There are plenty of places to treat your gathering to a special meal, from a boat with a 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.

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.  

Beautiful squid dish at The Jetty restaurant, Bristol Harbour Hotel

Image - The Harbour Kitchen at Harbour Hotel Bristol

The Square Kitchen

Tucked away off Park Street you’ll find this modern restaurant in a Berkeley Square townhouse, 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. 

Plating food at The Square Kitchen

Image - The Square Kitchen

Racks Bar and Kitchen

Also 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 and it's always worth checking out their great value food and drink offers too.

Dish at Racks Bar and Kitchen, Clifton

Image - Racks / Frances Taylor Photography

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’ glass full all evening.

Restaurant space at Hotel du Vin and Bistro

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.

Main dish at Bambalan

Image - Bambalan

The Strawberry Thief

Beer is the speciality at this bar in the Old City, with a staggering variety of continental and UK craft beers to choose from. More than just a drinking den though, The Strawberry Thief has menus featuring fine ingredients from producers near Bristol and across the rest of the South West, with plenty of choice for those with dietary requirements.

Beer bottles at The Strawberry Thief

Image - The Strawberry Thief

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 The Bristol hotel. Highlights on the menu include fresh seafood from nearby 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.

Exterior of the River Grille at The Bristol Hotel

Image - The Bristol Hotel / 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. 

Dish of food from 1766 Bar and Kitchen at Bristol Old Vic

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.

Fountain in the garden at Berwick Lodge

Image - Berwick Lodge 

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