The Spiny Lobster Fishmonger & Grill Clifton, Bristol

Reviews

1. Ian ★★★★★

   I visited the Spiny Lobster on 6th December for the first time on recommendation of a good freind Liza who lives locally. The restaurant staff are very friendly the kitchen is small and open to view, fish is cooked on open flame which added to the ambiance. We enjoyed 3 small scollops @ £15.50 as a starter and grilled Monkfish @ £37 for main accompanied by new potatoes and flame grilled cabbage all cooked to perfection. The three hour lunch and catch up chat was perfection and definitely Spiny Lobster is on my list to visit again soon.

   almost 6 months ago
2. Andrei Cosmin ★☆☆☆☆

   Went to Spiny Lobster in Bristol with my fiancée after it was recommended to us and we were really disappointed. We had oysters and prawns to start – the prawns were very mushy and there was not even any Tabasco sauce offered for the oysters. We ordered cocktails and a bottle of water, but once we’d finished them the empty bottle just sat on the table for the entire sitting . Nobody came to offer more water, more drinks, or even to clear it. Our unused wine glasses were also left on the table the whole time. Starters were cleared with no check-back. When the mains arrived, we still had no drinks and no one asked if we wanted more. I paid £34 for a single fillet of sea bass that came on its own with basically nothing else on the plate, which felt like very poor value. After we finished our mains, nobody came to clear the plates, offer dessert or coffee, or ask how anything was. We had to ask for the bill ourselves, and when we paid and left, no one even said thank you or goodnight. Overall, a very disappointing experience and we won’t be returning.

   almost 7 months ago
3. Teresa W ★☆☆☆☆

   We were so looking forward to having lunch at The Spiny Lobster last week. All started well but my daughter was unfortunately served a monkfish dish which sent her running to the bathroom (more than once). She was worried the fish wasn't fresh due to its slightly odd flavour and its tough texture. It wasn't enjoyable to eat. However, the staff convinced her it was fresh so there was no problem to be worried about. My daughter also noted raw, uncovered fish on a plate at the top of the stairs (in the adjoining fishmongers) that lead down to the toilets - there was no ice around the fish - this didn't strike her as a healthy way to be storing fresh fish. Additionally, the main menu was only offered on our arrival. The Small Plates menu was offered to us bizarrely along with the desert menu which was frustrating as we had hoped to choose from the Small Plates menu for lunch. However, it wan't offered to us so we had no idea it was available. The main menu was expensive for the quality of food and level of service we received. After a bit of a battle with the rude waitress, we were not charged for the monkfish dish and service was also deducted. Our waitress had an attitude which was unfortunate - not well trained in service. The marketing is also somewhat misleading. We won't be going back.

   almost 7 months ago

1. Frazer Bennett ★★★★★

   There is some kind of sorcery going on in the kitchens at Spiny Lobster. Some kind of magical mystery. I defy you to find a better fish restaurant within at least 100miles. More. The squid, the scallops, the monkfish. To Die. For. And if you are extra extra lucky you will get Tini serving you. Tini - we tip our hat to you. Impeccable service. Thanks for making our evening so special. Choose this place. Don't bother with anywhere else in Bristol.

   almost 11 months ago
2. ShellyHoughton ★★★★★

   Really enjoyed this restaurant - the food was excellent, the staff so attentive - if I lived in the UK, I would come here a lot

   almost 3 years ago
3. richard edgington ★★★★★

   Superb oysters to start and an excellent monkfish in garlic and parsley sauce with mashed peas. Great service. Lovely cherry and almond tart to finish. Fine dining indeed.

   almost 3 years ago

1. John McManus ★★★★★

   Top notch seafood and decent wine in a relaxed environment. We had monkfish and lobster, and both were excellent. Not cheap, but less than we've paid for similar quality elsewhere, so good value. Definitely recommended.

   almost 4 years ago
2. abbey whitman ★★★★★

   I took my boyfriend here for his birthday as we're both fish lovers and a friend had recommended this restaurant to us. This place did not disappoint! The staff were lovely, the food was amazing - I genuinely think they served the best muscles I have ever had. The restaurant itself is well decorated, and the atmosphere was cosy and calm. I would absolutely go back. The menu changes daily as they serve everything fresh from the fishmongers next day.

   almost 4 years ago

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