The Hope & Anchor

You'll find yourself driving past Bath's more obvious spots to reach this one, which is precisely the point. The Hope & Anchor sits in Midford, that bit south of the city centre where things feel properly rural again, and it's earned its loyal following by doing the fundamentals brilliantly. It's the kind of place where the landlord knows what real ale should taste like, the kitchen doesn't overthink things, and you're more likely to hear chat about the Somerset Levels than Instagram hashtags. Worth the trip from the city proper.