Where to celebrate Christmas in Bristol

Who doesn’t love a Christmas get-together? Whether you’re spending it with friends, family or colleagues, it’s a time of year we all enjoy. Bristol has such a huge range of restaurants on offer. It can be hard to choose where to go, but don’t worry — we have rounded up some of our favourite bar and restaurant venues that are the perfect choice for a festive meal. Whether you’re looking for a traditional Christmas dinner or something a little bit different, we’ve got it covered.

Best places to take your partner

The Shakespeare has quickly become one of Bristol’s most popular spots for a Sunday roast, and its Christmas dinner is no different. With succulent and flavourful meats, delicious seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes to die for, the food at The Shakespeare is not an experience to miss out on. This restaurant has a classic old English pub vibe, the perfect setting for a Christmas meal. The relaxing atmosphere and friendly staff only add to the cosy experience, and it also offers a great range of high-quality wines, spirits and ales. All in all, it’s a top contender for a Christmas meal to remember in Bristol.

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Laidback, festive, and charming — Under The Stars is the must-visit spot for Mediterranean-inspired tapas this Christmas. Its sharing small plates are a great choice for a more intimate dining experience, and they also offer handmade, stone-baked pizzas if you prefer a more non-traditional festive meal.

Choose from meat, fish, and vegetarian or vegan plates to create the ultimate sharing platter for you and your loved one. And don’t forget to try its adventurous cocktails – The Smoked Maple will warm your bones and your palate throughout the winter months.

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With twinkling lights and pretty decorations, the Bristol Lido transforms into a beautiful festive oasis at Christmas. The poolside restaurant has a stunning view of the Victorian swimming bath, where you can enjoy a bite from the two or three course Christmas menus. For groups of 12+, there’s even a Christmas Feasting Menu! Specialising in Mediterranean cuisine, you can expect lots of fresh fish, Mediterranean seasonings, and mezze plates. 

The Lido is perfect if you want something a bit different from the traditional Christmas dinner but still bursting with flavour in a unique festive setting.

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This family-run pub is perfect for a delicious Christmas dinner — and for charming service. The family team behind The Lock Up created the space for the East Bristol community to enjoy great food and drinks in a comfy environment, and they’ve surely delivered. Take your pick from the Christmas party menu, or for parties of less than eight, you can select your favourite dishes from the winter menu on the night — with no need to pre-order.

The Lock Up boasts an extensive list of wines, as well as some delicious cocktails. Why not go between Wednesday and Friday to make the most of the two for £15 cocktail deal? It is Christmas, after all…

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Best places to go with family

If you’re looking for a more interactive day out with the family, then the Tobacco Factory is a great choice. You can combine a trip to the theatre with a lovely pre-show dinner. The café/bar has sustainability at its heart, with a vegetarian menu sourcing most of its ingredients from a local farm in Backwell. 

This venue goes out of its way to create a family-friendly atmosphere and even offers a different colouring and activity sheet designed by a local illustrator every month. There’s plenty of hearty food options to be had, and with the addition of great theatre, it’s a great choice to warm your soul this Christmas.

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Enjoy European, Asian, and French flavours rolled into one at Muse Brasserie this Christmas. You’ll be sat amongst a haven of apple blossoms and gorgeous decorations throughout, making your festive feast just that touch more special. Indulge in three courses for £48 per person, and expect to receive the best of flavour, service, and atmosphere. 

Choose from duck liver parfait, twice-baked cheese souffle, roast turkey with duck fat roast potatoes, and more. Don’t forget about the desserts too, including kumquat and orange cheesecake, poached pear rice pudding, and a classic Christmas pud.

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If you’re looking for something a little different from the traditional English Christmas dinner setting, why not try littefrench.? If our word isn’t enough, this stunning little spot starred on an episode of Michel Roux Jr’s ‘Remarkable Places to Eat’!

This cosy neighbourhood restaurant serves up an exquisite French-inspired menu, bringing the best ingredients together with a passion for cooking. The result? Delicious dishes with unforgettable flavour. The interior blends French bistro vibes with bohemian Bristol style to create a warm environment, complementing the food perfectly. Its Christmas menu features seasonal winter dishes that offer a welcome change to the normal Christmas dinner menus. Overall, this elegant restaurant is the perfect blend of luxurious yet comfortable with some mouthwatering traditional French food.

