The Circus is a popular independent restaurant in Bath, which serves a seasonally changing menu of modern European dishes, alongside old world wines.
The restaurant’s dining room is a smart and sophisticated space, but it does not feel stuffy or uptight. The intimate space features olive green walls, cosy tub chairs and striking, original artworks which have been carefully chosen to complement the ambience. The Circus opens almost every day of the week for lunch and dinner (closed on Sundays), as well as catering for special diets and offering a pre-theatre menu - the restaurant is a mere 10 minute walk away from the Theatre Royal if you are planning to catch a show.
The a la carte offering at The Circus evolves with the seasons, in order to make use of the best produce. That means the menu might change in between your visits, but you can always expect to find the kind of homespun fare that you find yourself coming back for time and time again. To kick-start your meal, you might find starters such as spiced pumpkin soup topped with maple croutons or potted ham hock served alongside cider rarebit and thin slices of sourdough toast.
For your main course, you may come across dishes including flat iron steak served with chimichurri sauce, beef dripping carrots, watercress and chunky chips or braised bone-in venison shank, cooked in a rich tomato sauce and served with a saffron pearl barley risotto and a herb gremolata. Do not forget to ask your server what the fish of the day is either.
To finish up, tuck into a range of sweet treats which might include apple crumble creme brulee and plum pavlova, or satisfy savoury cravings with a seasonal cheese board. Wash it down with wines and Champagnes from small, artisan producers.