Harden's says
A vegetable-led restaurant on the former site of Chicken Shed (from the same owner Josh Eggleton) in Bristol's Wapping Wharf.
Harden's survey result
Summary
A “mainly plant-based” (but not only) dockside diner, on Wapping Wharf, that was set up in 2017 and is part of the six-strong ‘The Pony Family’ group, which also includes a Root spin-off in Wells, Somerset, as well as a cookery school. The “intriguing establishment” (one of a number of container-based venues in this foodie city) offers a “very interesting selection of plates”, and, given their ethos, the “veggie plates are the best”.
Summary
Occupying a series of old shipping containers on the wharf, this contemporary, veg-led (but not just) sharing-plates spot opened in 2017, and has become a favourite among the city’s foodies. In December 2022, owners Josh Eggleton and Luke Hassell teamed up with chef Rob Howell and Meg Oakley to launch a sibling venue in Wells, Somerset.
Summary
“A container with a terrace” on the docks which, despite not being strictly veggie, “elevates even the humblest of veg to mouth-watering delights”. In December 2022, chef Rob Howell and partner Megan Oakley (ex-of the Pony & Trap) launched a sister restaurant, Root Wells, in Wells, Somerset, following the same ‘more veg, less meat’ ethos.
Summary
“The inventive food is amazing” at this dockside container venue, which flips the usual omnivore convention and casts vegetables as the stars of the show, with meat or fish in supporting roles. Part of Josh Eggleston’s Eat Drink Bristol Fashion operation, the venue is run by chef Rob Howell and his partner Megan Oakley (both ex-Pony & Trap). Reporters say they’re “made to feel welcome – nothing is too much trouble”.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Root?
Wapping Wharf, Bristol, BS1 6WP
Restaurant details
Root Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Primarily vegetable based cookery, we plumped for several small plates. Local Burrata with fennel, tomatoes with a green sauce and burnt spring onions and the dressed cucumber were good. The fried sardines with a kohlrabi and apple slaw, arrocina beans and red peppers, and hispi cabbage with pickles and Middle Eastern spices were exceptional. Also liked the ewes curd dumplings with greens chilli and preserved lemon, and the unusual new potatoes with curry butter and an onion pickle. Vino Verde by the carafe went very well. a really enjoyable meal, and Lucy our waitress was lovely. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
Wapping Wharf, Bristol, BS1 6WP
Opening hours
| Monday | 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 5:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2 pm |
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