Restaurants in Bristol and Somerset are among those in a coveted list of the country’s best, according to the experts at SquareMeal. Its annual ranking of the top restaurants in the UK provides an opportunity to celebrate long-standing culinary icons and highlight emerging talent.
This all comes during what is a significantly difficult time for those in the hospitality industry, who face many a hurdle thanks to the current economic climate and other factors. The experts at SquareMeal say: “Narrowing down the UK dining scene to just 100 outstanding restaurants always proves to be a formidable challenge – it’s a job that takes many months of meticulous planning, excruciating deliberation, and collaboration with you, our readers.
“We take great care in ensuring that this list represents the cream of the crop, and that requires the input of SquareMeal readers. Our Top 100 Restaurants lists combine in-house critic experiences with thousands of public votes from diners up and down the country.”
In amongst the list of 100, you will find nine local establishments located in Bristol and Somerset – four of which can be found right here in Bristol. Many of these local names are no stranger to such lists and awards, with several of them having been featured in this list for several years running.
Others have been featured in other notable lists and commended by even fellow local chefs as being some of the best places to dine in our neck of the woods. Here’s the list of all of the Bristol and Somerset eateries featured in the top 100, along with where the placed in the rankings, and what SquareMeal had to say about them this year.
You can find the full list of all 100 venues here.
Osip – Number 14
Address: 25 Kingsettle Hill, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0LN
SquareMeal says: “Osip recently relocated to a more rural pub with rooms just a few miles from its kitchen farm. The celebrated 2021 winner is still flying high with an ever-changing farm-to-table menu founded on the precise and technical use of organic and biodynamic ingredients.”
Wilsons – Number 21
Address: 24 Chandos Road, Redland, Bristol, BS6 6PF
SquareMeal says: “Plates that appear deceptively simple but are underpinned by exacting technique are the order of the day at Wilsons, one of Bristol’s best restaurants. Here you’ll find true allegiance to showcasing sustainability through seasonality in fresh new ways.”
The Pony Chew Valley – Number 53
Address: Knowle Hill, Chew Magna, Somerset, BS40 8TQ
SquareMeal says: “Hyper-seasonal menus and sprawling kitchen gardens often make for a winning combination, but sibling owners Josh and Holly Eggleton have done something rather spectacular with their transformation of The Pony. Outstanding plates of accessible fare make this the epitome of a great gastropub.”
Paco Tapas – Number 62
Address: 3 Lower Guinea Street, Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6SY
SquareMeal says: “Peter Sanchez-Iglesias brings a touch of magic to this refreshingly relaxed Spanish tapas restaurant in Bristol. The menu changes every day to make use of the freshest available produce, but you can always guarantee something special.”
Briar – Number 69
Address: 1 High Street, Bruton, Somerset, BA10 0AB
SquareMeal says: “A fresh-faced Somerset restaurant by chef Sam Lomas, Briar offers a hyper-local, seasonal menu in a warm, friendly setting. Located in Bruton’s Number One hotel, it features unfussy dishes crafted from West Country ingredients, foraged items, and produce from a small kitchen garden.”
Upstairs at Landrace – Number 73
Address: 61 Walcot Street, Bath, Somerset, BA1 5BN
SquareMeal says: “This unassuming restaurant sits above the Landrace Bakery in Bath where it quietly turns out a concise menu of perfectly-executed Mediterranean plates. Expect straight-forward, trattoria-style fare cooked with love – think tagliatelle with spinach, chestnuts and parmesan cream.”
Holm – Number 77
Address: 28 St James Street, South Petherton, Somerset, TA13 5BW
SquareMeal says: “Somerset restaurant Holm’s ethos is deeply rooted in nature, drawing on fantastic local farmers, fisherman, growers and butchers for its produce. Low intervention, organic and biodynamic wines are served alongside its seasonal tasting menus, and it now has lovely overnight rooms too.”
1 York Place – Number 81
Address: 1 York Place, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1AH
SquareMeal says: “A European-inspired restaurant by chef-owner Freddy Bird and his wife Ness. Offering a classic a la carte menu featuring high-quality, carefully sourced ingredients. The dishes reflect Bird’s extensive culinary experience, blending French, Spanish, and Moorish influences in a relaxed, intimate setting.”
Bank Bristol – Number 91
Address: 107 Wells Road, Totterdown, Bristol, BS4 2BS
SquareMeal says: “Excellent produce cooked over fire is exactly what to expect from this neighbourhood joint. Head chef Jack Briggs-Horan brings produce to life with indulgent dishes that are designed to share.”