No 12 Restaurant & Bar

Close to the city centre & a short walk from the cathedral & college, this smart wine bar-cum-restaurant is popular with visitors & students thanks to a distinctive, modern décor & two terraces. Masks line the brick walls above green tongue-and-grove panelling & the dining area is on two levels. There’s a something-for-everyone appeal to the menu, with fish as a strong suit – say, king scallops with saffron mayonnaise or smoked haddock & turbot with grilled asparagus. If the chateaubriand is too pricey, look to pork & clam casserole, steak & kidney pudding or one of the vegetarian options. Good sharing dishes include fish platters & Camembert in a box with chutneys & breads, while tempting desserts – tiramisu, chocolate & chilli tart, tarte tatin – tap into global influences.