The Circus Restaurant is a european restaurant in Crescent, Bath. Rated 4.7 stars from 1231 Google reviews. Known for creative, precisely executed european cooking and exceptional service and staff warmth. Best for celebration dinners and couples. Features a terrace. Price range: $$.
Rankings updated May 2026
The Circus Restaurant
Across 1,228 Google reviews, 94% gave four or five stars.
Quick Verdict
A neighbourhood gem off the beaten track where creative European cooking and genuine hospitality justify the hype—and the reservations.
You want a special meal in Bath with impeccable service, creative dishes, and outstanding value set menus.
About The Circus Restaurant
The Circus Restaurant sits just off Bath's main drag in the Crescent, a deliberately understated space where the focus lands squarely on the food and the care taken in its delivery. The menu is deliberately small—a signal of intent—with highly creative, seasonally-driven European dishes executed with precision: sole with delicate curry sauce, flat iron steak with chunky chips, beef bourguignon that earns superlatives, and desserts (date pudding, crème brûlée with rhubarb and ginger flapjack) that reviewers describe as transcendent. Staff move with genuine attentiveness without hovering; managers respond instantly to any concern. The set menus offer remarkable value—£38 for three courses and a glass of house wine—and the wine list draws particular praise. The atmosphere balances cosy intimacy with a vibrant, stylish energy; the downstairs dining room is notably quiet. Accessibility features include wheelchair access to entrance and seating. Reservations are essential across all dayparts, but the reward is an evening that feels genuinely special, whether you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or simply a long lunch with friends.
The Circus Restaurant earns its romantic reputation through both atmosphere and a serious wine selection — the kind of place where a dinner for two tends to extend well past dessert.
What Stands Out
Creative, precisely executed European cooking
Multiple recent reviews praise 'highly creative and well executed dishes,' sole 'cooked to perfection' with 'delicate curry sauce,' and desserts described as 'made in heaven'—consistency across 84% five-star ratings.
Exceptional service and staff warmth
Reviewers consistently highlight attentive, friendly staff by name (Laura, Marco, Emma) who are 'kind and attentive,' 'knowledgeable,' and responsive to any issue without hesitation.
Outstanding value set menus and wine list
£38 for three courses and house wine repeatedly cited as 'fabulous value'; wine list highlighted as a strength in GBP attributes, with staff making 'excellent suggestions.'
In Their Own Words
Review highlights surfaced by Google, in the language they were written
“Really friendly staff and a great place to eat close to the main sights too.”
“We ordered the ribeye, but it was tough and not juicy, meaty and dry.”Practical Information
Opening Hours
Contact
☀️Outdoor
“A really lovely find just outside of the city centre by the golden crescent”
— James McPhail
Common Questions
How consistently good is The Circus Restaurant?
Across 1,228 Google reviews, 94% of visitors gave four or five stars — placing The Circus Restaurant among Crescent's most reliably rated european restaurants.
Is The Circus Restaurant good for a date night?
Yes — The Circus Restaurant is rated as a Romantic setting by its regulars on Google, with a strong wine list. Reservations are recommended, particularly for evenings.
Do you need to book The Circus Restaurant in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended for lunch and dinner — The Circus Restaurant is a popular choice in Crescent and tends to fill quickly, particularly at weekends.
Does The Circus Restaurant have outdoor seating?
Yes — The Circus Restaurant offers outdoor seating, which pairs well with its romantic atmosphere. Outdoor tables are popular during warmer months so arriving early or booking ahead helps.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Circus Restaurant
Absolutely. Reviewers celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and Valentine's dinners here. Staff go out of their way to make occasions memorable—one manager seated a party early without complaint, another comped a main course when an issue arose.
Yes. Reservations are recommended for brunch, lunch, and dinner, and often required. The restaurant is frequently busy, but booking ensures you're seated promptly and can enjoy the experience without rush.
Mid-range ($$). Set menus offer exceptional value at £38 for three courses plus wine. À la carte pricing is fair; reviewers note it 'won't break your bank account' despite the quality.
Yes, outdoor seating is available. The restaurant also features a downstairs dining room noted for its quiet, intimate ambience.
Reviewers rave about the sole with curry sauce, flat iron steak, beef bourguignon, and desserts—particularly the date pudding and crème brûlée with rhubarb and ginger flapjack.
Yes. The restaurant has a wheelchair-accessible entrance and accessible seating. Note: toilets are located downstairs.
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