The Botanist – the newly opened bar and restaurant in the Grade II listed Octagon building on Milsom Street in Bath is in full bloom.

Located in the recently refurbished Grade II listed Octagon building on Milsom Street, The Botanist in Bath opened its doors in May this year making a blooming splash in the boozy culinary scene of Bath.

The vault shape entry decorated with green lush plants gives an inkling that something quite magic is waiting on the other side, which turns out to be exactly the case. The busy bar area on the ground floor takes advantage of the beautiful building and its high ceilings. There is a piano in the corner for live music (every night) as well as cosy and private seats sprinkled around the bar.

The main dining area is located on the first floor with tables spread around the octagonal-shaped hall giving dinner guests a great view of all the action downstairs.

The menu at The Botanist is fun, cheerful and affordable and great for sharing such as the popular lavender honey and sunflower loaf which is served on a rustic wooden board with whipped goat’s cheese butter. Try the scotch eggs and calamari with sweet chilli crème fraîche as a starter which are both excellent. The signature hanging kebabs (satay prawn and salt and pepper pork belly) are both amazing. However, if kebab isn’t your thing the marinated lamb or the grilled seabass are both great options served with seasonal chips and colourful sweet potato and beetroot salad. The dessert menu doesn’t disappoint either and the popular sticky toffee pudding goes down easily before a great coffee.

In addition to an impressive food menu, The Botanist is also delivering in the wine department with its carefully selected wine list. A surprisingly great option is the Pinot Noir, Legendary, ‘Cramele Recas’ from Transylvania, Romania.

The service is professional and fun with an entourage of staff ensuring guests are attended to in no time. With the music from the bar area raising up to the dining area the atmosphere is entertaining and upbeat.

Those wanting to extend the evening post-dinner can head downstairs and dance the night away at Soda Room. The club and cocktail lounge at The Botanist is mixing up great cocktails to great tunes.