It should go without saying that Bristol has a lot going for its food scene. This south west culinary powerhouse, which was named the world’s top vegan city the year before and the UK’s second-best sustainable food city in 2021, also has a healthy Michelin Guide and many other highly regarded restaurants.
Therefore, it’s a tedious endeavour to condense those eateries into a single, authoritative list. But in order to bring you this guide on where to eat in Bristol, we reluctantly took on the work of sampling the best cuisine available around Bristol, from triple-figure bowls of pasta to Korean grilled chicken. These 22 restaurants in Bristol are the IDEAL 22.
Bokman, Cotham
Perfect for a vibrant, revitalising Korean feast featuring grilled chicken…
Little but well-known Korean eatery Bokman is tucked away off Bristol’s wild and bustling Stokes Croft district, at the end of a steep cul-de-sac.
The work of Duncan Robertson and Kyu Jeon, who got married after meeting at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Paris, this is a distinctive, thrilling, and intimate dining experience, with the ground floor’s cramped dining room acting as a belying centrepiece to the grill work happening out back.
You can locate the Tongdak, the star of Bokman’s blistering show, on that upright, whirling charcoal spit. Serve it ssam style, with crisp-skinned rotisserie chicken filled with sticky rice and slow-cooked till tender. Accompany it with a range of pickles and dipping sauces, as well as lettuce leaves for wrapping. Of course, you have to have a bowl of house kimchi. It has to be the city’s most festive, all-in sharing platter.
But Bokman’s offerings don’t end with the Tongdak. A meal for one would be perfect with the seasonal vegetable bibimbap, a famous stone bowl rice dish elevated with gratings of cured pollock roe and oozing egg yolk; another great option is the seolleongtang, a wibbly, wobbly beef stew topped with spring onions and spicy dadaegi condiment, which is a winter warmer of epic proportions and could pass for health food if it weren’t so damn delicious. Another amazing dish is whole bream swimming contentedly in a sauce heavily flavoured with rusty gochujang. Yes, this is one that you should attend with friends.
You’ll only need a bottle of room temperature soju to go with it, and your cockles will be nicely warmed (can you tell we’re writing this on a really cold day?).
Refresh yourself with Bokman’s famous soft serve, which is ideal for wintertime dining as well, and you’ll have one of Bristol’s most unparalleled and delightful dining experiences.
The Kitchen of Gullu, Fishponds
Perfect for some of the most well-known Jamaican dishes in Bristol…
Because of the UK’s post-World War II attempts to reconstruct the country, a significant portion of Bristol’s population is Jamaican, therefore visiting the city is not complete without sampling some of the cuisine. The Windrush generation—many of whom were Jamaican—arrived in Bristol after the British Nationality Act of 1948 granted Commonwealth nationals the right to immigrate to the UK.
As more Jamaicans established themselves in Bristol, they created networks of support and communities that drew more Jamaican immigrants. Bristol’s Jamaican community has contributed significantly to the city’s culture over the years, especially in the areas of music, cuisine, and annual events like the St Pauls Carnival, which honours African-Caribbean culture.
Finally, we arrive at Gullu’s Kitchen in the Bristol neighbourhood of Fishponds, where we thoroughly season ourselves with jerk smoke in anticipation of what is possibly the best grilled chicken in the city, whether it be Caribbean or not. This place is strictly for takeaway (avoid the part about the ‘best restaurants’ in the title). Outside Gullu’s is where you can see the jerk pan, an oil drum that has been blackened by years of skilful barbecuing, with several blistered legs being lovingly caressed by a be-gloved, occasionally be-goggled cook.
God, this chicken is delicious! It’s well grilled and has a wonderful, peppery flavour from the house jerk sauce. Don’t stop there, though; the brown stew chicken is possibly the most well-liked dish here and is amazing. We also enjoy the soft stewed oxtail with butter beans. This aromatic, thick stew is packed with large, robust Caribbean flavours. It has a strong, spicy kick and is incredibly tender. Enjoy it with rice and chips as well. For a truly impressive picnic, bring your haul to Coombe Brook Nature Reserve, which is just a five-minute stroll away.
