Missus 50th birthday and we’re heading to Brizzle. Where for a nice meal in the centre?

Depends on how much you want to spend. Wilks is great, if you don’t mind being a bit outside of the centre and have the budget for something with a Michelin star.

JP

Will have a look at Wilks cheers. Somewhere relatively casual as there’ll be a 13 year old in tow 🙂

Is that Bare Grills place any good?

what do you like?

The Glass Boat is well suited for a nice birthday dinner – it’s on a boat, nice views of the river, classic/French stuff
The Olive Shed is usually a bit more lively, great tapas
The Lido is very good too, and has the odd benefit of being able to watch people swimming up and down while you eat. Sounds creepy but it actually feels very cosy!

BC Diner, no competition. Right by the Hippodrome, established for decades. Known locally as BC Hicken.

BC Diner, no competition. Right by the Hippodrome, established for decades. Known locally as BC Hicken.

Settled, nice one!

If you like tapas pata Negra is excellent.

Some ideas below. Depends when you are planning to come but I would suggest early booking is essential:
Pasta Ripiena – https://pastaripiena.co.uk/
Marmo – https://www.marmo.restaurant/
Mud Dock – and you can look at some bikes as well – https://www.mud-dock.co.uk/cafe/
Riverstation – overlooks the river – https://www.riverstation.co.uk/
Spitfire – on the docks – http://www.spitfirebarbecue.com/menu/

Also there are a number of restaurants in the Cargo development on the dockside, but they are fairly small as they are in containers – Box E gets very good reviews

+1 for Wilks – hands down the best place I have eaten in Brizzle.

Not a Bristolian, but Bristol friends have taken us to one of the Meera Sodha’s Thali restaurants. Maybe not what you’re after for a 50th Birthday treat, but if you had a second night and wanted something more low key?

https://www.olivemagazine.com/restaurants/south-west/meera-sodha-at-thali-cafe-montpellier-bristol-restaurant-review/

Bare Grills – I wouldn’t. It’s quite chain-y, nothing particularly spectacular and will be full of students. If you want a steakhouse, go to the Cowshed on Whiteladies Road.

I can vouch for the Riverstation. The Pontoon downstairs bit still has good views but does pub-type food well and in big portions, so relaxed. We had the Riverstation menu which was good food. Service was attentive.

Also agree you need to book wherever you decide on.

Head to the Wapping Warf area (central, waterfront) and take your pick of informal small eateries…

Pasture on Portwall Lane near the centre is elegant and has great food.

784 reviews with an average score of 4.7.

Restaurant

Pasture is good for steak. Wilks is OK – wasn’t overly impressed by the tasting menu (was good but nothing especially memorable given the cost). I quite liked the Bulrush tasting menu to (on par with Wilks’ IMO).

Wilks is my least favourite in Bristol. Zero atmosphere. Also not central.

Go to BOX-E and book the kitchen table. If you can’t get in there Pasta Ripiena is excellent

Edit – sorry – missed the teenager element! They definitely wouldn’t like Wilks. I’d go with Pasta Ripiena, or The Ox.

Whoever said Spitfire – get in the sea! 🙂