Wondering where locals go for lunch? Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite on your break or are looking for a luxuriously long lunch, we’ve got you covered with 10 of the best spots to get lunch in Bath.
With so many cafes, restaurants, and burger joints to choose from, there’s an almost overwhelming amount of choice in the city. You’ll find cuisines from all over the world, and everything from fine dining to hole-in-the-wall spots to try.
Food trucks like LJ Hugs and the Feast Brothers are gaining popularity for a quick lunch (although, be prepared to queue for your food), and you can always create a lunch picnic from Italian deli/cafes like Rosarios for an al fresco feast (or eat there, if the weather isn’t behaving).
Hungry for more? Check out our list of the top 10 places to get lunch in Bath, as chosen by our team and our Love Bath Twitter followers.
1. Comptoir + Cuisine
Ooh la la, we had lots of love for this bijou bistro on Twitter and it’s easy to see why Comptoir + Cuisine is so popular. Start with a cheeky glass of Growers Champagne, cheese and charcuterie from their sister company Champagne and Fromage in London (get stuck into the baked camembert for a treat).
Lunch ranges from simple frites and salad to more fancy French-inspired sharing plates like cod roulade with salsa verde velouté, or mushroom, mascarpone and truffle mille feuille. Portions can be on the petite side but high-quality ingredients make it worth it.
If you’re looking for a liquid lunch, the basement lounge bar features more than 50 artisan produced Champagnes. In the restaurant there’s quirky French decor, and plenty of secret corners with sofas and benches for a romantic lunch or afternoon tea.
Address: 5 George Street, Bath, BA1 2EJ
2. Whole Bagel
Another popular choice, the Whole Bagel fills a hungry hole in your belly when you’re out and about in Bath. They’ve been a staple in the city for 13 years and serve up classics like salmon and cream cheese bagels or more unusual combos like Italian prosciutto, pear, rocket, roasted walnuts, and balsamic dressing.
Fillings can also be made into salads, and there’s a hearty selection of non-bagel breads and wraps to try (including gluten-free options). Pick a bagel from a selection of plain, sundried tomato and olive, poppy seed, everything, multi-seed, cheese & jalapeno, or cinnamon and raisin and then load it up with fillings!
Address: 8 Upper Borough Walls, Bath, BA1 1RG
3. The Green Bird Cafe
Tucked away in Margaret’s Buildings up by the Royal Crescent and the Circus, the cute and cosy Green Bird Cafe is often pretty packed but there’s room to sit outside (front and back) on a sunny day. It’s one of our favourite little neighbourhood cafes and also a favourite from followers, too.
Take home some culinary treats from the tiny shop, tuck into dishes like Turkish eggs for brunch, or sup on a seasonal soup or toasted sandwich from the ever-changing lunch menu.
Address: 11 Margaret’s Buildings, Bath, BA1 2LP
4. Cafe Lucca
Cafe Lucca is a real hidden gem, up a side street and then inside The Loft concept store (thanks to our Twitter followers for suggesting we check it out!).
Offering Mediterranean inspired cuisine in a light airy dining space, the menu has a strong Italian leaning with gourmet paninis made with artisan ciabatta and a fresh daily seasonal salad bar.
Suppliers are local family-run producers and the focus is on fresh ingredients. Opt for hearty lunches like a Buddha Bowl with warm falafel and lemon hummus, or a bruschetta served on grilled ciabatta or buchette bread, brushed with herb oil and featuring flavours like crushed avocado and confit tomatoes, or fresh pesto with toasted hazelnuts.
Address: 1 Bartlett Street Bath, BA1 2QZ
5. Noya’s Kitchen
Owner Noya cooks up Vietnamese-inspired dishes that are full of fresh flavours and are made using local ingredients like meat from Larkhall Butchers.
Head here for lunch Tuesdays to Saturday and try a seasonal special from the changing menu or opt for a classic pho, noodle, or dumpling dish.
Thanks to followers for the suggestion of Noya’s Kitchen! We’re fans of the crispy pork dumplings and the marinated chicken with lemongrass and garlic, cooked with mild spices and coconut milk, topped with spring onion, fresh coriander and sesame seeds.
Address: 7 St James’s Parade, Bath, BA1 1UL
6. Landrace
Bakery, restaurant, flour mill…. Landrace has a lot going on in a little space and from Tuesdays to Saturdays you can head to the upstairs eating space for some tasty lunches made with local, seasonal ingredients. This was a popular spot with our followers, too!
As you might expect, the bread and pasta options here are delicious thanks to the freshly milled flour and the daily changing lunch menu features meat and veggie dishes, like ricotta agnolotti with courgette and lemon.
Address: 61 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BN
7. Pintxo
One of our favourite tapas spots in the city, and a popular Twitter vote too, Pintxo looks pretty unassuming from the outside but inside is a cosy bar lined with barrels and a sunny sherry garden to enjoy a tipple with Basque-style tapas.
Tapas change based on what’s seasonally available but you can expect classic caliente dishes like patatas bravas and tortilla de patatas as well as Spanish favourites like boquerones aliñados (Atlantic white anchovies, parsley & garlic oil) and Jamón Ibérico from free range, acorn-fed pigs.
Address: 31 Barton Street, Bath, BA1 1HG
8. Same Same But Different
Cute and colourful, Same Same is a little cafe tucked just off George Street that used to be the best tapas dinner spot in Bath.
Now it’s more of a lunch and small plates place, serving up toasted sandwiches on artisan bread with tasty fillings like harissa grilled chicken with avocado, overnight beef brisket with caramelised onions, and roast Mediterranean vegetables with basil and goat’s cheese.
Any of the sandwiches can be turned into a salad if you’d prefer a lighter lunch and if you’re there on a sunny day, nab a table outside to watch the world go by. Thanks, Twitter, for your suggestion of Same Same!
Address: 7a Princes Buildings, Bath, BA1 2ED
9. Cote Brasserie
Tucked away in Milsom Place, Cote was a popular choice amongst our followers. It’s part of the UK chain of French inspired restaurants but is ideal for set lunch deals, and you can eat in the peace of the sunny courtyard or up on the terrace.
Set lunch menus are good value and you can choose from two and three course options depending on how hungry you’re feeling.
Food takes its cues from French classics like lamb parmentier or lighter starters like creamy mushrooms on toast. Vegetarians can find meat-free options like hearty aubergine & red pepper cassoulet and of course there are lots of delicious desserts for a sweet treat.
Address: 27 Milsom Place, Bath, BA1 1BZ
10. Chaiwalla
One of our favourite vegan-friendly places to pick up a quick bite and spice up your lunch break, Chaiwalla was also a popular choice from followers. It’s ideal for a fast yet healthy lunch as you can pick up a wrap, samosas, and chana daal to take away and eat in Kingsmead Square.
Although it looks like a literal hole in the wall, it packs a punch with spicy, mainly vegan-friendly offerings that will fuel you for an afternoon of work (or sightseeing).
Address: 42 Monmouth Street, Bath, BA1 2AN
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.
