Summer holidays 2019: The best places to eat with the kids in Bath
If you are planning a family outing to Bath over the summer holidays, it may be worth planning ahead and booking where possible as the city can get very busy in peak season.
Bath attracts nearly six million day and overnight visitors every year with a surge during the summer months so get online and book any tickets in advance to avoid disappointment – and ideally queuing.
Happily, with so much demand, there are countless fun things to see and do for all ages throughout the city with special events put on for children throughout the summer holidays – have a read of our blog on what to do with the kids in Bath for inspiration.
Once you have all had your fill of sightseeing and playing, you’ll need some decent food and the same goes for Bath’s best eateries – at this time of year it is worth making a reservation – particularly if you are in a larger group or visiting during the weekend.
Eating out with young children can be tricky as they can rarely sit still for long and no parents want to suffer the irritation of other diners in a refined upmarket restaurant whose tranquility is being destroyed.
So, choose one of Bath’s family friendly restaurants with a relaxed atmosphere where a bit of noise and little ones charging around will only raise a smile – and where the food will appeal to younger taste buds. Here are some of our recommendations for…
The best places to eat with the kids in Bath:
Real Italian Pizza Company
This family owned award-winning pizzeria offers delicious wood-fired pizzas with a range of authentic Italian toppings made using traditional techniques. There are classic Italian starters, salads and pasta dishes for the non-pizza fans. It is simple food, done really well in an informal laid back surrounding in which everyone is welcome – ideal for the youngsters. If the kids behave well you can take them next door to the Real Italian Ice Cream Company for dessert.
The Scallop Shell
If you’re a fan of fish and chips then this restaurant is a must-visit. Head chef and owner Garry Rosser serves up only super fresh sustainably caught fish from UK waters with the menu changing daily according to the latest catch. He and his team then cook up the delicious seafood with finesse, coating it in the lightest of batters with hand-cut chips from locally sources potatoes. With at least 15 species of fish and shellfish displayed for customers to see and select in a unique roll-top bath full of ice, this is fish and chips at its finest. The welcoming family friendly restaurant is spread across two floors, with an outdoor heated terrace and a fun nautical feel.
Sally Lunns Historic Eating House
Give the kids a taste of history inside one of the oldest houses in Bath, believed to be built around 1482. The eating house serves up one of the city’s signature dishes, the Sally Lunn Bun more widely known as the Bath Bun, believed to have been named after the French refugee who invented it after fleeing to Bath in 1680 and setting up a bakery. You can visit the small museum showing the original kitchen Sally used to bake before heading up to the restaurant and choosing between a sweet or savoury bun. In the evening the menu extends of offer traditional English fare such as handmade pies.
The Bathwick Boatman
A ten minute walk out of Bath city centre, sitting on the banks of the River Avon is the scenic Bathwick Boatman. The restaurant, which serves delicious gastropub classics using fresh seasonal ingredients, is located in the historic rowing clubhouse above Bath boating station. It makes a perfect family day trip as you can rent a boat for a spot of rowing or punting down an idyllic stretch of the river before sitting yourself down with riverside views and tucking into a mouthwatering lunch. If the kids get bored they can play in the garden while their parents relax over coffee and dessert.
The Herd
Steak is often a firm family favourite and few places do it better than the Herd. The restaurant uses only the best quality free range locally reared beef – from a herd of Aberdeen Angus and Hereford crosses reared in Coulston, between Devizes and Trowbridge to be exact. The Herd’s butchers mature the meat for between 21 and 28 days until it is at its very best so if you want a meat feast, this is the place to do it. However there are delicious non-steak options so don’t worry if steak isn’t your thing. The Herd is a stylish but relaxed restaurant with charming staff who will make the whole family feel welcome.
Dough
Another pizza joint, but this time with a twist: here it is all about the, you guessed it, dough. This independent family run restaurant combines the best Italian ingredients with a passion for experimenting with pizza bases. Pizza chef extraordinaire Emiliano Tunno heads up a team of specialists from Puglia who have created new healthier and tastier sourdough bases adding hemp, seaweed, turmeric and more. This is an ideal pizza joint for those with special dietary requirements such as no gluten as the team can create bases and pizzas to suit every need. Kids love selecting from the 13 different pizza bases before they even think about the topping.
Giraffe
This bright and buzzing restaurant is part of a chain which serves up a colourful menu inspired by flavours and recipes from all over the world. There is an eclectic range of international favourites from Asian curries to Mediterranean and Middle Eastern classics with family staples like juicy burgers thrown in for good measure. With so many fun and creative dishes to choose from, it is ideal for kids with something to suit every taste. It also has regular special offers for kids and adults so check out the website before booking.
Clearly there are many other wonderful family friendly restaurants in Bath – including the city’s many fantastic gastro-pubs – read our blog on the best spots for pub grub in Bath for more details. If you and your kids are veggie or vegan, Bath boasts lots of brilliant plant-based restaurants and cafes – read our top picks for Bath’s vegetarian restaurants here.
Lastly, the joy of booking one of our self-catering apartments in Bath is that you are provided with a fully equipped kitchen so you do not have to eat out at all. If you just wanted to relax at home or save a bit of money, pick up some lovely local produce from one of Bath’s markets and cook up a delicious family lunch or dinner in your Bath holiday home.
