Eat & drink in Bristol
Restaurants, pubs, cafés, bakeries, Sunday roasts and date-night picks.
Solina, Bath: 'The pasta rocked up so swaggeringly confident that nothing else mattered'
Hello Saucers and happy Thursday. We’ve got an exciting project in the works, which I’ll be revealing more details about in the coming weeks . It’s something we’ve been working on behind the scenes to help you find great, independent restaurants quickly. A second iteration of…
Bristol's best women-owned restaurants
If you haven’t already, I’d highly recommend reading ‘A Woman’s Place is in the Kitchen’ by Sally Abé. Sally is not a Bristolian sadly — I’d love to claim her as one of our own — but I do feel she has a bit of Bristol spirit in her. Sally is a wonderful writer, a phenomenal chef…
Noah's, Cumberland Basin: 'As good a piece of fish as I’ve had anywhere'
Good afternoon Saucers. Today’s review takes us to the site made famous by Only Fools and Horses, which now houses one of Bristol’s best fish restaurants. Philip Sweeney reports. A reminder that if you’ve ever had a good meal as a result of something you’ve read in these digital…
A Bone To Pick: Down with the Rule of Three
Attention obsessives, creatives, dreamers! The Bristol Sauce is looking for writers. As I posted on our Instagram a couple of days ago, I have opened up my inbox to pitches. If you consider yourself the next Anthony Bourdain or Grace Dent, please get in touch. BUT please be…
Mon Plaisir, Clevedon: 'A bite so perfect that, if it had been my last on earth, I’d have swanned smugly off to the afterlife'
I think this review will make you laugh — it’s very well written. It’s possibly PXandTarts’ best yet. If it does bring you entertainment, mirth, merriment and you think, ‘if I saw PXandTarts in the pub, I’d buy him a drink’, please consider supporting our work for £4.50 a month…
The 26 best gluten-free restaurants in Bristol
Unless you’re someone that can’t eat gluten, you probably don’t care about which restaurants in Bristol are suitable for coeliacs, in which case fine — this isn’t for you. I accidentally pissed off the coeliacs — a militant and vocal group — earlier this year when I published a…
Sam's Master Grill, Cheltenham Road: 'Maybe one to avoid on your birthday if you’re of a nervous disposition'
I’ll admit, I was a little saddened to see Sam’s Master Grill had moved and in the process lost its kitsch waterfalls and plastic garland decor, but Phil’s review has restored my faith. It seems the food is as good as ever, and now with more seats and more staff — a greater…
Where to eat in July
Recently a few people have fed back to me that they’ve booked and enjoyed events from the monthly Where to eat round-ups, which makes me beam from ear to ear. This month, we’ve got several big celebrations, a supper club and a tomato party, of course. Become a paying Saucer to…
Chilli Family Noodles, Bath: 'Are Marco Pierre White's gems still worth heeding?'
I love writing and editing this publication, I really do. It takes me about two to three days a week to write, edit, promote it and research for future articles. That’s half the working week for me. I tend to fit it around other work that pays more — in the evenings, at…
June Digest: Bristol food and drink news
With the news this morning that Keir Starmer has resigned as Prime Minister, and the increasing likelihood that Andy Burnham is set to become our new leader, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon for the hospitality industry. Burnham has backed calls to cut VAT for…
Ardito's Kitchen, The Royal Oak: 'So rich in flavour and warm spices you’d think the cow itself had been raised on molé quesadillas'
150 people now pay for this newsletter, and over 2,000 people read it. I find that genuinely remarkable, and I want you to know what it means: every paying Saucer covers the cost of a writer going to a restaurant and telling you honestly what they think — no gift, no freebie, no…
A Bone To Pick: Gimme Shelter
A Bone To Pick is our monthly(ish) column that gives you the chance to have a rant about something rubbing you up the wrong way in Bristol’s food scene. Previous examples have included There’s No Good Breakfast in Bristol and Bristol’s Harbourside Needs a 180. Horrified by…
Sonny Stores at Psychopomp: 'Could easily become a prime spot'
Happy Thursday Saucers. This week takes us up, or preferably down, St Michael’s Hill in search of good drinking and good eating. Don’t know your guindillas from your robiola? Fear not — PXandTarts is here to guide you, if you can make it through the various football references.…
Bristol's 30 Best Bakeries, Part Two
Ishita, Bristol’s most informed pastry procurer, is back for part two of her comprehensive guide to Bristol’s bakeries. If you missed part one, you can read it here. You can also follow Ishita on Instagram for regular updates on her baked-goods adventures around Bristol. A…
