Eating in a department store might not immediately seem overly appealing for a fine dining experience but stick with us here. Harvey Nichols’ Restaurant is well regarded by Bristol locals as being a high-end eatery worth spending your time at, and we’re inclined to agree.
Located on the top floor of Bristol’s boutique store, with commanding views of Quakers Friars, the Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a light lunch, an indulgent afternoon tea or a sumptuous dinner. The team have won a host of top honours over the years, including an AA Notable Wine List Award and two coveted AA Rosettes thanks to their menu of ever-changing seasonal specials.
Set menus see three courses offered from a reasonable £28 and dishes on the sharing plates menu start from £7. Enjoy Brixham caught hake with seared spring onions and Serrano, Frampton on Severn salt marsh lamb three ways, with Provençale sauce, wild garlic and hazelnut pesto or Green lentil dhal with cauliflower pakoras, spiced sweet potato fondants, mint chutney. Pudding deserves its own special mention thanks to creations like a Amaretti affogato to Valrhona chocolate delice, salted caramel mousse and honeycomb. If they’re not enough to convince you to visit, we don’t know what is.
The chic silver-ceilinged long bar is the ideal spot for a relaxed drink and also serves brunch daily until 2pm, with sharing plates and classic bar dishes available from lunch through to dinner.
Access to the Restaurant after store hours is via the express lift situated at the Penn Street entrance and will bring you into the warm, inviting space. Interiors are a mix of rich creams and browns with gold accents which add to the high-end, yet relaxed feel. Knowledgeable, efficient service seals the deal for a pleasant evening out with friends or family.