Explore Chinese cuisine in Bristol

Rock Salt is home to both Chinese and Indian cuisine but it doesn’t mean they cut corners at all. On the contrary, each dish is prepared carefully to cater to different tastes and stay true to authentic recipes, which takes expertise and tells you a lot about the restaurant’s dedication. Stepping away from a westernised Chinese buffet tradition, Rock Salt is a petite retro space designed to allow guests to have the most relaxing time. The menu includes all the classics: for a starter, you can go for treats such as salt and pepper prawns and spring rolls, while the mains consist of options such as beef in black bean sauce, stir fried vegetables or, our personal favourite, Szechuan pork. If you’re looking for something unique, yet authentic, Rock Salt won’t disappoint.

Meet a side of Chinese cuisine you might not have known before. Cathay Rendezvous is another venue that goes against stereotypes and invites you to try traditional food with bold flavours and a modern twist. As the venue states on their website, the dishes tell a story of ancient and contemporary China, effortlessly fusing the best of both worlds in freshly made recipes. On the menu, you can expect to find a variety of starters, such as vegetarian spring rolls, dim sum, satay skewers or barbecue spare ribs, while the main menu is made up of a selection of classic meat and seafood dishes. Located in a former Georgian library, the venue is an ideal place for a date or a formal meeting. You can be sure to get a friendly welcome with a good atmosphere, where you can focus on enjoying fine food and conversation.

Mayflower’s biggest selling point is the opening hours that allow you to enjoy delicious food as late as 1am. Whether you want to escape the cold or satisfy your cravings in the middle of the night, the restaurant is a safe haven that can offer you a high-quality experience regardless of what your motives are. The interior’s simplicity is contrasted with a versatile menu, where you can find a selection of starters, meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes. The restaurant also offers clay pots with various options such as noodles, beef brisket, fish belly, tofu, seafood, duck feet and many more. If you need a midnight diner that can comfort you on lonely nights or simply make your date extra special, Mayflower is the place to go.

Toro Noodle Bar is a place frequented by Chinese students due to its affordable prices and authentic recipes. But there’s more to it than that; you can expect to be well-cared for by friendly staff that set standards high despite the restaurant’s casual setting. It’s the kind of venue that is suitable no matter what kind of occasion you’re going for; you could be looking for a vibrant place to host a catchup with old friends or a place where you can chill on your own. The menu is a combination of spicy, beef, seafood noodles and rice meals (including Thai and Japanese-style dishes). If you’re visiting with a bigger group, you can enjoy a delicious chicken hot spot. The restaurant delivers food to your door too, so if you get hooked as much as we did, you can satisfy your cravings in the comfort of your home.

Great Chongqing brings you a taste of a vibrant atmosphere that you can observe in bigger Chinese cities. The venue is petite and designed for enjoying food while socialising. As small as it is, it boasts a variety of dishes with an emphasis on noodles; Hofan noodles, chicken satay chow mein or beef in black bean sauce, fish fillets in hot chilli oil and more options on the traditional side such as Kung Pao chicken or fried lamb with coriander. As if that all wasn’t enough to whet your appetite, there’s also a griddle hot pot that can make your experience even more authentic. Whether you’re catching up with a friend or want to introduce your family to something unique, Great Chongqing will do the trick.