Renowned for its Roman roots, Georgian grandeur, and natural hot springs. However, the city is also home to some really good local bites. From Michelin-starred sophistication to cozy bistros and vibrant local bites, Bath offers a dining experience as elegant and unique as its waters.
Visiting baths can get pretty expensive quickly, especially if you are staying over for some time. The city, however, offers some of the best meals at affordable prices if you know where to go.
5 Affordable Restaurants In Bath
1. The Pump Room
2. The Circus Restaurant
3. Yak Yeti Yak
4. The Green Rocket
5. LJ Hugs
Affordable Restaurants In Bath
Here are some of the best affordable restaurants you can eat at on a budget when visiting Bath.
1. The Pump Room
Adjacent to the Roman Baths, The Pump Room is Bath’s very English setting for afternoon teas and live classical music. In the same room where historic patrons like Jane Austen and Charles Dickens have been, the restaurant has been serving patrons for over two centuries.
The rooms are opulent with high ceilings, chandeliers overhead, and a view of the Roman baths. Guests can listen to the pump room trio as they dine and opt for the Jane Austen experience. You can also indulge in the hot Spa water fountain within the pump room. The water is rich in 43 minerals, but the taste does leave some room to be desired.
Being on a budget doesn’t have to prevent you from dining at the Pump Room, though. It just needs a little bit of strategy. While its full afternoon tea starts at £44.50, you don’t need to splash out to enjoy the grandeur. Also, you can opt for a morning coffee and pastry or something simple from the brunch menu, like poached eggs or finger sandwiches. You still get to bask in the ambiance for a fraction of the price.
Location: Searcys at the Pump Room, Stall Street, Bath, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 10:0 am – 4:00 pm
Price Range: £24.50 – £50.00
2. The Circus Restaurant
Tucked between two of Bath’s architectural masterpieces, The Circus is just a few steps from the Royal Crescent, and the Circus. The Circus Restaurant offers a modern British menu focused on seasonal, locally sourced produce. The restaurant is nestled into two floors of a Georgian townhouse. There’s also a dining spot outdoors for al fresco use when the weather is good.
The Circus has the typical English dining scene, high ceilings, and classic decor, but it’s more relaxed and buzzy. Mains usually hover around £24 – £36, but there are ways to indulge more affordably. Firstly, look out for lunch deals or early evening specials to reduce meal prices. You can also consider ordering a single standout main or two starters instead of a full three-course meal.
It’s true that the Circus is more of a mid-budget restaurant, but for its food and a bit of strategy, you can enjoy a really good meal with its nice ambience.
Location: 34, Brock Street, Bath, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm (Monday-Friday)
10:00 am – 12:00 am (Saturday)
Price Range: £24 – £49
3. Yak Yeti Yak
Yak Yeti Yak is a family-run Nepalese diner, tucked away just off Bath’s city centre. It serves the best Nepali cuisines and contemporary comfort dishes. The ambience is very relaxed and cozy, providing incredible value at affordable prices.
The main dishes, like the Chicken Bhutuwa, typically range from about £10–£15. With the addition of set meals like rice, dal, and chutney starting at just over £18. A really smart way to sample the full scope of Nepalese comfort food without overspending. The momos dumplings are a local legend, and the generous vegetarian options make it an inclusive spot for all.
You can also try out different drink options, including a glass of wine, cocktails/mocktails, and beers or ciders for below £10. Yak Yeti Yak is the perfect place for group diners while in Bath, friendly, flavorful, and affordable.
Location: 12 Pierrepoint Street, Bath, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Tuesday – Friday)
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Saturday – Sunday)
Price Range: £10 – £20
4. The Green Rocket
The Green Rocket is the perfect spot for vegetarians and vegans in Bath. This restaurant sets itself apart by putting plant-based ingredients front and centre, proving that meat-free meals can be flavourful, inventive, and satisfying.
Just a stone’s throw from Bath Abbey, the inside is warm and unfussy, with wooden accents and a café-style coziness. There are outdoor tables that provide a front-row seat to Bath’s street scene while you dine alfresco.
The menu is a seasonally shifting showcase of vegetables, grains, and pulses with options for breakfast and mains. For breakfast, you can try the mushroom toast or smoothie bowls, and for mains, the Seaweed Fish Cakes or Burger. You can finish off with house-made cakes like the Biscoff cake and sticky toffee pudding. Though they do incur higher prices.
Location: 1 Pierrepoint Street, Bath, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (Monday – Thursday)
8:00 am – 9:00 pm (Friday)
9:00 am – 9:00 pm (Saturday)
9:30 am – 4:00 pm (Sunday)
Price Range: £5 – £20
5. Affordable Restaurants In Bath: LJ Hugs
Once a beloved street-food stall, LJ Hugs now has a bricks-and-mortar location. The Cajun-inspired eatery has won over locals and tourists alike with its no-frills, high-impact approach to dining. The food is fast, hot, and spicy, but with a kind of flavour.
LJ Hugs nails the quality-to-price ratio with mains that hover around £9–£12, with generous portions. Their meals are perfect for a quick lunch, post-shopping pit stop, or casual dinner that doesn’t blow your budget.
The meal staples are the star Cajun Chicken Box, made with tender, marinated chicken, perfectly grilled and piled high with seasoned fries, salad, and your choice of tasty sauces. You can also opt for the wraps and bowls options, Ideal for eating on the go.
Locations: 30, Kingsmeade N, Bath, United Kingdom
Hours Open: 11:30 am – 5:00 pm (Monday – Saturday)
Price Range: £7.50 – £14.95
Conclusion
Bath has a rich food scene with affordable food. It doesn’t matter if you’re tucking into a plant-based dinner, grabbing Cajun street food on the go, or enjoying a lighter moment in a historic tearoom; dining in Bath doesn’t have to mean extravagant spending. With a little planning and willingness to try new things, it’s entirely possible to eat well and enjoy memorable meals without compromising your budget.
