6 min readIf this is your first visit to Bristol or the UK, no doubt top of your list is trying some well-known dishes like fish and chips, afternoon tea or a good old-fashioned roast dinner.
We’ve rounded up some of the best places to find traditional British dishes in Bristol, and it’s up to you whether you put vinegar on your chips, or put jam or cream on your scone first!
Enjoy a pie feast
One of Bristol’s most-loved local businesses, you’ll find branches of Pieminister across the city, including in St Nicholas Market and Broad Quay in the centre. Choose from a selection of award-winning local pies, including the Moo & Blue (steak and stilton), Heidi (goats cheese, sweet potato and spinach), or the Free Ranger (chicken, leek, ham and thyme). They also have a few vegan pies, and several of their pies also have a gluten-free option.
Image - Pieminister
Taste the best local steak
There's no better way to try British beef than in a beautifully-cooked steak, and you have plenty of choice in Bristol. Head to award-winning steak restaurant The Ox in the city centre for a low-lit and glamorous setting, sharing steaks and an extensive wine menu. Their prix fixe and early bird menus offer great value too!
- Read more: Bristol's best steak restaurants
Image - The Ox Bristol
Fill up on bangers + mash
One of the most comforting dishes we can think of, sausages, mashed potato and gravy is a British classic, and nowhere in Bristol does it as well as The Clifton Sausage. Choose from a range of sausages, including vegetarian and vegan options, all served with mashed potato or champ (mashed potato with spring onions).
Image - The Clifton Sausage
Tuck into a delicious Sunday roast
No Sunday is complete without a delicious roast dinner, and most Bristol pubs and restaurants offer a cosy plateful for you to enjoy every Sunday. Among our favourites in the city are from historic pub The Christmas Steps, The Ostrich or Harbour House on the harbourside, and the award-winning roast at BANK.
- Read more: Bristol's best Sunday roasts
Image - Sunday roast at The Ostrich
Treat yourself to afternoon tea
Bite-sized sandwiches, beautiful cakes and scones piled high with jam and cream – afternoon tea has to be one of the most enjoyable British food traditions there is! Go for the ultimate in luxury at Thornbury Castle just outside Bristol, or in the opulent surroundings of The Ivy Clifton Brasserie. Alternatively, you can try a more modern twist at Ashwell & Co in Clifton.
Image - Thornbury Castle
Feast on fish and chips
It doesn’t come much better than sitting in a cosy pub with a local ale and a plate of tasty cod and chips. The bonus at The Cottage is that you can do all that with a harbour view. Take a seat and watch the ferries, windsurfers and paddleboarders go by. You can also find good fish and chips (including gluten-free options) at Salt & Malt, which has two branches – one in Wapping Wharf, and the other next to the picturesque Chew Valley Lake – well worth the short drive from Bristol.
Fisk & Frite in St Werburghs is popular with locals for their 1006 gluten-free and nut-free fish and chips, or if you want to push the boat out, order their mega seafood boil!
Image - Fisk & Frite
Sample some local cheeses
The Bristol Cheesemonger on Gloucester Road not only stocks a dazzling array of cheeses, primarily from the South West, but also a range of locally-made chutneys, honey, wine and cider. You can also pick up some goodies from The Cheese Connection in Wapping Wharf to take home, or in the sunnier months, you can sit outside with a glass of wine and a cheese board.
- You can also sample some local cheese with Food Tours of Bristol, or on a Cheese & Wine tour with GOOD Stories in Food.
Enjoy a seafood selection
If you want to enjoy a wider range of British seafood than simply fish and chips, head to Noah's on the water's edge in Cumberland Basin to try a range of freshly-caught dishes, from grilled hake to mussels or hand-dived scallops.
Image - Noah's
Sample a scotch egg
One of the more unusual (and delicious!) delicacies from our fair isle is a scotch egg, a boiled egg encased in sausage meat, and then covered in breadcrumbs. You'll find them at food shops, delis, and markets across the city, as well as many pubs and restaurants. We particularly enjoy the scotch egg at Hort's Townhouse, which pairs very nicely with a local ale or lager. Or pick up a mega scotch egg from the popular (and internet famous!) Sandwich Sandwich on Baldwin Street.
Image - Scotch eggs at Tobacco Factory Market
Graze on a Ploughman's Lunch
If you're a cheese lover, you'll enjoy a Ploughman's Lunch - a pub classic with a selection of cheese, pickle, meat and bread. Filling and very tasty! It's a popular choice at pubs across the city, such as The Cottage Inn. Cheese and charcuterie boards are also commonplace - we'd recommend the selections at Froth & Fries, KASK or The Architect.
Image - Ploughman's lunch at The Cottage Inn
Pick up a pasty (or pork pie!)
You may have noticed a bit of a pastry theme running through a lot of our national foods - and here are some of the handheld varieties! Pork pies are made with a shiny shortcrust pastry and can be found at delis and shops around the city, while pasties (Cornish, steak or vegetable - plus many other varieties) tend to be more commonplace in bakeries and market stalls.
Image - A pint and a pie at The Orchard Inn
Start your day with a Full English breakfast
An English Fry Up is known for being one of the sturdiest morning meals there is; eggs, bacon, sausages, toast, and don’t forget the baked beans! You’ll find a Full English at most cafes in the city and many hotels will also offer it as a breakfast option. Get the added bonus of a stunning harbour view if you choose to have your breakfast at Mud Dock, the perfect place to plan your day while taking in the scenery.
Image - The Bowl Inn
Chicken Tikka Masala
This anglicised version of a classic Indian curry is one of the most popular dishes in the country, and you'll find it on the menu of many restaurants and pubs across the city. Head to Bombil in Bedminster or Za Za Bazaar on the harbourside for a taste.
Sticky toffee pudding
One of the richest and most indulgent desserts there is, you'll find this sweet treat on most pudding menus, especially pubs and casual dining restaurants. BANK often do their own refined version, or you can find more classic options at The Ostrich or The Clifton Sausage.
Image - BANK
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