Je Jean's Opening: Great news for fans of Jean’s Bistro on Gloucester Road. The team is expanding again, taking over the former Saint’s Deli site on the corner of St Michael's Hill and Myrtle Road. It's set to become 'Je Jean’s', serving up Thai dishes, khao kaeng (curry over rice), and sushi. While we’ll miss the pizza slices from Saint’s, Jean is a bit of a local legend, so this is definitely one to watch for a late January opening.

Pizza Pilgrims Opening: A planning application has gone in that could see the historic Stanfords bookshop on Corn Street turned into a Pizza Pilgrims. While it's always sad to see a bookshop go, the chain - founded by brothers who drove a van across Italy - has a solid reputation. They’re planning a restaurant with a takeaway option, joining the busy Corn Street food run.

Honest Burgers Opening: If you're heading up to The Mall at Cribbs this month, keep an eye out for the new Honest Burgers. They are opening a new spot near Wagamama later in January. It’s their third site in the Bristol area, bringing their signature burgers and rosemary salted chips to Cribbs Causeway.

Lamaya: A nice spot of news for Lamaya on the harbour - celebrity chef Marco Pierre White recently popped in and declared it his "favourite Lebanese restaurant in Britain." High praise indeed for the independent spot.

Bristol Live's Best of 2025: Bristol Live has rounded up their top eats of last year, and it’s a solid list. Mentions include the "best tacos ever" at El Diablo on Gloucester Road, the incredibly juicy burgers at Prime by Pasture, and the magical interiors of The Bristolian. They also gave shout-outs to Coffi Lab for being dog-friendly, the new Moomin Cafe, Drizzle on Christmas Steps, and Bianchis, which readers voted the city's best restaurant.

IN Bristol's Top Meals of 2025: Local guide 'IN Bristol' has released their personal favourite eats from the last year. It’s a great checklist for 2026, featuring the Korean dishes at Dongnae, curries from The Pukka Peacock, banh mi from Hanoi Social, and feasts at Pasture and Little Smoker.

Burns Night Tasting Menu (Jan 23): No.4 Clifton Village is hosting a special Burns Night dinner. Sous Chef Fraser Toal is channelling his Scottish heritage into a tasting menu that promises traditional flavours with a refined twist to celebrate the occasion.

Sunday Scran #1 (Jan 25): The Scrandit on Christmas Steps is kicking off a new monthly series. The debut features Issy Cox of Cin Cin Catering serving a "Sunday" Porchetta feast. It’s a communal dining setup running from 12-3pm, tickets are £45pp.

Wine & Food Pairing (Jan 27): One Fish Street on Chandos Road is teaming up with Halo Wines for an intimate evening. Expect a guided tasting of sustainable wines paired with five snacks and small plates. Tickets are £65pp.

Wild & Winter: Game & Red Wine (Jan 28): Over in Stokes Croft, Poco Tapas Bar is collaborating with Grove Game and Steward Wines for a four-course seasonal menu. Think venison and wild boar paired with big red wines. A proper winter warmer at £56pp.

Dinner with Meera Sodha (Jan 29): A real treat for vegetarians. The Guardian’s 'New Vegan' columnist and author Meera Sodha is collaborating with the head chef at Bristol Lido. It’s a five-course sharing feast based on her latest book, Dinner. Tickets are £75 and include a welcome drink.

Big Nath’s First Friday Returns (Feb 6): Looking a little further ahead, the popular 'First Friday' event is back next month after a January hiatus. They’ve made venison sausages and Sloppy Joes permanent fixtures on the menu. Pre-orders are usually essential as sell-outs are real.

This week we’re shining a light on Cappadocia, the family-run Turkish restaurant that has brought a genuine slice of Turkey to the heart of Bristol. If you haven't visited yet, you’re missing out on a properly vibrant atmosphere - think rich colours, plush textures, and a menu that balances traditional recipes with a modern touch.

They have just been named finalists in the British Kebab Awards, a massive achievement for the team. They are up for "Best Regional Kebab," and they need a little local support to get over the finish line. If you’ve enjoyed their hospitality or their charcoal-grilled dishes, you can cast a vote for them at the British Kebab Awards website (select the Best Regional Kebab category) before voting closes on January 24th. It’s a great spot for a private function upstairs or just a casual dinner with a glass of Ayran or strong Turkish coffee.

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Bokman: Bad news for Korean food lovers - Bokman is currently closed following an electrical fault in the kitchen just before Christmas. Repairs are taking time. In the meantime, the team is directing people to their sister restaurant, Dongnae, on Chandos Road.

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