Whether you enjoy watching a musical at
the Hippodrome, a gritty Shakespeare at the Old Vic, or a comedic
one-woman show at The Wardrobe, Bristol has some amazing theatre on
offer. With most shows starting at 7:30pm, you have to head out a
little earlier to fit dinner in beforehand. Thankfully, our city's
not short of restaurants to choose from, here are some of the
best pre-theatre restaurants in
Bristol.
Some of Bristol's best pre-show menus
- European
- 15 Berkeley Square, BS8 1HB
Berkeley Square destination The Square Club is a trendy private
members club that promises quirky, colourful interiors filled with
pretty plants and paintings. There's a cracking cocktail bar and
restaurant on site, promising a wide range of European-style
dishes.
There's a set menu available from Monday to Saturday between 6
and 8.30pm - perfect for pre-theatre dining. Enjoy two courses for
£28, or three for £35, featuring the likes of braised blade of
beef, pumpkin and pearl barley risotto or confit loin of hake.
- Indian
- 35 Corn Street, BS1 1HT
One of the most gorgeous restaurants in the entire city, Mowgli
is an authentic Indian eatery on Corn Street. Expect dazzling
interiors, featuring an indoor tree, hanging rope swing seats and
an abundance of golden fairy lights. The restaurant group is owned
by celebrity chef Nisha Katona, and promises a vibrant dining
experience.
Their extensive menu is inspired by the street food markets of
India, offering a wide range of options for all tastes. Think
sticky chicken in a chickpea batter, tender paneer curry, lamb
chops with fenugreek kissed fries and so much more.
- Burgers
- 21-23 Clare Street, BS1 1XA
Situated close to both the Hippodrome and the Old Vic, Honest
Burgers is a great choice for a quick bite to eat before your show.
The laid-back joint fronts simple interiors and rustic wooden
furnishings, with plenty of space to dine in a relaxed setting.
They offer a wide range of beef, free-range chicken and
plant-based patties, with plenty of different toppings to choose
from. Think Southern fried fritters covered in cheddar, grilled
chicken breast with pesto or chilli bacon burgers, and there's even
a combination unique to their Bristol location.
Bambalan
- Mediterranean
- Podium Level, Colston Tower, Colston Avenue, Bristol, United
Kingdom, BS1 4XE
This city centre restaurant and bar is the perfect location
for a pre-theatre meal. Bambalan’s menu is Mediterranean-inspired
and full of small plates, pizzas, sharing boards and burgers. The
colourful décor and beautiful rooftop terrace make the perfect
vibrant atmosphere to have a little fun, especially if the sun is
out.
The Ox
- BBQ / Grill, Steak
- The Basement, The Commercial Rooms, 43 Corn Street, Bristol,
United Kingdom, BS1 1HT
The Ox is a steak restaurant in Bristol’s old town. It’s a
sophisticated basement restaurant with low lighting and dark
seductive décor. It believes in delicious food that is cooked to
perfection by its talented chefs. Steak is at the centre of its
menu, and it’s committed to using the best local produce. The best
part about it is it has an early bird option, which is served
Monday to Thursday from 12-2:30pm and 5-7pm, and Friday and
Saturday from 12-7pm. This includes a 6oz rump steak, fries, sauce
or butter of your choice, and either a glass of wine or a soft
drink, all for £20, which we think is an absolute
steal.
Four Wise Monkeys
- Asian Fusion
- Corn Street, Old City, Bristol, Avon, United Kingdom, BS1
1YH
Four Wise Monkeys is an explosion of retro Tokyo vibes and
Asian fusion food. When you walk through the door, you’re greeted
with a sensory explosion thanks to the funky bright décor and
amazing smells of the dishes served. The Pan-Asian menu takes you
on a whistle-stop tour of south Asia with options like dim sum,
dan-dan, and sandos. The diner-style seating, friendly and casual
staff, and great music definitely make this a relaxing and chilled
spot to enjoy some food before heading to the theatre.
The Cow & Sow
- Steak, Wine Bar
- 63 Queen Square, Bristol, United Kingdom, BS1 4JZ
The Cow & Sow is a lovely restaurant with locations in Queens
Square and Clifton. The restaurant is designed to feel like a home
from home with a causal and cosy atmosphere. The staff are friendly
and extremely attentive, making sure you leave feeling looked
after. On the menu, you'll find a lineup of stunning steaks, from
sirloin and flat iron to ribeye and tomahawk. But that's not all,
as there's also a fantastic selection of mains, including butternut
squash wellington, a beef and BBQ pulled pork burger, and market
fish of the day.
The Old Market Assembly
- Small Plates, Locally Sourced, Spanish
- 23-25 West Street, St. Philips, Bristol, United Kingdom,
BS20DF
The Old Market Assembly is the home of The Wardrobe Theatre,
and it has an amazing locally stocked bar and serves great food. It
offers a flexitarian menu, full of sharing plates and pizzas. The
food focuses on showcasing local produce and suppliers, and has
beautiful influences from southern Spain giving it a fresh and
warming twist. So why not avoid the stress of timing getting from
the restaurant to the theatre and just eat at the theatre
instead?
Ciao
- Italian
- 1 Druid Hill, Bristol BS9 1EW, UK
Ciao is a hearty Italian restaurant that has been bringing the
authentic taste of Italy to Bristol for over 10 years. Everything
on the menu is handmade and is authentically cooked using the
freshest ingredients imported directly from Italy. The menu has a
huge amount of different pizza, pasta, risotto and chicken options,
featuring all the much-loved classics like tagliatelle con pollo,
pizza marinara and pollo alla pizzaiola.
