Bristol, Italian Restaurant Guide

“Really great pizza and small plates” ensure that this Neapolitan-style outfit (also with a Clifton Village sibling) is “always buzzing”; it’s “particularly great in the summer when the windows are open to the pavement on a sunny evening”.

This “magical” pasta specialist has in three short years launched cousins Ben Harvey & Dominic Borel as key Bristol restaurateurs. “Authentic-sounding but unusual and delicious pasta sauces” contribute to the “wonderful gastronomic experience” at this “laid-back and intimate” venue. See also Pasta Ripiena, La Sorella and Bianchi’s (named after their Italian grandfather Aldo Bianchi).

“Never had a poor meal” – this smart but low-key branch of the slick national group founded by Sicilian-born Carlo Distefano delivers “lovely cooking, attentive and well-trained staff, and there’s always a good atmosphere” – “a tried and tested favourite for all special occasions”.

It’s not fancy (wood banquettes and orange school chairs), but this small new Redcliffe Italian turns out “wonderful” fresh stuffed pasta – a USP in this country – that’s full of “interesting seasonal flavours”. The owners, behind Pasta Loco, are fast building a local empire, having opened a deli/café, La Sorella, two doors down from the premises in May 2019, followed by trattoria Bianchi in the old Bell’s Diner (RIP).

A sibling branch for the Bath pizzeria that lets you choose the dough as well as the topping for your pizza, from over 10 doughs available, including gluten-free and purple corn.

On the border of Westbury Park and Henleaze, this new neighbourhood spot (started by a pair of floorlayers who gave up their day jobs to become self-taught chefs and restaurateurs) is already inspiring very positive reports as an excellent new favourite (but too limited feedback for a rating as yet).

Bar Buvette (RIP) has been taken over by (chef) Cosmo and (ex-lawyer, nowadays front of house) Lily Sterck, who met at Bristol Uni and whose CVs include well-known London restaurants, St John and Luca. Local press reports say it’s agreeable, white painted looks and short menu of straightforward Mediterranean-influenced cooking (including pasta, charcuterie and ice cream made on the premises) make it one of the best local openings of last year.

Taking over the Montpelier premises that for over 40 years housed the much-loved Bell’s Diner (RIP), this summer-2019 Italian yearling is from the team behind local hits Pasta Loco, Pasta Ripiena, and La Sorella. Top Tip – very competitively priced lunch deal.