our story
Twenty-seven years in the making.
One chef from Liverpool. One tired building in Talbot Green. One vision — to build something that had never been done before in South Wales.
Craig Brookes · The early yearsthe man behind it
Craig Brookes. Chef, owner, and the reason this place exists.
Craig learned his craft in Liverpool — one of the UK's great food cities — before making the move to South Wales and opening his own restaurant on Talbot Road, Talbot Green in 1999. Brookes Restaurant was his vision from day one — built from scratch, run by his own standards, and answerable to nobody but his guests.
What you walk into today — the restaurant, the cocktail lounge, the eight private rooms, the Secret Garden — is the result of 27 years of reinvention. At some point the concept outgrew its name, and La Luna was born. Every bit of it has been designed, built, and refined by Craig and his family.
It's not a chain. It's not a franchise. It's one family's life's work.
from then to now
You wouldn't recognise it.
When Craig first opened the doors in 1999 — trading as Brookes Restaurant — the building was bare and the concept was simple. What followed was 27 years of continuous investment, reinvention, and a decision to build something nobody else in South Wales had thought to do.
Brookes Restaurant — Talbot RoadBrookes Restaurant
Craig opens his own restaurant on Talbot Road, Talbot Green. Trading as Brookes Restaurant, the foundations of what would become La Luna are laid.
The First AA RosetteThe First Rosette
The kitchen earns its first AA Rosette — the only brasserie in Rhondda Cynon Taff to hold one. The reputation starts to grow well beyond Talbot Green.
La Luna exterior refurbishmentLa Luna is Born
With a growing reputation and a bigger vision, Craig rebrands and relaunches as La Luna — a new dining concept built around one idea: one venue, many experiences. Restaurant, cocktail lounge, private rooms, and a Secret Garden all under one roof.
La Luna · Talbot GreenThe Full Picture
Eight private rooms. A dedicated cocktail lounge. The Secret Garden. An AA Rosette held for 14 consecutive years. The most versatile venue in South Wales — and still growing.
why la luna
There's nowhere else quite like it in South Wales.
Most venues do one thing. A restaurant. A bar. A function room. La Luna does all of it — and does all of it properly. It's a completely different place depending on when you walk through the door.
By Day
A relaxed, family-friendly brasserie. Award-winning food at prices that work for real families. From Sunday lunch with the grandkids to a birthday celebration with the whole table.
By Night
The kitchen fires up, the cocktail lounge opens, and the whole upstairs comes alive. A classy, cool night out without the city centre prices or the attitude.
Private Dining
Intimate. Exclusive. Yours for the evening. Eight uniquely themed rooms for couples, groups, and everything in between — with full lounge service brought directly to you.
The Secret Garden
Al fresco dining and cocktails under the festoon lights. One of Talbot Green's most loved outdoor spaces, whatever the season.
family run. always will be.
This isn't a business to us. It's personal.
La Luna has always been a family operation — and that's not something we're ever going to change. It means every decision is made with the long term in mind, every guest is treated like they matter, and the standards Craig set in 1999 are still the standards we hold today.
When you book a table at La Luna, you're not booking a seat in a chain. You're walking into something that a family has spent nearly three decades building with their own hands.
The La Luna familycareers
We're always on the lookout for good people.
If you're passionate about hospitality and want to be part of something genuinely special, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch and tell us a bit about yourself.
on the record
What people actually say.
"Been coming here since the Brookes days. Watching what Craig and the family have built over the years is something special. Still our favourite."
"There's nothing else like it round here. Restaurant, cocktail lounge, private rooms, garden — and every part of it is spot on. A proper local treasure."
"You can tell the people who run this place actually care. From the welcome at the door to the food on the plate. Family-run done properly."
"27 years and still raising the bar. The new cocktail lounge upstairs is fantastic. Craig should be very proud."
reservations
Come and see it for yourself.
Twenty-seven years of work, all under one roof. Book a table for the restaurant, the cocktail lounge or the Secret Garden — we'll take it from there.
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Inspired by you, always · #laluntalbot