Best Restaurants & Bars in Walcot Bath 2026
Eclectic mix from abbey-side dining to bohemian Walcot Street
Updated weekly
About Walcot
Walcot covers Bath's eastern side - from the tourist heart around the Abbey and Roman Baths through the bohemian length of Walcot Street to the riverside calm of Bathwick and Pulteney Bridge. It's the more varied, more democratic side of Bath.
Walcot Street has been Bath's alternative quarter for decades - vintage shops, artisan producers, and independent cafes long before 'artisan' became a marketing word. The student population from the University of Bath adds energy and keeps the bar scene alive, especially on weekend evenings.
The Abbey Quarter draws tourists, but smart visitors look beyond The Pump Room to find genuine quality nearby. Cross Pulteney Bridge for riverside dining, or walk up Walcot Street for the kind of independents that locals actually frequent.
Student Influence
The University of Bath and Bath Spa University bring roughly 30,000 students to a city of 90,000. This shapes the Walcot side significantly - bars stay open later, prices stay competitive in certain pockets, and the dining scene has a younger, more experimental edge than the Crescent side.
Tourist Heart, Local Soul
The Roman Baths and Abbey attract over a million visitors annually. But Walcot Street runs on local custom - the vintage shops, delis and independent restaurants serve regulars first, tourists second. It's where Bath residents actually eat and drink.
How to Get There
From Bath Spa station:
- Walking:5 mins to Abbey Quarter, 10 mins to Walcot Street
- Bus:City centre buses from station
- Train:Bath Spa - 90 mins from London Paddington, 15 mins from Bristol
First Bus Ticket Info
Single bus fare cap. The Walcot zone starts right from the station - the Abbey is a 5-minute walk.
Local tip: Cross Pulteney Bridge and turn right along the river for a quieter dining experience. Or walk the full length of Walcot Street from bottom to top - it changes character every 100 metres, from polished cafes to proper bohemian.
Walcot Venue Map
The Walcot Hot List
Week of 22 February 2026
This Week
Welcome back to the Walcot Hot List, your definitive guide to the best eats and drinks in the neighbourhood! And holding firm at the top for the fourth week running, it's Bikanos Indian Cuisine! They’re serving up the flavours that Walcot can’t get enough of! What a climb for Edesia this week, they're up four places to number two, offering exquisite South American dishes. Sanremo The Italian Restaurant and Rosa's Thai Bath hold steady at three and four respectively, proving their enduring popularity. But hold on tight, because The Hideout is making a HUGE leap, shooting up nine places to number five! JC's Kitchen is also on fire, climbing seven spots to number six with their fantastic takeout. The Fairfield Arms are also enjoying a meteoric rise, up eight places to number seven. Bathwick Boatman charts a course upwards, landing at number nine. And a massive welcome to The Raven, crashing straight into the chart at number thirteen with their delicious gastropub fare! Hudson Steakhouse sizzles into fourteenth place, a new peak position for them! What a week of movement, Walcot! Who will take the top spot next week? Stay tuned to donde-onde-where.com to find out!
Fresh Arrivals
1
new entry this week
Rankings updated weekly based on composite scoring methodology · Only positive movements shown — every venue here is winning
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Walcot FAQs
This is donde-onde-where's editorial grouping of Bath's eastern and lower town. It includes the Abbey Quarter & Roman Baths (the tourist heart, home to The Pump Room), Walcot Street (bohemian, independent shops and eateries), Bathwick & Pulteney Bridge (riverside, student-adjacent bars), and the area from Kingsmead Square to Southgate.
Yes - this is where Bath's bar scene lives. The University of Bath student population drives demand for cocktail bars, craft beer spots, and late-night venues. Walcot Street in particular has an eclectic mix of independent bars alongside its vintage shops and delis.
Walcot Street is Bath's bohemian quarter - a long street running from the London Road end down towards the city centre. It's known for independent shops, vintage stores, artisan food producers, and a mix of cafes, restaurants and bars. Think of it as Bath's answer to Bristol's Gloucester Road.
The Abbey Quarter around the Roman Baths has plenty of restaurants, though many are tourist-oriented. The Pump Room (inside the baths complex) is worth visiting for the experience. For better value, walk 5 minutes to Walcot Street or across Pulteney Bridge.
Pulteney Bridge itself is one of only four bridges in the world with shops on both sides. The area around it - Argyle Street and down to Bathwick - has some quality independents with river views. It's particularly nice for summer evening dining.
Still have questions? The best answers come from locals at the venue.
Rankings recalculated weekly from live Google review data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity, recency, rating trend, and baseline rating — no editorial picks, no paid placements. We prioritise independent venues offering distinctive experiences in Bath's eclectic eastern quarter.