At Papilio, we love to eat! We’re huge foodies. And if we’re not designing, making or installing a new bespoke kitchen for a client, we’re cooking, sourcing ingredients or prepping a delicious feast. But on the rare occasion when we treat ourselves to a culinary adventure, we head to one of our favourite North Somerset cities, Bristol.
Bristol is a hive of inspiration and creativity. We’re constantly gaining interior design inspiration when we visit. The vibrant city has an exciting restaurant, café and bar scene, and some fantastic eateries are catering to all tastes. One of the other reasons we love Bristol is its independent spirit. As an independent bespoke kitchen design company based close to Bristol, we can take full advantage of the city’s lively attributes.
At Papilio, the kitchen is the heart of any home. It’s where meals are shared with friends and family, where we sit and muse conceiving delicious meals and where we entertain. We’re always taking inspiration from restaurants in our vicinity because they inspire our culinary adventures and our bespoke kitchen designs. Not ones to follow trends but create our own. We love how much Bristol can offer.
Here are our top five foodie spots in Bristol that you must try!
Bar 44
Situated in a beautifully restored old bank on Regent Street in Bristol’s swanky Clifton Village, the restaurant and bar brings fun and sophistication. Spanish cuisine is the main inspiration, and we love their classic and seasonal tapas. They’re great at catering for vegans and gluten-free diners, and their sherry menu is fantastic and offers’ flights’ so you can sample a few at a time. We love the food but the décor too. You’ll find exposed brick complemented with illustrated ceramic tiles and stunning works of art by Spanish artist Andi Rivas, marble tabletops and comfortable banquettes.
Lido Restaurant
Still in Bristol’s Clifton Village, the lido’s restaurant and pool bar ticks all the boxes. Overlooking the lido on the original viewing gallery, the award-winning restaurant is a relaxed and informal space with floor-to-ceiling doors sliding back to let the elements in. The main draw, if swimming on a hot summer’s day isn’t for you, is the roaring hot Italian clay oven which can be glimpsed as you eat, drink and relax. The menu has a Mediterranean lilt with local ingredients from Somerset’s finest producers. The county has so much to offer in terms of food, drink (and design), so we love the juxtaposition of local and Mediterranean ingredients. We especially enjoy the Lido Restaurant at night when the lido is romantically back-lit evoking memories of holidays on the Med.
The Gallimaufry
The Gallimaufry is a quirky and vibrant space with a cosy atmosphere and fun at its heart. Situated in the heart of Gloucester Road in Bristol, they specialise in locally sourced ales and seasonal ingredients for the menu. They also host live music every night of the week from some of the finest up-and-coming artists in the city.
They’re an independent restaurant, bar, live music venue and arts space. They offer a fantastic menu, including a fantastic line-up of ‘galli plates’, a kind of tapas perfect for sharing.
The Strawberry Thief
Another beautiful and utterly romantic independent bar and restaurant is The Strawberry Thief. In the heart of Bristol, they offer a broad selection of craft & Belgian beers, wines, ciders and small plates in a quaint setting. The interiors are delightful, with dark hues, William Morris-inspired wallpaper, wooden floors, and Victorian windows. Their food is inspired by European cuisine, with a modern Bristolian twist.
Mokoko Coffee & Bakery
Mokoko Coffee & Bakery at Wapping Wharf in Bristol is much more than a coffee shop. All their food is made onsite on the day you buy it. Their coffee is seasonally sourced, and you can taste and smell the difference at the independent bakery. Their sourdough bread is divine and produced the traditional way to offer flavour, texture with an authentic sourdough tang, crunchy crust and a lovely chew.
The Ox
Tucked away in a basement beneath The Commercial Rooms on Corn Street, Bristol, The Ox is a bastion of excellent food and drink, building a reputation for serving Bristol’s best steak.
Their menu comprises prime cuts of steak, all cooked to perfection in a Josper oven. They also offer small plates, desserts and epic Sunday roasts. Their cocktails are exceptional, too, thanks to cousins Hyde and Co and The Milk Thistle.
The interiors are opulent, romantic and moody, and what you want for an evening of indulgence.
