8 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Bristol

Poco is dedicated to sustainability, providing great taste and a quality experience to all patrons. Most of their ingredients are sourced not only in the UK but in the Bristol area specifically, as they've developed relationships with numerous community farms. When it comes to fish, they only use freshly caught fish from Lyme Bay and graded by the Marine Conservation Society. 

You'll find plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options, so everyone can find something tasty here. Their commitment to sustainability even includes how they treat their rubbish, as they weigh it every day and recycle or up-cycle at least 90% of it to eventually produce no waste at all.

The Pony & Trap is one of the most iconic restaurants in the Bristol area. Run by Michelin-starred chef Josh Eggleton, with Holly Eggleton in the front of the house, you can count on unrelenting dedication to quality food and service you wouldn't normally expect from a cosy country pub. 

While they have much to offer in terms of food quality, their dream was to open a casual pub that serves patrons who come from all walks of life. That means you can find traditional pub food as well as more high-end options. Expect bold flavours and difficult cooking techniques to combine into an unforgettable dining experience no matter what you order.

The Ethicurean strives to bring a sense of peace and tranquillity to your dining experience in Bristol. Their Victorian walled garden offers vibrant surroundings that date back to 1901 when the gardens were first constructed. The main attraction here is the food, which takes full advantage of the surrounding fertile soil. 

Vegetables and fungi are grown onsite, then slowly fermented and tenderly cooked to ensure you taste the best that natural foods have to offer. Even their meat is reared in local pastures. Their cooking style centres around charcoal fires, so you can enjoy the full flavour and aromatic profiles unique to a solely natural technique.

Chomp is one of the best destinations to find reliable comfort food with a more refined twist. The atmosphere is still casual and relaxing, but the taste of their burgers and sandwiches will make you feel as if you're in a fine-dining establishment without the small portions. 

At Chomp, you can order a massive burger and well-seasoned fries, or you may be more inclined to try one of their hearty steaks. The drinks selection is notably vast, with local and international brews that include obscure craft varieties.

The Lido is partially an outdoor spa and swimming pool as the name suggests, but there's also an incredible restaurant within its premise. Noted for being as comfortable as the spa, this restaurant is fully open to patrons wearing robes or swimsuits during their meal. 

Lido's restaurant describes itself as designed 'in the spirit of hedonism rather than health', so it's truly a place where you can chill out and enjoy yourself with amazing food. They cook each item using fresh ingredients in wood-fired ovens for a more authentic taste without unnecessary pretentiousness.

The Pump House was first built around the end of the 19th century. As the name suggests, its original purpose was to house a hydraulic pump that raised and lowered bridges and powered lock gates in the harbour area. The pump that takes care of those efforts today is in another location, and this landmark has been turned into a restaurant. 

It was extensively refurbished with a mezzanine inside, a bar on the ground floor and a terrace patrons can enjoy outside. The restaurant serves traditional pub food, along with a wide selection of craft beers and wine.

Oowee Vegan offers a variety of comfort food, including burgers, fries, sandwiches, wraps and so much more. The only caveat is that everything is certifiably vegan without a single bit of animal byproduct used at any point. 

Their meat is vegan, their cheese is vegan and so is every other ingredient. If it weren't for the name, you may not even notice the difference as their offerings have been well-loved by vegans and vegetarians for years now.

Pieminister is your top choice if you're craving pies in Bristol. There are various kinds available here, so everyone can find something to their liking. Some of the more popular items are their Moo pie, which consists of beefsteak and a gluten-free option, and the Saag Pie-neer which has paneer, potato, spinach, pea and chilli. 

You'll also find delicious loaded fries available with a variety of toppings like cheese, ham, and jalapeños. Don't forget to check out their desserts. No pie restaurant would be complete without some sweet offerings, such as apple pie and pecan pie.