20 Best Restaurants in Bath and the Cotswolds, England

At this informal, highly regarded eatery in a 16th-century coaching inn, the farmhouse-style tables are filled with fresh takes on traditional dishes that also take advantage of locally sourced ingredients. The secluded garden is the perfect place to enjoy lunchtime baguettes or sandwiches in nice weather. There are also three individually furnished guest rooms upstairs.

At this buzzing little café in an ancient building with wooden beams, locals drop in to discuss horses and dogs over a glass of wine, families gather around the big round table for lunch, and tired shoppers sink into armchairs for a reviving coffee. The Italian-inspired menu is filled with light dishes like antipasti, bruschetta, soups, baked potatoes, and salads. An English baker makes the cake specials on-site daily. There's also a terrace for warm days.

Close to St. James' Church, this traditional tavern known for its food has low beams, a flagstone floor, and a small courtyard. The long menu includes daily specials, local ales, and dishes like steak-and-ale pie and deep-fried fish-and-chips. Freshly baked ciabatta sandwiches served at lunchtime are easy on the wallet. The service is swift and ideal for those in a rush. There are also six rooms where you can stay.

With views of St. Mary's Church, this historic pub dating from 1554 offers a reassuringly traditional and charming milieu for food and refreshment. Light meals are available at lunchtime, teas in the afternoon, and for the evening meal you can choose from the seasonal menu and start with a mushroom and spinach tart, then try the Gloucestershire pork chop with fondant potato for your main course. The inn's grounds hold what is claimed to be the world's oldest bowling green. There are 11 well-furnished bedrooms upstairs.

Fabulous modern food, real ales on tap, and gin cocktails are offered at this 17th-century inn, which retains its historic past but has plenty of modern style. Choose from a wide range of dishes including venison, steak, and seafood specialties, or try the selections on the daily specials board. Upstairs there are 28 rooms, including one where Charles II and Lady Fisher hid from Oliver Cromwell during the Civil War.

Lee Gallimore was head chef at some of the Cotswolds' most prestigious restaurants before opening his own property in Cheltenham. Here, the chef specializes in seafood sourced directly from fishermen in Devon and South Wales, and the shellfish platter for two to share is a feast, but there's plenty more on the menu. On Sundays, the traditional roast lunch offerings are appealing, with the topside of Hereford beef and the free-range pork loin always looking particularly mouthwatering.

Set in an opulent Regency building with a statement bar, the Ivy serves first-class food with British and European specialties. In its heyday, the Rotunda building was a bathing pool with spa water on tap, and its domed roof and seating area have been exquisitely restored to house the smart restaurant. Racehorse murals line the walls in a nod to Cheltenham's equestrian heritage. Choose from dishes such as apple and Stilton salad, aromatic duck curry, or crab linguine. The Ivy also serves a classic afternoon tea. Reservations are advised, especially when there are race meetings and festivals.

Chef and restaurateur Michael Alexiou bought Woolmarket House in 1986 and transformed it into this charming restaurant serving traditional Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. The mezes and fresh seafood are particularly good, and there are seasonal daily specials. The atmosphere is laid-back and the service is friendly. There's also a B&B in the building. 

What is perhaps Bath's tiniest restaurant is also one of its tastiest. Order a glass of wine and a bowl of patatas fritas (chunks of fried potatoes, made in-house daily) while you browse the tapas menu, and then pick three to four dishes per person to share. The pulpo a la Gallega (octopus and spicy paprika) and boquerones (fresh anchovies in olive oil) are heavenly. Located on the first floor of a historic building in the city center, Ole Tapas has just half a dozen tables, so it's worth making a reservation in advance.

Set in the airy Pavilion at Siddington Park and with a glorious south-facing terrace overlooking the gardens, The Orangery is a fine 2024 addition to Cirencester's dining scene. The chefs' focus is on fresh, seasonal flavors, with an all-day menu of light and more substantial options featuring many ingredients grown in the restaurant's own kitchen garden. The afternoon tea menu is especially popular and includes a tea selection from Born Wild as well as delicious finger sandwiches, scones, and homemade cakes.

