- Feb 27
- 3 min read

Review: The Elder, Hotel Indigo Bath

The beautiful Georgian streets of Bath are lined with a rich tapestry of eateries. It’s easy to find cuisine to everyone’s taste.

But for a formal yet sumptuous experience that also takes you on a culinary journey of discovery, The Elder Restaurant at the city’s Hotel indigo is up there with the best the city has to offer.

With access both from the street and via the hotel, it is independently run and owned by restaurateur Mike Robinson with a strong focus on sustainability, seasonality, locally-sourced and wild produce. This is also where hotel guests can enjoy a hearty breakfast.

This knowledgeable, passionate and friendly restaurant team took time to describe the ingredients and dishes as they’re presented to us. Everyone who visits The Elder, leaves having learned something, whether it’s about the history of Bath or how they cook and perfect your dish.

And there is a genuine story to share. In line with their sustainability ethos, the team go to great lengths to ensure all the meat, fish and veg are grown or harvested humanely and ethically by producers from as local an area as possible. And the wild food offering is unique in the UK, using wild deer herds on private estates. Indeed, Mike Robinson is one of the leading authorities on wild food and game.

The flavours and attention to detail of Mike’s carefully crafted menu come through in abundance. From the Warm Onion & Montgomery Cheddar Tart (with Waldorf Salad), through to the Pair of Huntsham Farm Middle White Pork Chops (grilled with sauce charcutiere and Roscoff Onion Tart Tatin) and the Caramelia Chocolate Bar (served with peanut butter and popcorn ice cream), it is a seasonal journey through the very best of British ingredients. And it’s a journey I’d happily take all over again.

While the menu does vary, other tempting Starter options typically include Huntsham Farm Pork Tenderlion Schnitzel; Wild Wood Pigeon Tart, Forest of Dean Wild Boar Pate en Croute and Jersey Oysters, all priced £11-£12.

Main courses might include Pave of Bathurst Estate Fallow Venison (£33); Tranche of Cornish Brill on the Bone (£30) and Will Mallard Pie for Two (at £55). Plus there’s a separate Vegetarian menu so don’t be put off by the game theme.

Your sweet tooth can be satisfied by Rhubarb Custard Tart; Classic Lemon Tart or Blood Orange Baked Alaska, among other stunning dishes. (Prices roughly between £12-£17)

The Elder is made up of a series of elegant and atmospheric dining spaces, set in a handsome honey-coloured Georgian Terrace property which also houses Hotel Indigo Bath. The Grade 1 listed boutique hotel soaks up the history, romance and literature, which can all be enjoyed just a few steps away such is its very central location.

The hotel’s communal spaces and each of its 154 rooms have a contemporary design which reflects the influences of the architects and novelists who made Bath famous for its storytelling and passionate social scene. These include ‘Romance & Mischief’ rooms, ‘Literary Hideaway’ rooms, ‘Architectural Beauty’ rooms, ‘Garden’ rooms and ‘The Vaults’.

Whether visiting on a city break, like me, or a local looking for something a cut above for that special occasion, The Elder should be on your list. Visit: The Elder Restaurant | Restaurant in Bath

[Items in this article may have been gifted to Chatting Food. No financial payment has been made to feature in this article, and entries to the feature are made independently by members of the Editorial Team. This page contains affiliate links and we may receive a small commission for purchases]

Amanda is a journalist of 30 years and now runs an award-winning PR agency based in Warwickshire. When she's not writing about her own clients she loves to help spotlight the great work of other pubs, restaurants and hotels around the country.