Venue > Eating Out West

ADVENTURE CAFE
5 Princes Buildings, George St, BA1 2ED
Tel: 01225 462038
Subtle soundtracks, a buzzing sunspot outback and a menu that covers all eventualities at all times of the day (robust breakfasts, sandwiches, smoothies, salads, snacks, homemade cakes and fantastic shakes are all popular, with light bites for those who find a drink too wet without such things from 5-9pm). As the Café’s licensed, the Adventure continues during the evening: you can take your nightlife in any direction here, either making the most of the continental beers, cool cocktails and thoughtful wine list, or by copying our European cousins and drinking espresso until bedtime (however, we take no responsibility for the ensuing insomnia). Open Sun-Tue 10am-5pm, Wed-Sat 10am-11pm.

BONGHY-BO’S
2-3 Barton Court, Upper Borough Walls, BA1 1RZ
Tel: 01225 462276
An almost hidden gem, loved by those who claim to have ‘discovered it’ and always, always reliably charming. A gorgeous little split-level café courtyard makes way for a friendly, funky refectory within, perfect for lounging while skiving off work. Food is of the ‘smart caff’ variety (good coffee, thoughtful teas, superb cakes), it’s fully licensed and, if you’re craving something substantial, a classy quiche/jacket spuds/salad selection snuggles up alongside Asian-themed crowd pleasers with a strong emphasis on all manner of wallet-friendly noodle and rice bases served up by staff who demonstrate a genuine delight in guiding your choices. Open Daily 9am-6pm (but opening hours vary depending on the season and various local events - call for updates).

BOSTON TEA PARTY
Kingsmead Square, BA1 2AE
Tel: 01225 313901, web: www.bostonteaparty.co.uk
There’s a strong emphasis on ethical sourcing, environmental responsibility and charitable causes at the heart of the Boston Tea Party ethos, so rest assured that by indulging yourself at this much-loved hotspot on the Bath café scene, you’re doing legions of others a big favour in the process. But what a lovely way to do it! Offering requisite cool in summer (big terrace, chill-out smoothies) and snug cosiness during the winter months (hot chocolate and comfy, wholesome cakes), real tea is served in real china pots, real coffee comes in all sizes, and real food (healthy, hearty, largely wholemeal) is offered at very reasonable prices. Breakfasts are particularly splendid, but whatever time you choose to drop by, the living is easy.
Open Mon-Wed 8am-6pm, Thur-Sat 8am-9pm.

BRIDGE COFFEE SHOP
Pulteney Bridge, BA2 4AY
Tel: 01225 483339
Breakfast specials, sturdy sweet treats, filled baguettes, paninis and a huge range of baked-on-the-premises pasties, sausage rolls, pies etc, all at non-scary prices and in a great location, too: no wonder this place gets packed to queuing capacity at peak times. Regularly changing morning coffee/afternoon tea offers. Open Sun-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-6pm.

CAFE FROMAGE
Above Paxton & Whitfield, John St, BA1 2JL
Tel: 01225 313525, web: www.paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk
Cheese-based dishes served above what’s possibly one of the most well-regarded cheese shop franchises in the world, within a very traditional English setting. This small, cosy cafe gets very busy, but it’s worth queuing up the stairs for - or coming back during the afternoon lull. Dishes change frequently. Open Mon-Sat 8.30am-4pm (closed bank hols). See also Specialist Food Suppliers.

Caffé NERO
11 Old Bond St, BA1 1BP
Tel: 01225 470390
21 High St, BA1 5AJ
Tel: 01225 462504
Web: www.caffenero.com
Caffé Nero may be the largest independent coffee retailer in the UK, but the experience at either of the Bath branches is far from bland – more European coffee house than high street chain. Find seriously good coffee (inc Fairtrade) alongside a range of Italian-influenced ciabattas, paninis, salads, fresh soups, biscotti, sweet stuff, a wide range of drinks (both hot and cold, inc smoothies) and fresh croissants/continental pastries well worth getting up early for. Takeway/Wi-Fi access available. Open Mon-Sat 7am-7pm (High St branch: Sat 7.30am), Sun 9am-6pm.

