The Bach

A firm culinary favourite amongst many Dundee locals is The Bach, a cosy restaurant which eclectically combines cuisine from Scotland and New Zealand. The name refers to a Kiwi holiday home where New Zealanders would typically go to retreat from everyday life or simply for a holiday, and the atmosphere in the restaurant certainly resembles a cosy little hide-away (and a welcome alternative from the humdrum Tesco meal deal!).

It’s perfect for a Saturday morning brunch or an afternoon treat. You could do the Open/Close Street Art Trail and then go to the Bach afterwards for a bite to eat. They serve a variety of dishes from brunchy classics to bold curries all made from scratch, as well as delicious craft coffee from local roasters Sacred Grounds. They also specialise in artisan coffee including soft brews such as V60 and Chemex and a wide range of speciality teas from the Edinburgh based tea merchants Shibui Tea.

When you go, you will often find the menu has altered slightly so there’s usually something new to try. With a variety of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options, the restaurant is a definite all-rounder and, although they don’t serve alcohol, customers are more than welcome to bring their own alcoholic beverages in with them. And they also allow dogs, for those of you looking for a bite to eat with your pooch!

As a firm believer in having eggs at any time of day, I love that you can always order a brunch-style dish from their all-day menu. The Bach Eggs Benedict is a firm classic: delicious smoked salmon and a perfectly runny poached egg served on a toasted English muffin, with a mild and creamy hollandaise sauce and garnished with chive.

The Bach also boast some of the best chips in Dundee—deliciously soft and fluffy on the outside yet crispy and crunchy on the outside and seasoned to perfection. They’re so tasty you won’t want to share!

Another gorgeous dish is the Bach Curry with Sri Lankan spices and Thai flavours of coconut, lemongrass ginger, chilli and lime served on a bed of basmati rise. The dish is served with either spiced chicken or a vegan option of sweet potato, chickpea, red lentil and spinach, perfect for non-meat eaters who still want to enjoy a curry. The dish is so fragrant and packed with deep South Indian flavours and spices.

The Bach also serve a range of freshly baked cakes and tray bakes, with vegan and gluten free options to try. A Kiwi classic is the Lolly Cake, decadently sweet and well-portioned. The outside of the cake is coated in desiccated coconut and the inside is made with Eskimo Lollies, with a chewy texture that tastes just like banana foam sweets. This is a must have for those of you with a sweet tooth!

They also have a range of Kiwi confectionary and treats on display for purchase, ranging from sugary sweeties to cafetiere coffee and everything in between, giving the interior a beautifully authentic feel.

Overall, The Bach is a definite must—delicious coffee, a wide range of tasty food made from scratch and a really beautiful, cosy interior space. It is truly a treasured addition to the city’s growing variety of independent cafés and eateries. You can check out their website here.