⭐ Bristol Food Survey Results
It’s official: we’re all missing out on Bristol's best food…
Last week, we asked about your biggest frustrations when deciding where to eat in Bristol, and the results were eye-opening. It turns out, almost all of you share the exact same struggles. Here is exactly what you told us:
You're relying on social media and often find out about events after they’ve sold out.
You're constantly losing track of endless Instagram reels when choosing somewhere to eat.
There are so many spots it’s hard to know what’s worth your time and money.
We hear you loud and clear. (And a special shoutout to the reader who explicitly begged us not to build "another effing app" because "Another bloody app" is the last thing you need - we felt that in our souls, and we promise, we aren't!)
We’ve spent the last few weeks building a simple, highly practical toolkit to help you keep on top of the Bristol food scene. Here’s a sneek peak:
📍 BFN Food Map: You asked for trusted recommendations. We’ve built a food map featuring only the places we personally vouch for, plus a handy budget guide for each location so you know what you’re in for.
📆 Events Calendar: Planning a weekend in the future and want to see what's on? We've got you covered. We've built a year-forward looking calendar, updated daily with exciting food events, to keep your diary sorted.
🕵️ Weekly Deal Scout: We are so excited about this one. To help you save money, we are adding a brand new section that slots directly into your weekly newsletter. We’re tracking down the best weekly offers (e.g. 50% off food, £6 cocktails, complimentary drinks) so you can finally visit those places you've wanted to try for ages, without breaking the bank.
Keep your eyes peeled next week - we’re going to give you a little free taste of what we’ve been working on.
New Openings & Recent Reviews
Progressive Indian Cooking, Observer Praise & Gloucester Road Pints
Kush by Aktar Islam: Michelin-starred chef Aktar Islam is bringing his progressive Indian cooking to Clifton, taking over the former Mint Room site. Originally teased for the start of 2026, we're finally getting closer to the doors opening. Expect a menu that pushes the boundaries of traditional Indian flavours by expertly utilising British ingredients.
Dongnae Observer Review: The Chandos Road Korean spot just received a stellar review in The Observer. Writer Rebecca Nicholson highlighted their "casual excellence" and praised dishes like the tuna jemeokbap and mushroom sotbap as "wonderfully healing" for a Saturday afternoon.
The Drapers Arms Sunday Times Accolade: Gloucester Road's beloved micropub has officially been named one of the eight best micropubs in the UK by the Sunday Times Magazine. The review highlighted the pub as a refreshing antidote to corporate noise, praising its painstakingly sourced local beers and great conversational buzz.
Achari AM Reopening: Bristol's award-winning Achari Indian Kitchen on Cotham Hill has announced the return of Achari AM, their fantastic weekend brunch service. Set your alarms, as they will be back in action serving up unique Indian brunch dishes on Sunday, March 22nd. If you're heading down, make sure to say "juice" from 11am to score yourself a free onion bhaji!
Upcoming Food Events
5k Bagel Runs, 5-Course Trivia Nights & May Bank Holiday Brews
Pints and Plates at Coexist Community Kitchen (March 13th): Head over to Easton for a community feast at Coexist Community Kitchen, partnering up with Bristol Beer Factory. For £35, you can kick off your evening with a half-pint at the door before sitting down to dive into four incredible pub-classic small plates - like a mini ploughman's or Dexter beef suet pudding. All proceeds support Coexist's year-round food inclusion work.
LHGRC Beers and Bagels 5k (March 29th): The Left Handed Giant Run Club is teaming up with Little Bagel Co. on Baldwin Street for a community 5k. Starting at 3:15 pm, you can enjoy a party-pace run followed by a free 0.5% LHG beer and a complimentary Schmear Deluxe bagel.
One Fish Street Quiz & 5-Course Menu (April 1st): One Fish Street on Chandos Road is hosting a relaxed trivia night alongside a fantastic £45 five-course set menu. Every round of questions is playfully inspired by the dish you've just been served, and the winning team takes home a £50 restaurant voucher.
Watercress Farm Feast with Magari (April 2nd): Belmont Estate is hosting its next communal dining event at Watercress Farm (BS48 1NE), teaming up with Magari Pasta for a truly rustic Italian spread. For £40 per person, expect a long, laid-back dinner from 6:00 pm featuring handmade pasta, slow-cooked regeneratively reared meats, and seasonal veg. The farm-to-table menu perfectly pairs Magari’s thoughtful cooking with Belmont’s rewilded landscape. Advance booking is essential for this one, so secure your spot to avoid missing out!
East Bristol Brewery Trail 10th Anniversary (May 2nd - May 3rd): Marking a massive 10th anniversary, the beloved open-doors brewery trail returns for the May Bank Holiday weekend across the BS2 and BS5 postcodes. Seven local breweries will be offering exclusive birthday brews, fresh releases, and street food.
Bristol Cocktail Weekend Returns (Sep 24th - Sep 27th): Looking ahead to autumn, Bristol Cocktail Weekend has confirmed it will return for its fourth year from September 24th to 27th. Tickets for the city-wide cocktail festival go on sale at the end of April.
Local Highlight
Under the Stars
Moored right on our historic harbour, Under the Stars has been a steadfast local favourite since it first opened its hatches in 2010. This floating Mediterranean tapas restaurant offers a brilliant escape from the busy city streets. The interior is designed to be light and cosy, featuring rich wood finishes, Hague blue decor, and striking mustard yellow accents. If you prefer the fresh air, their spacious top deck is fully equipped for year-round alfresco dining, making it a great spot to sit back and watch the harbourside world go by.
The food is a clever nod to the boat's nautical setting, drawing inspiration from the historic travel routes of ships leaving Bristol. Because the kitchen relies heavily on seasonal produce, the Mediterranean tapas selection is constantly evolving to bring fresh and exciting flavours to the table. Alongside the tapas, they serve up excellent pizzas made entirely from scratch on board, right down to the freshly proved dough. The drinks menu is equally impressive and champions local producers. Right now, the bar team is pouring a fantastic Orange and Cranberry Sour. It features local favourite 6 O'clock Gin's Hazy Orange Gin mixed with homemade orange peel syrup, fresh lemon, and cranberry. You can order it with egg white or vegan foaming bitters, and they even offer a proper mocktail version using Lyre's non-alcoholic spirits, perfectly complementing their solid lineup of local draught beers and ciders.
That’s it for this week.
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