Gently flamboyant but distinctly un-flashy, this split-level Modern British restaurant quietly dominates one of Bath’s most picturesque cobbled streets. The ground floor ‘casual dining’ rooms – all polished wooden floors, fresh flowers and sparkly glassware – constitute a lively, informal experience, with good value, set menu lunches/early evening suppers based around stylish interpretations of Brit-Med classics such as terrines, classy casseroles, simply cooked fresh fish dishes and puds of the crumble/mousse variety. The first floor, meanwhile, (Thur-Sat evenings only) offers the full-on Fine Dining experience. On The Pig’s most recent visit up the stairs, a perfectly-executed dish of a duo of dry aged Scottish beef and bubblegum pannacotta with liquorice caviar proved to be a great success, while a seared fillet of wild Cornish brill came accompanied by a lesser-spotted salsify puree and an indulgent white truffle beurre blanc – well done, that chef!

Given such a summary, it’s surprising that the restaurant can somehow lack atmosphere, particularly at lunch times when shoppers/tourists tend to overlook any venture slightly off the main drag; as a result, waiting staff can be a little bit downbeat about proceedings, failing to showcase the menus to their best advantage. Once the pace picks up, though, the Arch offers an experience verging on golden.

This restaurant is in:
A-Z • Business restaurants • Lunch-time destinations • Romantic restaurants