Dine on Mediterranean delights poolside at this Bristol lido

Soak up the sun at Lido Restaurant and Poolside Bar

The summer days are on their way and the heat has certainly turned it up a notch. So, where do we go on hot summer days? The Lido Restaurant of course! We love this hidden Clifton gem and are obsessed with the luxurious Lido. An absolutely stunning and tranquil venue tucked away in the heart of Clifton that transports you to that Mediterranean holiday mood. Dine outside pool-side or inside with a stunning view of the water, knowing that either way eating here is a total experience.

The award-winning kitchen offers brunch through to dinner, alongside a cracking pool-side bar where you can enjoy some swimming, sauna, steam room and massage. A members-only venue that also offers a limited number of non-member slots, which you can book right here on Dish Cult.

An ideal venue for a romantic afternoon or a quiet morning of self-care, we love visiting Lido and the friendly team here for an early swim and sauna followed by a delicious brunch.

The menu is stacked a stunning selection of dishes including the likes of fruit bread with cultured salted butter, Lido granola with figs and apricots, Turkish-style baked eggs with sweet pepper served with sourdough flatbread, whole roast kippers with dill butter, Severn & Wye hot smoked salmon pate with house-made pickles, and hot smoked streaky bacon chop with greek-style baked beans, fried Burford Brown egg, morcilla de Burgos & quince aioli – unreal!

To really make it a great start to the day, booze brunch up a little with one of Lido’s mimosas or bloody Mary’s. Nothing quite beats a drink poolside!

As for dinner, the food is simply stunning and Mediterranean-inspired with a delicious selection of aperitivos to enjoy pre-dinner. Our top picks are the traditional limoncello and aperol spritz, as well as their mescal & manzanilla margarita with a chipotle salt rim for something with a bit of heat.

To dine, we recommend starting with something like their Devon scallops wood roasted in the shell with sweet herbs & garlic butter, the honeydew melon with candied walnuts, lardo, rocket & stracciatella, the wild Atlantic prawn orzo with feta, parsley, garlic & Amalfi lemon, or their gorgeous summer salad of peaches, Sorrento tomatoes, salted Valencian almonds, goat’s curd & basil.

As for the main affair, dive into the Mediterranean vibes with the charcoal grilled chicken supreme with lemon roast potatoes & tzatziki, wood-roasted aubergine caponata with fried polenta, buffalo mozzarella, pine nuts, basil & mint, Cornish hake wood-roasted with summer tabbouleh, seasoned yoghurt, roast friggitelli pepper, burnt lime & Urfa chilli butter, or their Kakavia, a Greek-style fisherman’s stew of monkfish on the bone, River Teign clams, Cyprus potatoes, agretti & wild oregano.

If it’s something a little lighter you’re after (so you can dip back into the pool later!), the pool-side bar menu has some great snacks to keep the hunger at bay. Try their hummus with crispy chickpeas, wood-roasted spiced sand carrots with almond dukka & tahini sauce, Isle of Wight tomatoes with goat’s curd & basil, classic taramasalata with house pickles, slow-roasted lamb shoulder with tzatziki, or the Manchego with membrillo. With a view as good as this while you nibble, you’ll be transported to the coastal settings of the Mediterranean.

The Lido originally opened all the way back in 1850 as a Victorian swimming pool, which has since been beautifully restored to what it is today. The 24-metre heated swimming pool is open all year round, perfect for those who love to enjoy the summer sun, or dive in for a warmer winter dip.

You’ll find Lido at 1 Oakfield Place, Clifton BS8 2BJ. Make sure to reserve your table before you head in, right here on Dish Cult.