Floating Harbour’s The Harbour House
Situated on the edge of Bristol’s Floating Harbour, the Harbour House seems to have carved out a very special place for itself in this part of town. This is due in part to its prime location in the Old City, which is only ten minutes’ walk from Temple Meads, as well as its dedication to showcasing the best that the Southwest has to offer on a menu that, despite its broad appeal, manages to do almost everything exceptionally well.
The restaurant itself bills itself as “a venue for every occasion,” which is a pretty accurate summary of everything it offers, but it also rather undersells the Harbour House, given how good the food is.
The menu is categorised into three main sections: “butcher,” “fishmonger,” and “greengrocer.” Each section has a lot of crowd-pleasing options as well as snacks, sides, and sweets. Indeed, this restaurant will satisfy even the pickiest diners. Whether it’s the grilled pork chop with fries and a mixed leaf salad, which is delightfully marked from the grill, slightly pink inside, and with a handsome layer of sweet, crisp fat, or the subtly spiced but noticeably smokey kedgeree arancini (served with pickled raisins and curry mayo). It’s stunning and demonstrates some thoughtful, considerate cooking in the kitchen. These people are definitely knowledgeable about substances. Salads and sandwiches are available for individuals who prefer something lighter at lunch.
An additional dimension to the allure of Harbour House is the lively, family-oriented ambiance. A pleasant summer’s day fills the dining room with sunlight reflecting from the harbour, and the deck is alive with the easygoing conversation of contented patrons. Despite the fact that it was a dreadful spring day when we went, the place nonetheless felt welcoming, with the lively dining area providing a welcome change of pace from Bristol’s most depressing aspects. It very much aroused a childhood desire for the cosiness of being inside a caravan during a proper storm. Just a whole lot more wine; the Arête Piquepoul-Terret, which has a lively acidity and a strong salty minerality, costs less than ten pounds a glass.
Old City Cotto
Perfect for intriguing wines and modest Italian dishes…
Although it opened in early 2022, this wine bar and kitchen—part of the prestigious Bianchis Group, whose increasing influence in the city can only be beneficial—has already established itself firmly in Bristol’s Old City.
After undergoing changes as La Sorella, an aperitivo bar and deli, and Bar Ripiena, the pandemic derailed plans to reinvent the location as a lasagne bar (how delicious does that sound!). As a result, Cotto was born, a cosy hideout renowned for its laid-back atmosphere and homemade Italian cuisine.
The little space has a calm aura by day because of its framed cartoons and soft, tactile terracotta walls, but at night it comes alive and has a party vibe that you can see from the street. It begs you in, we assure you.
Sitting up at the bar with a view of St Stephen’s Street with a glass of wine and a small plate is an option for patrons, however the menu is so tempting that opting for just that could feel like a loss of opportunity. The beef shin lasagne is one of the best dishes on the menu; it’s perfectly cakey and erect, with a rich, pastoral ragu and aged bechamel flavoured with parmesan. A tiny pool of tomato compote floats on it for good measure, adding a nice burst of acidity.
Make sure you order the artichoke fritti, a gorgeous large pile of the bastards drizzled with hot honey and topped with a few fresh mint leaves, before that (since it will exhaust you). The location is very much designed for casual dining, so stop in for just a plate of them and a drink of something quirky and hazy.
Choose a larger dish from the constantly-changing pasta menu, such as bucatini alla nerano or a bowl of fregola with clams and datterini.
Cotto offers a wide variety of wines, including many biodynamic ones, that may be enjoyed by the glass. It’s a very pleasant spot to spend an evening or morning.
Tapas, Paco Redcliffe
Perfect for tapas worthy of a star, with an emphasis on the wood-fired grill…
London heavyweights Sabor and Barrafina are the other two Spanish eateries in the UK with a Michelin star, along with Paco Tapas. The tapas bar continues to shine for us even though Paco has mysteriously lost that star (as has, even strangerly, Barrafina).
Paco is a highly regarded restaurant in a group of eateries headed by chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias. The other restaurants in the group are Decimo in London and the excellent Casa next door. Paco’s menu features classic Spanish tapas dishes that are presented with sophistication and a hint of celebrity.
