The 10 Best Restaurants in Bath

One of the most exclusive eateries in the city, the multi award-winning Menu Gordon Jones operates only a surprise tasting menu. This is chosen by head chef Gordon Jones and diners will have absolutely no idea what they’ll be eating until they sit down at one of the ten tables in this tiny restaurant. Flavour is guaranteed, with a mixture of English, Indian and Asian cuisines. You can also opt for the restaurant’s wine flight, where each dish is accompanied by a glass of suitable wine. Advance booking is a must if you want to get a table at the ultimate fine dining foodie experience in Bath.

Located in the Pulteney Bridge area of Bath, Cappadocia is an innovative Turkish-Mediterranean restaurant, taking it’s name from one of the most famous destinations in Turkey. Perfect for a family meal or a date, the restaurant serves up a range of mouthwatering dishes in a modern setting, including shish, kebab, kofte and more classic dishes. There’s also a vegetarian menu. After your meal, guests are welcome to head upstairs to the cozy Bar Cappa, where expert staff are on hand to create fresh cocktails, which you can sip whilst enjoying the view of the city.

An exclusive eatery serving only the finest British steaks, The Herd is the perfect place for a classy carnivore to enjoy a great meal and a few drinks. All of the meat used by the restaurant is taken from Aberdeen Angus and Hereford Crosses cows, which are raised in Coulston, just 20 miles from the family-owned restaurant. As well as sirloin. T-bone and fillet steaks, the menu features other dishes including rack of lamb and pan friend salmon, with an assortment of sides and desserts, as well as an extensive wine list. The knowledgeable staff can easily recommend the right bottle to go with your meal.

The focus at Clayton’s is on uncomplicated French and Mediterranean cuisine. The man behind the restaurant, Robert Clayton, is also the head chef, creating a diverse menu using only the finest ingredients. Robert used to work at a restaurant with three Michelin stars, and you can tell with his cooking, though not with his modest prices. A three course lunch costs a respectable £25, with dishes such as risotto, grilled fish and roast turkey making up the main course options. If you’re looking for more of a light bite then you can choose from Clayton’s range of sandwiches, whilst there’s a famous Sunday lunch with all the trimmings every week.

Rooted is a family-run, multicultural vegetarian café situated in the beating heart of Bath. With a focus on sustainability, the menu is highly seasonal, making sure that locally sourced ingredients can be used all year round. Classic dishes including mac & cheese, Thai spiced burger and lentil cottage pie can be enjoyed throughout the day, whilst the café also does brunch until 3pm, including a Full Indian Breakfast. On the last Friday of every month, the café also runs a supper club, where an experimental menu is tried and tested on a bunch of willing diners. And their vegan Sunday lunch is also becoming quite a hit.

As Bath’s only Michelin star restaurant, if you can secure a reservation at The Olive Tree then you’re doing well. Using only the finest local ingredients, chef Chris Cleghorn has put together a fine menu of British cuisine. Dishes such as lamb rump, plaice and duck are served on a range of menus – a nine course meal costs £110 per person, a six course meal is £85, or you can simply enjoy a lunch dish from Friday to Sunday. Followed with a cheese board and washed down with a glass of wine, this is Bath’s most exclusive eatery.

When four French and Italian friends opened their first champagne and cheese bistro in London in 2011, they hardly expected the success that would follow. Now an established brand with eateries across the UK, Comptoir + Cuisine has lost none of its original charm. Their Bath bistro still focuses on “fromage”, with baked camembert, charcuterie boards and more all washed down with top quality champagne. The brand has also diversified, with the Bath location also housing a shop and a champagne bar, which is open till late. This is the perfect place to catch up with a few friends over a cocktail or glass of champers, with more than 50 varieties available.

A pizza restaurant in the centre of Bath, run by a family from Puglia, Italy, you know the pizza is going to be good. Made using the finest Italian ingredients, Dough creates rustic, traditional pizzas using authentic Italian methods. Classics such as Margherita, ham and mushroom and pepperoni are offered alongside specials and a range of other dishes. Gnocchi, lasagna, and stuffed chicken breast are just some of the options to complete this Italian menu. The restaurant itself is chic, with wooden furniture and ambient lighting, a pleasant setting to get lost in the flavours of Italy.

Noya's is a charming Vietnamese café founded by Noya herself, who has lived in the UK since she was 7 years old. Housed in a Grade II listed building, there is something endearing about the clashing of the Vietnamese and the British in this delightful café. Noya’s serves up a range of traditional Vietnamese food, with special pho and curry nights, as well as a weekly Friday supper club. This is a five course set menu, which changes every week, at Noya’s discretion. The restaurant also runs Vietnamese cooking sessions for groups of up to 6 people to enjoy.

JC’s Kitchen is a pop up street food stall, selling the best Philippine food in Bath. Famous for their homemade wraps, the stand also serves up a variety of other dishes, including bubble and squeak, BBQ belly pork, melted goats cheese and stir fry noodles. Open 7 days a week (weather permitting), JC’s can be a great place to stop for lunch if you’re exploring the Bog Island area of Bath. JC’s can also be hired to cater for your private event, such as a party or wedding.

With so many fine places to eat in Bath, you can visit a different restaurant every night of your visit and never run out of places to try. With fine cuisine from around the world, there is sure to be something to your taste. Where will you try first?