Bristol is renowned for its impressive street art, its pioneering music scene, and now for being a foodies' haven.
Over the past decade, culinary talents have headed to our city - with our fierce homage to independent businesses - to set up new and quirky restaurants.
Boasting Michelin-star eateries to street market gastronomy gems, Bristol's food scene is becoming ever more popular. And our city has now been ranked third best in the UK by Recipe box connoisseurs at The Cookaway.
READ MORE: Bedminster restaurant COR included in Michelin guide just months after opening
London beat us to the top spot, with Edinburgh stealing second place - meaning Bristol came first after the UK's capital cities.
Talking about Bristol, the judges said: "With 30 Michelin-star restaurants to explore and the coastal wonders of North Somerset nearby, the West-England spot is perfect for a spring or summer getaway."
The UK's top 10 cities for food
- London
- Edinburgh
- Bristol
- Manchester
- Glasgow
- Newcastle Upon Tyne
- Birmingham
- Brighton
- Leeds
- Belfast
The Cookaway added: "Before you start setting your sights on far-flung destinations abroad, make sure you don’t neglect the array of amazing cultural hotspots we have right here on our doorstep.
"Not only can staycations be more convenient and less expensive than trips abroad, but they’re also a great way to discover hidden gems you might never have heard of."
And for people looking for inspiration on where to eat in our city, we've listed some of our favourite spots:
Eatchu
Eatchu launched at the Harbourside Market back in 2016 and opened a permanent stall inside St Nick's Market later that same year. They've gained a huge following for their gyoza dumplings and will be looking to replicate this success with the launch of The Yaki Shak, which will serve nothing but noodles.
The Old Mess Room, Exchange Avenue, Bristol BS1 1JQ
Oowee / Oowee Vegan
After launching their first restaurant on Picton Street in 2016, the dirty burger specialists now have three sites to their name in Bristol, after following up the small Montpelier eatery with further openings on North Street and Baldwin Street. The latter is a vegan offshoot of the brand, which means both meat eaters and those who choose to lead a plant-based lifestyle can enjoy the indulgent burgers and dirty fries.
North Street, Picton Street, Baldwin Street
Prego
Prego in Westbury Park.
This North View spot is arguably one of Bristol’s best neighbourhood restaurants, with delicious pizza, pasta and wine all on offer. The restaurant has a delightful outdoor area perfect for al fresco dining.
7 North View, Westbury Park, Bristol BS6 7PT
Box-E
Box-E chef Elliott Lidstone (Image: Chloe Edwards)
Headed up by Elliott and Tess Lidstone, Box-E was the first restaurant to open at the harbourside Wapping Wharf development and is small in size, with only 14 covers. Typical dishes include a starter of heritage beetroot, Cornish plaice and charred hispi cabbage, while main courses include guinea fowl, hake and roasted yellow courgette.
In October 2019 it was awarded the coveted Big Gourmand award by Michelin, thanks to its 'earthy, flavour-packed dishes served by a super-smiley team'.
10 Cargo 1, Bristol BS1 6WP
Souk Kitchen
Souk Kitchen has two sites, in Clifton and Southville, both of which serve an impressive range of Mediterranean brunch, lunch and dinner dishes. A popular choice is their mezze, which has delicacies such as chargrilled halloumi, roasted Turkish peppers with goat’s cheese and fried cod cheeks.
Aspley Road, Clifton / North Street, Southville
Koocha
Koocha is moving to a new home on Cheltenham Road (Image: Koocha)
Koocha is one of the most popular vegan restaurants in Bristol - and its Persian-inspired food is so good that meat eaters flock to it too. Expect to find big, unexpected and delicious spices and flavours from Persia and the Middle East.
203B Cheltenham Rd, Cotham, Bristol BS6 5QX
Tare
Tare's Matt Hampshire, Jemma Correll and Joe Wilkin. (Image: Michael Lloyd)
Tare is a tiny 18-cover restaurant at Wapping Wharf which features in the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand. Its aim, according to its website, is to cook 'tasty food with skill and care using the best produce we can find'. Anyone who has visited will tell you they're doing a pretty good job of that.
14 Museum St, Bristol BS1 6ZA
Wilson's
Jan Ostle, head chef and owner of Wilson's in Redland (Image: Issy Crocker)
Co-founders Jan Ostle and Mary Wilson opened Wilsons in 2016, with next-level neighbourhood dining in mind. With twenty-four covers, Wilsons serves creative, innovative cooking, showcasing produce from a small network of local producers, including that of their own farm, through a weekly changing six-course tasting menu, and a daily ‘du jour’ set lunch menu.
It was awarded a Michelin Green Star in 2022. In Autumn, Wilsons opened their Bread Shop two doors down from the restaurant, selling sourdough, house-cured Koji bacon rolls, excess vegetables from the farm and takeaway drinks every Saturday.
24 Chandos Rd, Redland, Bristol BS6 6PF
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