The menu changes every day and is a treat to look at, with classic dishes like patatas bravas and paletilla Iberica coexisting with last-minute additions based on what’s fresh and headed for the applewood fired grill. Highlights include tiny leeks, grilled till charred and crumbling and served with a superbly crafted, softly smoked romesco sauce; the whole quail, filled with sobrasada and dates, has its salty, sweet interplay assessed correctly.
The menu del día, which the restaurant just debuted, is also delightful. At £35 per person for multiple tapas courses, it’s an excellent deal considering the calibre of food served. This lineup included hake that was poached in a white wine and prawn stock and enhanced with aioli, which was the fish of the day on a recent visit. Happily, plump mussels swam by it.
The dish of spicy sausages cooked in cider, known as chorizo a la sidra, was extremely delicious and had a sticky reduction that begged to be dipped in bread. We mopped and were given bread.
A sherry greets you on your voyage, straight from the barrel to the clipper. Yes, this is unquestionably among the best eating experiences in Bristol. Plus, it’s a tonne of fun.
Clifton’s Lido
Perfect for sharing plates with Middle Easterners and offering the most unique dining views…
One of Bristol’s most distinctive dining locations is The Lido, which combines the gastronomic pleasures of a fine dining establishment with the allure of a restored Victorian swimming pool. They were meant to be together.
The Lido is an urban retreat where you can pamper yourself to a spa treatment, unwind in the sauna or hot tub, and then spoil your taste buds with an amazing dinner. It is located in the centre of Clifton, one of Bristol’s most charming neighbourhoods. Alternatively, proceed in the other manner, naturally, allowing your meal to settle little before beginning.
Forget about acid reflux; the Lido has been around since it initially opened as a public swimming area in 1850. It was eventually acquired by Arne Ringer in 2004 after going through multiple ownership changes and even facing the possibility of being developed into apartments. Ever since, it has been converted into a spot where Bristolians may unwind and indulge in equal measure.
The Lido’s poolside menu has a Middle Eastern influence. It’s light, fresh, and energetic, and kind of ideal if you want to swim afterwards. The seasonal small plates are centred around wood-fired flatbreads.
This restaurant is definitely among the best in the city for vegetarians, even though it’s not exclusively vegetarian. The vegetable-led cooking is genuinely exceptional. Beetroot and ajo blanco, a meal of roasted root vegetables supported by a tangy and rich emulsion of garlic and almonds, is a must-try. Amazingly amazing. The sale is sealed with some of that amazing flatbread for dredging.
Having said that, magic happens here when protein is cooked on the grill. During a summer visit, we had charcoal-grilled onglet with a butter sauce of anchovies, garlic, and chilli. It was really delicate in some areas and gnarly in others, demonstrating yet again how much more enjoyable this kind of cut is than a perfectly cooked fillet. When sea ass is treated as roughly on the grill, it becomes equally delicious as that onglet.
Perfect for enjoying a meal by a glistening body of water in the summer, the Lido’s assortment of ice creams and sorbets is always satisfying. Even in the dead of winter, the Pedro Ximenez and sultana combination feels especially decadent and appropriate.
The most well-liked package offered by the Lido is called “Swim and Lunch,” which includes usage of the pool and spa followed by a two-course lunch. Other packages include eating, swimming, and massages. What a wonderful way to pass a day off.
French Little and Westbury Park
Perfect for decadent butter, garlic, and cream escapes…
Westbury Park in Bristol epitomises a tranquil, green district filled with upscale strollers, Victorian terraces, and the talk of people with nothing better to do. If one isn’t already present, one ought to be.
Not surprisingly, then, Westbury Park is home to one of the city’s most renowned local bistros. Put that away; the nation. The atmosphere at Chef Freddy Bird’s Littlefrench is all about flavourful, honest French rural cooking and well-made, easily digestible wine bottles. Some even cost less than £30, which is becoming unusual in the current economic climate.
In fact, one of our guiltiest midweek indulgences is retiring to the banquette seats for a warm, lighted evening—escapism at its most pure. Savour the delicious roast queen scallops, which come in five servings and are served in their shells with a decadent sauternes butter sauce. Sure, a supplement of Sturia Oscietra caviar is a luxury, but you came for the purpose, right?
