Five restaurants in Bristol have been highlighted in SquareMeal's top 100 restaurants in the UK. One restaurant - Paca Tapas in Redcliffe - made it into the top ten and was praised for its "refreshingly relaxed" atmosphere and evolving menu inspired by fresh and local ingredients each day.
Grace & Savour in the West Midlands took the top spot for its "idyllic countryside retreat", but second place was awarded to Osip, which dropped from last year's first place. The Somerset restaurant famous for having no menu and for serving its own homegrown produce promises a unique experience less than an hour's drive from Bristol.
In casting its decisions for the guide, SquareMeal said: "It’s some of the old-timers, the classics, that stood out to us most. While you might have already heard of them, we’re here to tell you they’re still at the top of their game and are worth adding to your eating itinerary over the next 12 months."
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Two out of five of the Bristol restaurants, however, are new entrants and have been open for less than six months. There were 19 restaurants in the South West of England in the top 100 - including four based just outside of the city in Somerset.
SquareMeal explained that its top 100 results are based on a combination of its own "in-house critic-led opinions and thousands of diner votes". The list is comprised of restaurants stretching from Scotland down to Cornwall, but the critics have omitted London venues and created a separate list of suggestions from around the capital. Take a look at the Bristol restaurants below.
Paco Tapas, no.8
Where? 3, The General, Lower Guinea St, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6FU
What the guide says: "Casamia owner Peter Sanchez-Iglesias does himself justice with this refreshingly relaxed Spanish tapas restaurant in Bristol. The menu changes every day to make use of the freshest available produce, but you can always guarantee something special."
Casa, no.29 (NEW)
Where? 8, The General, Lower Guinea St, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6FU
What the guide says: "Casamia was always going to be a tough act to follow, but Peter Sanchez-Iglesias and Joel Breakwell have done just that, reinventing Italian food with confidence, energy and style."
Wilson's, no.64
Where? 24 Chandos Rd, Redland, Bristol BS6 6PF
What the guide says: "Plates that appear deceptively simple but are underpinned by exacting technique are the order of the day at Wilsons, one of Bristol’s best restaurants. Here you’ll find true allegiance to showcasing sustainability through seasonality in fresh new ways."
COR, no.69 (NEW)
Where? 81 North St, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 1ES
What the guide says: "The Latin word for ‘heart’, COR’s aim is to bring people together and to create a warm and friendly environment for all. The menu takes influence from the owners’ love of the Mediterranean with a seasonal spin so the menus are always changing."
Bulrush, no.77
Where? 21 Cotham Road South, Kingsdown, Bristol, BS6 5TZ
What the guide says: "Proving Michelin starred food needn’t be overengineered, Bulrush’s sharp tasting menu see-saws from humble local produce to luxurious wagyu beef. Eating here is a journey through new and delightful flavour pairings in a pared-back dining room."
You can view the UK's Top 100 Restaurants by SquareMeal in full here.
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