If you're someone who regards eating out to be one of life's greatest pleasures, you're spoiled for choice in Bristol. The city is home to a wealth of fantastic restaurants covering virtually every cuisine under the sun.
In fact, the food scene in this fine city is viewed as one of the best in the world, highlighted by the fact Bristol was named Best Food or Beverage Destination of the Year at the Food Trekking Awards 2019.
New restaurants open here on a regular basis, forcing existing eateries to raise their high standards, and you're bound to find at least a handful of places that whet your appetite and get your taste buds tingling.
Read more: The Bristol café loved for its incredible brunch dishes
If you enjoy fine dining, or have a reason to celebrate on the horizon, you should consider heading to a restaurant that's listed in the Michelin Guide, which is viewed by foodies across the globe as the go-to bible when it comes to discovering culinary excellence.
Michelin has just published its 2022 guide, with 17 restaurants across the UK awarded a star for the first time.
Restaurants enter the guide either with a star - the most coveted accolade - or a Bib Gourmand, which is still a very impressive achievement. Quality restaurants can also enter the guide without either of these awards, which is certainly no mean feat.
Read more: Bristol restaurant Wilson's earns Michelin Green Star
In Bristol there are 15 restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide. Three restaurants have a Michelin star to their name - and have all kept them in 2022 - while two eateries have a Bib Gourmand. In addition there are 10 others listed in the guide, including some that only have been open for around a year.
We have listed all of these distinguished establishments below, along with the Michelin Guide's description of each. Start saving up your pennies and treat yourself to a meal out you won't forget in a hurry...
Michelin-starred restaurants
There are three tiers to the Michelin star award. Winning three stars is considered the pinnacle of a chef's career, only ever achieved by a select few. But even earning one star is hugely commendable.
This is how the guide defines its star rating system:
- One star = "A very good restaurant in its category"
- Two stars = "Excellent cooking, worth a detour"
- Three stars = "Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey"
Casamia (one star)
The guide states: "Casamia has very clear ideas of what sort of restaurant it wants to be and has set about creating something quite original in this part of the world.
"For the start, the menu comprises around 20 courses and offers no choices so dietary preferences are not considered.
"Diners are then all served at once so arrive on time if you want to avoid disapproving looks from your fellow guests.
"The dishes are sophisticated creations, with plenty of Asian influences on show. Along with various modern techniques, the kitchen also makes good use of the open fire.
"The décor is dark and moody and the music loud and unrelenting, so if you’re here to whisper sweet nothings in your loved one’s ears you may need to include some semaphore. Chairs are all pointed towards the open kitchen so you can watch the drama unfold."
8, The General, Lower Guinea St, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6FU / https://www.casamiarestaurant.co.uk/
Paco Tapas (one star)
The guide states: "This buzzy tapas bar shoehorned in the corner of a vast development is the younger sister of Casamia and is named after the head of the family who own it, Mr Sanchez-Iglesias Senior.
"Sit on the terrace for nibbles accompanied by one of their fine Spanish wines or head for the 8-seater counter set around the large open grill. The décor might be simple, with period grey tiles and a few Spanish prints, but it’s the food that will steal your focus here.
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"Appealing menus provide plenty of choice and include all the favourites. The authentic, skilfully prepared dishes are packed with flavour and the passion with which they are made is palpable.
"The “Chef’s Menu” will take you on a best-of-the-best tour of Spain with the likes of clams, jamón croquettes and wood-roast gambas, and be sure to try the fire-cooked bread – it will have you in raptures.
"They offer a great range of Spanish wines too, with chilled sherries served straight from the cask."
3A, The General, Lower Guinea St, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6SY / https://www.pacotapas.co.uk/
Bulrush (one star)
The guide states: "At first glance it might appear quite modest but this sweet neighbourhood restaurant comes with an appealingly relaxed and cosy feel, helped along by an amiable team. It’s set over two floors; ask to stay downstairs to soak up the atmosphere from the on-view kitchen.
"Top-notch seasonal ingredients are either foraged or organic, and preserving and pickling play a key role on the imaginative, well-balanced and deftly prepared tasting menu. Combinations are original and provide plenty of contrasts and flavours are clear and natural.
"The chefs often join the serving team in delivering a dish or two to the table and you can feel their innate pride. The astutely chosen wine flight creates the perfect partnership."
21 Cotham Rd S, Cotham, Bristol BS6 5TZ / https://www.bulrushrestaurant.co.uk/
Bib Gourmand restaurants
Not quite a star, but most definitely not a consolation prize, the Bib Gourmand - named after Bibendum, the friendly Michelin Man and the official company mascot for the Michelin Group - is a very esteemed rating that recognises friendly establishments serving good food at moderate prices.
The Bib Gourmand is awarded to restaurants deemed to be both good quality and good value by Michelin's inspectors.
