Bristol’s food scene would not be what is it without these incredible, delicious Spanish Tapas restaurants. As always, for Bristol, there is a huge mix of elegance, price, style and atmosphere.
This is a curated list of the 7 (in my opinion) best Tapas restaurants in Bristol:
- Bravas (Experience for amazing price)
- New Moon (Excellent, higher-end)
- The Olive Shed (harbourside evenings)
- El Rincon Bar (Music and flamenco)
- Paco Tapas (High-end, excellent restaurant)
- Poco Tapas (Bristol vibe tapas)
- Gambas (Container ship chic)
Bravas is my favourite overall, while I love the location and vibe of Gambas and the harbourside location of Olive Shed where I’ve grazed tapas and with an afternoon evening drink many-a-time.
The best high-quality and high-end tapas bars are Paco Tapas and New Moon- they’re excellent quality meal experiences. El Rincon is a really nice bar- it’s made this list for the brilliantly fun Spanish atmosphere, music and flamenco!
Bristol’s best Tapas guide
In these two tables, I show you a comparative guide to the best of Bristol Tapas Bars with descriptions, website and Instagram links and pricing.
| Venue | Description | Price range |
| Bravas (Website here) (Instagram here) | Low-lit, wonderful Tapas bar in Cotham. They aim for the ‘welcoming atmosphere of a pub’ and ‘food quality of a great restaurant’. | Many dishes £3.50, Mid-range ~£7, highest ~£9-12 |
| New Moon (Website here) | A chic and cosy bar in Clifton and a more quirky modern restaurant on the harbourside. Excellent, quality food. | Veg tapas ~£7, mid-range ~£9, higher end ~£12 |
| The Olive Shed (Website here) (Instagram here) | Small, finely curated menu in a chic but inviting, glass-fronted harbourside restaurant. | Lower end ~£7, upper end ~£12-13 |
Bravas Bristol is my favourite of Bristols tapas bars for the stunning food and lovely warm atmosphere for such a reasonable price. In fact, on their website the owners talk about how inspired they are by the un-pretentious of authentic low-cost Spanish tapas which they do their best to emulate.
New Moon have two excellent restaurants; an elegant relaxed tapas bar in Bristol and a more quirky and modern -New Moon of the Quay.
The New Moon tapas bars are mid-higher range pricing and well worth it for their excellent quality dishes. Booking is essential here for both places as they are extremely popular. They have the same menu, and offer great vegetarian and pescatarian options. They also have lot’s of GF options.
The Olive Shed has a lovely first floor- glass fronted dining space and outdoor tables under large umbrellas. They’re Bristol Good Food Awards “Best Alfresco Dining and Best Tapas Shortlist”. Book for indoors, outdoor tables are walk-in only. Food is seasonal and always beautiful, colourful and fresh.
| Venue | Description | Price range for tapas dishes |
| El Rincon (Website here) | An atmospheric, fun, relaxed and easy going Spanish Tapas bar- offering delicious tapas and wines. They do spanish classes, live music & games nights. | Very small menu, £4-8 for most dishes |
| Paco Tapas (Website here) | High end- excellent tapas restaurant with exquisite steak and fish dishes. River side locations with views over the harbour. | Lower end ~£5-10, Mid range ~£20 Highest ~£35 |
| Poco Tapas Bar (Website here) (Instagram here) | Modern Bristol-Tapas fusion. A delicious tapas-style restaurant with locally sourced fresh, and stunningly presented, flavour-filled dishes. | Set menus for ~£29pp, Or Tapas dishes ~£8-£15 |
| Gambas (Instagram here) (Menu here) | Up-stairs in the glass-fronted wapping-wharf container ship complex. Elegant, classy and beautifully curated foods- specialising in prawns (‘gambas’). | Lower, end veggie dishes- ~£4.50, Mid range ~£8, Highest ~£13 |
Gambas Tapas Bar is a lively, chic restaurant in the container complex of whipping wharf. The food is exquisite. They have a nice outdoor terrace under heaters. Best book for weekends but they’re always open for walk-ins. The restaurant makes charitable donations for every aubergine sold to male mental health-related charities (including Talk Club and Change Awareness).
El Rincon is a fun bar- they often advertise live music and flamenco nights. It’s reservation free so you’re always welcome to pop in for drink and a bite. Cute and intimate this is a great spanish-community venue on the bustling North-Street just south of the River.
Paco Tapas Bar, In the heart of stokes croft, is a modern tapas-bristol fusion restaurant with an emphasis on locally courses-fresh ingredients and an ethical, sustainable food economy.
If you’re looking for a post-dinner drink, you might like to check out our guide to great Bristol wine bars, great Bristol gin bars or great classic cocktail bars.
Best place for Vegetarian Tapas in Bristol
Bars with greater menus generally have more veggie tapas options. The best restaurants for vegetarian tapas are New Moon, Bravas and Poco Tapas. Each has a good enough selection for nice variety and although most have veggie options- these look best!
Best Place for Gluten-free Tapas in Bristol
Tapas is generally quite good for Gluten free-dishes. The best restaurants for signposted gluten-free dishes are New Moon and Poco Tapas.
We hope this guide is helpful- and that you’re out enjoying some Tapas soon!