Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Bristol

OpenTable

Updated October 05, 2024

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!

Koocha Mezze Bar

4.8

4.8 (1373)

£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

Georgia

Dined on Sep 17, 2024

Great food as always and lovely, friendly service

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Popular dish

Pomegranate Cheesecake

4.7

4.7 (1359)

£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

Sue

Dined on Sep 30, 2024

We had lunch there today. I had the normal fish and chips which was lovely, nice light batter not greasy and thick cut chips. I would have preferred to have a garden pea option as I find mushy peas a bit dry. My husband had gammon and eggs with chips and no complaints there. The staff were very helpful and attentive and a good atmosphere.

Buenasado - Bristol

4.7

4.7 (421)

£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

Laura

Dined on Sep 21, 2024

We celebrated a family event at Buenasado’s the food was amazing and the service from our waiter David was very attentive. We will definitely return!

Paco Tapas

4.6

4.6 (2033)

£26 to £40

Tapas / Small Plates

Bristol

About the restaurant

With jamón ready to carve, padrón peppers roasting over the wood fire & sherry straight from the barrel let us transport you to Andalusia.

Our ever changing menu combines traditional tapas with personal interpretations from Michelin starred Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, whilst staying true to the vibrant and comforting flavours of his heritage.

No tapas bar is worth its salt without a carefully crafted sherry list - just ask Paco! So, we've handpicked ours, and offer them by the glass, bottle or shaken into the finest cocktails.

Thanks to all our amazing suppliers & team we are realising another Sanchez Brothers dream - A modern tapas bar bringing a taste of Andalusia to Bristol. Whether you're coming para picar, for a glass of sherry or a tapas feast we can't wait to see you!

Top review

Kevin

Dined 4 days ago

Lovely place with a friendly relaxed atmosphere. The service given was excellent. Staff were Very knowledgable and helpful with anything we were unsure of. We had the Chef’s menu and the food was delicious. Will definitely be going back.

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Côte Brasserie - Bristol Clifton

4.6

4.6 (79)

£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

Keithvip

Dined on Oct 1, 2024

Excellent food and service. Lovely ambience too - I will definitely book again!

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Experience

Champagne Breakfast

Experience

New Year's Eve Set Menu

Experience

Festive three-course Set Menu

Cappadocia Restaurant, Bristol

4.6

4.6 (178)

£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

Aled

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent experience. We were an hour late and super accommodating. Attentive service, good ambience and crazy good food 🙌

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Experience

Cappa Night

Ivy Clifton Brasserie

4.5

4.5 (10242)

£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

Christine

Dined 7 days ago

Excellent service from friendly staff who just knew how to serve customers without being ‘in your face’. The decor is superb as is the food. The only downside is the trek to the toilets. However, this is an experience to be repeated.

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Experience

£19.17 All-Day Set Menu

Experience

The Ivy Clifton Brasserie Afternoon Tea

Experience

Breakfast Set Menu

Pho Bristol

4.4

4.4 (298)

£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

Nigel

Dined on Oct 1, 2024

Our waiter Owen, had a wonderful personality. He seems like a nice person who really enjoys his job.

Piccolino - Bristol

4.3

4.3 (147)

£26 to £40

Italian

Bristol

About the restaurant

Eclectic, chilled out, but forward thinking: beautiful Bristol is a city of intriguing contrasts. From the steep pastel-coloured streets of Totterdown and the elegant sweeping crescents of Clifton, to the busy harbourside and modern Cabot Circus, Bristol has something for everyone. This is also a city where you can sample the very best of the South West’s culinary offerings.
Piccolino, an authentic Italian Restaurant, is a proud fixture of the Bristol dining scene. Ideally situated in popular Cabot Circus, Piccolino in Bristol boasts an open kitchen, cocktail bar, and three substantial alfresco areas including terraces with fully retractable roofs, for the ultimate alfresco experience rain or shine!
Italy’s diverse cuisine is the heart and soul of Piccolino in Bristol. We visit the regions, meet the producers and are committed to sourcing the best quality ingredients. There is no better place to experience the best in Italian cuisine than our restaurant.

Top review

Janet

Dined on Sep 28, 2024

Great food served by staff who demonstrated excellent service

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Experience

Two Courses & Drink for £25

Experience

15% off your food bill, Monday & Tuesday

Experience

Wine Wednesday - 50% Off Wine

Carluccio's - Bristol, Cribbs Causeway

3.6

3.6 (343)

£26 to £40

Italian

Bristol

About the restaurant

Here at Carluccio's, we’ve always been true to our Italian heritage and what food really means to us. The best ingredients, from the best regions, cooked with love.

We’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday to Sunday, and we cater for vegetarians and those who are following a gluten free diet.

Top review

Stephanie

Dined on Sep 24, 2024

good handling of gluten sensitivity, attenttive staff we always have lunch here when we do a shopping trip to the Mall as a break and treat

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Experience

Christmas Pre-Booking (Groups 6+) Glass Prosecco

Experience

Christmas Pre-Booking: Glass Of Prosecco On Us

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