A sumptuous and refined dish consisting of hake, clams, and monk’s beard, accompanied by a velvety mixture of cider and crème fraîche sauce, brings together a delightful blend of salty components for the main course. A mouthwatering, caramel-like armagnac jus ties the entire roast partridge with bone marrow bread sauce dish together from a more recent visit (yes, we’ve been here a few times). Indeed, Freddy Bird won’t receive any gratitude from your cardiologist, but really, who cares when the meal tastes this good?
Remember to save room for dessert while you reel from the profanity and all the fat. The incredibly sophisticated crème brulee from Littlefrench is a dreamy, light, and sensual treat for anyone looking for another consistent hit of fat. Sure, the chocolate mousse is rich and black, but its simplicity nearly makes it purifying. It doesn’t hurt that it’s presented in a pool of cream. After all of this, you might need to stretch out, but when you lie in your prone posture and gaze up at the cool night sky, you’ll feel incredibly content.
Wapping Wharf, BOX-E
Perfect for gorgeously heartfelt dishes in the tiniest of dining rooms…
It’s difficult to get a reservation at this small, 14-seat shipping container restaurant in Bristol’s Wapping Wharf. However, consider the man who operates the stoves; there’s much less space in back. It’s amazing how he extracts such flavour and elegance from such a small area.
That man is Elliott Lidstone, a former head chef at the Hackney, BOX-area restaurants L’Ortolan and The Empress.E radiates a modest aspiration that is distinctly Bristolian; the restaurant’s simple, functional decor and menu descriptions conceal the intricate flavours on the dish. Although it may seem straightforward—beige even—a dinner consisting of hake, butter beans, and cauliflower was anything but. Rich and vibrant, with the hake fillet cooked to perfection—just under—this was an exquisite example of fish cooking, enhanced by a rich, caramelised cauliflower puree that added complexity to the dish.
Simple but tasty desserts may be found at BOX-E; chef Lidstone’s panna cotta is a constant favourite. So much so that there are frequently two options available; at the moment, one is based around vanilla and the other around black treacle. Get one of each, and you’ll instantly feel like a ying and yang. In fact, even while the restaurant might not be able to perform intricate pastry art, the sweets are nonetheless expertly made, guaranteeing a wonderful conclusion to your meal.
More than just a restaurant, BOX-E is a representation of Bristol’s innovative, driven, and fearless way of doing things.
Wapping Wharf Root
Perfect for delicious vegetable-led, not just vegetarian, cooking in a cargo container
Next, we’re going to Root, one of the most renowned restaurants in the South West, for a feast of dishes centred around vegetables. The core values of Root are the promotion of sustainable food and the encouragement of direct commerce between regional suppliers, producers, and chefs. This dedication to sustainability and local sourcing is a fundamental value that guides the menu and overall operations, especially their enjoyment of seasonal vegetables. It is not only a marketing ploy.
Here, there are elegantly arranged dishes that burst with vibrant hues from fresh vegetables without compromising on flavour. We really adore their devious approach to grilled leaves and greens; at the moment, a charred hispi cabbage is presented Caesar salad-style, and the outcome is (unsurprisingly) amazing. A mushroom and lentil kiev, which brings new meaning to the Come Dine With Me favourite of garlic butter mushrooms, is possibly even better and more appropriate for the season. It rests beneath a mound of sharp pickled shiitake and on a pillowy cloud of celeriac puree. This one has the ideal balance.
If the weather looks good—yes, we are enjoying the last parts of autumn—try to score a seat outside on the little terrace area, which has amazing harborside views.
Wapping Wharf and Gambas.
Perfect for shelling, sucking, and slurping a range of prepared Spanish prawns…
Please, before we depart from this glittering corner of Bristol, just one more lunch in a shipping container. Gambas, another major player at Wapping Wharf, experiences the same thing.
There aren’t many nicer ways to spend an evening than here, with your sleeves rolled up and your inhibitions down, savouring the head juice of some salty, blistering wild red prawns. This tapas bar—well, shipping container—puts everything prawn on a pedestal.
Beautiful Cornish sardines are served with a simple dressing of garlic, parsley, and lemon. Keep the vibe of blistering, off-bitter sardines going.
