Upstairs at Landrace

Originally a tiny garret above Bath’s deservedly popular Landrace community bakery (recently doubled in size), this charmingly relaxed and welcoming small-plates bistro has since expanded into a more generously proportioned second room. Stone walls adorned with framed posters and high shelves lined with empty wine bottles provide the decoration here. A corner bar with counter seats complements the black-topped tables on the scruffy wood floor.

Chef Rob Sachdev’s passion for sourcing incredible produce as locally as possible is evident throughout the menu. Sharing is the name of the game here, with dishes ranging in size from generous snacks to full-on main courses. Take it from our reporters, you'll kick yourself if you don’t start with the Cheddar curd fritters. Among the small plates, a thrillingly super-fresh combo of ewe’s curd, pea, broad-bean tops and crostini, glistening under a slick of grass-green olive oil, positively sings of summer. 

Larger dishes always include some seasonal pasta (perhaps nettle tagliatelle with Wye Valley asparagus or pappardelle with Westcombe veal ragù, sage and Parmesan) alongside complex and satisfying ideas such as beef rump with chickpeas, rainbow chard and salsa verde. Desserts, meanwhile, are a great advert for the bakery's patisserie skills, as in a warm cherry and almond tart (moreish, rich and crumbly) or pain perdu with lemon curd and candied zest. An adventurous list of natural and biodynamic wines offers a chance to be pleasantly surprised by something new: even the house white – a boldly flavoured, organic Catarratto from Sicily – doesn't play it safe.