Emma Sally Lunn’s Bath Review: Is This Historic Tea Room Worth Visiting?
Planning a trip to Bath and wondering if Sally Lunn’s lives up to the hype? We visited this famous b
akery and tea room to find out whether it’s a must-visit foodie stop or just another tourist trap?
What is Sally Lunn’s?
Located in one of the oldest houses in Bath, Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House & Museum is steeped in history. Legend has it that a young French Huguenot refugee, Solange Luyon (later known as Sally Lunn), brought her unique bread recipe to the city.
Her creation, now known as the Sally Lunn Bun, has become one of Bath’s most iconic foods.
Head down to the basement, and you’ll find the original kitchen where these famous buns were once baked, now part of a small museum that adds a touch of heritage to your visit.
Inside Sally Lunn’s
If you visit the basement of the building, you will see the kitchen she baked her bread.
You can also take home some Bath Bunns in some very pretty boxing. (Also available to buy online)
Inside Sally Lunn’s, the building is divided into a handful of rooms, each fitted out in a faux-Georgian style.
Looking for more Bath inspo? Click here
Menu at Sally Lunn’s Bath
If you love your carbs, you will be in carb heaven here. The menu has a selection of bunns available with toppings such as goat’s cheese, chicken, and pork. The bunns are known a trenchers. Trenchers are thick slices of bread used as a plate, before plates were developed, pile on the food and then eat your plate – no washing up!
Being the budget-conscious duo we are, we plumped for the set menu, which consists of two courses and a glass of wine for £20. Seeing their own beer listed, Mark, of course, went for this. I settled down with a chilled glass of white wine. Much needed in the sultry evening weather.
Notes from Mark about his beer: ‘ Thin head, clear golden, sweet malty aroma and taste’
Toasted Sally Lunn Bunn with garlic butter. Crisp, thick slices of Bath Bunn served with salad. Being a garlic addict, more garlic would have been good, however a tasty piece of toasted bread.
Homemade vegetable soup with garlic and thyme snippets (croutons of Bath bunn). Thick and creamy soup topped with healthy sized croutons.
Boneless chicken trencher in a hunter sauce. A French classic of chicken and mushrooms, tomatoes, wine and herbs served atop a crispy Bath Bunn trencher with a side of buttered vegetables. A flavoursome sauce, some more chicken would have been good, suppose we were on the cheaper set menu. The tomatoey sauce soaked into the bunn which was possibly the best bit.
Slow cooked pork trencher with devilled sauce. Another dish that could have done with a little more pork in it. Again a creamy a flavoursome sauce. Top marks for soaked in sauce to bun ratio.
We were full of bunns, so no sweet for us. Next time we’ll try the Jane Austen inspired afternoon tea.
Verdict: Is Sally Lunn’s Worth It?
Yes, with a caveat.
Sally Lunn’s offers a unique historic setting with a chance to try one of Bath’s most famous foods. However, it is undeniably touristy, but sometimes that’s part of the trip.
If you’re visiting Bath for the first time, it’s a worthwhile experience.
Where is Sally Lunn’s?
4 North Parade Passage, Bath BA1 1NX
Book a table at Sally Lunn’s in Bath
There are no reservations available during the day, however you can book for afternoon tea and for evening meals.
