When it comes to the best restaurants in Bristol, there are plenty to choose from. The city has everything from Michelin-star restaurants to cheap eats and everything in between. But which spots can offer a bit of luxury that doesn’t break the bank? These are the cheapest Michelin Guide restaurants in Bristol on ‘a moderate spend’ – many of which have a Bib Gourmand distinction for their great value cooking.
1. Marmo
The first of nine Bristol restaurants with a Bib Gourmand distinction for ‘good quality, good value cooking’. The small plates, European-inspired restaurant/wine bar is perfect for all occasions – from snacky lunch bites to substantial evening meals, always over a few glasses of Old World wines.
Michelin Guide says: “The former Guardian Assurance Building makes a charming spot for a restaurant, thanks to its characterful interiors with high ceilings, parquet flooring and panelled walls. The rustic look is a perfect fit for this osteria-cum-wine-bar, where the concise menu of classic Italian dishes adheres to the old adage that ‘less is more’ – straightforward options like hand-rolled strozzapreti with wild boar ragu deliver bags of flavour with just a few ingredients. If you needed more reasons to visit, the service is confident and personable, and it all comes with an appealing price tag.”
Marmo, 31 Baldwin Street, City of Bristol, BS1 1RG
2. RAGÙ
When you’ve got everyone from MasterChef’s Grace Dent, Queen Camilla’s son and Bristol’s very own BoSFinesse raving about you, you must be doing something right! From the team behind Bedminster’s COR, the Italian sharing plates restaurant in Wapping Wharf has quickly become one of Bristol’s favourite restaurants. Whether it’s a small glass of wine and nibbles, or a full menu bursting with flavour, make RAGÙ your new hotspot.
Michelin Guide says: “Like most of the restaurants occupying the reclaimed shipping containers in Wapping Wharf, this authentic Italian eatery is cool, compact and totally irresistible. Coming from the same team as nearby COR, what it lacks in size it makes up for in flavour, with each simply prepared dish utilising the well-sourced seasonal ingredients to maximum effect. The menu’s designed for sharing and the prices are generous, so order in abundance and revel in everything from the moreish garlic and rosemary focaccia to the fish and meat cooked over fire. Finish with their creative take on tiramisu.”
Unit 25, Cargo 2, Museum Street, Wapping Wharf, City of Bristol, BS1 6ZA
3. Root
This modern, veg-led eatery has an ethos of ‘more veg, less meat’. You won’t find many better at making vegetables the star ingredient than at Root in Wapping Wharf. Specialising in small plates, not everything is completely vegan. Expect cheeses and other dairy products, some fish and meat too. But the focus is all on the veggies. Root also owns a Bib Gourmand for its great value cooking.
Michelin Guide says: “This busy, welcoming little restaurant occupies five first floor shipping containers on the old wharf. Produce from small local suppliers is used in simple yet flavour-packed small plates formed around vegetables. They have a modern, sometimes intriguing style and inventive touches.”
Root, Unit 9, Cargo 1, Gaol Ferry Steps, Wapping Wharf, City of Bristol, BS1 6WP
4. BOX-E
It may be tiny, BOX-E packs a lot of flavours into Wapping Wharf’s Cargo. An ever-changing à la carte menu at the 14-cover restaurant focuses on European ideas and British ingredients. BOX-E also offers a seven-course unwritten tasting menu that’s full of surprises, too—and holds a Bib Gourmand distinction.
Michelin Guide says: “Wapping Wharf is home to Cargo, a retail yard made of converted shipping containers, and on the first floor is intimate BOX-E, a compact restaurant clad in chipboard and plywood. Cooking comes from the heart and dishes are rustic, assured and flavour-packed. The panna cotta is a must!”
BOX-E, Unit 10, Cargo 1, Wapping Wharf, Bristol, BS1 6WP
5. Bristol Lido
The oldest surviving heated pool in the country, Bristol Lido has its very own restaurant. Tuck into Mediterranean cuisine from the original viewing gallery before heading for a dip and sometimes in the sauna afterwards.
Michelin Guide says: ” Snack on flatbreads and small plates in the poolside bar or head up to the first floor former viewing gallery of this restored Victorian lido, with its retractable floor-to-ceiling doors and daily changing menu. Spanish, Mediterranean and Moorish dishes make good use of the wood-fired oven.”