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Get the whole family over to Bambalan this Christmas, where family-friendly food and fun is prioritised. Its Mediterranean-inspired menu means everyone can enjoy something full of flavour. Enjoy two courses for £28, and pick from starters of sourdough garlic flatbreads, mains of crispy pork belly, and sharing desserts of New York style cheesecake with raspberries and much more. 

If you’re feeling up for it, why not pop to the winter terrace for a spiced cocktail before your meal? Based in the middle of Bristol’s hustle and bustle, there’s no better place to be sat with a drink in-hand.

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Best places to go with friends

Bar 44 is the go-to place for a Spanish twist on the season. This lively and popular spot is well-known for its authentic tapas and impeccable service — a great setting for a celebratory meal with friends.

With a warm, inviting interior, Bar 44 bridges the gap between rustic Spanish charm and Bristolian hospitality, making it a standout destination for your Christmas gatherings. Its Christmas menu features a mix of Spanish and British seasonal ingredients, from croquetas to charcuterie, and festive small plates designed for sharing. Don’t forget to try out the signature cocktails and curated Spanish wines, too. Toast the holiday season in style with Bar 44.

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Known for its premium steaks and rich dining experience, The Ox will elevate your Christmas celebrations with its elegant and impressive atmosphere. Its festive menu features juicy, roasted meats cooked to perfection, with indulgent sides like truffle fries and rich creamed spinach. Will you order to share or for yourself? Either way, there’s plenty of food to go around.

The low-lit, elegant interior creates an intimate setting, perfect for enjoying a Christmas feast and cocktails in the heart of Bristol with the people you love most.

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This gorgeous little pub is the idyllic place to have a Christmas meal. Putting its festive name aside, this pub is one of the cosiest Christmas food spots in Bristol, making it the perfect place to have a festive meal. With vintage features, warm lighting and open fire, there isn’t anywhere better in Bristol to hide away from the cold. The pub focuses on innovation and quality, serving delicious food alongside locally sourced drinks for the bar. The Christmas menu offers two courses for £33 or three for £41. 

Some standout options on the menu include cured salmon or beef carpaccio to start, roast turkey or mushroom wellington for main, and Christmas pudding or spiced apple and blackberry crumble for dessert. It also has plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians! Along with amazing food, the pub has a free Crack Magazine jukebox for a lively soundtrack to accompany your meal.

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Any seafood lovers looking to get their fix this Christmas? You can’t come to Bristol for a festive meal without stopping by Caper and Cure. It’s a showstopper, and a great choice if you’re looking to make a statement. Whenever you visit, you’ll be sure to experience something unique with its ever-changing seasonal menu. Caper and Cure only use the best local and organic ingredients on offer, so each bite will be of something truly unique and wonderful.

Enjoy a zingy negroni aperitif and some Maldon oysters for an appetiser, and then move onto a starter of warm crab butter on homemade bread. Friendship is all about community and sharing, so why not get the whole Dover sole sharer plate to satisfy your whole clan? Finish off with a cheese board or a caramelised white chocolate mousse to round off your delectable meal. Its menu isn’t without choice — there’s something for everyone in the friendship group to enjoy at Caper and Cure.

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Best places to take your workmates

The Strawberry Thief is an award-winning, independent Belgian beer bar in the heart of Bristol’s old town. It usually has around 50 local and international craft beers to choose from at any time. This elegant little bar is perfect if you and your colleagues are looking for somewhere to go after your Christmas meal to keep the night going. The décor is cosy and welcoming, with the bar trimmed with mistletoe and pine. 

If you’re not a beer fan, don’t worry — there are plenty of other drink options, too. There’s a small selection of hand-picked wines available from a local supplier, and it also has its own gin,  inspired by the plants featured in the famous William Morris print (the inspiration for the venue’s name!). Savour the botanicals of strawberry, dandelion leaf and Hawthorn blossom. They create a beautifully fresh flavour that we would definitely recommend trying on a cold winter’s night.

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For Christmas gatherings with friends, Filthy XIII is a stellar choice as one of Bristol’s multi award- winning cocktail bars. It’s the ideal place to go for an after-dinner drink, or as a pre-dinner meet-up spot.

Filthy XIII focuses on combining the classic cocktails we know and love with modern techniques. However, it also focuses on attentive yet informal service — so anyone and everyone is welcome to come and relax through its doors. Tap your feet to the hip-hop playlist and take a sip of your Bananarita or Absinthe Frappe. Oh, did we mention itthey also does hotdo hot dogs and small plates, too? You can’t leave without a deep fried mince pie (or two).

