For the last couple of years after university, I have made Bristol my home. I love its madness and uniqueness.  There’s many times you walk down the street and see something you weren’t expecting (I can’t give you examples in polite company) Most of all I love the food scene and over the last two years it has just grown so much that it’s hard to pick only five of my favourite places to eat at in Bristol.

In no particular order here are some great places to get your grub on in Bristol, so what are you waiting for??

Bravas

I’m well overdue for another visit to my favourite tapas restaurant in Bristol. Nestled off Whiteladies Road, Bravas is a hidden gem that just oozes Spanish charm. Beautifully cooked dishes that are simple in presentation but complex in flavours. A must-try is the fried aubergine & molasses, salty, sweet and highly addictive. I’ll want to order a couple of plates of those bad boys even if there’s just a couple of you. Another must-try is the duck egg with chorizo migas (just check that sexiness below) but keep popping in as the menu changes with the seasons.

Address Book- 7 Cotham Hill, Bristol, City of Bristol BS6 6LD     Tel: 0117 329 6887

Mayflower

If you are looking for authentic Chinese cuisine then don’t look any further than The Mayflower in Bristol’s Bearpit. Okay, so not the obvious choice of location for a fantastic restaurant but I love that it’s unpretentious and just serves amazing food. The aubergine in garlic sauce is to die for as is the crispy soft shell crab. If you are feeling adventurous there are some more traditional dishes to try like pig stomach with pickled vegetables, intestines in black bean sauce and frog’s legs in ginger and spring onions. Instead of the usual Sunday brunch of Egg Florentine why not try Dim Sum on Sunday like I did a while ago. The char siu pork buns are incredible.  I dream of the steamed custard buns. So good.

 Address Book – 3A – 5 Haymarket Walk The Haymarket, Bristol BS1 3LN

Hobgoblin

I get the most regulars views for a review I did last year than any other post I’ve done for the last two and a bit years I’ve been doing this blog. There is a very good reason, The Hobgoblin on Gloucester Road is home to The Kraken.To take on The Kraken, on needs to take on the following in 45 minutes to have the honour and pride that they survived THE KRAKEN! A Triple Bypass Burger (Three 7oz Burgers, 6 rashers of bacon, 2 hash browns and 2 huge pickles!!!), a mound of Dirty, Dirty Fries (Spicy fries, pulled pork, melted blue and cheddar cheese with coriander mayo), 15 SUPER Hot Wings, Coleslaw, Pickles and Sauces. Phew! That beast weighs 5lbs 10oz all for the prize of £25 but free if you finish it. I last time I visited only one man had managed to finish this brute. Not your style how about diving into some Dirty, Dirty fries.A  vat of glorious spicy fries, topped with dreamy pulled pork, melted sharp cheddar and tangy blue cheese and finished off with cool coriander mayo. Damn.

Address Book – 69-71 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8AS 07830 188054

The Star and Dove

Before Christmas, I and five other brave friends embarked on a colossal meat feat in the form of The Star and Dove‘s Twelfth Night feast. We even had a whole roasted pig’s head to tuck into. Venison Wellington and a savoury mince pie along with ten other fantastic dishes cooked using period recipes of Elizabethan dishes. All the dishes were served with pageantry that the food deserved. Every month they host a Victorian breakfast including truffled sausages, a shoulder of mutton and apple charlotte which I can wait to attended soon. Their tavern menu has also steeped in history with dishes such as Onion Pottage and Spinach Custard Tart which just sounds the ticket. Keep your eyes open for more special feasts.

Address Book – 75 – 78 St Lukes Rd, Totterdown, Bristol      Tel: 01179 332892

Bell’s Diner and Bar Room

Bell’s Diner was subjected one of our Scoff Saturday’s where I and my old university friends drink a lot of prosecco and eat a lot of fabulous food. To say we ate out fair share of the Jamon Iberico butter and then some is an understatement. I think we actually worked through the whole menu as it seemed missing a single dish off being tried would have been a crying shame. Their sherry offering is fabulous and would highly suggest you get yourself a table booked right now.

Address Book – 1 – 3 York Road Montpelier Bristol BS6 5QB   Tel: 0117 924 0357

There you have it, let me know if there are any places I’ve missed off or think there is a place I should try out and add to my list. Cheers Bristol!

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