Bath has the normal chain restaurants you find in every town in the UK but a few dinning establishments stand out from the crowd and are always packed. For an eclectic mix of tapas and various other cuisines including organic burgers, a good starting point is Same Same But Different, a favourite amongst Bath locals and tourists. Another good value English restaurant worth trying is the Lime Lounge, which offers a bistro feel during the day with reasonably priced food and then transforms into a chic restaurant in the evening. For details on our favourite places see below (this list is obviously very subjective but is based on local knowledge and experience):
The Bath Priory Restaurant, Bath The Priory Restaurant on the edge of historic Bath is an award-winning restaurant under the care of Executive Head Chef Michael Caines MBE, himself the owner of a pair of Michelin stars. The restaurant has recently won the third place in the Southwest in The Sunday Times' list of Britain's Top 100 restaurants, an award that is richly deserved. The Bath Priory Hotel & Spa is a luxurious hotel that combines the best of Bath city style with the space, landscaping and peace of a country house hotel. Inside, the restaurant is a light and elegant space with a warm ambience. The modern European menu under Head Chef Sam Moody is sophisticated and innovative with superb provenance of ingredients – some are so local they come from the restaurant's own kitchen garden. And the wine list and sommelier at the Priory Restaurant are exemplary.
King William, Bath toptable Dining Awards 2010 - Runner-up: Hidden Gems. When the King William restaurant in Bath was converted from the knackered pub it used to be, it became it gastronomic hotspot for Bath-ites who adore the excellent food and relaxed setting. The ground floor is a pub, with the fine dining room upstairs, all now eclectically kitted out with in shades of mauve with antiques, chandeliers and daily blackboard specials. Seasonal, free-range, organic and local sum up the provenance perfectly, for dishes like fried squid with fennel, ruby chard and green sauce and main of fantastic braised lamb for two with herb broth, mash and local greens. Superb small-producer beers and ales and a blistering wine list crown King William a top restaurant in Bath.
Yak Yeti Yak, Bath If the name of this restaurant alone isn't enough to make you want to dine here, then we'll eat our Dhaka topi hats. However, in case you need any further incentive – we're delighted to say that this super-cosy establishment is superb. With whitewashed walls and brightly coloured hand-woven cushions, the Nepalese dining room at Yak Yeti Yak in Bath is warm, peaceful, and popular with a fresh-faced crowd who look like they climb mountains just for fun. While - as far as we can tell - there is no actual yeti on the menu, there are plenty of other star attractions such as the spicy beef stir-fried with onions, sweet peppers and tomatoes.
Lime Restaurant, Bath toptable Dining Awards 2010 - Runner-up: Over £45. When you're weary of the rat race and yearn for quiet, beauty, and a great meal, then Lime Restaurant at Homewood Park, is the place for you. Just outside of Bath, overlooking ten acres of idyllic gardens, Lime's recent refurb combines classic surroundings with modern design. Original features dominate but the twee country manor look is out in favour of clean, cool lines. Head Chef Daniel Moon creates with flair and creativity, offering a range of menus from the light and healthy to the utterly indulgent, each matched with a carefully selected wine. It really is no wonder that this little piece of country heaven has been picking up awards from all corners.