CAFE RETRO
York St, BA1 1NG
Tel: 01225 339347
The relaxed, friendly atmosphere here ensures a steady stream of customers enjoying quality coffee and a variety of tasty lunches and light snacks. Distinctly individual and bohemian, the extensive daytime menu includes ever-popular faves (pasta, homemade burgers) alongside paninis and a near-perfect fry-up. It gets very busy on Saturdays, but it’s worth queuing up for. Retro Modern lives upstairs (see Restaurants, European & Mediterranean) while Retro 2 Go, on the corner next door, does fine fare to take away. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm.

CAFE ROUGE
15 Milsom St, BA1 1DE
Tel: 01225 462368, web: www.caferouge.co.uk
See Restaurants, French. Open Mon-Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 10am-10.30pm.

CHANDOS DELI
George St, BA1 2EH
Tel: 01225 314418, web: www.chandosdeli.com
Stylish deli-café with a strong emphasis on classy foodie inspirations from around the world on menus which feature superb sandwiches, salads, soups and gorgeous antipasti options, all based around fresh, seasonal ingredients. See also Specialist Food Suppliers and Sandwich Shops. Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm.

NEW
THE CIRCUS CAFÉ & RESTAURANT
34 Brock St. BA1 2LN
Tel: 01225 466020; web: www.thecircuscafeandrestaurant.co.uk
See Restaurants, English. Open: Mon-Sat 10am-12midnight.

EGG CAFÉ
St John’s Place, Bath, BA1 1ET
Tel: 01225 823408
What was once a largely overlooked, gloomy little thoroughfare linking Sawclose with Kingsmead Square is now a lovely, lively cobbled street, home to the egg theatre, one of the most prestigious young people’s theatre projects in the country… and one of the most cheerful refreshment pit-stops in town (courtesy of those lovely Chandos Deli folk – see above). Find some very grown-up flavour combinations (ploughman’s, crayfish and rocket, etc) in among appropriately kiddie-themed treats such as salami and ketchup or good old ‘just ham’ (all on Hobbs House bread) alongside oven-fresh cookies, sumptuous cakes, sticky flapjacks, Hershey bars, sugar mice, organic chocolate and fashionably retro jelly beans. Excellent coffee, too. Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun: one hour prior to curtain up until start of last performance if there’s a show on.

GUILDHALL MARKET CAFÉ
Guildhall, High St, BA1 5AW
Tel: 01225 461593
Utilitarian furnishings belie the friendly surroundings and welcoming, traditional downhome treats at this wallet-friendly market caff, specialising in generous portions of fried loveliness - including full English breakfast and heavenly chip butties - at the epicentre of an increasingly foodie market. Open Mon-Sat 9am-4pm.

HANDS TEAROOM
1 Abbey St, Bath, BA1 1NN
Tel: 01225 463928
Traditional family-run tearoom set in a Georgian townhouse just off Abbey Courtyard, serving snacks and light bites (toasted sandwiches, soups etc throughout the day) but really coming into its own at high tea time. Fresh scones come with local jams and clotted cream, and the full-on set tea experience is served on a two-tiered silver platter with a choice of finger sandwiches and pastries. Or you might want to sample the famous Bath Bun, created by 18th-century physician Dr Oliver and still keeping the rabble satisfied today. Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm.

JAZZ CAFE
Kingsmead Square, BA1 2AA
Tel: 01225 329002
Friendly, independent café-bistro with homemade food on the menu and jazz sounds on tap. Excellent breakfasts (including good vegetarian options) lead on to fuzzy lunch hours, which in turn give way to mellow afternoons and chilled-out suppers. Themed meal deals (usually French or Mexican) are always popular, salads are always a lively option, the sturdy, hearty chillis are always a safe bet, and the specials board is always worth checking out. Licensed. Open Mon-Sat 8am-9pm, Sun 10.30am-4pm.

KINDLING
9a Claverton Buildings, BA2 4LD
Tel: 01225 442125
NEW
8e Chelsea Rd, Bath, BA1 3DU
Tel: 01225 444005
Local, organic, homemade and fairly traded food and drink, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, free Wi-Fi, toys for the kids, their own football team (Kindling United, yay!), a book club in the pipeline and a second branch (featuring a mini-wholefood store) that’s as lovely as the original Widcombe incarnation: do we detect a mini-empire in the making? Proprietors Rod Bond and Roger Woods, two Bathonians who say they’re “passionate about serving simple, straightforward food and creating a warm, welcoming and relaxed space”, certainly have their USP just right. Ace breakfasts (the bacon rolls are the stuff of local legend), scrumptious sarnies, homemade sausage rolls (including veggie options) and cakes to die for are the order of the day at either branch, while brunch (inc full English) goes on until a very civilised 2.30pm every day at the Chelsea Road branch, and all day at weekends. Open Mon-Fri 7.30am-4.30pm (from 10am on Sat and Sun).

