From ever-changing menus to world-renowned fried chicken, Italian and French cuisine in cargo containers, and even a cafe run by former prisoners
The Popeyes ‘chicken sandwich that broke the internet’ when Kim Kardashian was pictured with one(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
It may seem like a bleak time across the country in the food and drinks industry right now. And we here at BristolLive have been keeping tabs on the openings and closures in our home city this year.
While each month we give you the rundown of which favourite foodie spots have closed their doors for the final time, this time we are focusing on more positive news and reminding ourselves of just how many new dining and drinking spots have opened up right here in Bristol so far this year.
From globally renowned fried chicken to local restaurants expanding their businesses and trying something new, we’ve been spoiled by new choices over the past seven months.
Encouragingly there were too many venues to list every single one that has opened so far this year, so we have narrowed it down to the food venues which people in the city were especially excited about.
So if you’re looking for some new places to tick off your must-try list – what better way than to start your search right here…
Six By Nico
Six By Nico, Bristol(Image: Julian Preece/Six By Nico)
Where is it: Unit SU9, 11 Quakers Friars, Broadmead, BS1 3BU
Six By Nico, the restaurant chain known for its imaginative six-course tasting experiences that change after six weeks, opened its doors in Bristol back in February, in the former home of Carluccio’s and the Castle Fine Art stores in Quakers Friars.
Its first menu, ‘The Chippie’, is always the same at a newly opened Six By Nico restaurant, which founded by chef Nico Simeone, and featured re-imagined chip shop classics. And, due to its popularity, ‘The Chippie’ menu was extended beyond its usual six weeks.
There’s now set to be an Alice in Wonderland themed menu to enjoy, with further menus to be announced in the future.
Miro Lounge
Miro Lounge Bar Bristol – opening day(Image: Tim Mossford/UNP)
Where is it: Unit 3.1, The Paintworks, Bath Road, BS4 3EH
This Lounge venue from Bedminster-founded cafe-bar group Loungers opened its doors in Brislington back in June.
Miro Lounge is the group’s 256th venue and opened officially on Wednesday (June 18), showcasing the transformation of what had previously been Bocabar at Paintworks.
Bocabar closed its doors at its Paintworks venue on March 31, after 21 years of service, BristolLive reported earlier in the year. In its place, Miro Lounge boasts the Loungers’ stereotypical eclectic decor – from vibrant wall art and wallpaper, to comfy cushions and sofas, and colourful upholstery.
There’s also an outside area, featuring decked floors, blue tables and chairs and potted plants.
Grano Pasta Bar at St Nicks Market
GRANO Pasta Bar opens in St Nicholas Market(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
Where is it: 9-11 Glass Arcade, BS1 1LA
Grano Pasta Bar opened up its St Nicks venue back in May, serving up Italian dishes in a set-up that is four stalls long at the popular market site. There’s already a Grano Kitchen restaurant in Old Market, which serves up what it describes as “proper Italian food”.
Diners can even watch each pasta dish being crafted from scratch by its chefs.
Prime by Pasture
Beef fat fries from Prime by Pasture(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
Where is it: St Thomas Street, Redcliffe, BS1 6ZD
The team behind popular restaurant Pasture, and exclusive dining experience Radius, opened their latest venture, the highly anticipated Prime back in June.
Not only does it serve up delicious burgers and wings (see our review here) but it also boasts its own Pasture butcher next door, and sells its own meat, charcoal, air fryer ready meals and will soon stock vegetables from the Pasture farm (Buttercliffe Farm) and even their own spices.
The team even make their own milkshakes and gelato, and there are plans to start hosting in a separate private dining space upstairs in the near future.
The Key Cafe
Inside The Key Cafe on Gloucester Road(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
Where is it: 246 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, BS7 8NZ
The Key Cafe opened on May 7 next to the HM Prison in Horfield, with an opening ribbon cutting ceremony, special guestlist and a spread of homemade food. The cafe is being run by former prisoners as part of an initiative by The Restore Trust, an organisation whose mission is to reduce reoffending rates by providing practical skills and work experience to individuals transitioning from prison.
The cafe is partnering with local and popular brands, including Single Variety Co, Canton Tea, and Triple Co Roast, and promising visitors “a space where high quality food and social purpose intersect”. It serves up its own jam, pastries, hot drinks and more.
