Features / EatDrink24/7
Bristol’s Michelin star chefs reveal their favourite places to eat and drink
Our newly published EatDrink24/7 guide is made up of recommendations from food and drink industry professionals across Bristol.
The expert panel includes all of the owners of Bristol’s Michelin-starred establishments: George Livesey of Bulrush, James Wilkins of Wilks, Josh Eggleton of the Pony & Trap, and Peter Sanchez-Iglesias of Casamia and Paco Tapas.
These are their top picks of where to eat, drink and shop in Bristol and further afield.
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Read EatDrink24/7 2019 online here
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George Livesey
Bulrush
George Livesey opened Bulrush in Cotham in 2015; in October last year it was awarded a Michelin star
Wilks
“I probably go here once every couple of months or so and it’s always epic. James has stayed very true to himself in the way that he cooks. Very classical and he doesn’t follow any trends. You know there will never be any duds.”
Adelina Yard
“I went for lunch here the other day. They are influenced by very similar things to me. You are always going to get an excellent meal here.”
Casamia
“In a word, epic. I went there recently and I’m desperate to go back. Peter is definitely becoming one of the best chefs in the UK. Casamia is pushing the boundaries and very much has its own style. Go there for a fantastically exciting meal.”
The Pony & Trap
“Everything that you want from an amazing pub. So many pub-restaurants never quite get it right. But here, Josh and his team have merged fine dining and gastropub food in an amazing way.”
Bosco
“I like its relaxed atmosphere. It’s consistent. A really nice restaurant.”
The Clyde
“I like the locals in here and I like the staff. It’s got pool tables which is good fun. I go in here, have a couple of beers and play pool. It’s a decent pub that’s not trying to be anything.”
Small Bar
“I just love all the different beers here.”
Crying Wolf
“They serve really good cocktails. I’m a bit of a purist, I love a really good espresso martini or negroni. I don’t want to drink a cocktail out of a jam jar. But I also like trying something new here.”
Tradewind Espresso
“Awesome coffee in here and quite a Scandi vibe.”
Divino Deli
“I love being able to get charcuterie from here, and really good pecorino cheeses. When I’m at home, I tend to eat Italian food a lot.”
Source
“I’m always impressed when I go here. They have got awesome products that you can’t find anywhere else.”
Otira
“Really really good, and it doesn’t get enough publicity. When I visited, I thought that the restaurant and the food was amazing. The cocktails I had there were also some of the best that I have had in Bristol. Go there, have a cocktail in the bar, and then eat in the restaurant.”
The Butts Farm Shop
“The quality of the produce here – especially the pork – is exceptional, with a lot of rare breeds. It’s next level good.”
Philip Warren Butchers (Launceston, Cornwall)
“This is one of the best butchers in the UK for the standard of the meat. They dry age nearly all of their produce. And the shop is like nothing that I have ever seen.”
Ynyshir (Machynlleth, Wales)
“This was one of the best meals that I have ever had. I’m fortunate to eat out a lot, and this was a meal that I will always remember. Chef and owner Gareth Ward has to be knocking on two Michelin stars.”
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Read more: My 2018: George Livesey
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James Wilkins
Wilks
James Wilkins owns Wilks on Chandos Road in Redland with his wife Christine Vayssade
Mark’s Bread
“For the quality and the consistency of the bread. We have used him right from the beginning of the restaurant. The sesame bread is spectacular. I’m not sure what I would do without it.”
Casamia
“They are just very good at what they do. Their particular style of food and service is superb. They do everything so extraordinarily well.”
Bulrush
“What George does, he does very well. It’s great to have someone like him do that Scandi-style. George has got a very good resume in the classics much like my own. He has used that knowledge to go his own way and do his own style of food. I was so happy when he got the Michelin star. Absolutely deserving.”
Wilson’s
“Jan is an experienced chef cooking his own style of food. He is so passionate and hard-working, and his food is always very tasty.”
Otira
“Both a tapas bar and a restaurant which are both very different. We had our staff party there last Christmas and had a really good meal. They are open on Mondays too, which is great.”
The Spiny Lobster
“This is a great restaurant, especially the fish soup.”
The Pig Near Bath
“We go there regularly. It’s like going out to your own county house. It’s very relaxing.”
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Read more: Street art meets fine dining at Michelin star restaurant
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Josh Eggleton
The Pony & Trap
Josh Eggleton can currently be seen in The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes on Channel 4
Matina
“The best food stool at St Nick’s Market. Everything is cooked to order so it’s super fresh. They’ll even roll your bread there in front of you.”