The menu’s De La Tierra (or “of the earth”) section at Gambas, which is essentially a compendium of tapas bar staples despite its somewhat high subheader, offers much to savour even for those who aren’t enamoured with the rusty flavours of the sea. The aubergine fried in molasses is very good.
The smoky, gamy Basque soft cheese, Idiazabal, is another excellent addition to the menu. It’s a sophisticated way to cap off a dinner that has mostly consisted of indulging in shellfish.
Cotham, Bulrush
Perfect for sampling Bristol’s final Michelin-starred restaurant…
Strangely, this is the only restaurant on our list of Bristol’s top eateries to receive a Michelin star, despite the fact that the city was previously home to dozens. George Livesey, a highly acclaimed chef who has gained global recognition for his inventive cooking methods and natural aptitude, is the creator of Bulrush.
His career at L’Enclume and St John, as well as his classical training with the Roux brothers, are reflected in this restaurant’s sophisticated nine-course menu (which comes in for a very reasonable £90). It highlights his skill with precise technique and refined, defined flavour.
Curiously, the name of the restaurant, Bulrush, comes from a variety of marsh plant called Scirpus lacustris, which is typically used to make mats and chair seats. This is in line with the restaurant’s philosophy of authenticity, simplicity, and respect for the natural world, which is further emphasised in the dining room’s whitewashed brick.
This dish is definitely simple, with the focus being on the platter itself and the highlight of one or two perfectly seasonal items. That’s not to say that the taste combinations aren’t inventive and occasionally thought-provoking; a crab amuse bouche served with pineappleweed next to chamomile is a great example of this. Similarly, the main course of the moment is duck breast, which is cooked to a flawless pink cuisson and served with a fermented peach, creating a stunning harmony of complex acidity and umami richness.
The wine flight, which includes a variety of nuanced and intriguing wines largely from the new world, is definitely worth the £65 price tag and is equally well-crafted. We have found that Bulrush offers the greatest fine dining experience in Bristol, and we frequently return there.
Corn Street’s The Ox
Perfect for meat lovers looking for a hearty dinner in Bristol’s historic centre
Since its opening just over ten years ago, this restaurant—which is nestled away one storey below street level behind The Commercial Rooms (a ‘Spoons’) on Corn Street—has been dishing up excellent, meat-heavy British cooking. The Ox has rapidly established itself as one of Bristol’s greatest steakhouses, with a menu stuffed to the gills with the finest cuts of meat, all grilled to perfection over coals in the restaurant’s central Josper oven.
The Ox’s historically significant location enhances its allure. When Bristol was a walled mediaeval town, Corn Street, Broad Street, Wine Street, and High Street were the four cross streets that converged at the Bristol High Cross, the town’s centre. Today, The Ox, a restaurant that skilfully combines heritage and contemporary, is located on this ancient street.
For a special celebration or a romantic supper, the basement location provides a cosy and intimate eating experience. The Ox’s Set Menu for two is as meaty as it gets if you’re planning a really carnivorous party. A board of house-cured meats, a mixed grill with 10 ounces of pork chop, 10 ounces of sirloin steak, and 10 ounces of bone marrow, triple-cooked chips, greens, sauces, and, lastly, a cheeky ice cream sharing board are all included in the price tag, which packs a punch (really, 100 pounds to be exact). It’s nice, by God, but it’s a lot.
It should come as no surprise that the Ox serves a delicious Sunday roast, but the kitchen’s expert handling of the fish department is equally appreciated. Before the carnivores arrive, their scallops, when cooked in their shells and paired with a variety of butters (beware—the kimchi butter isn’t the best), create a delicious appetiser.
On Spike Island, Noah’s
Perfect for some of the greatest fish & chips in the nation, savoured next to a glittering body of
The creative idea (not their real child; he’s the eponymous Noah) of dynamic husband-and-wife team Dan and Joie Rosser is this recently launched, family-run restaurant, which is situated in the Cumberland Basin and offers breathtaking views of the water. Whatever they offer, from the perfect fish and chips that are Noah’s speciality to the Cornish lemon sole, cooked entire on the bone, their love for presenting the best of British seafood is evident.
