The 20 greatest restaurants in Bristol

What is it? Mediterranean small plates, with a few surprises thrown in.

Why we love it: This perky little restaurant in Bedminster has been the talk of the town since it opened in late 2022, headed up by well-respected chef Mark Chapman, who had already made his mark on the city with his stints at local favourites Bravas and Gambas.

Time Out tip: Order the Cor trademark dish of cannellini beans with lemon beurre blanc, smoked caviar and panko breadcrumbs (trust us, it’s a delicious wallop to your taste buds).

What is it? Homely Korean cooking from super talented chefs.

Why we love it: Bokman does understated food that you’ll be thinking about for a long time afterwards. Go with friends to try a proper selection of Korean stews, mandu, banchan and noodle dishes: you’ll leave very full and very happy.

Time Out tip: Tongdak is the star of the show here – charcoal grilled whole chicken stuffed with sticky rice, best eaten with a selection of pickles.

What is it? Wines by the glass and simple yet refined Italian cooking

Why we love it: The team behind Pasta Ripiena, Bianchis and most recently Pazzo are best known for bossing casual Italian dining across Bristol, with Cotto their most laidback affair. Low lights, pasta for around a tenner and a range of wines to work your way through – this is the place to catch up with friends and stay for hours when you only popped out for one.

Time Out tip: Don’t miss their two-for-£10 deal on spritzes or Negronis every Monday.

What is it? Home-style Vietnamese recipes from Trung and his family

Why we love it: Load up on Hanoi-style fried spring rolls and zingy mango salad before tucking into a fragrant noodle dish or one of their grilled fish specialities. Relaxed, refined and really delicious to boot.

Time Out tip: Brush off the cobwebs with Saigon Kitchen's traditional pho, served only on Sundays. Choose to pair it with a punchy Vietnamese coffee or Bloody Mary.

What is it? Inventive dishes celebrating seasonal ingredients.

Why we love it: Well-known for taking a veg-first approach to its menu (you’ll only find a couple of meat and fish dishes), Root puts some wildcard combos together which you’ll raise an eyebrow at before fighting over the last morsel – whether it’s carrot hash browns or beetroot with hazelnuts.

Time Out tip: Nab an outdoor table for some scenic harbour views, or sit up at the bar to watch the chefs in action.

What is it? Sumptuous Spanish small plates.

Why we love it: Get a true taste of Spain at this tapas bar and restaurant owned by couple Kieran and Imogen Waite. This duo take their staff to Spain annually to ensure their food remains on point and to cement their connections with Spanish suppliers.

Time Out tip: Try its sister restaurant, Gambas, too – it’s based at the harbourside and focuses on fish.

What is it? Michelin level cooking in an understated neighbourhood restaurant. 

Why we love it: Some of the best and most creative cooking in the city is coming out of a cosy restaurant in Redland. Wilsons is a project of Jan and Mary Wilson, with many ingredients coming from their own market garden, game shot by the chef himself, and unusual, low intervention wines selected by Mary. They've already been given a Michelin Green Star for their commitment to sustainability.

Time Out tip: Pop in for their lunch set menu to try Jan’s cooking for just £35, or visit their bakery a few doors down at the weekend for reputedly the best bacon roll in the city.

What is it? Always special sourdough pizza with a story.

Why we love it: Right at the top of Wapping Wharf, behind some big yellow doors, is some of the best pizza in the South West. The team at Bertha's live and breathe sourdough pizza, and it shows. Alongside the best local suppliers in the region, they whip up pizzas with passion and creativity.

What is it? Excellent-value Middle Eastern-inspired small plates.

Why we love it: Purveyor of Middle Eastern cuisine, Souk Kitchen offers a fantastic array of mezze, including chargrilled halloumi with watermelon and Aleppo chicken wings. However, it isn’t just exotic ingredients on offer here. The sausages are from Gloucester Old Spot pigs, and most of the bread is made by Mark’s Bread, a few hundred yards away.

Time Out tip: Order lots of plates and share around. You’re not going to want to miss out.

What is it? A contemporary neighbourhood Chinese restaurant in a formers greengrocers.

Why we love it: You could be forgiven for thinking you’ve wandered into a stylish post-industrial bistro in Brooklyn or Shoreditch, but being in the bohemian area of Montpelier and just off Stokes Croft, Wangs takes itself far less seriously. The menu is split into sharing plates such as chilli wontons, jellyfish salad or night market chicken, as well as some bigger noodle and rice bowls if you want a big feed up.

Time Out tip: Make sure you try their cocktails – the Sichuan Spicy Margarita is a firm favourite with regulars!