The 30 Best Bistro in Bristol

“I stopped here for the first time as I've always wanted to try it. The pizza was sooo good, as well as the combo juice and the chocolate thing. They have an interesting menu that suits most people. Very kind staff and the cafe gives a welcoming feeling. I will definitely return to try some more things!”

“Absolutely brilliant time, took my mum for her birthday and the chef came and answered questions about food we’d never tried before. Staff were amazing and so friendly, letting us try dishes and singing happy birthday. Food is so delicious and affordable - we had the jerk chicken and curried goat and tried the ackee and saltfish, all of which I recommend!”

“A brilliant little cafe/restaurant. The pizza is excellent, and on Thursdays and Saturdays they have the most amazing doughnuts which they can serve with ice cream - highly recommend! The staff are super friendly and it's a nice relaxed atmosphere.”

“Lovely location serving Great food & Cakes including Gluten Free choices and excellent coffee highly recommend”

“A fabulous independent family run traditonal French Restaurant (actually run by a French family), which puts many of the so called French inspired restruant to shame. We ordered from the set lunchtime menu (two or three courses), which was good value with two choices for each course & freshly prepared. I would definitely recommend & also suggest you book ahead as the restruant was close to full when we arrived.”

“What a find! A gorgeous intimate restaurant in the centre of Cheltenham, quietly serving up some of the best food in the area. There were several of us so we had most of the menu between us and every single dish was a winner! The wine list is brilliant and the house sparkling wine is divine! The service was utterly charming and we felt very looked after. Thank you!”

“Incredible! Went for our anniversary... and it was superb! We've been to Michelin Star Restaurants before that haven't even come close to Muse... 4 cocktails, 5 dishes, plus a bottle of wine, everything a delight with complete attention to detail. They also chucked in a Amuse-bouche and when they realised it was our anniversary a surprise sweet dish at the end... pictured. Go Here!”

“Lovely place to grab lunch on a working day too. Tried the chicken burger and it was really tender and delicious with a generous portion of fries. They have a good selection of meats and sausages to take home. Extremely kind and friendly staff”

“Great Sunday roast ( lamb) veg were georgous, lovely friendly place . Great staff . Attentive.”

“This place is always impressive. You can tell they enjoy making food and serving it. Salad and pastas were really good. Pizza was cooked perfectly and my son really enjoyed his burger and desert. Small little place hidden away in depths of Horfield. Worth a visit.”

“Had a lovely lunch here today. Service was friendly and welcoming, food was delicious, tasted fresh and authentic. About to move to the area so will definitely be coming back!”

“WOW Ill start with the good and then the bad. Firstly the roasties were spot on, they had flavour and are part of the most important trio of a roast along with the gravy and meat which were AMAZING. Veg was fresh and all together honestly was amazing even being delivered! The bad More gravy it needs way more gravy!”

“Excellent! I had a bacon roll to takeaway and it was superb as well as great value for money”

“Popped in here for lunch today rather spontaneously, and I’m glad I did. Lovely, welcoming staff, and authentic Thai food with a real home-cooked, comforting feel. Definitely a hidden gem worth visiting!”

“Julie and Steve have the best food and hospitality. We were only passing through but would definitely return if we are ever in the area. Great value, delicious food.”

“This is, without a doubt, my favourite Thai restaurant in Bristol. I have probably ordered from here or dined in around five times, and they have never once disappointed me. My favourites are the Laos-style papaya salad and the tom yum soup. On this visit, I tried the beef, which was delicious and generous for the price. The sticky mango rice was as lovely as always, although the portion seemed a little smaller than on my previous visit. The owner is also friendly. I would highly recommend this restaurant—it’s a must-visit for anyone who loves Thai food.”

“For our anniversary, my wife and I ventured to Hat Bistro, a family-run gem that stole our hearts (and taste buds!). From the moment we walked in, the warmth and hospitality were undeniable. We were lucky enough to be seated at the chef's table as well. The entire wait staff deserves a standing ovation. Our waitress was an absolute star, guiding us through the menu with genuine enthusiasm and attentiveness. Her recommendations were spot-on, and her friendly demeanour made the whole experience even more enjoyable. The barman was equally fantastic, crafting cocktails that perfectly complemented our meal. But the true star of the show was the food itself. Each dish was a revelation of fresh, authentic flavours. It was clear that love and passion went into every creation. We lingered over every bite, savouring the moment and the delicious food. Hat Bistro isn't just a restaurant; it's an experience. It's the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a delightful evening out. If you're looking for incredible food, impeccable service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere, look no further. We can't wait to return!”

