It’s finally time. I’m frequently recommending restaurants to friends and love to chat about my favourite spots, so I thought I’d compile them all in one place. Bristol’s food scene is one of many reasons why I love the city so much, so I hope you enjoy planning your next restaurant outing!

My top suggestion for people new to Bristol or those visiting is to head to St Nicks Market (lunchtime street food) and Wapping Wharf (eateries in converted shipping containers), where you can find something for everyone.

At the end of this post is my own list of restaurants to try in Bristol. There are new openings all the time so this list only ever seems to increase! I’d love to know your own recommendations too, where should I eat next?

Food Categories: Mediterranean & Small Plates, Asian, Italian, American, Sunday Roasts, Feeling Fancy, Brunch, Coffee & Bakery, Places I want to try.

Mediterranean & Small Plates

• Bravas, Cotham – if you’re lucky enough to get a table then you’re in for a treat. Authentic Spanish tapas cooked excellently.
• Poco, Stokes Croft – recently serving wonderful fixed menus with locally sourced ingredients.
• Under the Stars, Harbourside – extra points for not only serving delicious Spanish tapas in a charming setting but also for being on a boat!
• Elia, Cotham – authentic Greek food cooked well.
• Bandook, Wapping Wharf – Indian small plates, the samosa chaat is excellent.

Asian

• Seven Lucky Gods, Wapping Wharf – this Japanese inspired eatery is one of my absolute favourites.
• Tuk Tuck, Stokes Croft & Old City – head to the Stokes Croft branch for some of the best bao in town or enjoy tasty curries and dressed chips at the City Centre location.
• Eatchu, Old City – a firm favourite with some of the best gyoza about, get them with the chef’s rice.
• Kibou, Clifton – this Japanese kitchen opened Oct 2021 and serves a fantastic sushi selection along with hot dishes, the tempura are particularly good (also located in Cheltenham & London).
• Dangun, Old City – currently serving a reduced menu, the fried cauliflower, gyoza and Korean fried chicken are all excellent.
• Woky Ko, Wapping Wharf & Triangle – great portion sizes of delicious Asian food.
• Four Wise Monkeys, Old City – the folk behind 7LG definitely know what they’re doing. Here you can find mouth-watering sandos and Korean fried chicken buns, wash them down with some lychee juice.
• Coconut Tree, Gloucester Rd & Triangle – delicious Sri Lankan food (heads up – lots of spicy dishes).
• Wing’s Diner @ Small Bar, King Street – perfect for a fried chicken fix alongside craft beer.

Italian

• Pizzarova, Park Street, Gloucester Rd & Wapping Wharf – sublime sourdough pizza with at-home kits available too.
• Bertha’s Pizza, Wapping Wharf – don’t forget the delicious handmade gelato for afters.
• Bosco, Whiteladies Road & Milsom Place Bath – get some arancini before tucking into a sourdough pizza (Clifton branch closed for refit).
• Bianchis, Montpelier – fine Italian cuisine.
• Purezza, Gloucester Rd – vegan pizza done very well.

American

• Squeezed, Wapping Wharf – I recommend the meal deal which includes burger, fries and fresh lemonade, enjoy it sat on the edge of the harbourside.
• Low and Slow, Whiteladies & St Nicks Market – beautifully slow cooked meats with all the trimmings.
• Asado, Christmas Steps Arts Quarter – delicious burgers cooked on a traditional wood fired asado grill with South American flavours.
• Atomic Burger, Gloucester Road – if you like pushing the boat out with your burgers then this is the one for you.

Sunday Roasts

• Clifton Sausage, Clifton – I’ll return here again and again.
• The Lock Up, Redfield – roasts done well in an easygoing setting.
• The Green Man, Kingsdown – cosy unassuming pub, booking is essential.
• Broken Dock, Harbourside – watch the world go by at the waterfront.

Feeling Fancy

Perhaps you’ve got an occasion to celebrate, a special date night planned or family visiting – these are the spots for you.

• Riverstation, Harbourside – lovely British restaurant overlooking the water (located on top floor).
• Giggling Squid, Clifton – delicious Thai food.
• Ivy Brasserie, Clifton – make sure to get the truffle arancini while you deliberate what to eat!
• Under the Stars, Harbourside (see Mediterranean category).
• Bianchis, Montpelier (see Italian category).
• Kibou, Clifton (see Asian category).

Brunch

Make sure to check out my other blog post on brunch spots here where I go into more detail.

• Wayland’s Yard, Whiteladies – one of my newer discoveries, great menu selection.
• Bristol Loaf, Bedminster – perfect follow on from a weekend Wild Box Yoga session.
• The Crafty Egg, Gloucester Road – tables are often in short supply for good reason. A second branch is due to open Spring 2022 in Fishponds.
• At The Well, Gloucester Road – great pancakes and a laundrette too.
• Boston Tea Party, multiple locations – failsafe!

Coffee & Bakery

• Full Court Press, Old City – if you love coffee and have never been then head here pronto.
• Farro, Stokes Croft – the pastries here are next level, well worth making a detour for.
• Colombian Coffee Co, Whiteladies – delicious coffee and food.
• Foliage Café, Clifton – browse the lovely plant selection while you wait for your order.
• Elemental Collective, Gloucester Road – perfect spot for people watching.
• Pinkmans, Park Street – their sourdoughnuts are legendary.
• Bakers & Co, Gloucester Road – lovely pastry and sourdough bread selection.
• Mrs Potts Chocolate House, Park Street – not only every chocoholic’s dream but one of those rare cafes that stays open till 8pm most days.
• Ahh Toots, Christmas Steps & St Nicks – incredible cakes.

Places I want to try

• Gambas, Wapping Wharf – Spanish tapas, sister of Bravas
• Bokman, Stokes Croft – Korean restaurant
• Souk Kitchen, Redland & Bedminster – inspired by foods of the Eastern Med & Middle East
• Klosterhaus, Quakers Friars – German food set in a Grade 1 listed building
• Flour & Ash, Whiteladies – sourdough pizza, I’m keen to visit their new premises
• Olive Shed, Harbourside – Spanish tapas on the waterfront
• The Viet Kitchen, Stokes Croft – Vietnamese restaurant
• Pasta Loco, Redland & Pasta Ripiena, Old City – sisters of Bianchis
• Oowee Diner & Oowee Vegan, multiple locations – dirty burgers
• Nadu, Gloucester Road – small plates, Indian food
• Cargo Cantina, Wapping Wharf – Mexican food served street taco style
• Lido Spa & Restaurant, Clifton – spa trip anyone?
• Nutmeg, Clifton – creative regional Indian cooking
• Pony Bistro, North Street – modern British bistro classics
• New Cut Coffee, Harbourside – got my eye on toasted banana bread and hot chocolate
• Finzels Reach market – street food market open Friday lunchtime
• Tobacco Factory market – street food market open Sundays
• Little French, Westbury Park – family owned French restaurant
• Sonny Stores, Southville – seasonal Italian restaurant
• Bar 44, Clifton – Spanish tapas
• Danny’s burgers @ Fierce & Noble, St Werburghs – brewery & burgers
• Cow and Sow, Queen’s Square – new steakhouse opened Jan 2022

If you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading! I hope this is the kind of blog post you can return to again and again. I’ve also created a Google Maps List of all these places (plus a couple extra!), you can thank me later.

My final question is, how many of these eateries have you tried?

Alexa