RestaurantsSomersetBathBA1

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.

survey result

Summary

£61
  £££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“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

£56
   ££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“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

£56
   ££
5
Exceptional
4
Very Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

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

£56
   ££
5
Exceptional
4
Very Good
2
Average
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“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

Highchair
No dress code
30

Noya's Kitchen Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Noya's Kitchen Restaurant in BA1, Bath by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Noya's Kitchen restaurant.
Trevor J
My favourite spot for an Asian meal in Bath...
Reviewed 2 months, 11 days ago

"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!"

Report this comment
Fiona M
A really lovely little Bath restaurant. Thi...
Reviewed 5 months, 6 days ago

"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."

Report this comment
Murray B
Unpretentious and produce super authentic V...
Reviewed 8 months,

"Unpretentious and produce super authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Tables available later even when none on web-booking. "

Report this comment
Darren F
Good Vietnamese. Nothing super special I’...
Reviewed 8 months, 24 days ago

"Good Vietnamese. Nothing super special I’m afraid. But I’m from south London where we have dozens to choose from…"

Report this comment
Simon F
Lovely Vietnamese food. The photo was exce...
Reviewed 10 months, 11 days ago

"Lovely Vietnamese food. The photo was excellent. "

Report this comment
Have you eaten at Noya's Kitchen?
Post your own review of Noya's Kitchen and contribute to our annual restaurant review guide.
Post your own review

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Veggies Pudding
£6.50 £23.00 £8.00 £0.00
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £30.00
Filter Coffee £3.00
Extras  
Bread £0.00
Service 10.00%
7 Saint James's Parade, Bath, BA1 1UL
Opening hours
MondayCLOSED
Tuesday12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm
Wednesday12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm
Thursday12 pm‑3 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm
Friday12 pm‑3 pm
Saturday12 pm‑9 pm
SundayCLOSED

Best Vietnamese restaurants nearby

Go-Viet
Vietnamese restaurant in South Kensington
£61
  £££
3
Good
3
Good
2
Average
Phat Phuc
Vietnamese restaurant in London
£44
    £
3
Good
3
Good
2
Average
Viet Food
Vietnamese restaurant in Soho
£47
   ££
4
Very Good
3
Good
2
Average

Best similarly priced restaurants nearby

PizzaExpress
Pizza restaurant in Bath
£58
   ££
2
Average
3
Good
3
Good
Brasserie Blanc
restaurant in Bath
£64
  £££
2
Average
2
Average
2
Average
Wagamama
Japanese restaurant in Bath
£59
   ££
2
Average
2
Average
2
Average