Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Bristol

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Bristol? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Hollybush

4.7

4.7 (1456)

£25 and under

Gastro Pub

Bristol

About the restaurant

Located on the Bath and Bristol border, the Hollybush is everything a great country pub should be.

We have two comfortable and modern spaces for dining and a large bar area for drinking. Whether you are in the mood to put your feet up and enjoy a freshly prepared bar snack, treat the family to an excellent dining experience or grab a refreshing pint in our wonderful garden, we look forward to seeing you soon.

We are proud to serve the best local ales, an extensive range of up to 40 gins and the finest wines. Our experienced chefs prepare a wide range of dishes using fresh, local produce.

Our desserts are to die for! We regularly receive fantastic reviews, especially for our cheesecake which customers have been know to travel from afar to experience.

Top review

Anthony

Dined on Jun 3, 2025

Amazing food amazing attentive staff - portion sizes were more than adequate and the kitchen is open, food is fresh - - first visit we will be back x

Koocha Mezze Bar

4.7

4.7 (1489)

£25 and under

Persian

Bristol

About the restaurant

We are located at 203 B Cheltenham Rd The Arches Bristol BS6 5QX

Koocha was founded in 2018 as Bristol’s first totally vegan restaurant – a plant pioneer, we’ve led the way for animal-free cuisine across the city.

What really sets us apart though is the big, unexpected and delicious spices and flavours from Persia and the Middle East that infuse every dish in our bountiful menu.

Our food is as fresh as it comes, sourced locally and sustainably, everything is made from scratch by our talented team. And whether you’re vegan or not, we pride ourselves on our seductive fare – even the most devout meat eaters have declared their love after a meal at one of our tables.

Top review

Maggi

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

We had a great meal at Koocha..The food was amazing. My favourite was the oyster mushrooms. Rosie, our waitress was so lovely. She was very warm and welcoming and kept us entertained. We will be back

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Popular dish

Pomegranate Cheesecake

4.7

4.7 (524)

£26 to £40

Burgers

Bridgeyate

About the restaurant

Our Story

Milk Bun. brings you both the finest ingredients and atmosphere, for a truly unforgettable experience.
Founded in 2018, Milk Bun. was born from two brothers with a passion for good food & good times. Both brothers share the same ethos, utilising only the freshest of locally sourced ingredients; all whilst providing the perfect place to enjoy them.
We take great pride in our hand-made, gourmet burgers; sourcing only the finest grass-fed aged meat, perfectly complemented by our secret signature bun recipe.

Important Information Before You Book!

Unfortunately, due to the size and nature of our kitchen, we are unable to cater to those with severe dairy, gluten, peanut and sesame allergies. Apologies for any inconvenience! If you need any further information or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ring the restaurant, our team is happy to help :)

Top review

Alli

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

Fantastic burgers and lovely service. We’ll be back.

Buenasado - Bristol

4.7

4.7 (505)

£26 to £40

Argentinean

Bristol

About the restaurant

At Buenasado Argentine Steakhouse experience a unique combination of top quality beef from grass-fed cattle, reared in the fertile lowlands of Las Pampas, and superb world-famous Argentinian wine.

Top review

Richard

Dined on Jun 5, 2025

Pleasant ambience (we ate early weekday evening), superb fillet and sirloin steaks, excellent fries, nice starters (calamari and provolone) and top notch desert (lemon meringue pie). Would definitely go again, would prefer to set my own gratuity amount.

Kibou Clifton

4.7

4.7 (26)

£26 to £40

Japanese

Clifton

About the restaurant

Located in Clifton Village, KIBOU brings a slice of Tokyo-chic to this popular neighbourhood of Bristol. A haven for any sushi or ramen lover, the restaurant is know for it's vibrant and quirky interiors, Japanese-inspired murals, and eye-catching display of red Japanese acers. Featuring an extensive menu of classic and contemporary Japanese hot food and sushi, plus a decadent range of weekly changing specials, dive into Instagram-worthy platters of sushi and sashimi, the crispest of tempura, rich katsu curry, pillowy bao buns and the most soulful of ramen. They also serve a fabulous Japanese-inspired afternoon tea and run a Bottomless Sushi session on Saturdays. Add to this a range of signature and classic cocktails - The KIBOU is a must try - sake tasting flights, Japanese whisky and Japanese brewed beers, and your visit to KIBOU in Clifton is complete!