In any case, you can be confident that this fish is as fresh as it gets, having been caught on day boats from Devon and Cornwall and prepared with the utmost care and consideration. Now all you need is a couple of beers and a bowl of thick-cut, fluffy chips. Aaaah, I believe we should just hang out for a little.
Stores, Sonny, Southville
Perfect for a well-thought-out “Britalian” eating experience
Another family-run business, Sonny Stores, is named for the co-owners’ kid.
Pegs Quinn, a former employee of River Cafe, and his spouse Mary Glynn are the owners of one of the city’s most beloved new restaurants. They offer a broadly “Britalian” menu that features excellent local ingredients cooked with devotion in a crowded, constantly bustling dining room.
Even though the structure is small, it has a really great dining experience within. Here, the emphasis is primarily on vegetables and the atmosphere is fresh and light, perhaps not as pasta-heavy as at some of Bristol’s other excellent Italian eateries. Having said that, our all-time fave pasta meal of late was probably an offal-based one: an exquisite chicken liver ragu served atop freshly cooked, flawlessly al dente pappardelle, with hints of aged parmesan cheese wafting beneath. What a wonderfully tangy, incredibly fulfilling dish.
Though vegetarians will find plenty to eat here, the charred friggitelli peppers and farinata (chickpea pancake) are really delicious and make the ideal side dish with a cold one, much like they do in Bel Paese.
It’s also true that the pizzettas are legendary. Order the taleggio if it’s on the menu; it comes with charred onion, sage, heated honey, and a cheeky chilli infused into the cheese.
You can have one of the most satisfying lunches in Bristol if you finish with an affogato, like we are going to do (stracciatella ice cream with espresso). It’s so satisfying that we might just need a moment.
Redland, Bravas
Perfect for tapas at midnight…
At this Redland institution, authenticity is paramount. The owners credit frequent staff excursions to Spain as the source of inspiration for their unwavering interpretations of traditional tapas meals.
Be advised that Bravas is usually packed like Ortiz sardines every evening, except on Sundays when it closes to recover from the previous week’s hangover. If your plan is to just stroll in off the street like you were on a joyous pub crawl in Seville, you should probably look elsewhere. Thankfully, the location opens at noon and remains open until midnight for the next six days without interruption, meaning that if you visit during a customarily “off peak” hour (4:47pm, to be exact), there will always be space available. Of course, you may make reservations in advance, but don’t you think it kind of destroys the romance?
In any case, the wait is well worth it, with standout dishes like perfectly refreshing mojo verde-topped bronzed cod or a delightful small cazuela of chorizo cooked in cider, with the juices, as always, being the finest part. The restaurant’s signature dish, patatas bravas, is a faithful recreation of a classic as well. The bargain is sealed with one or two signature sherry negronis, and we’re still manning the bar at closing (sorry, guys!).
Redland’s Saigon Kitchen
Perfect for dishes of Northern Vietnamese food that are soul-nourishing…
Vietnamese cuisine seems to be terribly under-represented in Bristol; those who enjoy pho, banh mi, and other dishes frequently travel outside of the city to Bath to see the highly regarded Noya’s Kitchen.
All that is changing with the Saigon Kitchen. Here, Chef Trung, who hails from a small fishing town near Halong Bay in northern Vietnam, mans the burners and serves the Redland faithful traditional Northern Vietnamese dishes.
In fact, despite the name of the restaurant, the best representation of Hanoi street cuisine can be found here, with the famous cha ca la vong serving as a menu highlight and a very welcome and delicious appearance. The marinade turns the oil a lovely shade of brass. Here, slices of white fish are fried in a tangle of spring onions and dill after being marinated in galangal and turmeric. Savour one of Hanoi’s most praised dishes with loads of herbs and fresh rice noodles. This is an excellent variation.
Naturally, pho is also available here; this time, it’s the flavourful, understated Northern variety that magically cures even the worst Walking Whirlwind hangovers. Bun cha, a staple lunch meal in Hanoi consisting of succulently sweet and caramelised grilled pig patties and belly slices paired with fresh rice noodles and herbs, is even better. It’s served with a dressing of sweet and sour fish sauce. booming.