A few minutes' drive from Bourton in the quiet hamlet of Cold Aston, the Plough occupies an old, restored 17th-century inn. Flagstones, original beams, a fireplace, a quiet bar area, and simple, classic pub fare done well make this an ideal retreat from the Bourton crowds in high season. Enjoy your pint in the sunshine, admiring the centuries-old tree opposite the pub. There are three quiet rooms for those wishing to prolong their stay.

Plain wooden tables and understated decor are the backdrop for the wholesome British dishes served in this traditional restaurant beautifully sited on the banks of the River Windrush. There's a large outdoor area for alfresco dining. Sip a cocktail on the riverside terrace while you wait for your order. Desserts include vanilla panna cotta and sticky toffee pudding.

This gabled pub, located in the snug village of Leighterton just 5 miles west of Tetbury, likes to satisfy the crowds that assemble here with the best creative local fare in the area. Draw up a stool at the bar or take a seat at one of the many wooden tables to try the tandoori hake or the enoki mushroom burger. Finish with a calorific dessert. There's also a sheltered walled garden for summer dining.

Small and slightly twee, this longtime tourist magnet near Bath Abbey occupies the oldest house in Bath, dating from 1482. It's famous for the Sally Lunn bunn, a semisweet bread served here since 1680. You can choose from more than 30 sweet and savory toppings to accompany your bunn, or turn it into a meal with salmon or a steak. There are also economical lunch and early-evening menus. Daytime diners can view the small kitchen museum and shop in the cellar (30p for non-dining visitors).

A 15th-century inn just five minutes from Lacock Abbey, Sign of the Angel serves traditional food in a cozy and intimate setting. Some dishes, such as the roast loin of beef with Yorkshire pudding or the seasonal savory pie of the day, are as traditional as the decor, but modern touches—orange butter sauce, for instance—add an extra dimension. Enjoy the dish of the day for lunch or relax in the garden with a cream tea. When you creak open the heavy door and are greeted by the hearty fire in the huge chimney, you could be forgiven for thinking that you stepped back a few centuries. Upstairs are five beautifully rustic rooms in which to stay.

Just steps from Market House, the Snooty Fox is a bustling inn and restaurant that makes the most of quality ingredients from local Cotswolds producers. Real ales and local ciders are served at the bar, and teas, coffees, and hot and cold meals are available all day. During winter, the roaring fire adds to the ambience, and there's a patio to use in summer. Twelve traditionally styled rooms are also available on-site.

In the center of Broadway, this pub-restaurant makes a handy stop for a snack, lunch, drink, or something more substantial. Among the hot dishes, you're likely to find wonders such as slow-cooked pork belly with vegetables or king prawn, crab, and chorizo linguine. There's a good wine cellar and plenty of cask ales available. The imaginative decor blends the traditional and trendy with large mirrors, log-studded walls, and eye-catching knickknacks. The pub can be crowded on the weekends, but on a weekday it's cozy and convivial, with an open fire in winter and comfortable seating. 

Since 1838, local dignitaries and visiting celebrities have come for leisurely lunches, afternoon tea, and delicious dinners at Victoria’s at The Queens Hotel. The menus showcase local produce and contemporary British cooking with a stylist twist, and the two-course lunch menu is particularly good value. Burgundy walls, padded chairs, and tall windows enhance the space.  

This popular pub and inn dating from the 17th century specializes in updated British cuisine with choices ranging from local venison to fresh fish. Its decor successfully combines traditional features with modern style and comforts. The courtyard garden is a delight in summer, and there's also a snug coffee lounge. The inn offers 14 stylish, uncluttered bedrooms and a spa.

Just steps from Market House and at the heart of village life, the Snooty Fox is a bustling inn and restaurant that makes the most of quality ingredients from local producers in the Cotswolds. Real ales and local ciders are served at the bar, and teas, coffees, and hot and cold meals are available all day. During winter the roaring fire adds to the ambience in the restaurant, and there's a patio to use in summer.