Summer in Bristol means eating and drinking by the Harbourside, right?

Personally, my ultimate sign that the sunshine has arrived is when I see legs dangling over the quayside outside Arnolfini, or people jostling for space along the jetties nearby.

This guide is mainly focused on nabbing some a bite to eat in the harbour – if you’re more focused on waterfront boozing, take a look at my Harbourside Pub Crawl guide.

Arnolfini Cafe

The original Harbourside spot, this cafe has now been taken over by Bristol Beer Factory, who have breathed new life into the menu and drinks selection. Now open in the evenings later in the week, this cafe-bar serves up a small but tasty selection of seasonal dishes, as well as sarnies, cakes and light snacks during the day. It’s also worth sticking around on Fridays throughout summer for the Harbour Nights street food market outside – plus they have an outdoor bar when the sun shines!
arnolfini.org.uk/visit/cafe-bar

The Grain Barge

Another Bristol institution – where would this city be without its brilliant bars on boats? I’ve been to many a gig here and spent hours supping cider on the top deck waving at paddleboarders. It’s owned by Bristol Beer Factory, so expect a top notch selection of beers alongside a classic pubby menu including as burgers and pies.
www.grainbarge.com

The Pump House

Head to the far end of the Floating Harbour and you’ll find The Pump House in what used to be a, errr, pump house. The gin selection here is insane (over 400 apparently!) and the food is the more sophisticated end of gastropub. There’s a ferry stop just outside, and you can watch the comings and going of the harbour from your bench in the pub’s front terrace.
the-pumphouse.com

* I’m not ignoring the lush little pubs nearby that are The Cottage (another amazing view, and close enough to the water for you to dip your feet in!) and The Nova Scotia by the way, they both feature in my Harbourside Pub Crawl guide.

Wapping Wharf

A whole district of food delights just a stone’s throw from the water’s edge, how about that?

If you’re after a harbour view, your best bets are grabbing some gorgeous veggie small plates at Root, a chippy dinner outside Salt & Malt, seafood at Gambas, or a special dinner at Box-E or Tare.

Otherwise, I’ve fuelled many a tipsy waterside evening with goodies from Squeezed (award-winning burgers!), Biblos or Dog Town  – and I’ve not even named half of the businesses yet! Suffice to say, there’s more than enough to satisfy any palate. 

The Olive Shed

A bit of a Harbourside stalwart, this small Mediterranean restaurant was my ultimate dinner goal when I moved to Bristol with my meagre admin salary, and although it may have been overshadowed by some of the shinier openings of the past few years, their ever-changing tapas offering is still solid, with some gorgeous views over the water.
www.theoliveshed.com

Brunel’s Buttery

Going down slidey rock, saying ‘Cheers’ to bus drivers, and eating a bacon sanger at the Buttery – three quintessential Bristol experiences. Doorstep breakfast sarnies are the order of the day here, on bread, bap or baguette, alongside simple sandwiches, pies and jacket potatoes. There are a few veggie options available, but not much in the way of vegan. Still, the queues that have been forming here for almost 40 years say it all. Simple comfort food in a lush setting.
Review of Brunel’s Buttery from Bristol Bites

Mud Dock

Mud Dock do a nice selection of salads and flatbread with dips, as well as burgers and a selection of mains – perfect paired with a cold beer and a vista over Redcliffe and the Floating Harbour.
www.mud-dock.co.uk/cafe

Paco Tapas

Paco Tapas, an unassuming bar from the outside, has gone on to be the second Michelin-starred business for the Sanchez family, with some truly takes on classic Spanish dishes such as tortilla, gambas al ajillo and croquettas. The restaurant has a small amount of outdoor seating overlooking the tranquil Bathurst Basin and harbour beyond.
www.pacotapas.co.uk
Review of Paco Tapas from The Guardian

Riverstation

Another longstanding Bristol name, Riverstation is housed in what used to be a police station and has undergone another change recently since being taken over by Young’s Brewery. The interior remains shiny and modern, but the menu has had a bit of a revamp, with some more casual bites downstairs (think brunch & sharing boards) and snazzier dining upstairs (classic dishes on a set or a la carte menu, with optional wine flights). Both areas have some lovely outdoor seating by the water.
www.riverstation.co.uk

Harbour House

Housed in what was for many years Severnshed, Harbour House has given this listed boathouse a lick of paint, a banging new wine list and a simple menu of classics to keep any mix of diners happy.

As well as the spacious and stylish interior, they have a long riverside balcony which gets the sun most of the day – they’ve even got blankets for you to bring outside on nippier days.
hhbristol.com
The Guardian review of Harbour House

Adelina Yard

Another place I wish got shouted about more – Adelina Yard turns out some truly spectacular dishes in very understated surroundings, which is my kinda restaurant – I hate pomp and ceremony. The food is all about making local ingredients sing, and the plates always arrive looking gorgeous too. They’ve got a small terrace at the back of the restaurant which overlooks the river if you want some scenery while you eat.

If you’re looking for an unpretentious into to fine dining, this is it – you can get 4 courses for £38 at lunchtime. The extensive chef’s table menu is £70 Wednesdays and Thursdays, or £80 on Fridays and Saturdays (plus an optional wine flight), much more accessible than many other restaurants of this standard.
adelinayard.com/
The Times review of Adelina Yard

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Happy al fresco munching, and if you’re on the hunt for other guides, I’d recommend…

• Bristol Pub Crawls
• Bristol’s Best Pub Gardens
• Vegetarian Bristol & Bath
• Where to Treat Yoursef in Bristol