In Bristol, the river Avon meanders its way through the city centre, creating a stunning long section of harbourside for scrolling, harbourside drinks and dining.
In this guide, I’ve collated some of the best harbourside restaurants in Bristol. With a mix of pizza, burgers, tapas, and pub classics, I’ve covered some of the most wonderful spots to enjoy an evening dinner with a stunning view!
If you like the idea of an evening at the harbourside, you might also like to check out our guide to Bristol’s best harbourside bars.
In this table below, I’ve listed the 6 best harbourside restaurants of bristol, in my opinion, comparing food and drink offerings, river views, dietary options, and prices.
Restaurant | Description | Price/ offerings |
The Bristol Stables | Sourdough pizza with quirky, fusion toppings and a great bar with fantastic cider options. On a pedestrian terrace right on the harbourside, this is a lovely large space with bench seating and a busy buzzing atmosphere. They do live music some nights. Vegan and Gluten-free pizza options. Site here. | Great cider bar and bar in general. Pizzas around £13 |
No. 1 Harbourside | No 1 harbourside is a bar/ restaurant on a pedestrian terrace right on the harbourside. Rustic tables, fairy lighting and raw materials, they had a good bar and kitchen that makes healthy, interesting and colourful food from local producers. They do a full-day brunch and their evening menu is mainly burgers, fried seafood and deluxe sandwiches. Also host live music once a month. Site here. | Good bar and cocktail options. Brunch ~£9-12, evening meal, ~£10 for a burger, ~£5-8 for loaded fries. |
Three Brothers Burgers | Fully glass windows for river views and a cosy, fairy-light dining atmosphere- really nice venue! Great succulent burgers and craft beer. Extensive veggie menu, and loads of vegan options. Also Gluten free burger buns. Sometimes host event evenings like comedy nights. Site here. | Great craft beer options. Burgers from £8-£13, Fries ~£3.50 |
The Olive Shed | A wonderful tapas restaurant on the south side of the river. Upstairs fully glass-fronted dining room and downstairs outdoor tables with a view across the river. Really delicious food that’s excellent quality and in a stunning location but still in a relaxed atmosphere. Definitely book. Link here. | Tapas £7-£13, basic drink around £7 |
Broken Dock | A lovely outdoor dining space right on the river with a stunning view. Elegant but relaxed kitchen and bar. The menu includes finely cooked seafood and fish. They do a rich Sunday roast. The kitchen sources local ingredients where possible. Site here. | Starters ~£8, Mains ~£16-23. Sunday roast £14 (veg) – £17 (meat) |
The Pump house | In a quieter part of the river, and on a pedestrian harbourside walk, this is a lovely pub with indoor and outdoor seating where there are large bench tables. There’s a large canvas shelter full of fairy lights and flower boxes at the entrance. They do small plates and pub classics, with locally sourced ingredients and a seasonal menu. Site here. | Main pub meals ~£15 for vegetarian dishes, ~£24 for most expensive seafood. Roasts £15-19. |
Next to the Three Brothers Burgers is the famous King Street. It is an old cobbles street full of classic pubs and roaring night-life. Go for further drinks, a comedy night at ‘Hey Dude’ or a live-music boogie at ‘The Old Duke’ funk and soul.
This is the main strand in central bristol. It’s buzzing at night and a fantastic place for an evening walk and to soak up the atmosphere.
The pump house is a bit further from the centre but has a beautiful, slightly different view of the harbour. On a sunny summer evening is a gorgeous place to hang around or end a beautiful harbourside walk at. in the dar, the lighting floods it in such a homey glow. Very easily bus accessible or a 15-minute walk to the centre.
If you’re looking for a pre-dinner bar, you might like to check out our guide to great Bristol wine bars, great Bristol gin bars or great classic cocktail bars.
We hope this has been a useful guide.
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