Dining in Bristol



Bristol's restaurants offer a rich array of dishes and flavours that reflects various influences from all over the world - and they're eclectic enough to accommodate practically any kind of budget.

If you're hitting the town for a romantic night out, there are many delectable choices that will tantalise your taste buds. Of course, the main fare is usually fish and other assorted seafood’s, as befits Bristol's surroundings, but there is certainly a lot more than just fish.

Bristol has a wide array of fine dining destinations that are the perfect venue to wine and dine your significant other. They offer everything from traditional cuisine to a taste of something decidedly different.

One of the premier fine dining spots in the city is the Le Chasseur Restaurant housed in Seeleys Hotel on St. Paul's Road. When it comes to quality, Le Chasseur enjoys a reputation that is second to none. Its atmosphere is cool and relaxing during the warm summer days and warm and cosy during winter. The menu boasts of a global array of various specialties, including steaks, game and seafood.

The Tudor England at Thornbury Castle conjures back images of the long gone days of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. The castle was once a home of a real king as well as his eight wives and history is brought back to life by its fascinating museum and the popular restaurant beside it. Tudor England is known for its spit-roasted hog and for being a favourite venue for good times.

Over on Woodlands Lane within the Hilton Bristol sits Chandlers Restaurant, a large and chic venue that is renowned for its a la carte menu and superb carvery.

If you and your loved one enjoy great style, The Restaurant Valentino on Westbury-on-Trym is the place to visit. Its decor is simple but supremely stylish and ideal for a romantic date. The food here is always fresh and is inspired by the cuisine of Southern Italy.

For a taste of French cuisine, Milton's on Stock Lane is an excellent choice. Regarded as one of the best French restaurants n Langford, Milton's boasts of an intimate atmosphere in both its private dining rooms and galleried dining area. It's also a great venue for large groups and for special functions.

Meanwhile, for al fresco dining, visit The Shoots Floating Bar & Restaurant on Hotwells Road. This venue is moored just across the SS Great Britain and makes for an unconventional yet romantic dining spot, complete with fabulous meals and enticing scenery.

Now, if a taste for something different is more your style, Bristol also has a number of unique restaurants that can provide you with a dining experience to remember.

Casa Mexicana on Zetland Road is renowned for its spicy foods, well-stocked menu and lively party atmosphere. If you're planning a rousing night on the town, Casa Mexicana is a great place to kick off the evening's festivities.

For tapas lovers, Quartier Vert on Whiteladies Road is one of the most popular places in town. Its bar is quite popular and so its excellent Spanish dishes as well as its wide array of dips and dippers. Another superb place for tapas is The Olive Shed on Princes Wharf and it offers a more intimate setting and a breath0-taking view across the docklands.

When in Bristol, you must make it a point to sample its fresh fish dishes, and they are standard fare in a large number of restaurants. The Redland area is a good place to visit for seafood delights, with its cosy pair of outstanding restaurants, Red Snapper on Chandos Road and Heatherleys on Lower Redland Road.

If sushi is what your heart desires or, perhaps, you yearn for the unique taste of other Japanese dishes, the city centre of Bristol has much to offer, foremost of which would be Sukoshi on Frogmore Street and Budokan and Teohs on Colston Street. Their noodles are quite tasty, too, and their ambiance brings to mind images of the romantic Orient.

On the other hand, if you would rather spoil yourself with the spicy taste of Thai food, Bristol boasts of a handful of Thai restaurants which should satiate even the most ravenous appetite. Perhaps the most popular Thai place in town is The One Stop Thai Cafe on York Road, a cosy vegetarian restaurant that offers a vast selection of curries arranged all in a single plate. Mixing and matching the different delights on your plate makes for a wonderful dining experience.

Meanwhile, if you enjoy your spicy Thai food with some alcoholic spirits, Ying's Thai Takeaway in Cotham will probably be your kind of place. This venue has a "bring your own bottle" policy and a sometimes raucous environment, coupled with a grand selection of novel Thai dishes and the traditional variations of red and green curry.

For Turkish treats such as kebabs and spicy vegetarian dishes, the Turkish Delights restaurant is a place like no other.