LE PARISIEN & CAFE RENE
Shires Yard, BA1 1BX
Tel: 01225 447147
A little corner of France at the heart of the newly renovated, upmarket Shires Yard/Milsom Place shopping complex, one of the loveliest urban oasis in Bath: welcome to Le Parisien world (but don’t overlook the joys of little sister Rene, right next door). Both get very busy at weekends and when the sun comes out, but there’s plenty of alfresco seating (with heaters for the winter months) in the very pretty courtyard, while either café offers the full-on brasserie experience indoors. A varied breakfast menu gives way to French-themed classics - croque monsieurs, moules-frites, proper patisserie etc - as the day rolls on, guaranteeing an authentic Gallic vibe. Meanwhile, generously filled baguettes and homemade daily specials bolster the crowd-pleasing vibe - and in true French style, it’s licensed, too. Open Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-5pm (opening hours not affected by Shires Yard renovations).

MANGIA BENE
5-6 St James St, BA1 2TW
Tel: 01225 336106
Small but perfectly formed, charming Mediterranean deli in gorgeous surroundings with a small cafe attached, serving classy breakfasts, stylish lunches and plenty of yum-yum at teatime. Great coffee, takeaway sandwiches and superb outside catering, famous homemade cakes, and renowned charcuterie. Alfresco, too. Open Cafe: Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm, Sat 8.30am-4.30pm. Deli: Mon-Sat till 5pm. See also Specialist Food Suppliers.

METROPOLITAN CAFE
15 New Bond St, BA1 1BA
Tel: 01225 482680, web: www.bloomsburystore.com
Indulge your healthy heart’s desire at this gorgeous little café above an equally gorgeous gift shop. Enjoy locally sourced, largely organic and totally vegetarian goodies from an all-day breakfast through ciabatta, bruschetta and sarnies, tarts, salads, soups and fabulous cakes, all served up with Illy coffee, organic and herbal teas, joyous juices or an indulgent hot chocolate that Vianne Rocher would be proud to call her own. Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm.

NUMBER EIGHT MANVERS ST
8 Manvers St, BA1 1JQ
Tel: 01225 331888, web: www.eightmanvers.co.uk
See Restaurants, World & Pacific Fusion.

NEW
PRET A MANGER
2 Stall St, Bath, BA1 1QL
Tel: 020 7932 5370
Another link in this popular, successful Pret chain specialising in additive- and preservative-free fast food, including ‘gourmet’ sandwiches, fresh soups/salads, falafel wraps, healthy snacks, sweet treats, fruit juices and smoothes etc, all made from responsibly sourced ingredients wherever possible. Gluten/wheat/GM/dairy-free options proliferate throughout the menu; coffee is Fairtrade and organic. Open Mon-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 9am-5pm.

THE PUMP ROOM
Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1LZ
Tel: 01225 477782, web: www.romanbaths.co.uk
In the elegant environs of the Roman Baths complex, staff in pristine uniforms, a live classical music combo and a butler dispensing complimentary glasses of spa water turn this neo-classical salon into what’s probably the most civilised, traditional mid-afternoon refreshment experience in Bath. Lunch is available (from a classic modern British menu) but really, afternoon tea (from 2.30pm daily) is where it’s at. Find proper Welsh rarebit, scones and all manner of afternoon delights on the a la carte menu, or go for a set deal (including a champagne version) and enjoy delights such as smoked salmon sandwiches, cheese tarts and your pick from the pastry tray - éclairs, millefeuille, cream horns, petits fours, etc. Just don’t drink the spa water… Open Daily 9.30am-6pm (5.30pm Oct-Mar).

