20 Best Restaurants in Bath and the Cotswolds, England

Head chef Brett has introduced Spanish fine dining to the Cotswolds with this spot, rightly winning numerous awards for the food. The ingredients all come from local suppliers, and the seven-course tasting menu is an incredible value at £49. There's a vegan tapas menu as well. The ambience in this casually decorated café is warm and welcoming, and the staff are friendly and knowledgable.

At Boho Marché, Morocco meets the Mediterranean, with delicious platters featuring dishes such as marinated eggplant, jben cheese, and a zingy green slaw for lunch. In the evening, start with a cocktail and then order from the a la carte menu; the seared salmon carpaccio and slow-braised ox cheek with creamy mash and red wine jus are particularly good. On a nice day, you can eat outside on the terrace.

The enticing prix-fixe lunch menu attracts diners to this award-winning French restaurant, which is renowned for its signature dishes like onglet steak with tarragon and sea bass with clams and samphire. Chez Dominique is also a great place to stop for afternoon tea or coffee after a walk by nearby Pulteney Weir.

Close to St. James Church, this traditional tavern has low beams, a flagstone floor, and a small courtyard. The long menu includes daily specials, local ales, and enticing dishes like confit duck 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 the church of St. Mary's, 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 might start with deep-fried calamari and whitebait with caper sauce, then try the rump of lamb with minted mashed potato for your main course. The spotted dick (sponge with dried fruits) and custard makes a classic old-school end to the meal. The inn's grounds hold what is claimed to be the world's oldest bowling green. There are 11 well-furnished bedrooms upstairs.

Located between Broadway and Moreton-in-Marsh, this laid-back Cotswold pub has its dishes of the day (all made with local seasonal ingredients) written on the chalkboard inside. Options might include a fillet of Loch Duart salmon with new potatoes or wild mushroom and celeriac pie. There's a pleasant garden for summer days and rooms should you wish to stay the night.

Chef and restaurateur Michael Alexiou bought Woolmarket House in 1986 and transformed it into this charming restaurant serving traditional Greek cuisine. The mezze and fresh seafood are particularly good, and there are seasonal daily specials on the blackboard. The atmosphere is laid-back and the service is friendly.

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 potato, made in-house daily) while you browse the 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 to make sure they'll have space.

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 pie of the day are as traditional as the decor, but modern touches—orange butter sauce, for instance—adds an extra dimension. Enjoy the seasonal 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 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.

At this informal eatery in a 16th-century coaching inn, the farmhouse-style tables are filled with traditional dishes with 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.

This sophisticated and popular restaurant on the corner of the Circus has an enticing seasonal menu that covers everything from morning coffee to late-night dinners. The husband-and-wife team prioritize locally sourced ingredients, and wines come from old-world small growers. The colorful modern art on the walls always makes for a great conversation topic.

This 17th-century inn retains its historic past while serving fabulous modern food, real ales, and gin cocktails. Choose from a wide range of dishes including venison, steak, and seafood, or the varied 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.

Set in an opulent Regency building with a statement bar, the Ivy Brasserie 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.

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 setting for the wholesome British dishes served in this traditional restaurant beautifully sited on the banks of the Windrush River with a large outdoor area. Sip a cocktail on the riverside terrace while you wait for your order. Desserts include vanilla panna cotta and sticky toffee pudding.

This mellow-stone gabled pub, located in the snug village of Leighterton just five miles west of Tetbury, likes to satisfy the crowds that assemble here with the best 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 beer-braised short rib with champ mash or the vegan barley and cranberry pilaf. Finish with a calorific dessert. There's also a sheltered walled garden for summer dining.

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 maple-glazed slow-cooked pork belly with scallops or king prawn, crab, and chorizo linguine. The tasting platters are a popular alternative. There's a good wine cellar and plenty of cask ales available. 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. The imaginative decor blends the traditional and trendy with large mirrors, log-studded walls, and eye-catching knickknacks.

Housed in the former ballroom of Queen’s Hotel, Victoria’s brings a stylish twist to contemporary British cooking. The two-course lunch menu (£22) is particularly good value.

This popular pub dating from the 17th century specializes in modern British cuisine with choices ranging from local venison to fresh fish. The courtyard garden is a delight in summer. There's also a snug coffee lounge, and an inn that offers 14 stylish, uncluttered bedrooms and a spa.