The Best Places to Eat in Bristol: A Chef’s Guide

Bristol is a treasure trove of great restaurants and bars, from the pretty streets of Clifton to the bustling harbourside and trendy Stokes Croft. The city is renowned for its independent food scene, filled with eclectic street markets, cosy cafes, fun cocktail bars and upmarket dining rooms. Planning a trip there? We’ve enlisted one of the city’s favourite chefs to help guide you on where to eat and drink: Cepdia Schrouder, Executive Head Chef at Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel. Here’s his pick of the best restaurants in Bristol.

The Best Restaurants in Bristol

Chef Cepdia Schrouder

Cepdia Schrouder

With over 20 years’ experience in hospitality, Cepdia is currently Executive Head Chef at Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel, where he combines his passion for food with leading talented kitchen teams and creating memorable dining experiences. Throughout his career, he’s progressed from Commis Chef in Birmingham to senior leadership roles in Bristol, working with fantastic hospitality groups, including the five-star St David’s Hotel. Along the way, he’s won Marriott Team Chef of the Year and worked alongside his team to win Chef of the Year at the Night of Stars.

‘One of the most rewarding parts of my job is sharing my knowledge and helping develop the next generation of chefs,’ Cepdia says. ‘Through masterclasses with City of Bristol College and The Chefs’ Forum, I enjoy inspiring young people and helping them build their confidence in the kitchen. For me, great food is about more than what’s on the plate; it’s about quality ingredients, creativity and teamwork, creating memorable experiences and building a kitchen culture where people can thrive.’

Best Restaurants in Bristol: Cepdia’s Pick

Rice & Things

My place! I would highly recommend Rice & Things. Caribbean food is a huge part of my roots and upbringing, and eating here brings back so many wonderful memories of my mum’s cooking. There’s something special about food that can transport you straight back to your childhood.

The food here is amazing — even Jamie Oliver thinks so!

My go-to order is the oxtail with rice and peas and coleslaw, and it never disappoints. The spice level is spot on, the oxtail is beautifully tender, and the rice is soft, flavoursome and cooked to perfection. 

The portions are generous, and the value for money is hard to beat.

For me, Rice & Things is about so much more than just good food. It’s a connection to my Caribbean roots, a reminder of the food I grew up with and, most importantly, the wonderful memories of my mum’s cooking. That’s what makes this place so special to me.

120 Cheltenham Rd, Montpelier, Bristol BS6 5RW, riceandthings.co.uk

©The Chef’s Table Bristol

The Chef’s Table

The Chef’s Table, tucked away in Bristol’s Harbourside, offers a wonderful fine-dining experience, with a tasting menu and wine pairings that make for a memorable evening.

Here, it’s all about quality over quantity. Each dish is carefully considered, with intense flavours that make a lasting impression. Even half a teaspoon of the ratatouille was enough to capture its essence. 

One of my favourite dishes is the scallop, served with mashed potato and a herb-crusted brioche bun in a clamshell. It’s beautifully presented and packed with flavour.

The standout wine is the Bodegas Emilio Moro Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero, Spain. It’s a delicious, full-bodied red and there is also a selection of enjoyable white wines.

The restaurant itself is cosy, seating around two dozen diners, with a great atmosphere and a lively, open kitchen that adds to the experience. The staff are enthusiastic, engaging and clearly passionate about what they do, which really shines in their service.

Overall, The Chef’s Table delivers a memorable dining experience that combines creativity, quality and a good dose of personality.

1a Avon Cres, Bristol BS1 6XQ, chefstable.restaurant

Wilson’s Restaurant

Wilson’s Restaurant delivers from start to finish, with sensational food, impeccable service and a relaxed atmosphere that makes guests feel comfortable from the moment they walk through the door.

The staff are a real highlight for this venue as their knowledge of the food is exceptional, and they take the time to explain not only what each dish contains and how it’s been prepared, but also why particular techniques are used. Their enthusiasm, passion and attention to detail really elevates the whole experience.

The eight-course tasting menu is an absolute must. Each course offers something different, making it a wonderful journey of flavours, creativity and presentation. Knowing that the ingredients are fresh and that the restaurant embraces a farm-to-table approach makes the experience even more special. 

What I particularly love is the relaxed atmosphere. It’s fine dining without the formality – the kind of place where you can enjoy outstanding food whilst also feeling completely at ease.

