The Marlborough Tavern

This admirable pub just around the corner from the famous Royal Crescent has been providing food and drink since the 18th century, when it was a favoured pull-up for foot-weary sedan chair carriers. Today's clientele are more likely to be exhausted from a morning or afternoon spent traipsing round Bath's shops and boutiques, now eager for refreshment in the contemporary, retro and classic-style bars or courtyard garden. Butcombe, Timothy Taylor and Totty Pot dark porter occupy the hand-pumps, and the number of wines sold by the glass now exceeds twenty. The classy menu delivers gutsy, full-flavoured dishes prepared from local seasonal and organic produce, among which a typical starter is potted game with red onion compôte and toast; to follow, whole South Coast plaice with caper brown butter, fried pink fir potatoes and wilted cavolo nero; or pork, tomato, chorizo and bean casserole. For vegetarians, chestnut, mushroom and pearl barley risotto, perhaps.