The elegant and historic spa town of Bath has long been a draw for the well-heeled. And as one of the UK’s most popular city break destinations, its culinary offer attracts a great deal of attention. Close to the Cotswolds and the rich farming country of Somerset, the local land brings rich pickings when it comes to ingredients – something the chefs at these outstanding restaurants harness to their full advantage. Here are our favourite places to dine out when in the beautiful city of Bath.
Henry’s Restaurant
Named after its chef-proprietor Henry Scott, who is local to the area, the restaurant is known for its imaginative and incredible five and seven-course tasting menus served nightly (à la carte is also available at lunchtimes). Rooted in the West Country, his food reflects Henry’s travels across the globe, with dishes like Gould’s Cheddar Royale with Gougère, pickles, red onion, ginger and chilli jam and roast skate wing alongside gnocchi, spinach, brioche bread sauce, caper and tobiko roe. A soothing, minimal, contemporary interior provides a relaxing backdrop as you savour feasts from farm, land and sea.
This is a not to be missed dining experience in the city.
The Elder
The Elder, located in Hotel Indigo Bath is the brainchild of Mike Robinson, one of Britain’s leading authorities on wild food and game and has become one of the best places in the city to dine. Seated in a series of elegant and atmospheric dining rooms, interiors have an early 20th-century vintage flair, with oil paintings depicting equestrian scenes, studded tan leather banquette seating, orb-shaped lamps, panelled walls and dark wooden furniture. Eating here isn’t purely about the food, it’s a journey of discovery, as you learn more about local heritage, or food preparation techniques. Wild food and game are the specialities, the owner’s land managers control wild deer herds on private estates, with all venison processed in the venue’s FSA regulated larder.
This is a not to be missed dining experience in the city.
Olive Tree
Found beneath the unique Queensberry Hotel on Russel Street, this is the proud holder of Bath’s Michelin Star. It was first awarded in 2018 and also has 3 AA Rosette status. Chris Cleghorn is the venue’s Head Chef, crafting refined tasting menus: Four (available at lunchtimes during the weekend), Six and Nine. Vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan and dairy-free versions of the menus are offered, as is a children’s menu. Be sure to pair your food with some wine, the restaurant is renowned for it, having previously been named with The AA’s Overall Best Wine List. Residents at the hotel (and anyone else who fancies it) can pop in for a gourmet brekkie too.
Corkage on Chapel Row
Both a restaurant and a bottle shop, Corkage has a huge range of interesting wines to tempt diners, including a selection of vintage and rare specialities perfect for aficionados in search of something a little different. The food menu is a movable feast and depending on what’s in season, can change even daily. It’s made up of small plates, with options to suit vegetarians, pescetarians and meat-eaters alike. Try dishes such as cauliflower with roast with curry spices, tahini yoghurt and couscous pilaf; ham hock terrine with toasted Bertinet sourdough, onion chutney and kohlrabi; and hake with crab meat, crab bisque and samphire.
Clayton’s Kitchen
Marking a decade of service this year, Clayton’s Kitchen serves a la carte meals, set lunches, Sunday roasts and high-quality kids meals (or you can request a half patron of anything on the menu for your little ones – not a pizza and nugget in sight). Chef Patron Robert (Clayton) prepares dishes including homewood whipped ewes curd with lemon zest, heritage tomatoes, candied walnuts and basil oil; roasted Cotswold chicken breast with a risotto of pea, enoki and shimeji mushrooms and old Winchester cheese; grilled market fish with samphire fregola pasta and langoustine sauce. The pre-dinner cocktails – such as the Garden Gin Martini – are not to be missed.
Beckford Bottle Shop
Opened in 2015, this is both a bistro and a wine merchant. The atmosphere within is sophisticated, yet cosy, with a candlelit space featuring Chesterfield sofas, tin clad ceilings and a marble countertop window seat. As you’d expect from a bottle shop, the range of wines is huge and those dining in need only pay the retail price plus corkage. Food comes in the form of bib-gourmand recognised small plates with fromage at the fore. Chef James loves to forage for fresh ingredients too, which compliment the artisan cheeses and charcuterie. On nice days guests can eat and drink on the pavement, under the Beckford Bottle Shop’s large canopy.