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Known for its warm, community vibe and homely décor, this neighbourhood pub is an ideal location for a festive work Christmas party or a relaxed gathering with your peers. Its welcoming atmosphere, roaring fire, and beautiful walled garden make it the perfect spot to celebrate the festive season. 

With a mouthwatering three-course meal for £32.50 per person, you’ll receive all of your festive favourites. From succulent roast turkey with all the trimmings to vegetarian delights like roasted butternut squash and sage Wellington, there’s something for everyone. To top it off, don’t miss the Christmas pudding or sticky toffee pudding for a sweet finale. The Knowle also offers a selection of festive drinks, including warming mulled wine and spiced cocktails for raising a glass to the end of the year.

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Cosy Club’s 2024 Christmas menu offers a delicious three course meal featuring festive favourites like roast turkey with all the trimmings, indulgent vegetarian options like roasted butternut squash tart, and a gooey chocolate orange torte for dessert. At just £33.95 per person, you can’t go wrong for a work Christmas party.

Don’t miss out on Cosy Club’s festive drinks menu, starring seasonal cocktails like spiced apple martinis and mulled wine to get your peers into the Christmas spirit all night long. Whether you’re looking for a private dining space or a lively atmosphere to enjoy a few festive cocktails with your work lot, Cosy Club is sure to deliver this Christmas.

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Best places to take a date

For a touch of Christmas luxury, The Albion is somewhere to go and be truly spoilt. Its ethos focuses on amazing customer service and maintaining the highest possible standards. The team is always prepared to go above and beyond to make sure you have the best festive experience possible, so if you want somewhere to truly relax, then this is the place. 

There’s something for everyone on the menu. Everything from the kitchen is made using local produce bursting with flavour. There’s also a large selection of drinks, which will go down lovely next to the roaring wood burner. With a warm atmosphere and delicious pub food to be had, it’s somewhere to get cosy this Christmas.

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Bianchis has the perfect atmosphere for a romantic and festive evening with a date. Nestled in the heart of Montpelier, many people love this Italian restaurant for its warm, candlelit ambience and rustic charm. It really is a bit of a hidden gem! Its low-lit interior and elegant décor set the perfect mood for a memorable festive dinner.

Its Christmas menu showcases Italian festivity in all its glory, featuring roast duck with seasonal trimmings, fresh handmade pasta, and indulgent desserts like a signature panna cotta or a classic tiramisu. Priced at £45 per person for three courses, it’s a great Christmas dinner date spot if you want to pill out all the stops. You could even complement your meal with a refreshing glass of Italian wine or a seasonal cocktail for an extra layer of indulgence!

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The Old Market Assembly
cuisinesSmall Plates, Locally Sourced
Aerial shot of roast dinners on wooden table

Why not make Christmas luxurious this year with a great sharing menu, select wine choices, and plenty of whacky entertainment? The Old Market Assembly is a restaurant/bar in Old Market that is known for its weekend nights, featuring some of Bristol’s freshest live music, vibey club nights and raucous cabaret. Its Christmas menu is slightly more expensive, offering three courses for £45; however, this does include a glass of refreshing bubbly for everyone in the party. This menu really gets into the Christmas spirit with plates of sharing starters for the whole table, keeping your Christmas meal interactive and lively.

Choose your main dish from the meat, veggie, or vegan menu, which is served with traditional trimmings, crispy herb potatoes, and lashings of gravy. Don’t forget to ask for its European organic and natural wine list for expert pairings! Then, finish off your meal with a grand spread of shared desserts. Trust us, you won’t leave with an empty belly.

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Prego is one of the best dining spots in Bristol for a welcoming, homely atmosphere. It even has an outdoor heated seating area for you to dine al fresco while staying warm throughout the festive season. Prego combines classic Italian flavours with a down-to-earth vibe, making it a great find for a sophisticated and wholesome Christmas meal.

Its updated 2024 Christmas menu features a delicious selection of seasonal favourites, including the richly flavoured Risotto al Funghi and a special Christmas lasagna. For £39.95 per person, you can enjoy a hearty three-course meal complete with traditional Italian sides. Prego’s wine list is also carefully curated to complement its festive dishes on offer, and its holiday cocktails come with warming flavour notes to perfectly accompany your meal. With ingredients sourced locally and the very best of local music showcased throughout December, this venue truly celebrates the very best Bristol has to offer this Christmas.

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