Harden's says
The Ivy's 'accessible all-day dining' formula is popping up brasseries in all of England's most picturesque towns and cities, and now it's Bath's turn. Opening in Autumn 2017 in the heart of the city, this spot will feature a large outdoor terrace and a private dining room. Planning applications have also been lodged for sites in Exeter, Harrogate, Cheltenham and Manchester as of June 2017.
Harden's survey result
Summary
Abu Dhabi royal Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan was – as of mid 2025 – rumoured to be on the verge of buying a £1 billion stake in Richard Caring’s restaurant empire, of which this famous brasserie chain is the crown jewel. Presumably, he’s more interested in ‘rolling out’ the brand in The Gulf and beyond rather than dropping by for a Salmon Fishcake and ‘Ivy Chocolate Bombe’, but if he’d asked the opinion of our annual diners’ poll, we’re not sure that he’d sign on the dotted line. “How can a restaurant with this heritage produce such uninspired, tick-box food?” is a question merited by its poor ratings, ditto what explains the “very slow and disinterested service”? The answer may be that “you don’t come here for the food, obviously” but for the “gorgeous” interior design and “picturesque” locations that continue to underpin their appeal. Let’s hope for the Sheikh’s sake that the middle classes of the Arab World are as undiscerning as those from the UK!
Summary
“It’s not London, but it is setting the standard for great food served well in Bath” according to fans of this outpost of the glam national brasserie chain. According to the locals “it has consistent good standards, which is not the case with all the others”.
Summary
The “gorgeous room” is the highlight of a visit to this popular outpost of the “ever-expanding chain”, whose interior design based on the famous London original in Theatreland trumps the “unremarkable” cuisine. Flexibility is much of the appeal – there’s a “good varied all day menu, plus options for brunch or afternoon tea”.
Summary
The “particularly pleasant outdoor terrace” and “lovely interior” are – as is typical for the brand – key attributes at this link in the ubiquitous national chain, which is one of the more commented-on destinations in the city. Gastronomically, it “does not excite”, although some reporters are “pleasantly surprised at the food”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Ivy Bath Brasserie?
Restaurant details
The Ivy Bath Brasserie Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Nice venue let down by just ok good and faltered service"
Prices
| Wine per bottle | £35.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Bread | £5.95 |
| Service | 12.50% |
Opening hours
| Monday | 8:30 am‑12 am |
| Tuesday | 8:30 am‑12 am |
| Wednesday | 8:30 am‑12 am |
| Thursday | 8:30 am‑12 am |
| Friday | 8:30 am‑12 am |
| Saturday | 9 am‑12 am |
| Sunday | 9 am‑11:30 pm |
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