Roth Bar and Grill (Bruton, Somerset)
“Bruton is a great day out. You can visit the Hauser & Wirth’s art gallery, surrounded by beautiful gardens and in which you also have Roth Bar & Grill. Nothing beats comfort food done well and the setting for this restaurant only accentuates the hearty flavours on the plate.”
The Walnut Tree Inn (near Abergavenny, Wales)
“Run by chef Shaun Hill, who’s been cooking for years, you can find some really classic, tasty dishes at The Walnut Tree.”
The Hardwick (near Abergavenny, Wales)
“Stephen Terry is an industry legend and he cooks really simple comfort food in a nice pub environment.”
Paco Tapas
“I might have gone to school with Pete, but you can’t get any better tapas in Bristol than here. It’s very authentic, the attention to detail is amazing and the atmosphere is incredible.”
Wilson’s
“Wilson’s might be great neighbourhood restaurant, but the food is also world class. It’s modern European cuisine and Jan is an amazing character who’s really talented in the art of growing, catching and showcasing his food.”
Bulrush
“I think George cooks delicious, progressive cuisine, hugely inspired by Japan. Each plate is really interesting. He just won a Michelin star this year and he deserves it.”
Pasta Loco and Pasta Ripiena
“For great pasta, amazing atmosphere and a front of house team that always make you feel at home. The level of hospitality really makes these place shine.”
Emmeline
“On a day when I’m working in Bristol, I cycle up to the Kensington Arms in the afternoon and on my way, I always grab a coffee and a grilled cheese sandwich from Emmeline. It’s the best toastie you can have in Bristol.”
Little Victories
“Can always get a tasty flat white here. Plus, everyone makes a point to say hello when you come in here. I like that detail.”
Bristol Beer Factory tap room
“35 different special beers every year means there’s something different to try every two weeks. Also, a great place to watch the rugby if you’re not actually going to the stadium.”
The Oxford
“A proper pub and my local; they always have a good selection of real ales and some cracking live music.”
The Cooper’s Arms
“If you want to feel like you are stepping back in time, the Cooper’s Arms in Ashton Gate is a proper good pub. It isn’t anything wildly exciting, but that’s not the point. They’ve got immaculate banquet seating and a great atmosphere.”
The Barley Mow
“A great local pub with 15 different craft beers served alongside British pub classics.”
Meatbox
“If you want really good meat, then Meatbox on Wapping Wharf is great. Their meat is farmed out in Chew Valley by Luke Hassel. Nick, the butcher from Meatbox, is Italian and has great knowledge about sourcing and ageing his meat.”
Bristol Cheesemonger
“Amazing cheese and well-informed team of cheesemongers. I recently got a delicious aged Cornish gouda, great to replace parmesan, especially in a Carbonaro made with short pasta.”
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Read more: The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes opens in Bristol
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Peter Sanchez-Iglesias
Casamia and Paco Tapas
Peter Sanchez-Iglesias at Casamia, which is almost next door to Paco Tapas in Redcliffe
Bulrush
“I think that Bulrush getting its Michelin star just goes to show what can happen when you have somebody like George working so hard trying to achieve his dream. He deserves every bit of recognition.”
Wilson’s
“I was blown away last time I ate here with the things that Jan is doing. It’s becoming a real gastronomic experience, and continuing to put Bristol on the food map.”
Farro
“One of our team went there recently and brought some back. It’s next-level pastries. Just enhancing the Bristol dining scene.”
Gambas
“It’s a wicked place and goes to show how successful Kieran and Imogen can be with their genuine passion for Spanish food. It’s an awesome environment and awesome food.”
Pasta Loco
“This restaurant is one of my definite favourites. My last meal there blew me away. It was impeccable.”
Peter Sanchez Iglesias, Casamia and Paco Tapas
Pasta Ripiena
“It’s just so tasty and so delicious, in a cool environment. I drunk an incredible glass of wine and we ate a wicked pasta: pasta gone a little bit ‘loco’.”
Root
“A lot of restaurants seem to want to copy what they have started. Whenever I go there, I know that I’m going to get a great experience. And you feel great. Go there and you feel cleaner afterwards. It’s a refreshing approach to how food can be done.”
Small Bar
“It’s such a cool place to hang out, whether in the afternoon or a busy Friday or Saturday night. With a great beer selection of course.”
Little Victories
“I love going here. The consistency is just bang-on. People might find coffee pretentious, but talk to the baristas here and you will always get a recommendation. Whether it’s a latte or a flat white, it’s the perfect coffee every single time.”
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