Ian Waller pays a breakfast visit to Bandook and discovers more about their impressive community outreach work
Earlier this week I visited Bandook Kitchen to try out their breakfast menu – and what a treat it turned out to be!
A wonderful way to start the day, offering something refreshingly different from the usual breakfast choices.! A wonderful way to start the day, offering something refreshingly different from the usual breakfast choices.
From the moment you arrive there’s a real sense of welcome. The friendly team sets the tone perfectly, while the soft sounds of jazz piano in the background add a touch of class and calm. Breakfast is served daily from 10am to 12 noon, making it ideal for a relaxed catch-up with friends, a leisurely morning with family (there’s plenty of room for pushchairs and prams), or even a business meeting with a difference. Add in the reliable wifi and you could even sneak in some emails – or maybe a cheeky catch-up on Strictly.
The menu offers the best of both worlds: classic Indian-inspired dishes alongside a traditional full English, plus vegetarian and vegan options. Following the advice of Jeeza, the attentive and knowledgeable waiter, I opted for the Bombay Breakfast (£10.95) of masala beans and pocket akuri – a paretha pocket filled with spiced scrambled eggs. It looked wonderful on arrival and tasted even better: beautifully cooked, full of fresh flavour and with just the right hint of spice to wake up the taste buds.
I couldn’t resist pairing it with a slice of almond and cardamom madeira cake (£4) and a chai latte, both of which were delicious. The cake in particular was fragrant, moist and just the right level of indulgence for a mid-morning treat. I was also tempted by the Chia Boost Pudding (£7.50) of chia seeds, granola, pumpkin seeds, fruit, honey and cinnamon – maybe next time!
What makes Bandook’s breakfasts even more special is the way the restaurant supports the local community. For every breakfast ordered, Bandook donates a breakfast for a pupil at St Saviour’s Infants School in Bath, helping feed up to 20 pupils per week. The team also donates 50 meals a week to Julian House and runs cookery demonstrations in local schools – a brilliant way of giving back.
While Bandook is known for its buzzing evenings of vibrant Indian dining, in the morning it transforms into a calm, welcoming space – perfect for easing into the day. My visit left me not just full and happy, but genuinely impressed by the restaurant’s ethos and commitment to Bath.
Verdict: Breakfast at Bandook Kitchen is stylish, delicious and full of flavour – with the added feel-good factor of supporting the local community. Highly recommended.
