Wells may be England’s smallest city, but its food scene is anything but small. Set in the heart of Somerset, Wells combines historic streets, independent businesses and a thriving local food culture, making it an appealing stop for anyone exploring the county.
From modern European cooking and contemporary British dishes to Italian favourites, Mediterranean plates and welcoming pubs, there’s plenty of choice around the city centre. Many restaurants are also within easy walking distance of Wells Cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace and the historic Market Place, making it easy to pair a meal with a day of sightseeing.
If you’re wondering where to eat in Wells, Somerset, these are some of the restaurants and food-led venues worth putting on your list.
1. Goodfellows@7B – Modern European Cooking in the Heart of Wells
For a memorable meal in Wells,Goodfellows@7B is an obvious place to start. The restaurant is the latest venture from Adam and Martine Fellows, the team behind Goodfellows, and brings Adam’s modern European cooking into a new setting on St Thomas Street.
The approach is centred on carefully prepared dishes, seasonal ingredients and strong flavours, with seafood, meat and vegetarian options appearing across its menus. Sample dishes have included salmon sashimi, roast hake with leek fondue and Champagne sauce, sea bass with Mediterranean vegetables, and pan-fried scallops.
There’s also more to Goodfellows@7B than a conventional restaurant experience. The venue hosts cookery demonstrations and courses, giving food lovers the chance to see Adam Fellows in action before sitting down to eat.
The restaurant currently opens for lunch and dinner from Thursday to Saturday, with Sunday takeaway service also listed. Its St Thomas Street location makes it particularly convenient for exploring central Wells before or after a meal.
Best for: Modern European food, special occasions and food-focused experiences.
2. Root Wells – Contemporary British Dining
For diners interested in contemporary British cooking, Root Wells is one of the city's standout choices. Located on Sadler Street, the restaurant puts a modern spin on British ingredients and offers a more considered dining experience.
It works particularly well for an evening meal when you want food to be the main event. The restaurant has also built a reputation for accommodating different dietary preferences, making it a useful option when you're dining with a group.
Best for: Contemporary British cooking and relaxed special-occasion dining.
3. The Olive Tree – European and British Favourites
The Olive Tree occupies a convenient position on Sadler Street and is another strong option for anyone searching for restaurants in Wells city centre.
Its menu brings together European and British influences, with dishes that make use of seasonal ingredients. The setting is well suited to a leisurely lunch or dinner, particularly if you're spending the day exploring Wells' historic centre.
Best for: European-inspired food and relaxed dining.
4. Il Postino – Italian Dining in the Market Place
If Italian food is what you're after, Il Postino provides a central option overlooking the Market Place.
The restaurant focuses on Italian and Mediterranean flavours, making it a natural choice for pasta, classic Italian dishes and a meal with a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Its location is also handy for visitors exploring the market and surrounding historic streets.
Best for: Italian food, pasta and Mediterranean flavours.
5. The Pressoir – A Relaxed Stop for Breakfast and Lunch
The Pressoir offers a different style of dining from Wells' evening restaurants. Situated in the Heritage Courtyard just off Sadler Street, it's particularly useful for daytime eating.
It's the sort of place that fits naturally into a sightseeing itinerary: stop for breakfast, take a break over lunch, or enjoy something to eat while exploring the centre. Its opening hours extend into the evening on Fridays and Saturdays, giving it some flexibility beyond daytime dining.
Best for: Breakfast, lunch and a relaxed daytime meal.
6. Rona Mezze Bar – Mediterranean Plates for Sharing
For something a little different, Rona Mezze Bar brings Mediterranean-style dining to Union Street.
The mezze format is particularly well suited to groups because it encourages everyone at the table to try several dishes. Rather than choosing one large main course, diners can build a meal around a selection of smaller plates.
It's a good choice when you want a sociable meal with plenty of variety.
Best for: Mediterranean food, sharing and group meals.
7. Rugantino Restaurant – Classic Italian Dining
Rugantino is another established choice for Italian food in Wells. Located on Sadler Street, the restaurant has become a familiar name for diners looking for Italian and European dishes.