Lido Restaurant, Oakfield Place, Bristol, BS8 2BJ
6. Little Hollows
Bristol’s number-one pasta spot, Little Hollows, showcases the best of fresh artisan pasta at its restaurant in Redland. Switching between relaxed and bright to lively and buzzing with ease, this cosy award-winning neighbourhood spot has some unique pasta on offer. All freshly made in the morning too! Alongside pasta, you can also try a range of Italian classics from salads to desserts – and it now has a Bib Gourmand distinction too.
Michelin Guide says: “If you’re looking for something a little different, head to Little Hollows Pasta, a rustic bar-cum-bistro where the pasta is freshly made in house each morning and then hung out in the window to dry. The Italian dishes have an honest heart, ingredients are top-notch, and flavours are rich and authentic; be sure to save room for one of the classic Italian desserts. The passion of the knowledgeable team is palpable.”
Little Hollows Pasta, 26 Chandos Road, City of Bristol, BS6 6PF
7. OTHER
Vibrant, colourful and, dare I say it, punky, OTHER stands out from other Bristol restaurants. Not just for its bright and bold design, but for its ever-changing menu that has no constraints. The independent restaurant in Bedminster is run by the former head chef of Casamia and has a Bib Gourmand distinction.
Michelin Guide says: “If you were to ask Chef Zak Hitchman what kind of food he cooks, you may not get a clear answer, such is the variety of influences that he skilfully adopts. That’s borne out here in a playful, constantly changing menu served inside this small, modish bistro with bright orange walls. If there’s anything on the menu involving the hot and sour crab sauce, don’t hesitate in ordering it, as it’s the perfect encapsulation of the kitchen’s understanding of flavour. Everything, including the wines, comes with an appealing price tag and the friendly service is the icing on the cake.”
OTHER, 32 Cannon Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1BN
8. COR
Known for vibrant, Mediterranean dishes, COR’s the sort of place you can just as easily pop in for a glass of wine or some small dishes, as well as a light lunch or a multi-course feast in the evening – and, unsurprisingly, holds a Bib Gourmand distinction.
Michelin Guide says: “The epitome of a neighbourhood restaurant, COR is imbued with an air of contagious positivity that is a perfect fit for this buzzy area of Bristol. Its look is somewhere between a Mediterranean restaurant and a tapas bar, with some counter dining and shelves bursting with cookery books and wine. The dishes take on a similarly Mediterranean influence, as evidenced by the option of boquerones or burrata to kick things off. Save some room for pudding, because the crème caramel is a real treat.”
COR, 81 North St, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 1ES
9. littlefrench
Freddy and Nessa Bird’s littlefrench adds a little slice of France to the South West up in Westbury. Think classic bistro meets bohemia Bristol and it suits all times and occasions – offering lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
Michelin Guide says: “This neighbourhood bistro’s authentic Gallic feel will warm your soul. It’s family owned and run and is certainly a busy place, with visitors being warmly welcomed as if they were regulars. Well-executed dishes are fresh and hearty with a rustic style and bags of flavour; in the evening go for one of their sharing dishes. Service is friendly; ask for a booth beside the semi-open kitchen.”
littlefrench, 2b North View, Westbury Park, Bristol, BS6 7QB
10. The Blaise Inn
The last of Bristol’s Bib Gourmand restaurants offering “good quality, good value cooking”. This is one of the best pubs in Bristol, serving traditional British fare, with a fresh modern take, as well as one of the city’s best Sunday roasts. The Blaise Inn is a stone’s throw from the Blaise Castle Estate – ideal for visiting the breathtaking parklands afterwards.
Michelin Guide says: “Situated in the suburbs, close to the famous folly of Blaise Castle, this simply decorated village inn serves good value, traditional British dishes cooked with a skilful, modern approach – make sure you save room for dessert! As well as quality ales and a well-chosen wine list, you’ll find a pleasant rear courtyard in which to enjoy them. Personable service completes the picture.”
Blaise Inn, 260 Henbury Road, Bristol, BS10 7QR
The cheapest Michelin Guide restaurants in Bristol are all classified as ‘A moderate spend’ by the Michelin Guide. To learn more, head here.