“We celebrated our wedding meal here as a group of 6, it was amazing. Service was great and the food delicious. Steak frites was generous and well seasoned. Will be coming back”

“What a meal! Fantastic staff - attentive and friendly and the food was amazing. We had around 7 plates, wine and beer - Nothing but positive things to say - The best Tapas we have ever had! There were four of us seated outside on a summer eve. A beautiful town and this must be their gem - We will definitely be returning - Thank you!”

“Had lunch for three and it was a great find. A simple menu that covered all the bases. We had garlic mushrooms in a creamy sauce and chicken liver pate for starters. Very good. Two types of tart and a prawn and tuna chowder (pictured) for the main. Apple pie and tiramisu for pudding. Good portion sizes, full of flavour and fresh. The staff worked hard and there was a cosy atmosphere at this top of the high street location. Highly recommend.”

“Fayes is always lovely for food and friendliness, but the festive afternoon tea is something else. Especially with a hot glass of spicy sweet mulled wine. Everything was delicious and I felt very spoilt. I would highly recommend.”

“Absolutely delicious, and a fantastic spot! Also, really really good coffee. The one-pan dishes are wonderful, we tried the meneme and the spinach dish, and it's a huge recommendation for both! Thanks so mcug to the long bistro team!”

“This was our second Christmas stay. 3 years ago Christmas Day was pretty chaotic but overall we enjoyed our stay so much that we were quite happy to go back. The room, the service, the staff, the restaurant was excellent. Christmas Day service from Buddy The Elf (Cosmin), Alessandro (Alex) and *all* the staff in the restaurant was superb. I rarely write reviews and am accustomed to moaning about lack of service these days so feel duty bound to say a really big thank you given that we were so well looked after by everyone at The Hotel du Vin Bristol City. Thank you Phillip Phillip & Peter Christmas 2025”

“Fantastic food and service all round, It was my birthday today so thanks for making it extra special Cosmin went above and beyond, so attentive and friendly.”

“We are a perfectionist, hardly leave reviews, however this place absolutely deserves one! No fault to the food, simply delicious and cooked to perfection. The service was wonderful we felt we were in knightsbridge (London). What we loved most is that this place is a true Italian unlike most Italian restaurants around which are a company rather than a family business. Great design everything matched everything with excellent parking facilities right next to the restaurant. We shall definitely be retuning weekly. Thank you Ben&Sarah!”

“Lovely afternoon spend in a beautifully converted Venetian-Gothic building, as an architecture graduate I really appreciate beautiful interiors. The host greeting us and seated our group in a lovely setting which was all ready and prepared for our arrival. Our server was very attentive and constantly checking if we were happy or needed anything. The traditional fish and chips was a favourite amongst our guests! Would recommend the linguine & elderflower mocktail. We will definitely be back soon and recommend if you are visiting Bristol to stop by especially as the brunch we had previously was great - try the pancakes!”

“Lovely little cafe,good selection of cakes, coffee also very good Just visited again in December, same results as sitting outside in the summer. This is a hidden gem, lovely little cafe, will try the breakfast next time after a short fast, judging by the size of it.”

“I'm here often, the coffee is great and the cakes on offer are excellent! In spring, summer, and later autumn, you can sit outside on a lovely warm terrace and be served your drinks and food. It's my time out space, I've often come here to stop, think, and look for a while and the staff are always friendly and helpful too. Plus the added advantage of beautiful cake, the pear cake is delicious and with a great latte your well on your way to a great pit stop and top up to set you right for the rest of the day!”

“Took wonderful food ordered from Bistro Chef over to elderly relatives at Easter, so we could enjoy a 'no fuss' family feast. Delicious beef, chicken, pork and veggie options - all very easy to heat up and serve. Huge thanks to the BC team for making our celebration so special!”

“Really great food served by friendly people in a lovely setting. Definitely going back.”