The menu makes it a straightforward choice for everything from a casual Italian meal to a more leisurely dinner, while its central location means it's easy to combine with an afternoon or evening around the city.
Best for: Classic Italian dishes and relaxed dinners.
8. The Fountain – Pub Dining with Plenty of Character
Located on St Thomas Street, The Fountain brings together the atmosphere of a traditional pub with a substantial food offering.
It's particularly useful when you're looking for somewhere casual and central rather than a formal restaurant. The venue works for a meal with friends, a relaxed dinner or a drink and something to eat after exploring Wells.
Best for: Casual dining, pub food and drinks.
9. The Good Earth – Vegetarian-Friendly Food
The Good Earth offers an alternative to the traditional restaurant experience, with a strong vegetarian focus and a daytime-friendly format.
Located on Priory Road, it's a useful choice for plant-focused diners and anyone looking for a lighter meal during a day in Wells. The menu and setting lend themselves particularly well to lunch and casual daytime eating.
Best for: Vegetarian food, lighter meals and daytime dining.
10. The White Hart – Traditional Pub Atmosphere
For a classic pub setting, The White Hart on Sadler Street is worth considering. The historic character of the area pairs naturally with the traditional British pub atmosphere, making it a comfortable place to stop during a visit to Wells.
It's particularly appealing when you're looking for an uncomplicated meal in a relaxed environment rather than a formal dining occasion.
Best for: Traditional pub atmosphere and casual meals.
11. The Quarter Jack – A Casual All-Day Option
The Quarter Jack on Priory Road is another practical choice for visitors who want flexibility. Its broad opening hours make it suitable for different parts of the day, whether you're stopping for breakfast, lunch, dinner or simply looking for somewhere casual to sit down.
The atmosphere is more relaxed than Wells' destination restaurants, making it useful for families, groups and visitors who want an easy-going meal.
Best for: Casual dining and flexible meal times.
12. Ajwa Restaurant – Indian Cuisine in Wells
For a change from European and British cooking, Ajwa Restaurant provides an Indian option just outside the immediate historic centre on Princes Road.
It's a good addition to a Wells food itinerary when you're in the mood for aromatic curries, rice dishes and Indian-inspired flavours. The restaurant's evening-focused opening hours also make it particularly suited to dinner.
Best for: Indian cuisine and evening meals.
How to Choose Where to Eat in Wells
The best restaurant in Wells depends on what sort of meal you're planning.
For a special dinner in Wells, Goodfellows@7B and Root are natural places to begin. Goodfellows is particularly appealing if you enjoy modern European cooking and want a more food-focused experience.
For Italian food, Il Postino and Rugantino give you two established options in the city centre.
For vegetarian-friendly dining, The Good Earth is worth considering, while Rona Mezze Bar works well when Mediterranean sharing plates sound more appealing.
If you're after casual pub dining, The Fountain, The White Hart and The Quarter Jack provide relaxed alternatives to more formal restaurants.
And for daytime food, The Pressoir is a convenient choice, particularly when you're already exploring the historic centre.
Eating Around Wells Cathedral and the City Centre
One of the best things about eating in Wells is how compact the central area is. Several restaurants are clustered around Sadler Street, St Thomas Street, Market Place and the surrounding streets.
That means you can easily build a food-focused day around the city's attractions. Start with breakfast or coffee, explore Wells Cathedral and the Bishop's Palace, browse the Market Place, and then settle in for lunch or dinner.
The local food scene also reflects Somerset's wider agricultural identity. Wells is surrounded by countryside and local producers, while the city's markets provide another connection between visitors and the region's food culture.
Why Wells Is Worth Visiting for Food
Wells isn't a city you need to rush through. Its scale makes it particularly well suited to a leisurely food-and-sightseeing day.
You can walk between many of the city's attractions and restaurants, while the variety of independent eateries means there's plenty of scope to return and try somewhere different.
For visitors planning a trip to Somerset, Wells therefore deserves more than a quick stop for the cathedral. Give yourself time to explore its food scene too, and you'll find plenty of reasons to make lunch or dinner part of the itinerary.
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