If this sounds like a hair of the dog scenario (which we’re not sure why we’re thinking it’s the case), the Saigon Kitchen is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 2:00 pm. Bottles of Saigon and Hanoi beer (the former is superior than the latter) cost £6.
Clifton and his wife
Perfect for the newest (and greatest) gastropub experience in Bristol
The Clifton, like the Devonshire in Soho that opened at the same time in 2023, is billed as a “ale and food house” (when did “gastropub” become a derogatory term?). It seems to understand pubs and the kind of food that patrons love to eat at those pubs.
Given the Clifton’s impressive background, it should not be surprising that it achieved quick success. Run by Sarah and Tom Watts-Jones, the same couple behind two other popular venues in Wales, the Hare & Hounds in Aberthin and the Heathcock in Cardiff, this place just screams warmth and hospitality, with a large room out back for the finer dining elements and a dog-friendly front bar that still encourages patrons to stop in for a plate of halved langoustines with thirds of lemon.
The addition of a specially designed Ox Grill to the kitchen—which means that most meat and fish at the Clifton are now cooked over an open flame—was one of the most significant alterations since the Watts-Jones takeover. This is a very pleasant location to spend an afternoon, savouring crispy pig’s cheek or tucking into one of the speciality ox cheek and pickled walnut pies. The restaurant places a strong focus on fresh British ingredients, woodfire cooking and sharing meals.
There aren’t many better places in the world than a British pub with a singing kitchen. End it all (don’t; there’s so much more to live for) with the pub’s decadent Guinness steamed pudding with milk ice cream, letting the ice cream melt just enough to form a frothy head on top of the cake.
Old City of Marmo
Perfect for intriguing wines and Italian small plates (wait, didn’t we just say that? That kind of place is Bristol.
Nestled in the city’s historic district, near the Hippodrome Theatre, is Marmo, a hip (do hip people say ‘hip’) osteria/wine bar that has gained popularity among both locals and national culinary critics.
Under the direction of Cosmo Sterck, the restaurant specialises in a short, seasonally-focused menu of flavourful, exquisitely presented Italian cuisine. Lily Sterck has carefully chosen a range of wines that includes various intriguing, occasionally unique options that may be enjoyed by the glass.
Although Jay Rayner was correct to describe Marmo as “an absolute corker” (hopefully not a reference to their clumsy opening of those interesting drops), you might want to get another view. If you’re in the mood, check out our list of the top Italian eateries in Bristol to find it.
Brislington’s Blu-Fire Smoke n Grille
Perfect for the Caribbean-style Sunday roast in Bristol…
Blu-Fire Smoke n Grill, which specialises in Jamaican food, has established a reputation as one of the top eating spots for Caribbean food lovers in Bristol.
Blu-Fire began as a catering business at music events in the southwest and has since grown into a well-liked brick and mortar store in the centre of lively Brislington Village. There’s a laid-back, convivial vibe here, with a small counter with stools by the window and a few tables inside. Regulars stop in for coffee and conversation with husband and wife team Juliette and Colin, daytrippers come in hungry after a stroll through Arnos Vale Cemetery or a game of crazy golf, and die-hard fans of peppered steak and oxtail stew pitch up for one of the best versions in the UK, served roast-style on Sundays. Rich and dark, glossy and aromatic, it pairs well with roast potatoes, yorkies, coleslaw, and other dishes.
Throughout the week, Blu-Fire’s jerk chicken is the main attraction. Two delectably glazed chicken thighs, rice and peas, coleslaw, and steamed vegetables are all well prepared and available for £16.95. You’ll have no shortage of options when it comes to Caribbean cuisine in Bristol, but Blu-Fire is maybe the greatest.
Bedminster’s COR
Perfect for delectable Mediterranean dishes and attentive service…
As we’ve already indicated in this piece, we’re huge admirers of Gambas in Wapping Wharf, Bristol’s best place to get prawns. Our curiosity was therefore not just piqued but rather inflamed when we learnt that Mark Chapman, a man who had served as Gamba’s chief chef for a considerable amount of time, and his wife Karen had launched COR in Bemmy in late 2022.
