The Marlborough Tavern

'Great tasting food with excellent service in a friendly pub atmosphere' is the admirable promise of this 18th-century corner pub. Revamped from a dreary boozer to a contemporary dining pub in 2006, it stands just a stone's throw away from Bath's famous Royal Crescent. Once a favoured resting place for foot-weary sedan chair carriers, today's shoppers and visitors - probably foot-weary from following the city's tourist trail - seek refreshment in the rustic-chic bars or the attractive courtyard garden. Since acquiring the freehold in 2009, Joe Cussens has added Butcombe and Otter ales to the cellar, and upped the number of wines sold by the glass to 16. The classy menu delivers gutsy, full-flavoured dishes prepared from local seasonal and organic produce. Typical of the starters is a confit Chew Valley rainbow trout with beetroot purée, trout tartare and almonds. This could be followed by a spice-crusted loin of Brixham ling with clams, Bath pig chorizo and chickpea casserole. Round off with warm pistachio sponge, blood orange pannacotta and pistachio coulis.