Crave, Upper Belgrave Road: 'A testament to the fact that you can enjoy something while knowing objectively that it isn’t that good'
There are two ways to approach a restaurant review. You can do your research, find out who the chef is, look at the menu in advance, see if anyone else has been that you know and trust. Or you can go in blind. Both have their merits. In a city as small as Bristol, going in blind…
Bristol Food & Drink: June
Here we are in the first proper flushes of summer, and it’s a festival-tastic month ahead! Let me know over on Instagram what you think you’ll go along to, I love being nosey! News St Nick’s Tours have now launched a Bristol Chocolate Tour to take in some of Bristol’s chocolate…
Where to eat in June
Thought it was summer? Ha. You, like everyone else, were lulled into a false sense of security and your punishment is a week of rain. Nevermind. Cheer yourself up by planning the month’s eating — there’s plenty to choose from including a birthday party, an international pop-up,…
Zena's Bistro, West Street: It would be Sicily not to
Zena’s Bistro often flies under the radar, tucked away as it is on West Street. But every now and then, I hear someone professing their love for lunching there. Shining a light on such joyful, unexpected places with no big marketing budget or PR team is one of the primary…
May Digest: Bristol food and drink news
It’s certainly been a busy month for The Bristol Sauce. Following our investigation ‘The True Cost of Influencing’ we’ve had an influx of new subscribers. If that’s you — welcome! At the end of every month we publish a digest of all the food and drink news from Bristol in the…
The True Cost of Influencing: Part Three
I hadn’t intended to publish a third part to this series — parts one and two were lengthy enough as is. But these articles have incited very passionate conversation; one that clearly needs to be had. As I mentioned in part two, it is good practice in journalism to offer people…
The True Cost of Influencing: Part Two
In part one of The True Cost of Influencing, I set up a fake restaurant to gain an insight into how influencers work online. You can read it here. In part two, I set out to investigate what influence they have in the real world and the extent to which some of their practices are…
Lanzhou Hand-Pulled Noodles, Park Street: 'Comfort food for the student masses'
The Bristol Sauce has gained a lot of new subscribers in the last few days — was it something we published? — and I want to offer a warm welcome to our new readers. Part two of the True Cost of Influencing will be published at 4pm on Monday, but meanwhile here’s a restaurant…
The True Cost of Influencing: Part One
A note from Meg: I’ve been working on this piece since last September, which is the longest I’ve ever spent writing an article. Influencers are frequently in the news, and there’s almost as many opinion pieces about them as there are content creators themselves. In recent…
What is The Bristol Sauce?
The Bristol Sauce is a food publication for anyone that eats out in Bristol or the surrounding area. Our writers visit restaurants anonymously, pay for everything in full, and we never use AI in our writing. No advertising, no gifted meals, no shortcuts. We are funded entirely…
Bristol's best beer gardens for a sun-soaked summer
Discover the best beer gardens in Bristol for a perfect summer experience. Unwind at these top outdoor venues with scenic views, great food and refreshing drinks. Make the most of the sunny days in Bristol's lively pub scene.
A guide to the best brunch in Bristol
A local's ultimate guide. Perfect spots for weekend gatherings, stylish treats, indulgent breakfasts and mid-morning cures.
Bristol's top shelf: a guide to the city's finest cocktail bars
Discover Bristol's vibrant cocktail scene as we explore hidden gems, unique concoctions and atmospheric lounges that elevate the city's nightlife to new heights.
Bristol's vegan delights: exploring the city's best plant-based eateries
Discover Bristol's best vegan restaurants and cafés, from mouth-watering plant-based burgers to delicious brunch spots. Uncover the city's thriving vegan food scene in our comprehensive guide.
The best burger in Bristol: a tasty tour of the city's top patties
Discover Bristol's best burgers, including National Burger Awards finalists Fattso and Squeezed, plus local favourites Asado, Milk Bun, and more. Satisfy your cravings with our ultimate guide.
Street food in Bristol: the ultimate guide
Handy info on a variety of food markets, their locations and opening hours, as well as an up-to-date look at some of the best food stalls.