Lapin
Brixham scallops and lobster bisque(Image: Bristol Live)
Where is it: Unit 14, Cargo 2, Museum Street, BS1 6ZA
The new French restaurant from the team behind BANK Bristol opened its doors back in April in the former home of Tare Bar. The Wapping Wharf venue is headed up by restaurateur Dan O’Regan and executive chef Jack Briggs-Horan, and serves up a ‘playful spin on classic French cooking’ with a menu that offers traditional courses as well as snacks, sides, accoutrements and sharing plates.
Lapin, French for rabbit, also makes a ‘prix fixe menu’ available each day, offering three courses for £29, on a limited basis. The team said: “We’re determined to have a lot of fun at Lapin. I think it’s fair to say we’ll be one of the more relaxed and convivial places where you can enjoy a decent spoonful of caviar.”
Ragu
Cornish cuttlefish, chilli, garlic and Amalfi lemon at Ragu in Cargo2, Wapping Wharf
Where is it: Unit 25, Cargo 2, Museum Street, BS1 6ZA
MasterChef alumni and food critic Grace Dent hailed this as one of her favourite restaurants of 2025, recently. Ragu opened at Wapping Wharf back in April, as a “love letter to the wonderful food, culture, warm hospitality and adventure experienced in Italy”.
From the team behind Bib Gourmand venue COR, its opening menu featured the likes of proper Italian antipasti, and dishes including papardelle with wild boar, ragu, and 30 month parmesan; tortellini in datterini brodo, sheep’s ricotta and basil, and even dishes over fire – Cornish cuttlefish, shoulder of lamb, and a Florentine T bone steak, among them.
Popeyes
Popeyes officially opens in Bristol (Friday, April 11) at Avonmeads Retail Park(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
Where is it: Avonmeads Retail Park, St Philips Causeway, BS2 0SP
Bristol’s first Popeyes restaurant finally opened its doors at Avonmeads Retail Park, with some customers having queued overnight to be first in line back in April.
The globally-known Louisiana Fried Chicken brand, which was established in New Orleans in 1972, has been a hotly-anticipated restaurant opening in the city, and the lengthy queue more than proved that Bristolians couldn’t wait to get their hands on some free chicken.
The first 100 people in the queue on opening day received a free Popeyes Chicken Sandwich, while the first four in the queue and the first four to have parked up in the iconic bright orange Popeyes Park and Serve bays in the car park, were handed a giant ticket that entitles them to free chicken for an entire year.
Known as being the home of ‘Famous Louisiana Chicken’, founded in New Orleans in 1972, this opening marked the brand’s 76th location since first landing in the UK in 2021, and the 11th opening in the country this year.
Gurt Wings
Gurt Wings at Wapping Wharf on its opening day (Friday, February 28, 2025)(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
Where is it: Unit 28, Cargo 2, Museum Street, BS1 6ZA
Famed local business Gurt Wings, known for its chicken wings and appearances at festivals like Wing Fest, opened its first ever restaurant at Wapping Wharf back in February.
Serving up chicken wings, as well as beers, ciders and cocktails, owner James Mitchell, known as Gurty, plans to expand the menu in the future to include fried chicken burgers, brunch, and even eating challenges. Gurty said: “We can’t wait to bring Gurt Wings to Bristol seven days a week, with a fixed home at Wapping Wharf and delivery options available for the first time.
“Bristol is where it all began, and the support we’ve had here has been incredible. Now, we finally have a permanent spot to serve up our award-winning chicken to the city we love!”
Burra
Bristol Bears players Jake Heenan (left) and Luke Morahan outside their café in Redland in 2021(Image: Rogan Thomson)
Where is it: 7 Lower Redland Road, Redland, BS6 6TB
Bristol independent cafe Burra opened its third venue in March. Burra, which was founded in February 2021 by Bristol Bears players Jake Heenan and Luke Morahan, alongside their partners Adele and Madison, also operates across two other sites in Redland and Bedminster.
The teammates and their families wanted to create a hospitality experience in the city which promotes an ethical lifestyle with a menu filled with organic and locally sourced produce. The dog friendly venues are now go-to foodie spots for many in the city, serving up Antipodean brunches.
And their recent opening took over what was formerly Bar Chocolat in The Mall at Clifton Village. Giving out free coffee on opening day, the team shared photos of massive queues stretching around neighbouring buildings in the area.
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