NEW
THE REAL ITALIAN ICE CREAM CO.
17 York St, Bath, BA1 1NG
Tel: 01225 330121
Icy, creamy delights by the cone or tub, suffused with magical flavours: tiramisu, pistachio, hazelnut (etc) and the only green apple gelato available outside Harrods. There are shakes, hot chocolate and proper coffee, too, and fresh crepes for those who choose to stay put. Turn every day into a sundae here, or visit the equally charming Real Italian Pizza Co. next door (see Restaurants, Bath) for further dolce vita.Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm (Suns during summer months only).

THE RIVERSIDE
17 Argyle St (below Pulteney Bridge), BA2 4BQ
Tel: 01225 480532
A fully licensed café-restaurant offering fabulous weir views from the alfresco tables and unique, barrel-vaulted cave-like surroundings within. Get the day off to a flying start here with some seriously good breakfast options before moving on to an amazing array of pan-global cuisine (pastas, enchiladas, soups, nachos, fish dishes, etc) alongside scrumptious homemade desserts and cakes. The superb specials board hikes up a notch in readiness for evening service, vegetarian options are superb and the cocktails are highly recommended. Open Mon-Sat 9am-9.30pm (Sun 6pm).

ROYAL PAVILION CAFE
Royal Pavilion Cafe, Royal Victoria Park, BA1 2NR
Tel: 01225 448860
Handy for the indoor tennis centre, bowling green, crazy golf course and that crescent, and boasting an alfresco balcony with spiffing views and tables under the trees out front, this is the Bath version of parklife. Swiss mountain chalet meets traditional British tearoom here, resulting in a low-key ‘High Tea’ hotspot, offering sarnies, sausage rolls, homemade cakes and proper, potted tea at very reasonable prices alongside sturdy lunchtime specials (including, if you’re lucky, a full-on roast dinner). Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm (winter), Mon-Sun 9.30am-5.30pm (summer).

SALLY LUNN’S
4 North Parade Passage, BA1 1NX
Tel: 01225 461634, web: www.sallylunns.co.uk
See Restaurants, English.

SAME, SAME BUT DIFFERENT
7a Princes Buildings, BA1 2ED
Tel: 01225 466856
Charming double-fronted cafe-bar on a traffic-free cobbled lane with a couple of tables out front for summertime people-watching. Daytime menus boast hearty Mediterranean-themed snacks, platters, salads, etc alongside lovely cakes and pastries, gradually giving way to sturdier goodies (tapas a speciality) as day turns into evening from Thursday to Saturday. Good job it’s fully licensed, then. Open Mon-Wed 8am-6pm, Thur-Fri 8am-12midnight, Sat 9am-12midnight, Sun 10am-5pm.

SHOON
14 Old Bond St, BA1 1BP
Tel: 01225 445309
A trendy urban outfitters on street level with a lovely cosmopolitan cafe upstairs, perfect for modern-day ladies (and gentlemen) who lunch. Superb bagels are a must-try, with the exceedingly well-dressed salads coming a close second. Then again, you could just head straight for a slice of homemade cake at teatime… very yummy mummy indeed. Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 11.30am-4pm.

STARBUCKS
13 Old Bond St, BA1 1BP
Tel: 01224 443409, web: www.starbucks.co.uk
A familiar landmark on almost every high street in every town across the globe, Starbucks is responsible for, among other things, turning ordering a cup of coffee into an ‘art’ that’s failed to straddle the generation divide. So, grab a tall skinny half-caf hazelnut latte with whip, a caramel macchiato or a strawberries and crème Frappucino® to go, sit down and sip a Refresh™ Tazo® while you discover the meaning of ‘third space’ philosophy (oh, of course there’s Wi-Fi access!)… or enjoy a cup of coffee (Fairtrade available) and a panini/sandwich/muffin at one of the pavement tables out front (avoiding massive branding/marketing overload in the process).

WAVERLEY CAFÉ
Kingsmead Square, BA1 2AF
Tel: 01225 462553
The vintage Formica booth seating may have been relegated to history, but the Waverley essence remains intact: busy, buzzy, and specialising in traditional Brit-caff menu treats. Leave the cholesterol counter at the door and enjoy dead cheap fry-ups from breakfast to closing time (the all-day breakfast is superb), alongside standards-with-chips (lasagne, pies, roast dinners, omelettes, etc), sarnies, cakes and endless mugs of tea and coffee. Open Mon-Sun 7.30am-5.30pm.

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