It would be an understatement to suggest that COR got off to a quick start. Just a few months after it opened, the restaurant received recognition from the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand, with the red book praising its “contagious positivity.” There’s a light, airy feel to the place as well as the food; the dishes are like a love letter to the Mediterranean, presented with British flare and inventiveness, and the service is always thoughtful and attentive.
A hallmark dish and a beautiful, anchoring method to see where Bristol fruit is at any one time is the seasonal canelé. The striated, golden pastry cylinder is currently filled with wild thyme and whipped goat’s cheese. Perched on a vibrant magenta-hued beetroot pool, it’s a perfectly positioned mouthful.
Though that would mean missing out on the show-stopping larger dishes, you might have one of them, a plate of Wye Valley asparagus with lemon butter sauce, and some Roman-style artichokes, and be very happy indeed, revelling in how completely Spring-like and seasonal your order is.
The Iberico pork presa, when paired with its panzanella salad of Isle of Wight tomatoes and seasoned anchovies, looks pink enough to terrify your mother but tastes delicious. Everything is sent on its way with a little quince jam and into the arms of the eager sourdough, which is probably slathered in COR’s incredible black garlic butter if you’re sensible.
The Hereford beef onglet with burnt shallot, hazelnut beurre noisette, gorgonzola, and jus was another recent visit fave. The delightfully chewy steak revealed its rich, brooding flavour with each bite.
Presumably, pasta is also prepared exceptionally well here. My dining partner was drooling over a dish of tagliolini with Dorset clams and bottarga with calabrian chilli, which had subtle hints of cured fish liver that added umami and funk in just the perfect amounts.
Indeed, COR is a place where the finer things have been thought of, and the food is absolutely exceptional, but the atmosphere is still pleasantly relaxed and laid back—just what you want from a local restaurant, don’t you think? Not simply one of 22, COR is possibly our all-time fave eatery in Bristol.
Southville’s Souk Kitchen
Perfect for vibrant, light Middle Eastern cuisine…
With a menu that deftly blends North African and Middle Eastern culinary traditions with premium local products, SOUK Kitchen has made a name for itself as a premier dining destination in Bristol. They were meant to be together.
Perhaps best appreciated during the day, SOUK Kitchen is located in ever-busier Southville, right across from the always packed Tobacco Factory Theatres (Sonny Stores, also included in our IDEAL 22, is just two minutes down the road if you’re ready for a great one-two punch). The room has an air of lightness and brightness throughout lunch, which goes well with the food being served.
The restaurant is well-known for its vibrant, flavourful, and hearty dishes that highlight the richness and variety of the local ingredients. Examples of these dishes are the Anatolian lamb yahni and the chicken tagine with ginger and prune. A lively and fresh eating experience is guaranteed by the seasonal menu, which is continually changing, and the mezze variety is always a delight.
Strong alternatives like the Tunisian shakshuka are available at the well-liked weekend brunch, along with a perfectly executed bloody Mary. Because their meats and breads are sourced locally, SOUK Kitchen is able to demonstrate their commitment to both quality and community.
After experiencing growth, SOUK Kitchen opened a café and deli in Clifton, matching the menu of the first location and providing the extra convenience of a retail shop for their distinctive spice mixes. But the one we are still drawn to is the mothership.
The food’s rich, brilliant flavours are complemented by equally inventive beverages, such as a very grown-up-tasting blood orange margarita and a deliciously fragrant quince martini. What a charming restaurant SOUK Kitchen is—one of the best in Bristol, for sure.
Whiteladies Road’s The Spiny Lobster
Perfect for a feast of barbecued seafood
Even while we would want to continue dining at some of Bristol’s greatest restaurants till the day we die, we’re very full, drowsy, and prepared to submit this final entry for our IDEAL 22.
All that’s necessary to know about Spiny Lobster on Whiteladies Road is that it’s a grill and fishmongery, complete with all the smoke and freshness that implies. Yes, the charcoal barbecue is always going, and the fish and shellfish here are fresh from Brixham in Devon every day. It’s really a wonderful location to eat for people who love everything seafood.
See our list of Bristol’s top seafood restaurants for additional information. What do you know? We may be ready for bed, we think.
