ABC news: The 15 Best and Most Delicious Places We’ve Eaten in Bristol This Year — A Culinary Tour Through the City’s Most Memorable Bites
Bristol, UK — July 23, 2025
Bristol has always had a vibrant food scene, blending bold culinary creativity with deep local roots. From bustling markets to hidden gems in narrow lanes, this city has served up some of the most exciting, comforting, and imaginative dishes we’ve had the pleasure of tasting. After a year of forks, chopsticks, and pint glasses raised high, we’ve compiled our list of the 15 best and most delicious places we’ve eaten in Bristol in 2025 — and trust us, narrowing it down wasn’t easy.
Here’s a deeper dive into the must-try spots that made this year unforgettable, starting with a standout that’s quickly become a city favorite.
1. Noah’s (Clifton Village)
A newcomer that took everyone by surprise, Noah’s is a minimalist seafood haven delivering elevated simplicity. From its buttery seared scallops to the cider-braised mussels served with warm sourdough, every plate bursts with freshness and coastal charm. The signature Noah’s smoked trout pâté has become the talk of Clifton. The warm, attentive service and clean aesthetic complete the experience.
2. Root (Wapping Wharf)
A champion of vegetable-led cuisine, Root brings creativity and sustainability to the table. Their ever-changing seasonal menu features small plates like charred broccoli with tahini and dukkah, heritage carrots with whipped goat’s cheese, and one of the best beetroot tarts in the UK. The industrial-chic setting is as grounded as the food itself.
3. Paco Tapas (Redcliffe)
Still setting the gold standard for Spanish cuisine in the city, Paco Tapas is a Michelin-starred adventure. Chorizo cooked in cider, suckling pig, and sherry-glazed beef cheek headline a menu that never misses. Their open fire cooking and impeccable wine pairings make it more than a meal — it’s a fiesta.
4. Bokman (Stokes Croft)
A Korean BBQ experience wrapped in comfort, Bokman delivers authentic flavours and warm hospitality. The gochujang roast chicken, kimchi pancakes, and fermented vegetables are bold and unforgettable. They serve hearty portions in a no-frills setting, making this a beloved regular stop for locals.
5. Adelina Yard (Welsh Back)
Refined and elegant without ever feeling stiff, Adelina Yard offers modern British fine dining with soul. Their seasonal tasting menu is a thoughtful journey — from seaweed-cured trout to slow-cooked lamb shoulder with smoked aubergine. The view of the harbour adds to the atmosphere of quiet indulgence.
6. Little Hollows Pasta (Chandos Road)
A pasta-lover’s dream, this cozy spot makes all of its pasta in-house daily. The wild mushroom tagliatelle, duck ragu pappardelle, and handmade ricotta-stuffed ravioli are just the beginning. With just a few tables, it’s intimate, honest, and downright delicious.
7. Cotto (Easton)
A plant-forward Italian-inspired spot that’s redefining comfort food. Their aubergine parmigiana, leek and walnut risotto, and fresh focaccia are standouts. Expect rustic wooden décor, natural wines, and a kind of quiet magic in every dish.
8. Wilsons (Redland)
Wilsons offers a hyper-seasonal tasting menu where nearly everything is grown in their own garden or sourced locally. Their fermented potato bread with cultured butter is legendary. Each course is a celebration of flavor and terroir, served with a story.
9. Sonny Stores (Southville)
Tucked behind a residential street, Sonny Stores brings sun-soaked Southern Italian flavors to Bristol. Their anchovy and caper pizza, zucchini fritti, and hand-rolled gnocchi melt in your mouth. The laid-back vibe and friendly service keep you coming back.
10. Tare (Cargo 2, Wapping Wharf)
A tiny, 20-seat restaurant serving a masterful modern British tasting menu. Every dish feels thoughtful, like the celeriac velouté with truffle oil or brill with brown butter sauce. With just a few chefs and servers, the experience is intimate and unforgettable.
11. Pasture (Redcliffe)
For those craving steak done right, Pasture continues to lead the pack. Their 35-day dry-aged sirloin, grilled over open flame, is a carnivore’s dream. Add in the loaded bone marrow mash and sticky toffee pudding, and you’ve got a feast.
12. Bianchi’s (Montpelier)
A refined Italian bistro serving Bristol’s best veal tonnato, handmade pasta, and inventive seafood dishes. Bianchi’s fuses old-world recipes with new-world flair — and their wine list is just as impressive.
13. Gopal’s Curry Shack (Wapping Wharf)
Colorful, cheerful, and consistently flavorful — Gopal’s serves Indian street food with a modern, veggie-forward twist. Their masala dosa, tamarind potato curry, and beetroot samosas are fast, affordable, and crave-worthy.
14. Cargo Cantina (Wapping Wharf)
A vibrant taqueria offering Mexican street food-style bites like pork belly tacos, chipotle mushroom quesadillas, and agua frescas. It’s loud, lively, and the margaritas? Dangerously good.