Michelin star restaurants Bristol: A guide to fine-dining and tasting menus

We’ve been shouting about Bristol’s brilliant food scene for ages now - this is a city that has something for everyone, from chic, no-expense-spared fine dining, right down to the comforts of a cheap and cheerful cafe or pub. You'll also find some of the country's best tasting menus in Bristol, and that's before we get into the incredible choice that vegans have in the city - you can check out our roundup of Bristol's best vegan restaurants here.

Just a few years ago, there were more Michelin star restaurants in Bristol than in any UK city outside the capital, as well as one of the UKs most respected restaurants in Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’ Casamia. The unfortunate closure of Casamia in August 2022 reduced the city’s Michelin star count, and these days Bristol is home to a single Michelin star, with George Livesey's Bulrush still flying the flag.

Still, Michelin isn’t the be-all and end-all of fine dining. There are lots of fantastic fine dining restaurants in Bristol that have yet to be graced with a star from Michelin’s inspectors. Some of these have been awarded Bib Gourmands instead - a badge given to restaurants that offer ‘good quality and good value cooking’ - and some are mentioned in the guide alongside a Michelin plate (the guide's lowest award). Nonetheless, they’re still worthy of consideration - a guide is just a guide after all, and though the likes of Casa and Adelina Yard, for example, have not yet received awards, we still think they rank among Bristol’s best restaurants.

In the meantime, scroll down to read more about the various Bristol restaurants that have received awards from the Michelin Guide.

Michelin star restaurants Bristol

Bristol may only have a single Michelin-starred restaurant, but it's an absolute cracker - George Livesey's Bulrush is a masterclass in minimal cooking with unusual, seasonal flavours.

Bulrush, Kingsdown

What: George Livesey’s St John background is evident in the toned-down whitewash and wood interiors at Bulrush, but the food is undoubtedly his own, with wide-ranging influences and unusual ingredients combined masterfully. Isle of Wight tomatoes are paired with saffron, sancho pepper and lemon leaf, for example, whilst a sweet course of mirabelle plum, shiso sorbet, blueberry and hibiscus is completely unique, and almost visionary.
Where: 21 Cotham Road South, BS6 5TZ
Book now: Bulrush

Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants Bristol

It's no surprise that two of Bristol's Gourmand-holders both reside in Wapping Wharf - Bristol's relatively new cargo container district on an island in the middle of the city. Bedminster has also been a hotspot of foodie activity in recent years, and COR has led the charge as one of Bristol's most exciting newer openings.

COR, Bedminster

What: No restaurant has epitomised Bedminster's foodie rise better than COR, which marries precise cooking with a friendly, relaxed neighbourhood vibe. Classy Mediterranean cooking meets quality West Country ingredients, and there's room for a separate cheese menu, outstanding desserts and a lovely natural wine list too. 
Where: 81 North Street, Bedminster, BS3 1ES
Book now: COR

The Clifton, Clifton

What: Trendy Clifton is home to some of Bristol's best restaurants (and highest house prices) but this gastropub has been the toast of the whole city recently thanks to a mixture of tremendous seasonal British cooking and elegant timber-clad dining room. 
Where: 16 Regent Street, BS8 4HG
Book now: The Clifton

The Blaise Inn, Henbury

What: This gorgeous stone inn is now home to Louise McCrimmon - previously executive chef at Harvey Nichols Bristol - and alongside husband Ian, the pair have turned The Blaise Inn into one of the best gastropubs in the country. Expect elevated gastropub cooking of the highest order, and all just a stone's throw from the gates of the Blaise Castle Estate, making this perfect for a post-walk lunch stop. 
Where: 260 Henbury Road, Henbury, BS10 7QR
Book now: The Blaise Inn

Box-E, Wapping Wharf

What: Cooking of this quality is hard enough as it is, but it must be doubly so when you’re producing it from a shipping container. Elliott and Tessa Lidstone’s compact eatery at Wapping Wharf has won a legion of fans since opening, and with only 14 covers, a meal here feels incredibly homely and personal.
Where: Unit 10, Cargo 1, BS1 6WP
Book now: Box-E

Root, Wapping Wharf

What: Originally opened and backed by Josh Eggleton and the Eat Drink Bristol Fashion collective, head chef Rob Howell has taken Root from strength to strength, turning it into one of the leading lights of Bristol’s exciting food scene. Root isn’t strictly vegetarian, but there’s a focus on vegetables that makes it very vegan and veggie friendly, and the menu has plenty of choice.
Where: Unit 9 Cargo 1, BS1 6WP
Book now: Root

Marmo, Old Town

What: Marmo's casual neighbourhood wine bar vibe belies the quality of the cooking here. Head chef Cosmo Sterck has an impressive CV that shines through in his hyper-seasonal small plates menu, with dishes like roasted artichoke with hazelnut, or green asparagus with smoked cod’s roe and fried nettles winning Marmo lots of fans. The restaurant's dedication to ethical sourcing ensures the food and drink here tastes even sweeter.
Where: 31 Baldwin Street, BS1 1RG
Book now: Marmo

Michelin green star restaurants Bristol

Michelin awards green stars to restaurants that show a real dedication to sustainable cooking, and these are all outstanding restaurants in their own right too. Wilson's is one of our favourite restaurants in the UK, making a regular appearance in our Top 100 Restaurants UK list. 

Wilsons, Redland

What: Long-admired as one of Bristol’s best restaurants, Wilsons remains underappreciated nationally but revered among locals. Jan Ostle and Mary Wilson’s charming Redland bistro has a relaxed feel, but delivers tremendous, precise cooking, with a heavy lean on home-grown vegetables and West Country suppliers - something recognised by Michelin when they awarded the restaurant a Green Star in 2022.
Where: 22a Chandos Road, BS6 6PF
Book now: Wilsons

More interested in waterside dining than Michelin stars? Check out our guide to Bristol's best harbourside restaurants and cafes.