Alongside Tokyo’s Corridor-dori and Lyon’s rue du Boeuf, 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. There’s an entire section on the menu devoted to these little crustaceans, all prepared and cooked in different ways.
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.
On a recent visit, one of our favourite things on the menu didn’t concern prawns at all. The Mojama – essentially air-dried tuna, sliced thinly like a serrano ham – was drenched in a deep, intense and rather moody tomato sauce, all dressed with lashings of olive oil. It managed to be both rich and refreshing, and was, quite frankly, ambrosial.
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.
If you have a penchant for sweet things, you’d be fool not to order the Crema Catalana. This luxurious, velvety smooth desert with a subtle hint of citrus and spice is as good as they come. Pair it with a glass of sweet sherry and you’ll be well on your merry way!
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.
Read: The best tapas bars in Bristol
Address: Unit 12, Cargo 2, Museum St, Bristol BS1 6ZA
Website: gambasbristol.co.uk
