What’s the vibe?
You’ll get a bird’s eye view of the open-air Victorian pool from this first-floor vantage point, and, even if you’re not taking a dip yourself, watching the swimmers glide back and forth should be enough to work up your appetite.
Indeed, The Lido, lovingly restored by the owner of the Glassboat restaurant in the city centre, is one of the only places where you can enjoy the surreal sight of well-dressed diners mingling with bath robe-clad clientele who’ve come straight from the pool or spa.
What’s on the menu?
Head chef James Nathan, of MasterChef fame (previously it was Freddy Bird), serves up a seasonal à la carte menu, where you might find grilled Cornish red mullet, Scottish langoustine, slow-roasted lamb and plenty more Med-inspired dishes. But it also specialises in tapas dishes, and there’s also a menu dedicated to small plates, with hummus, aubergine caponata and a range of fish and meat dishes.
Try the pistachio, sherry and rhubarb trifle, or one of their homemade ice creams (two scoops for £6) – just try not to feel too guilty about eating it while others exert themselves in the pool.
What are the prices like?
Pricey – but you are eating in a pretty remarkable setting. Starters from £9.50, mains range from £24-27. Small plates all come in around £4-9.50.
This review was fact-checked and updated in 2025.
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