Harden's says
Noya Pawlyn runs this supper club / cookery school / cafe in the heart of Bath; she left Vietnam aged seven and cooked for her whole family in a Hong Kong refugee camp.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“The word’s got around that the Vietnamese home-style cooking here is seriously delicious”, so this “terrific Dining Club restaurant presided over by the wonderful Noya” (who “also runs supper clubs menus once a week and classes”) is “usually packed” (it is the most commented-on restaurant in Bath in our annual diners’ poll and one of the top-50 most commented-on destinations outside London in the UK). It’s only a “small” and “unpretentious” venue, but “service is always efficient, friendly and welcoming” and “whilst she is only small in stature, her meals are gigantic in terms of flavour and sophistication”; and also very “affordable”. On the downside, one or two visiting Londoners are “disappointed after the local hype” (“good but nothing super-special, but I grew up in south London where we have dozens of not dissimilar places to choose from…”). But when you visit may also be key (“the simplicity of its Pho and Noodle menus – great for pre-theatre – are juxtaposed with Noya’s five-course fixed supper club menus once a week”). Top Menu Tips – “lovely pork belly noodles are very tender and well spiced”; “herby prawn summer rolls and coconut-rich An‘s chicken curry!”.
Summary
“Brilliant Vietnamese venue, owned by chef Noya who was taught to cook by her mum”. “Honest and fresh-flavoured dishes” are “prepared with flair” in this “vibrant”, “reasonably priced” townhouse restaurant, where the “consistently friendly and enthusiastic service contributes to a lovely experience” – “every time I go here, I come out with a smile!”
Summary
Noya Pawlyn’s “delightful Vietnamese food” – “varied, interesting and full of fresh flavours, with a vibrant and zesty edge” – “delivers on every single visit” and has made the small restaurant she opened five years ago “justifiably popular”. “How little Noya does it so well is a mystery” – but it may have something to do with the skills she learnt as a child, cooking for her siblings in a Hong Kong refugee camp while her parents went out to work. And it’s not just a cheap and cheerful option: there’s a “surprisingly good wine list”, and “it’s a great place for a date”.
Summary
“Incredibly delicious, highly flavoured Vietnamese food on a different level to the norm. Fabulous!”. “This is a lovely little restaurant with exceptional food” – and with a backstory to match: Noya Pawlyn left Vietnam at the age of seven and began cooking for her younger siblings in a refugee camp in Hong Kong while her parents went out to work. She opened her supper club/cookery school/cafe in 2017, and now it is at the forefront of the city’s food scene. “During lockdowns only, Noya & family have raised our spirits with fantastic takeaway food and it’s now a pleasure to return to her lovely restaurant & garden. Superb!”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Noya's Kitchen?
7 Saint James's Parade, Bath, BA1 1UL
Restaurant details
Noya's Kitchen Restaurant Diner Reviews
"My favourite spot for an Asian meal in Bath. Noya cooks homely, Vietnamese food and boy is it good! Booking is highly advisable as this cosy restaurant in a small Georgian house is deservedly popular with locals. I always leave with a smile on my face which says it all!"
"A really lovely little Bath restaurant. This was my second visit. Beautifully fresh flavours, skill fully combined. Very authentic dishes and influences. Enthusiastic staff. Do book as it is very popular."
"Unpretentious and produce super authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Tables available later even when none on web-booking. "
"Good Vietnamese. Nothing super special I’m afraid. But I’m from south London where we have dozens to choose from…"
"Lovely Vietnamese food. The photo was excellent. "
Prices
Drinks | |
---|---|
Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
Extras | |
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Bread | £0.00 |
Service | 10.00% |
7 Saint James's Parade, Bath, BA1 1UL
Opening hours
Monday | CLOSED |
Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm |
Saturday | 12 pm‑9 pm |
Sunday | CLOSED |
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