The Bank at Bude is a casual tapas bar found amongst the tranquil surroundings of the River Neet in North Cornwall. The restaurant prides itself on offering guests a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, providing them with a playful and accessible menu which is designed to share.
For the uninitiated, tapas is a form of dining that originated in Spain, consisting of a selection of small plates that are delivered to the table as and when they are ready and designed to share between guests. The kitchen team at The Bank recommend ordering four-six dishes between two people, although you can always add more to your order if you are still hungry.
The menu at The Bank features imported Spanish ingredients alongside produce sourced from the local area in Cornwall. As mentioned, tapas is the main draw here - think everything from the classic likes of padron peppers, calamari and patatas bravas, to less conventional dishes including crispy slow cooked pork belly and Spanish style beef and pork meatballs. There are options for vegetarian diners too, such as falafel balls in a spicy tomato sauce and stuffed red peppers topped with feta cheese.
When it comes to dessert, The Bank expands its culinary remit beyond Spain with a short but well considered list of indulgent options. Tuck into a warm chocolate fondant, a helping of sticky toffee pudding or a citrus lemon tart, all of which are served with your choice of clotted cream or vanilla ice cream.
As for the drinks list, The Bank offers a selection of beers and ciders (including a local Cornish ale), alongside a handful of red and white wines. There is also a list of classics cocktails to choose from, featuring the likes of a Long Island Iced Tea and a Cosmopolitan, as well as mocktails for teetotalers.