Box-E
The guide states: "Wapping Wharf is home to Cargo, a retail yard made of converted shipping containers, and on the first floor is intimate BOX-E, a compact restaurant clad in chipboard and plywood.
"Dishes are rustic, assured and flavour-packed; for the tasting menu, book the 4-seater kitchen counter. The panna cotta is a must!"
10 Cargo 1, Bristol BS1 6WP / https://www.boxebristol.com/
Root
The guide states: "This busy, welcoming little restaurant occupies five first floor shipping containers on the old wharf.
"Produce from small local suppliers is used in simple yet flavour-packed small plates formed around vegetables. They have a modern, sometimes intriguing style and inventive touches."
Unit 9 Cargo 1, Gaol Ferry Steps, Bristol BS1 6WP / https://www.rootbristol.co.uk/menus
Michelin-listed restaurants
While a star is what all chefs aim for, and a Bib Gourmand is highly commendable, it's a huge achievement to just be listed in the guide in any form.
These 10 restaurants have all made the cut in 2022.
Pony Bistro (new entry for 2022)
The guide states: "The team behind the Pony & Trap have moved from the country into the city, settling down in a southern neighbourhood beside the Bristol Beer Factory Brewery. The place has a homely, unfussy style and offers a set priced menu of wholesome, flavour-packed dishes; be sure to try the ‘Beer Factory’ tiramisu."
291 North St, Bristol BS3 1JU / theponynorthstreet.co.uk
Bokman
The guide states: "A few minutes from Cabot Circus, in a bohemian part of town, is this simple shop conversion run by an experienced couple.
"A wood-fired rotisserie oven where they cook chicken stuffed with rice takes centre stage. These are joined by exquisite ramen, Korean daily specials, and homemade kombucha and soju."
3 Nine Tree Hill, Cotham, Bristol BS1 3SB / www.instagram.com/bokmanbristol/?hl=en
Gambas
The guide states: "Set in a lovely first floor location in the bustling Wapping Wharf, Gambas comes with a terrace on two sides and lovely river views.
"The concise menu of good value small plates showcases great quality produce and has a seafood slant; dishes arrive as they’re ready from the open kitchen."
Unit 12, Cargo 2, Museum St, Bristol BS1 6ZA / https://gambasbristol.co.uk/
Klosterhaus
The guide states: "Generously portioned German and central European dishes – from herring and sausages to schnitzels and strudels – form the menu at this opulent Grand Café.
"A balconied first floor looks down over a beautiful bar where they serve a mix of local and German beers in a lively atmosphere."
The Friary Bldg, Quakers Friars, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3DF / https://klosterhaus.co.uk/
Tare
The guide states: "Tare is set in a block of converted shipping containers and is named after the term for their empty weight.
"It’s run by two young chefs and their charming team, and has just 10 tables inside and a handful more outside. Prime West Country ingredients feature in attractively presented, creative global dishes."
14 Museum St, Bristol BS1 6ZA / https://tarerestaurant.co.uk/
Adelina Yard
The guide states: "The experienced chef-owners named their first restaurant after their old home. Sit at the chef's table to watch all the action or at the far end of the L-shaped room overlooking the quay.
"Attractively presented, well-balanced modern dishes are sometimes brought to the tables by the chefs themselves."
Queen's Quay, Welsh Back, Bristol BS1 4SL / https://www.adelinayard.com/
Marmo
The guide states: "The former Guardian Assurance Building, with its stark décor and high ceiling, is now home to this on-trend osteria-cum-wine-bar.
"Here, Cosmo Sterck offers a concise menu of Italian dishes from his open kitchen, while his smiley wife Lily takes care of the organic and biodynamic wines."
31 Baldwin St, Bristol BS1 1RG / https://www.marmo.restaurant/
The Lido
The guide states: "Snack on flatbreads and small plates in the poolside bar or head up to the first floor former viewing gallery of this restored Victorian lido, with its retractable floor-to-ceiling doors and daily changing menu.
"Spanish, Mediterranean and Moorish dishes make good use of the wood-fired oven."
Oakfield Pl, Clifton, Bristol BS8 2BJ / https://www.lidobristol.com/
Wilsons
The guide states: "Wilsons really fits the bill of being a proper neighbourhood restaurant.
"Vodkas infused with various fruits sit on the bar and large blackboards list the day’s dishes. Highly seasonal cooking is gutsy, generous and flavoursome and some of the ingredients come from their own smallholding."
24 Chandos Rd, Redland, Bristol BS6 6PF / https://www.wilsonsbristol.co.uk/
Little French
The guide states: "This softly lit neighbourhood bistro’s authentic Gallic feel will warm your soul.
"Well-executed dishes are fresh and hearty: at lunch, have the ‘plat du jour’ and a glass of wine; in the evening go for one of their sharing dishes. Service is friendly; ask for a booth beside the semi-open kitchen."
2 North View, Westbury Park, Bristol BS6 7QB / https://littlefrench.co.uk/
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