About a two-and-a-half hour drive out of London, Bath attracts visitors from far and wide for its spas and canals. As the largest city in Somerset, it boasts a number of fantastic restaurants that you should definitely check out. Here’s our list of the best restaurants in Bath!
Cozy, without losing a bit of its elegance, Noya’s Kitchen brings some of the most authentic Vietnamese food in England to St. James’s Parade in Bath. Located behind an unassuming teal sign, the interior of this place consists of a welcoming café aesthetic that’s perfect for a sit-down lunch, or an intimate dinner.
While you’re free to order a la carte, the set menus here are what makes Noya’s Kitchen standout among other Vietnamese restaurants. As part of their Supper Club option, you’ll be introduced to five freshly prepared Vietnamese dishes ranging from Pho to Red and Green Curry to Marinated Pork Belly. You really get the feeling of being served a homecooked meal, especially selected for your enjoyment. And at only £45, it’s one of the most affordable set menus around.
Located inside of a candlelit grotto beneath arching stone walls, Sotto Sotto is a bit like eating inside of a Roman crypt (in the best way possible.) Mixing in modern design choices like the elegantly paneled floors, this Italian spot is one of the trendiest restaurants in Bath.
It’s classic Italian here, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to try. Specials like the Pollo e Salsiccia, consisting of strips of chicken breast and Italian sausage sauteed with white wine and aged balsamic, is simple and delicious. If they have it, we would definitely recommend the grilled swordfish. Served with pinzimonio dressing, and a glass of white wine, it’s a dish that revels in its simplicity. Check it out!
There are quite a few Indian restaurants in Bath, but this one is our favorite. Maybe it’s just because they keep it simple. With a menu based on the street food of India, it has a small café atmosphere looking out over Kingsmead square. It’s a great place to pick up food, or to sit down with friends and enjoy the slow hustle of the town square.
It’s all vegetarian options here, and they keep the options very minimal. For about six pounds, you can get a falafel wrap smothered in sauce, along with a samosa. It’s great, but we would recommend the onion bhaji roti wrap, covered in mango chutney and mint sauce. In case you don’t know what bhaji is, it’s basically a deep fried fritter stuffed full of onions and spices. Inside of a freshly baked pita, it’s one of the best meals you can get at £6.
The only Michelin Star restaurant in Bath, Olive Tree presents its high-end cuisine in a refined, modest restaurant that can be found on Russell Street. The gently lit dining area, full of the sound of quiet conversation and the light clatter of silverware, is the perfect spot for a romantic, elegant dinner.
Based in a Mediterranean tradition, Olive Tree takes pride in the freshness of its ingredients and in the mastery of its execution. The set menu “9” is the centerpiece here, and we recommend it to anyone coming here for the first time. From appetizers of buttery Orkney scallops and tagliatelle with white truffle to the Rhug Estate Fallow Deer entrée, it’s easy to see how Olive Tree earned its Michelin star. By the time you’ve finished your desert of Tulakalum Chocolate with yoghurt sorbet, you’ll be happy you came.
Located on London Street in a converted pub dating back to the Victorian era, Hudson Steakhouse keeps things classic. Its warm fireplaces, beautiful views of the River Avon and delicious food make this spot one of the most popular in Bath.
For those looking for a steak cooked to perfection, next to a glass of cold beer or fine wine, then Hudson Steakhouse is practically heaven. Sourcing all of their ingredients from the lush farmland surrounding Bath, Hudson Steakhouse offers a variety of steaks. These include the Centre Cut Cirloin, the marbled Rib Eye and the Prime Fillet, the latter of which is our recommendation. The truffle parmesan fries are a fantastic side to share as well!
Seasoned travelers who have made their way across Europe may grow wary of yet another French restaurant. Raphael in Bath, however, takes a modern spin on classic French dishes that really breathe new life to the cuisine. The relaxed atmosphere, airy dining room, and chalkboard menus may give a laid-back impression, but the chefs here take their cooking seriously. Just try the food!
For starters, we recommend the seared scallops, sourced locally and cooked with bacon & parsnip and apple. The crispy duck egg served with pan friend gnocchi and goats curd is one of the more unique dishes on the menu, and is excellent if you’re looking for something light. Otherwise, we recommend the roasted hake. Soft and moist in texture, and delicately buttery in flavor, you can really taste the freshness in every bite.
Wherever you go in the UK, it’s a good idea to get seafood. Sourcing all their ingredients locally, The Scallop Shell is dedicated to the best fish at the most affordable prices. It’s a great place to sit down for lunch, or a casual dinner. The décor is a combination of modern with the marine, including aged wooden cabinets and sleek exposed piping.
Though The Scallop Shell changes up its menu to keep up with the freshest fish of the season, there are a few mainstays. First of all, you can always look up at the boards lining the restaurant to find the freshest catch of the day. The Cornish Wild Black Bream can be ordered fried, and has got to be some of the best Fish & Chips in the UK, period.
Whether you grab a seat inside the snug interior, or at one of the patio tables in the covered alley beside the restaurant, you’ll be treated to one of the best Greek restaurants in Bath. The breezy, naturally lit atmosphere here is like being transported to Santorini (difficult-to-pronounce menu items included.)
The chefs at Jars Meze take their time crafting every dish they serve their customers. Like the slow-cooked Politiki Melitzanosalata, which includes eggplant slow-cooked in olive oil and spices to a tender finish. It goes great as an appetizer to the main course, where a number of Greek delicacies are on offer. We’d recommend the Kleftiko in Ladokola, a slow-cooked lamb shank sprinkled with thyme and oregano. It doesn’t get more authentically Greek than that.
Keeping it simple at down The Corridor shopping arcade, Dough is without a doubt one of the best pizza restaurants in Bath. Down this lovely open-air street, Dough takes up an unmissable amount of real estate, showing off its freshly made pizza pies and warm, rustic atmosphere.
What makes Dough unique is its willingness to experiment with new flavors and combinations, even breaking with tradition a little. You’ll find regular classics like Marinara and Mergherita pizza, the stars of the show are the variety of dough options. These range from grano arso, turmeric and even seaweed dough. Specials like The King take its seaweed base and covers it in mozzarella, mushrooms, and slow-cooked prawns. There are so many to try, so if you’re in Bath for a while, we’d definitely recommend more than one visit.
If you’re with a group of people, or just want to feel that community feeling in the middle of the UK, then tapas are always a good choice. Pintxo is one of the few tapas restaurants in Bath, and it’s definitely our favorite. Located inside of a gently lit café plastered all over with posters, playfully decorated with wooden barrels and incandescent bulbs.
As said before, bring friends. If you don’t have friends, then you’ll want to make some before visiting this spot. Dishes like Atlantic white anchovies, chicken skewers in Moorish spice, and goat’s cheese croquettes are practically begging to be shared. You’ll definitely want to save room for desert too. The churros in chocolate sauce is indescribably good.
Leave a Comment