8 min readThere are plenty of places to treat your gathering to a special meal, from restaurants with a harbourside view to a grand house in the countryside. These are 12 of the best, suited for large groups and with delectable food and drink offerings.
Racks Bar and Kitchen
Located in Clifton just off Whiteladies Road, Racks is a bar and restaurant in a converted wine cellar. A sought-after spot for group dining, they can comfortably accommodate parties of all sizes. Their spacious terrace is a great place for summer BBQs or cosy Christmas meals, and it's always worth checking out their great value food and drink offers too.
Image - Racks Bristol Christmas Ski Lodge
Za Za Bazaar
As one of the UK’s largest restaurants and with such a large variety of dishes available, ZaZa Bazaar is perfect for groups and celebrations, families and friends. The restaurant can cater for up to 1000 diners in one sitting and is inspired by the night markets of Asia, so you can browse a range of freshly-made dishes from across the world, or request a dish cooked to order at the live cooking stations.
Image - Za Za Bazaar
Bar 44 Clifton
Treat your group to some delicious tapas in Bristol's pretty suburb of Clifton, with the choice of several menus, including a large party menu. As well as large booths for 6 - 8 people in the main restaurant, there are also two bank vaults available for private dining for 6 - 14 people, where you'll have your own dedicated member of staff and can choose your own music. There's also the ‘Jamón room’, a semi-private area which can be hired for exclusive use for groups of 25 – 30 guests.
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Riverstation
Take your pick from several great spaces at this harbourside restaurant, from the Pontoon Bar and waterside terrace to the upstairs restaurant with its own balcony. Private dining is available if you'd like more of an exclusive experience.
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Cosy Club
There are plenty of areas where your group can enjoy some privacy and spread out at this former bank building on Corn Street. Private hire options are available, and their small plates menu lends itself well to a group setting.
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Ritorno Lounge
Set across two floors with a large waterside terrace, it's no wonder that Ritorno Lounge is a popular choice for groups and special occasions. You can book their function room, The Caraboo Room, for private dining and events if you want more space to spread out, with the option to order from their party menu.
Image - Ritorno Lounge
Nutmeg
This award-winning Indian restaurant in Clifton can offer private dining for 14 - 30 guests, with a choice of a la carte regional menu or tasting menu, with some delicious cocktails to match.
Sister restaurants Nutmeg Street Kitchen and Nadu also have plenty of space for groups and small plate menus perfect for sharing.
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The Pump House
The upstairs space at this historic harbourside pub has room for up to 60 people seated or 80 people standing, and can offer a buffet menu from Cord Kitchen. There's also plenty of space on their waterside terrace if you want to dine alfresco!
Image - The Pump House
The Coconut Tree
The Coconut Tree serves up a menu of Sri Lankan sharing plates, with plenty of choice for those following a vegan or gluten-free diet. Both of their restaurants in the city centre and on Cheltenham Road have plenty of space for larger groups. They also have a special offer on their 'Cocotails', where you can enjoy any two of the same for £20 at any time.
Image - The Coconut Tree
Pizza on the Park
This large restaurant at the top of Park Street has long bench tables suited to groups, and can accommodate bookings of up to 130 guests! As well as their main pizza menu, guests can book in for bottomless bubbles and special party packages.
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The Old Market Assembly
Enjoy a locally-sourced menu at this quirky venue on Old Market, with all ingredients coming from within a 100-mile radius of the restaurant, which is why it has been awarded the highest rating of three stars from the Sustainability Ratings Award. Groups can be seated together in the main restaurant, or smaller groups will fit around the table in a separate back room. There's also the option to combine your dinner with a show at on-site venue The Wardrobe Theatre.
Image - Old Market Assembly
BANK
Based in Totterdown, close to Temple Meads station, this neighbourhood restaurant has a menu of sharing plates drawing on influences from across the world and cooked over fire. The 'FEAST' tasting menu features four courses selected from the seasonal menu with meat and vegetarian options available. Their long dining tables can accommodate groups of up to 20 guests, or there is also a private dining option for up to 42 people.
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The Harbour Kitchen
The Harbour Kitchen, based at Harbour Hotel Bristol inside an opulent former bank hall, is right on the money for group dining. Guests can feast on fresh seafood at the classy restaurant, which is decorated with bold, blue banquettes and sleek marble. As well as the food, tempting cocktail and wine lists are sure to win over your party.
Image - The Harbour Kitchen at Harbour Hotel Bristol
The Square Kitchen
Tucked away off Park Street, you’ll find this modern restaurant in the Berkeley Square Hotel, just perfect for an exclusive group dinner. Creative and contemporary British cooking and menus that change with the seasons are what you can expect here. Many of the ingredients are even sourced from Clifton-based suppliers.
Image - The Square Kitchen
Hotel du Vin & Bistro
Dine inside the cosy and elegant converted 18th-century sugar warehouses that make up the dining spaces at the city centre Hotel du Vin. The menus celebrate French cooking, filled with simple and classic dishes from hearty steaks to crème brûlée. A sommelier is always on hand to recommend wines and keep your guests’ glasses full all evening.
Image - Hotel du Vin and Bistro
Bambalan
With room aplenty, Bambalan welcomes large groups with a summery soundtrack and vibrant flavours from the Middle East and Mediterranean. Choose from mouth-watering mezze and mains like rotisserie shoulder of lamb served with tabbouleh. The rooftop terrace beckons when the sun is shining, serving up unrivalled views over the city centre.
Image - Bambalan
Froth & Fries
Beer is the speciality at this bar in the Old City, with a fab selection of Belgian beers to choose from. More than just a drinking den, Froth & Fries has a menu of tasty beer-based dishes and snacks, featuring fine ingredients from producers near Bristol and across the rest of the South West, with plenty of choice for those with dietary requirements.
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Mowgli
This grand restaurant on Corn Street makes quite the impression! Not only does the main restaurant have plenty of space for groups, but private dining is also available. Their menu of Indian market-style plates is perfect for a group to share.
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The River Grille
The unbeatable floor-to-ceiling views over the harbour are reason enough to book your group meal at The River Grille, the restaurant at Leonardo Royal Hotel Bristol. Highlights on the menu include fresh seafood from the fishing port of Brixham and superb steaks barbecued on a Josper grill. Add to all that an elegant ambience, often with live piano or jazz playing, and you have the perfect setting for a special get-together.
Image - The River Grille
Bar and Cafe at Bristol Old Vic
Invite your guests to dine inside a piece of Bristol history, at the Bar and Cafe at Bristol Old Vic. The dining space is backdropped by the theatre's stunning original façade. And it's not just the venue that delivers – the kitchen produces simple, seasonal dishes that are utterly delicious too.
Image - Bar and Cafe at Bristol Old Vic
Hattusa at Berwick Lodge
Located close to the M5, head for luxury country house hotel Berwick Lodge and sit down to a slap-up meal in the two AA Rosette-awarded restaurant, Hattusa. Enjoy fine wines and modern British dishes, many of which are prepared using ingredients from the kitchen garden. Open fireplaces, ornate décor and crystal chandeliers lend an instant feeling of glamour to the experience.
Image - Berwick Lodge
