Bianchis is bringing Italy to the heart of Bristol

Divided into four dining areas – each named after one of the Bianchi sisters, Frances, Anna, Dina & Vittoria – the venue is spacious yet warm and inviting. The restaurant’s decor retains a hint of nostalgia, as it occupies the space that once housed the beloved Bell’s Diner. Despite this legacy, Bianchis carves out its own identity with a fresh colour scheme, luxurious white table cloths, and retro art prints covering the walls. Bianchis’ impressive selection of local and global wines lines the shelves, with huge panoramic windows flooding light into the space. With its relaxed atmosphere alongside refined touches, this is an ideal setting for special occasions, date nights, or a casual get together with friends.

The menu at Bianchis is a testament to their ethos of honest cooking. The kitchen uses only the best local (and where needed, international) ingredients to skilfully let each component of a dish talk for itself, as well as using techniques such as charcoal cooking to achieve eco-efficiency and maximum flavour. Whether you’re looking for a comforting bowl of handmade pasta or seeking gourmet culinary excellence with Italian flare, Bianchis is proud to be doing it all. 

Bianchis’ pasta is a particular highlight; freshly hand-made cacio e pepe, rigatoni alla Norma with basil & smoked ricotta, bucatini with Cornish crab, chili, soft herbs, & pangrattato, or the pappardelle with salsiccia & mushroom ragu, & pecorino Romano are just a few of their most recent pasta dishes – it’s certainly hard not to go overboard.

Otherwise, cast your eyes on their mains, with the likes of grilled cod with tartare butter sauce and scallops, risotto rosso with radicchio, walnuts, gorgonzola picante, & crispy sage, and delica pumpkin with formaggio fonduta, braised lentils, & Calabrian chilli oil gracing the menu. Bold flavours are at the forefront of every dish, with innovative contemporary twists made on traditional flavours and techniques.

What would an Italian feast be without wine? Bianchis’ wine list has been carefully curated with the best drops of old and new world wines, from affordable to higher-end, crisp clean Italian Pinot Grigio’s to bold full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons. If at any point it gets a touch overwhelming (as a wine list usually does), simply ask for help pairing a glass or bottle and the knowledgable Bianchis team will have you sorted in no time. Or opt for a wine from ‘Aldo’s List’; a separate selection of wines chosen for their extra special qualities, and sure to delight.

For an authentic feel-good visit to Italy from the comfort of home, Bianchis is the place. Spend a night shared with good company, great food, and tasty wine while revelling in the buzzing Mediterranean atmosphere.

You’ll find Bianchis at 1-3 York Road, Montpelier BS6 5QB, open Monday to Saturday. Be sure to book your table here.