We take a look at the best dining options within walking distance (1 mile) of city landmarks worldwide. Here we offer our 6 IDEAL restaurants close to the Brunel’s SS Great Britain in Bristol.
No trip to Bristol would be complete with a visit back in time and aboard the iconic SS Great Britain, built by honorary Bristolian Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The great man (in 2002, in fact, named Britain’s second greatest ever) gave so many gifts to the region; the Great Western Railway which serves the city and the Clifton Suspension Bridge were both also products of his fertile, footloose imagination.
One thing we can’t credit him with, however, is Bristol’s much lauded foodie credentials. Indeed, delve into the history of meals served aboard the vessel and you’ll find evidence of a ‘biscuit that would break your teeth’ and preserved potatoes taken three or four times a week.
Best then, to disembark and dive enthusiastically into the amazing restaurants just walking distance away. Here are 6 of the best restaurants close to Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Bristol.
Gambas (0.4 miles)
Alongside Tokyo’s Corridor-dori and Lyon’s rue du Boeuf, Bristol’s Wapping Wharf must be right up there in terms of the highest concentration of Michelin-awarded restaurants per square metre in the world.
And perhaps our favourite of all (yep, we have) the eateries housed in shipping containers here is Gambas, a tapas bar that places a heavy focus on all things prawn.
Inspired by Valencia’s Mercado Central, there are a few better ways to spend an afternoon than by taking a seat at the counter here. Roll up your sleeves, and prepare to nimbly peel burning hot prawn shells blistered by the grill, suck the rich, ruddy brains out of the heads, and generally get messy.
For those not in thrall to the sweet, briny flavours of the ocean, there’s still plenty to enjoy from Gambas’ De La Tierra (‘of the earth’) section of the menu, which despite its rather lofty subheading, is essentially a roll call of tapas bar classics. So, that’s patatas bravas arriving draped in all the right colours, presa Iberica quickly seared in a smoking hot pan, and some truly divine aubergine crisps, served adorned with a sweet and sticky reduction.
Though we’ve only visited in winter, we can only imagine how joyous an evening spent on the restaurant’s terrace would be during the warmer months; Summer 2023, we’re coming for you!
Address: Unit 12, Cargo 2, Museum St, Bristol BS1 6ZA
Website: gambasbristol.co.uk
Root (0.4 miles)
Vegetables are the star of the show at this cute, compact restaurant housed in a cargo container at foodie mecca Wapping Wharf. If the weather’s looking good, try to bag a seat out on the small terrace area with fantastic views of the harbourside; you can even catch a glimpse of the ship from here.
That’s if you can tear your eyes away from the food in front of you; prettily presented plates which vibrate with the colour of fresh produce and don’t sacrifice anything on flavour that just keep coming. We particularly love their wicked way with charred leaves and greens; on separate visits they’ve managed to make hispi and lettuce taste downright dirty. Right now you’d be foolish not to order any dish which leads with asparagus; guaranteed to be on the menu for the next month or so.
Website: www.eatdrinkbristolfashion.co.uk
Address: Unit 9 Cargo 1, Gaol Ferry Steps, Bristol BS1 6WP
Pacos Tapas (0.8 miles)
Paco Tapas is one of only a handful of Spanish restaurants in the U.K to hold a coveted Michelin star. What is more extraordinary is that they won it less than a year after opening; a mean feat by any restaurant’s standards.
Part of the restaurant team behind legendary Bristol restaurant Casamia (now sadly closed), the cooking at Paco Tapas is self-assured and supremely confident. Stuffed and barbequed quail (off an open grill capable of heating the whole restaurant) is a particular highlight, and the classics, such as simple tortilla espanola or ham croquettes, are delivered unpretentiously but with perfect aplomb.
Website: www.pacotapas.co.uk
Address: 3A, The General, Lower Guinea St, Bristol BS1 6SY, UK
BOX-E (0.4 miles)
There’s been a buzz about this place from the moment it opened in October 2016 in the Wapping Wharf development that calls so many great restaurants home. So much so, that getting a table in this tiny 14 cover operation ain’t easy.
But spare a thought for the man behind the stoves; there’s even less room out back. How he manages to coax such flavour and finesse from such a small space is a wonder. Straightforward descriptions such as ‘guinea fowl, crushed potatoes, kale’ belie the huge amount of work which goes into each dish. So delicious, and so very reasonable, too. A must visit.
Website: www.boxebristol.com
Address: 10, Cargo 1, Bristol BS1 6WP
Tare (0.4 miles)
Another restaurant in Whapping Wharf? You’ve got to be kidding me. We’re not, we just couldn’t narrow it down when the restaurant offerings here are so damn good. Tare serves a four course, price fix menu in the £40 region (there’s also a vegetarian version), relying on the seasons and the fine produce of the South West to do their work.
There’s no choice, and also no problem when the cooking is this uniformly, reliably brilliant. Flavours are precise, concise and in step with the compact, streamlined nature of the space. Michelin recently awarded them with a Bib Gourmand, and we wouldn’t be surprised if that wasn’t the last time the restaurant hears from the much respected red book.
Website: tarerestaurant.co.uk
Address: 14 Museum St, Bristol BS1 6ZA
Spoke & Stringer (0.3 miles)
Something a little different to finish with. Directly opposite the SS Great Britain is Spoke and Stringer, a surf shop slash restaurant slash cafe. Basically, it’s anything you want it to be, and about as close as you could get to the ship without being aboard or swimming in the Avon.
But in humble, unassuming surroundings, you’ll actually find a pretty great lunch. There’s craft beer from local brewery Beerd and light plates with a Mediterranean lean. Note that the kitchen closes at 3pm, so if you’re after dinner, get over to the Wharf.
Website: spokeandstringer.com
Address: The Boathouse Unit 1, Lime Kiln Rd, Bristol BS1 5AT
Top image © Fryncita/ Flickr
IDEAL tip: Have a drink or two at Bristol’s Grain Barge before or after dinner. This converted barge-cum-pub, moored just 500 yards from the SS Great Britain, is a great spot to soak up the Harbourside action.