Eating, drinking and dancing
We've tracked down the best cafés for people-watching, the bars with the coolest cocktails, the most accomplished restaurants and the liveliest local nightlife in Bristol.
Restaurants
Riverstation
A stylish riverside joint with an outside terrace, this restaurant serves excellent modern European food, much of which is sourced locally. Its early evening fixed-price menu is one of Bristol’s best-kept secrets.
The Grove
(+44 (0)117 9144434)
Fishworks
Fish lovers should head for this open-plan eaterie; its combination of fishmonger and restaurant ensures that food here is never less than super-fresh. It even has a plasma screen showing customers their food being prepared on the grills.
128 Whiteladies Road
(+44 (0)117 974 4433)
Sands
Bristol’s only Lebanese restaurant when it opened eight years ago, the award-winning Sands offers authentic Lebanese food and great coffee in relaxed surroundings.
95, Queens Road
(+44 (0)117 973 9734)
The Glass Boat
This newly-refurbished harbour restaurant is on a vintage barge, where you might eat roast local venison, Welsh black beef, treacle tart with Cornish cream or a selection of Mediterranean dishes. The waterside location is atmospheric and the service warm.
Welsh Back, Bristol
(+44 (0)117 929 0704)
Cafés
York Café
The historic York Cafe serves the best full English brekkie in Bristol, in old-style booths beloved by students and builders alike. Free-range eggs and decent bread keep this a cut above your standard greasy spoon.
46 Bond Street, Broadmead,
(+44 (0)117 929 0101)
The Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party is a welcome rest stop for shoppers who are worn out from the city’s steepest shopping street. Get a seat in the heated terrace garden if you can, or check out the artwork on the walls inside.
75, Park Street
(+44 (0)117 929 3939)
The Severn Shed
One of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s old engine sheds, which has been converted into a stylish waterside bar and restaurant. Open till late, it’s filled with beautiful people and serves great cocktails. And the best bit? The actual bar can rotate 360 degrees. Don’t ask us why anyone would want to build such a thing, but it’s an outrageously cool toy and we salute the planners who suggested it.
The Grove
(+44 (0)117 925 1212)
Bars and clubs
Zerodegrees
At this popular microbrewery and restaurant, the sights and sounds of the brewing process going on around you are as fascinating as the beers and pizzas are delicious.
53 Colston Street
(+44 (0)117 925 2706)
Mud Dock
This harbourside venue is a weird combination of mountain-bike shop and bar which, oddly, works really well. Take a seat on the terrace and watch the boats go by.
40 The Grove, Bristol, BS1 4RB
(+44 (0)117 934 9734)
The Elbow Room
Here's a cool little place, filled with purple-felted pool tables and trendy Bristolians trying not to spill their cocktails on them. DJs play every night and it’s open till 4am from Thursday to Saturday.
64 Park Street
(+44 (0)117 930 0242)