Top review

Mumtaaz

Dined 2 days ago

This was my second visit to Kibou, and once again, I was blown away by the outstanding food and exceptional customer service. Every member of staff greeted us warmly, were approachable throughout, and created such a welcoming atmosphere. Their kindness and professionalism really stood out and made the experience all the more enjoyable. The food was absolutely impeccable—full of flavour, beautifully presented, and truly memorable. I’m already thinking about my next visit!

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Experience

Teishoku (定食) Set Lunch - £16.90

Experience

Bottomless Sushi

Experience

Japanese Afternoon Tea

Cappadocia Restaurant, Bristol

4.7

4.7 (437)

£25 and under

Turkish

Bristol

About the restaurant

We invite you to drink and dine with us in our bright and lively restaurant, redolent with the aroma of delicious, authentic Turkish dishes grilled over charcoal, or slow cooked until tender. The décor is vibrant, the chairs comfortable, the atmosphere convivial and the cocktails made with fresh ingredients.
We offer a lovely lunch menu from 12-4pm Monday to Friday and a generous Cappa 4 course set menu which gives you the chance to sample the best that Türkiye has to offer.
Come along and be taken on a journey!

Top review

Joanne

Dined 5 days ago

Only first experience, good food and wonderful service!

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Experience

Cocktail Masterclass With Food

Paco Tapas

4.6

4.6 (2068)

£26 to £40

Tapas / Small Plates

Bristol

About the restaurant

Award Winning Paco Tapas is named after chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’ father, Paco, who is from Seville. The restaurant is deeply rooted in Spanish tradition and family heritage.

Located by the Bathurst Basin, Paco Tapas features dark walls, exposed brick, and sherry barrel tables, creating the perfect atmosphere for sharing plates with friends and family.

Our menu showcases a selection of classic interpretations and seasonal tapas dishes made with the finest ingredients, including Cornish day boat fish, deep-sea Carabineros from the Mediterranean Sea, and Amela tomatoes from Granada.

To complement the food, we offer a carefully curated selection of sherry, wines, and cocktails.

At Paco Tapas, we aim to create a fun and approachable dining experience, focusing on great ingredients and even better memories. Inspired by the legacy of Paco himself, our restaurant is a tribute to Spanish warmth, flavour, and hospitality.

Top review

Genelle

Dined on May 22, 2025

Really enjoyed our night there! Food was amazing, service was great and for the food we had, great value. Only thing I would say is that we did put birthday on our booking and normally you’d expect something with a candle even if it’s a plate with writing. It was my partner’s daughter’s birthday. But that’s a minor thing, in the grand scheme of it all. Would highly recommend it and we will go back!

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Ivy Clifton Brasserie

4.5

4.5 (10213)

£26 to £40

Contemporary British

Clifton

About the restaurant

The Ivy Clifton Brasserie is located on the corner of Caledonia Place and The Mall, overlooking The Mall Gardens.

Top review

Robin

Dined 4 days ago

It is a wonderful place and a thorough delight. However my steak tartare was very over spiced. I should have sent it back

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Popular dish

Blackened Cod Fillet

Popular dish

The Ivy Classic Shepherds Pie

Popular dish

Traditional Fish and Chips

Côte Brasserie - Bristol Clifton

4.5

4.5 (119)

£25 and under

French

Clifton

About the restaurant

Cote is inspired by the brasseries of Paris, serving authentic French dishes all day in our classically designed restaurants. We are committed to producing authentic French classics, freshly cooked to order, from the highest quality sourced ingredients.

Top review

Yvonne

Dined 2 days ago

Always a lovely greeting and a good place to sit. Staff are excellent just like the food.

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Experience

Father's Day Breakfast

Experience

Father’s Day 3-course menu and free beer for Dad

Pho Bristol

4.5

4.5 (344)

£25 and under

Vietnamese

Bristol

About the restaurant

Pho is a healthy Vietnamese restaurant that specialise in pho noodle soup, the national dish of Vietnam. Aside from pho, you can also expect to find amazing sharing starters, healthy salads, hearty rice bowls and decadent curries. They have a range of freshly made juices and also Vietnamese beers and a large wine and cocktail list. Pho’s menu is 40% vegan and nearly entirely gluten-free too. They also have an accessible kids’ menu where children can get a meal and a drink for £5.50.

Top review

Liz

Dined on May 16, 2025

Lovely meal at Pho. The fact that they do so much gluten free food is amazing and reassuring for coeliacs. And it’s soooo tasty too. Friendly helpful staff. Overall excellent.

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