Food and Drink
With its excellent reputation for food and a huge choice of places to eat out Bath is a 'foodie' heaven! There are so many reasons to explore the city's culinary delights, Jamie Oliver recently added his name to Bath's food map, The Bertinet Kitchen, was recently awarded 'Tourism Experience of the Year' in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards.
If you are looking for somewhere to eat during your stay in Bath, you will certainly not be disappointed. The city is renowned for great hospitality, Bath’s streets are covered with wonderful award winning restaurants, quaint tearooms and welcoming cosy pubs. Bath the food and drink lovers paradise with a diverse range of cuisines from all parts of the world including renowned celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver ‘s restaurant “Jamies Italian” located in Milsom Place, The Moon & Sixpence also Located in Milsom Place, The Famous Pump Rooms which is located above the Roman Baths, Firehouse Rotisserie, The Hole in The Wall, The Eastern Eye, Gascoyne Place and many more excellent restaurants! All tastes really are catered for, with British and international food in all price ranges served in restaurants in Bath
For people who really love food, a selection of food and drink events run throughout the year, and you will find local produce and tasty treats at local farmers’ markets in Bath and the surrounding towns.
Tip: Either get to Jamies Italian early or Reserve a table at the Pump Rooms to avoid the long queues
Please see below for some of the best places to visit when in bath for food and drink:
Celsius ICE BAR
This brand new venue Celsius Ice Bar & Club Located just 5 Minutes from the Edgar get ready to be chilled as this trendy Scandanavian concept of building with ice has arrived in Bath. Whether you visit during the day or at night you will experience an unforgettable winter wonderland. As you walk through the door from the warm and pleasant surroundings of the reception and cloakroom area you enter the magical, exhilarating winter world where the temperature is -5 to -8 degrees and you are surrounded by ice and snow. They will provide you with Ice Jackets with hoods and gloves to keep you warm (but you might want to wear sensible shoes).
Jamie Oliver’s ITALIAN
With its history of hospitality, Bath acts as a magnet for chefs wanting to make their mark here and Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver, who recently opened up shop in Bath, decided it would make the ideal base for his flagship restaurant, Jamie's Italian. Serving affordable and authentic Italian food the restaurant can be found in the chic shopping area of Milsom Place - a recently developed area of shops, restaurants and cafes between Milsom Street and Broad Street - which has been a huge hit since its opening in October 2009. When opening his restaurant Jamie Oliver was asked why he decided to choose Bath. He said, ''I love Bath because it's a beautiful place, full of history, great people, wonderful produce and it's one of those places in the world which makes you feel special just being there. The menu is driven by what you'd find ordinary people eating over in Italy. Rustic, simple dishes, the best ingredients found both locally and in Italy - and seasonal too - made with care but delivered without lots of fuss. They make fresh pasta every day, serving the most beautiful anti-pasti and their aim is create a place where you'll feel right at home, tucking into any combination of great food. You can see a sample menu on this website also check out the blackboard specials where each day, our chefs use fresh, seasonal ingredients to create Italian inspired alternatives
The Firehouse Rotisserie
The Firehouse Rotisserie is one of the most stylish dining rooms in the city and comes highly recommended by Tatler, GQ, The Observer and The Daily Mail. Located in a Georgian building that once was a wool traders warehouse, The Firehouse has an ambience of its own with the open kitchen the focal point. You see exactly what is going on in this lively yet rustic restaurant. The Firehouse is famous for its pizzas and Californian cuisine - flame roasted meats, pacific south western grills and vegetarian dishes. The opening day dishes are still available such as Chinese chicken salad, pacific crab cakes and the mouth-watering rotisserie herb chicken. Only the best ingredients are used ensuring strong flavours and bold presentation. Eating-out should be a pleasure and an evening at the Firehouse will not disappoint.
The Moon and Sixpence
One of Bath's best kept secrets and a favourite haunt of the locals, once discovered it is seldom forgotten, It has now been completely refurbished and integrated into the Milsom Place development. Centrally located but set back from the busy street it has an air of calm and seclusion. The restaurant serves modern international style cuisine with a professional and efficient service style. The busy bar, which is open all day, serves a large choice of world wines, premium beers and lagers and elegant cocktails. There is a large enclosed courtyard within the downstairs restaurant and a sun terrace off the upstairs bar.
The Pump Rooms
Situated at the heart of the World Heritage Site since 1795. One of the most elegant and stylish buildings in the country. Spa water still flows from the fountain overlooking the natural hot spring. The magnificent domed Reception Hall is perhaps the best Victorian interior in Bath.
Regarded as the social heart of Bath for more than two centuries, the Pump Room is a striking neo-classical salon where hot Spa water is drawn for drinking.
Normal opening hours
The Pump Room is open daily for morning coffee from 9.30am until 12.00, and lunch from 12.00 - 2.30pm. Afternoon tea is served between 2.30pm and 5pm.
