Do fish dishes usually reel you in to a restaurant? Good news, as seafood fans can still get their fix here, even though Bath is not a coastal city.
Luckily, most restaurants here have at least one stand-out fish dish to keep seafood-loving diners happy and you’ll find the traditional British fish and chips on most pub menus, too.
If you’re after more of a casual dining experience, or a quick and healthy lunch, Bath is also home to sushi spots where you can pick up raw fish specials from rolls to sashimi (slices of raw fish).
Fish and chips are a favourite meal for us Brits and Bathonians are no different. Whether you’re a visitor looking for a taste of traditional fare or a local looking for a Friday night takeaway, there are lots of places– or should that be plaices – to go.
Grab fish and chips from Cod Down Chippy, Sea Pearl, or Golden Plaice (there is some outdoor seating here in the summer). Head to the award-winning The Oyster Shell on Moorland Road to pick up fish and chips from the same team as The Scallop Shell, our number one on the list.
If you’d rather eat in, Bath Fish & Chips has an eat-in option in their upstairs restaurant Thursday-Saturday from 12pm, Seafoods has seating areas, and Pollocks and Robbie’s Plaice offer dine-in and are licensed if you want a pint with your supper.
1. The Scallop Shell
Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White is a fan of The Scallop Shell and he should know a thing or two about good food! Chef Gary Rosser opened this seafood restaurant to champion British fish; he actually began his career in Bath and returned here with his family to open The Scallop Shell and share his love of local seafood.
Big bright windows flood the casual restaurant with light, and the cool nautical blue tiles and vintage bathtub full of ice and fresh seafood transports you straight to the coast.
Spread out over two floors, The Scallop Shell has a beautiful Upper Deck area for outdoor dining in the summer. Upstairs has cosy wood lined walls and twinkly fairy lights to give it a harbourside vibe after dark.
Focused on sustainable catches, the fish is all sourced from small artisan day boats who land and sell their catch at South Coast markets, as well as from Peterhead and Tarbert on Loch Fyne.
The daily menu at The Scallop Shell covers everything from simple fish and chips to seafood platters. Food is presented in a fun way, with lots of scallop shells making an appearance (hence the name) and even the bill comes in a little treasure chest (complete with chocolate coins!).
Try the fish and chips, the batter of the cod or haddock is beautifully light and flaky, the chips are freshly made from seasonal spuds, and the smokey mushy peas and homemade tartare are amazing. There’s even a window into the potato room so you can watch the chips being made!
If you’re visiting with a group, or you’re very very hungry, order the daily shellfish plate to get a tray of the very freshest selection from local fish markets. You might get delicacies like Dorset crab, Porthilly oysters, local mussels, Atlantic prawns, langoustines, or razor clams, plus plenty of sourdough bread to soak up the delicious juices.
The daily changing menu explains the provenance of each of the dishes and always features a veggie option and a classic English fish-free main such as local pork chops, if you have someone in your group who isn’t a fan of fish.
Address: 22 Monmouth Place, Bath, BA1 2AY
2. Portofino
One of our favourite Italian restaurants in Bath, Portofino, is run by the same team as Antico and as you’d expect it offers up Italian inspired seafood that brings a taste of the continent to the city.
Inside is an airy, arty space where the sunshine streams through the atrium window and the bright colours and paintings of Italy give it a year-round summery feel. Dine al fresco in the warmer months and enjoy the large patio with views of Bath Abbey, and watch the world go by as you sip on an Aperol spritz and get stuck into some local oysters from Porlock Bay on the Bristol Channel.
Daily specials showcase fresh fish caught in Cornwall and Dorset or catch that has arrived that morning from Brixham Market. Try the signature Italian Sashimi Platter to taste the finest raw fish and seafood from the West Country, or dig into the Prosecco battered fish and chips for a fancy twist on the traditional dish.
Address: 20 High Street, Bath, BA1 5AJ
3. Robun
Keep it classy and head to Robun for a sexy seafood date. Dark and moody inside, with Manga inspired street art style decor and Japanese flourishes, Robun is one of our favourite sushi spots in Bath and much of the menu features fish (cooked and raw!).
Inspired by the cuisine of Japanese coastal communities, Robin’s menu includes specialty sushi rolls, fresh sashimi, and plates to share that feature crab, squid, and prawns.
If you’re not sure what to have, try the 20-piece Robun Moriawase (chef’s selection of sashimi), or go for a lunch time seafood bento box that includes sashimi, maki rolls, and tempura based on seasonal selections of fish and seafood.
On a slightly less appetising side note, sometimes Japanese restaurants (including Robun) serve butter fish – it’s a delicious buttery fish but not everyone can digest the oils easily, so if you have a sensitive digestive system it might be best to order something else!
Staff are friendly but service can be on the slow side when it’s busy, which is most of the time, and they do charge for water (filtered) and add a 12.5% service charge so be ready for that.
Upstairs is an intimate cocktail bar, which can be hired for private events, and you can even stay at Robun’s four-bedroom maisonette with amazing views of the city.
Address: 4 Princes Buildings, George Street, Bath, BA1 2ED
Amy is an award-winning travel writer born and bred in Bath. She has written for national newspapers and magazines from the Guardian and Mail on Sunday to Conde Nast Traveller and Good Housekeeping. Now she’s helping travellers explore Bath, one story at a time.
