Bath restaurant review – The Prandial Playground, Bath and Beyond…

Joya Italian Steakhouse, Bath

Pulteney Bridge was completed in 1774. The former Empire Hotel in Orange Grove was built in 1901. The Bath branch of Browns, also on Orange Grove, made a home for itself in the city’s former cop shop almost 30 years ago. The restaurant now known as Solina Pasta on Grand Parade used to be Frampton’sContinue reading “Joya Italian Steakhouse, Bath”

The Marlborough Tavern, Bath

Occupying prime leafy neighbourhood position just past the Royal Crescent on the edge of Royal Victoria Park, the Marlborough Tavern effortlessly brings proper pub and upmarket contemporary bistro together in perfect harmony, an appealing blend of friendly familiarity and a fresh, smart outlook in both decor and menus giving both locals and visitors alike goodContinue reading “The Marlborough Tavern, Bath”

The Inn at Freshford

Honey-coloured stone cottages, leafy courtyards, lamp-lit windows glowing in the dusk. Tranquil fields, wide-open skies, a gentle river flowing beneath an ancient bridge. Is Freshford — around 6m/10km south-east of Bath — the ultimate picture-perfect English village? That’ll be a yes, then. And, at the epicentre of village life, the historic Inn at Freshford. AsContinue reading “The Inn at Freshford”

Yum Yum Thai, Kingsmead Square, Bath

I’m not sure which one of us arrived in Bath first: Yum Yum Thai or me. What I am sure of, though, is that we’ve both been very happy here for around 26 years, which probably earns us both Bath institution status… and could lead to discussions about which one of us has aged best.Continue reading “Yum Yum Thai, Kingsmead Square, Bath”

The Marlborough Tavern, Bath

The Ring O’Bells, Widcombe, Bath

It’s 7.30pm on a drizzly Friday night in January. The restaurants, bars and pubs in Bath city centre are so quiet that even a tumbleweed invasion would liven things up; the lights are on, but everybody’s at home. Widcombe Parade, however – a 5-minute trot south-east of the bright lights, behind (and just over theContinue reading “The Ring O’Bells, Widcombe, Bath”

Raya’s Thai Thali

The roads are dark, a storm rages, and Brad and Janet are caught out by a flat tyre on their road trip to Dr Frank-N-Furter’s castle. However! “In the velvet darkness of the blackest night, burning bright: there’s a guiding star…” Okay, so Mike and I are more Magenta and Riff Raff than Brad andContinue reading “Raya’s Thai Thali”

Clayton’s Kitchen, George Street, Bath

Chef Rob Clayton has been doing his cheffy thing at his beautiful little brasserie that lights up George Street with radiant, fairy-lit fusion for 12 years. 12 years! In restaurant world — particularly in the current climate — that’s a massive landmark indeed. Today, this cornerstone of Bath’s independent restaurant scene is wholly deserving ofContinue reading “Clayton’s Kitchen, George Street, Bath”

Sunday Roast at Ludo, Bath

I’m not a fan of the Sunday Roast; why, in this day in age, would I get excited about a plate of dull meat served with sloppy, often unidentifiable veg, soggy spuds, a jug of dark brown gloop and an undercooked pancake batter iceberg? Oh okay, I know that I’m supposed to get all misty-eyedContinue reading “Sunday Roast at Ludo, Bath”

Café 84, Lower Bristol Road, Bath

A snapshot of Lower Bristol Road, Bath, at 7.21pm on Thursday 20 November 2025: haphazard buses and hefty trucks. Foolhardy Deliveroo drivers and kamikaze cyclists. A group of exhausted tourists struggling with a broken wheelie bin (sorry, suitcase) en route to the Holiday Inn, a group of jubilant students en route to their next round ofContinue reading “Café 84, Lower Bristol Road, Bath”