24 Chandos Rd, Redland, Bristol BS6 6PF, wilsonsbristol.co.uk

© Wilsons Bristol

Saffron

Saffron is a lovely spot in Clifton Village, particularly if you’re spending the weekend exploring the area. I’d recommend stopping here for a relaxed lunch after a stroll around the village and a walk across the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge.

I love the fresh, Mediterranean-inspired food and the laid-back atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where you can take your time, enjoy something delicious and make an afternoon of exploring one of Bristol’s prettiest neighbourhoods.

4a Boyce’s Ave, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4AA, @saffroncliftonvillage

Chicken Lunch Club

Chicken Lunch Club is a really interesting concept and one of Bristol’s more unique dining experiences. Run by Pieminister co-founder Tris Hogg and his partner Tess Rummer, it sees their family home in Montpelier transformed into an intimate restaurant for monthly lunches, centred around a homemade, wood- and coal-fired rotisserie.

I love the idea of bringing people together over a proper lunch, with beautifully cooked rotisserie chicken, seasonal sides and thoughtfully selected wines. There’s something special about the informality of the setting, too – it feels personal and welcoming, with the food and the company taking centre stage. For me, it’s a great example of how a simple concept, done really well, can create a memorable dining experience.

44 Fairfield Road, Montpelier, Bristol, UK, chickenlunchclub.co.uk

© Chicken Lunch Club

And here are some of our favourites…

Rock Salt

Much to the dismay of locals, the lovely Bellita on Cotham Hill closed in 2021 – but its replacement Rock Salt offers new culinary delights. Here co-founders Harris Massey of Dishoom and former Dhamaka chef Kedar Subedi bring together many years of experience to create a unique fusion restaurant which offers both Indian and Chinese cuisine, with sweet and sour chicken sitting alongside their signature lamb raan.

34 Cotham Hill, Redland, Bristol BS6 6LA, rocksaltbristol.co.uk

Little French, Issy Croker

Thali Cafe

Originally a food truck in Glastonbury, Thali Cafe now has restaurants dotted all over Bristol. Authentic Indian dishes are served ‘Thali’ style: a way of eating in India where a selection of dishes are served on one big steel plate. Fan favourites include the Goan fish curry, a crispy paneer dish and the spinach daal, served with fresh spinach and a handful of aubergine curry. Fresh ingredients, great flavours, and a relaxed atmosphere – a winning combination.

Various locations, thalirestaurant.co.uk

The Ox

The Ox

Hidden away in a basement below The Commercial Rooms on Corn Street is The Ox, a stylish and intimate restaurant in the heart of the city. As the name suggests, the menu features good quality, perfectly cooked meat, with prime focus on juicy steaks from the local butcher’s Buxton of Winterbourne. Cousin of popular bars Hyde & Co, Milk Thistle and Pata Negra, The Ox has an impressive cocktail menu too.

The Basement, 43 Corn St, Bristol BS1 1HT, theoxbristol.com

Bosco

Bosco is a great Italian restaurant on Whiteladies Road where you can watch your Neapolitan style pizza being cooked on a wood-fired oven. It’s not all about the pizza though: must-try dishes include the arancini (heaven), and the rigatoni with pancetta and pecorino. They do a perfect Aperol Spritz too.

96 Whiteladies Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2QX, boscopizzeria.co.uk

Boston Tea Party

A firm favourite with students and locals alike, Boston Tea Party recently became the first café to ban single use coffee cups. There are various branches across Bristol and Bath, but their flagship on Park Street is our favourite – the tiered garden is a dream during the summer months. Their brunch is particularly good, and it’s near-impossible to resist a purchase from their cake display.

Various locations, bostonteaparty.co.uk

Poco Tapas Bar

A tapas restaurant launched with the planet in mind, Bristol’s Poco Tapas Bar was named the most sustainable restaurant of the year in 2016 thanks to its commitment to the zero waste movement. Food is seasonal and changes often, but classic dishes include deep fried oysters and pork belly with fennel.

45 Jamaica St, Bristol BS2 8JP, pocotapasbar.com

Souk Kitchen

With two locations across Bristol, Souk Kitchen serves up vibrant and delicious Mediterranean food for great value – think marinated halloumi, chargrilled meats, falafels and lots of hummus.

277 North St, Southville, Bristol BS3 1JP and 59 Apsley Rd, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2SW, soukkitchen.co.uk

Featured image: Getty Images