Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Bristol

OpenTable

Updated December 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!

Paco Tapas

4.7

4.7 (2054)

£26 to £40

Tapas / Small Plates

Bristol

About the restaurant

Paco Tapas brings the essence of Andalusia to Bristol, offering a vibrant tapas experience. 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 captures the lively spirit of a true Andalusian tapas bar, with dark walls, exposed brick, and sherry barrel tables creating the perfect atmosphere for sharing plates with friends and family.

Our menu features a selection of classic and seasonal tapas dishes made with the finest ingredients, including boquerones, croquetas de jamon, and the signature quail stuffed with sobrasada and dates. Vegetarians will love options like charred leeks with romesco and gordal olives. To complement the food, we offer an extensive sherry list, alongside carefully curated wines, cocktails, and beers.

Top review

Catherine

Dined 7 days ago

Delicious food, lovely restaurant, very expensive but it’s worth it!

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4.7

4.7 (1396)

£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

Julie

Dined 7 days ago

Perfect service, food, friendliness and atmosphere always

Koocha Mezze Bar

4.7

4.7 (1404)

£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

Wan Ching

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

Lovely tasty tapas - imaginative food, good size dishes and good value. Highly recommended and will be back!

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Popular dish

Pomegranate Cheesecake

4.7

4.7 (442)

£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

ArnaudVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Fantastic steak. Best in town hands down. And really brilliant staff. We had a deliciously authentic lunch for our son’s 20th birthday.

Côte Brasserie - Bristol Clifton

4.6

4.6 (91)

£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

PaulVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Always great at Cote , and very lively this evening 😊🎄

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Experience

New Year's Eve Set Menu

Experience

Festive three-course Set Menu

Milk Bun, Bristol

4.6

4.6 (496)

£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.

Top review

AmeliaR

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Brilliant as always. Delicious chicken burgers and sides.

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Cappadocia Restaurant, Bristol

4.6

4.6 (241)

£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

Janice

Dined 2 days ago

Fabulous restaurant. Excellent service and the food is delicious. Highly recommended. 5 *****

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Ivy Clifton Brasserie

4.5

4.5 (10260)

£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

Ruth

Dined 4 days ago

I’ve been to the Ivy many times and we were visiting for my sister’s birthday. The venue is lovely which is why I always come here for special occasions. Our server was friendly and helpful. Everyone was really happy with their meals and good size portions too. The buffalo mozzarella was very delicious. Lovely gesture to give my sister a free desert with a candle in it.

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Experience

The Ivy Clifton Brasserie Festive Afternoon Tea

4.5

4.5 (314)

£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

Irene

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent food for gluten free .Menu great ,staff well trained in allergies. Lovely relaxed atmosphere. Thank you.

Carluccio's - Bristol, Cribbs Causeway

3.8

3.8 (353)

£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

Alison VIP

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

Great food and excellent service - definitely recommend

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Experience

Christmas Menu (Groups 6+ guests)

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