our Irish recipes and top Scottish recipes, which also showcase the best British cuisine. For further inspiration, check out our top foods to try in Wales.
What is St David's Day?
St. David’s Day, also referred to as Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant, stands as a prominent national holiday in Wales dedicated to honouring the revered patron saint, St. David. This significant cultural and religious event is marked by a tapestry of traditions and festivities encapsulating Welsh heritage's spirit.
When is St David's Day?
Annually observed on March 1st, the upcoming celebration in 2024 falls on a Saturday. This chosen date is not arbitrary; it is believed to commemorate the passing of St. David in the year 589 AD. As a day deeply embedded in Welsh history and tradition, St. David’s Day serves as a poignant reminder of the rich cultural tapestry that defines this nation.
What are some St David's Day traditions?
National St David's Day Parade in Cardiff
Features exciting performances by dragons and theatre groups.
School celebrations
- Children are encouraged to wear costumes reflecting their Welsh heritage.
- Traditional costumes include: For girls, red and black plaid skirts, red shawls, tall black hats, or bonnets. For boys: Flat cap and shorts.
- Alternative interpretations include costumes such as rugby players, miners, and medieval Welsh Princes.
Local parades and concerts
- Towns and villages across the country host their own parades and concerts. For example, St David's holds a special dragon parade.
Pembrokeshire, the religious centre of Wales
- The host of the Ras Dewi Sant marathon – one of the toughest races. It takes runners through the scenic Pembrokeshire Coast Path around the St David's Peninsula.
Special events by organisations
- Cadw, responsible for castles and ancient monuments, arranges special events at some of its locations.
- The National Trust offers daffodil-laden gardens and St David’s Day events at its sites in Wales.
- Several national museums in Wales host interactive events.
Starters
Kick off your meal with a hearty bowl of Welsh cawl. This traditional slow-cooked lamb stew is comforting yet still light enough to serve as a starter. Welsh lamb is renowned for it’s rich flavour, so it seems only right to pay homage to this speciality. The stew is also packed with lots of chunky veg, including carrots, potatoes, swede and leeks – a national emblem of Wales. Serve with a warm chunk of crusty bread and butter.
For a veggie alternative, our pea, mint & spring onion soup makes a simple yet sophisticated starter, bursting with spring flavours. The soup itself is easy to make ahead and store overnight in the fridge, then heat up over the hob before serving. Add a touch of finesse by topping each bowl with a crispy cheese tuile (making sure to use vegetarian parmesan if required).
If you want a more substantial side to serve with your starter, bake our traditional welsh clay pot bread.
Mains
Impress your crowd with this next level take on a classic Welsh onion cake. We’ve added gorgeously crumbly Caerphilly cheese for a sharp, tangy flavour that balances perfectly with the sweet leeks and onions. If you aren’t able to find Caerphilly, then an alternative salty, crumbly cheese will work. Simply assemble by layering buttered potato slices with cheese and caramelised vegetables, then bake until beautifully crispy and golden brown on the outside with a melty, soft centre.
For a meat-based alternative, this St David's leek & chicken hotpot is a hearty and comforting casserole packed with carrots, leeks and potatoes in a creamy sauce.
Or this St David's Day risotto makes a lovely main to celebrate the day. Light and creamy, it's made with smoked haddock, leeks and creamy mascarpone.
If tarts are your go-to main, this Welsh goat's cheese & leek tart will make a worthy dish for the day. Be sure to use a Welsh goat's cheese in honour of the day, along with leeks and bacon encased in a golden crispy puff pastry. Alternatively, this leek & Caerphilly crumble tart also makes the most of fantastic local Welsh cheese.
Try our Glamorgan sausages for a side that doubles down on the cheese appeal. They're vegetarian and can be cooked from frozen, so you can make them ahead to cook whenever you feel like a Welsh feast. For a healthier alternative, try our spring greens with lemon dressing. The zesty lemon dressing cuts through the rich Welsh onion cake to make it a well-rounded meal.
Dessert
St David’s Day would not be complete without copious amounts of Welsh cakes, so we naturally had to round off the meal with these sweet treats. One of the country’s age-old food symbols, recipes for Welsh cakes are often passed down the generations, leading to a impressive range of interpretations.
Traditionally baked on hot stones, these flat scone-like cakes are now commonly made on a griddle or in a heavy-based frying pan. Our easy Welsh cakes recipe uses a classic combination of lard and butter, but you can use all butter if you wish. For a dairy-free alternative, try our vegan Welsh cakes – packed with all the flavour of the traditional recipe, minus the dairy. The cake mixture is studded with juicy currants and a hint of spice, but you can of course experiment with new fillings, or leave out the fruit if you wish.
Welsh cakes are delicious served warm with butter and jam or simply sprinkled with sugar. We recommend you make a big batch as they are likely to dissapear like ‘hot cakes’.
If you want to try another popular Welsh bake, our bara brith recipe is also a brilliant teatime treat. If you're looking for a twist on tradition, why not try our indulgent version with rich chocolate, zesty orange, and warming ginger?
Now the feasting is complete, why not round off your evening in true Welsh style by raising a glass (of scrumpy if available) to Saint David and belt out a few empassioned choruses of ‘Land of my Fathers’.
Snacks
Still hungry? Treat yourself to a slice of Welsh rarebit, which is the perfect late-afternoon snack. Serve it fresh and piping hot from the grill, generously garnished with chopped chives for extra flavour. For a playful twist on the classic, try our lime pickle rarebit. These add a creative touch to your celebration and prove convenient for packing into lunchboxes, ensuring the enjoyment extends beyond the day of festivities.
Get more inspiration for St David’s Day...
St David's Day recipes
Rarebit recipes
Top 10 roast lamb recipes
Top 10 foods to try in Wales
Leek recipes
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More inspiration for national holidays...
St Patrick's Day recipes
How to celebrate St Patrick's Day
Burns Night recipes
Classic Burns Night menu ideas
St George's Day recipes
Easter recipes
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