Sally Lunn’s buns are as much a part of the city’s history as the Roman Baths themselves, while the house in which this tourist Mecca flourishes is proud to be the oldest in Bath (with cellars dating back to 1150BC). If you’re surprised to learn that the Sally Lunn bun is more than a mere afternoon tea component, then come to Sally’s place and pig out on a traditional ‘Trencher’-style supper, when the buns are topped with savoury specialities such as coq au vin, boeuf bourguignone or ratatouille. Such a supper may be an, erm, acquired taste, but as Bath experiences go, it’s not quite as bad as a sip of the spa water. Bringing us back into the realms of proper good taste again, breakfasts are sturdy and there’s rarebit on the menu at lunchtimes, while afternoons bring Cornish, Queen Victoria and Jane Austen cream tea combinations to the tiny tables. Want a Bath institution? You got it… complete with massive queues at peak tourist times.

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A-Z of Bath Restaurants • Bath Institutions • Family-friendly restaurants • Lunch-time destinations