Please ring 01225 444477 to make a reservation for lunch or tea Mondays -Friday. Please note, the Pump Rooms has a queuing system on Saturdays and Sundays. The Pump Room Trio plays every day throughout the year to add to your enjoyment while having morning coffee or afternoon tea in the Pump Room. The permanent members of the Pump Room Trio are: Violin: Lorna Osbon and Robert Hyman (playing alternate days), Cello: Keith Tempest, Piano: Derek Stuart-Clark
The Pump Room is closed 25 & 26 December. A pianist plays every lunchtime from 12.45 to 14.15 and in the afternoons when the Trio is not playing.
The Pump Room Trio plays at the following times:
1 March - 22 May 2010
Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 12.00
Sunday 15.00 - 17.00
22 May - 3 September 2010
Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 12.00 and 15.00 - 17.00
Sunday 15.00 - 17.00
4 September - 1 November 2010
Monday - Saturday 10.00 - 12.00
Sunday 15.00 - 17.00
The Hole in the Wall
The Hole in the Wall invites you to sample the best and freshest seasonal produce with a modern British menus. Everything is made on site right down to the daily fresh baked bread. The award winning lunch and pre-theatre menu represents exceptional value and the seasonally changing à La Carte menu offers the very best quality ingredients at terrific value, with starters from £4.25 and mains from £10.95. The local theme is continued where they offer an outstanding local cheeseboard alongside the homemade desserts from £4.75.
A carefully-created wine list comes courtesy of Guy Adams, Managing Director of local independent wine merchant Heritage Wine and co-owner of the restaurant. This allows The Hole in the Wall to offer reasonably-priced wines from around the globe to tempt anyone’s palate. Choose from over 70 wines, dozens available by the glass, including ‘Three Choirs’ white which hails from a Gloucestershire vineyard and lays to rest any doubts that great wine is being produced in Britain!
The Hole in the Wall can provide the perfect venue for any event, from an intimate candle lit dinner, a corporate event to press days or simply as a calm and tranquil oasis during a shopping trip.
The Eastern Eye
The Eastern Eye is Bath's premier unique 3 Domed Indian Restaurant - Top 10 UK and the best in the South West by many top food critics. The Mahal of exquisite Indian cuisine with one of the City's most impressive Georgian interiors. This family Business has been established and run by Mr Abdul Choudhury and his family in Bath since 1984 and has earned a national and international reputation for its high standard of cuisine and first class service. The traditional dishes are rooted from Bengal, Southern and Northern India
Gascoyne Place
The 'extremely warm but cool Gascoyne Place' (Venue Magazine) offers five distinct spaces to enjoy. Classic elegance in the first floor Georgian dining rooms, a cosy corner snug, a public bar, a stylish mezzanine and the atmospheric buzz of the long downstairs lounge with it's exposed original Medieval city wall.
Gascoyne Place offers unpretentious style with a laid-back and friendly service environment. Table service for both food and drink can be enjoyed throughout. Private functions can be readily accommodated on request
Sally Lunn's Refreshment House and Museum
Sally Lunn's is the oldest house in Bath (c.1482) and serves the most famous local delicacy; the Original Sally Lunn Bun. Sally Lunn, arrived 1680 and established her bakery. Today Sally Lunn's serve a menu based on the world famous Sally Lunn Bun during the day and are open for fine English food in the evening. Museum open daily, showing the original kitchen she used.
Bertinet Kitchen
Bath is home to The Bertinet Kitchen, a superb cookery school where enthusiasts can learn from experienced chefs. Set up in 2005 by French baker, Richard Bertinet, the purpose-built school runs a range of relaxed and fun demonstrations and hands-on classes for food lovers of all abilities. The Bertinet Kitchen recently won the 'Tourism Experience of the Year' gold award in the prestigious South West Tourism Excellence Awards 2008/09. The Excellence Awards celebrate 'The Best in the South West' and aim to promote and reward the very best in the tourism industry. Richard Bertinet says, "We have the most fantastic team working here at the school so I am just so proud of what we have achieved. This is a very prestigious award and by continuing to work together with local businesses it will really put The Bertinet Kitchen and our beautiful city of Bath on the map.
Opium Bar Bath
A 3 minute walk from the Edgar townhouse this Wine Bar and gallery An eclectic bar unique in Bath for the 25 and over, with fantastic wine list, many by the glass, as well as huge range of quality spirits and bottle beers from around the world.. The items of jewellery and furniture displayed and used in the bar are all for sale. The bar also has the only Roman well within a commercial property in Bath, which you can also stand upon the glass covering.
The Earl of Manvers
Bath's fusion bar, next door to the second bridge the stunning new cocktail lounge promises to be one of the best places to start your evening. The new venue offers a range of tantalising cocktails with table service to guest seated in the lounge or terrace. You can party to the early hours with priority access to the second bridge nightclub or just enjoy a glass of wine before catching the train home.