Located in the heart of Old Market – Bristol’s bohemian shopping quarter – Punchbowl has gone from strength to strength since re-opening its doors in 2017. Offering much more than traditional pub grub, the team here caters perfectly to Bristol’s burgeoning foodie scene with delicious locally sourced and homemade fare.
As can be expected from the folks at Wickwar Wessex Brewing Co., the drinks list is a veritable treat for ale-lovers. Our wonderful host pointed us in the direction of BOB – Wickwar’s award-winning classic amber ale. We took our seats in the open-plan dining area and perused the seasonally changing menu. There’s a variety of dishes on offer, from local meat and poultry to fresh seafood, with numerous vegetarian delights to boot. I opted for the 6oz rump steak – which arrived perfectly cooked – drizzled with luscious red wine jus and served alongside triple-cooked chips and a zesty watercress salad. My partner opted for a melt-in-the-mouth spring lamb shank, braised in tomato and red wine sauce, and paired with duck fat and rosemary roast potatoes. We didn’t want to miss out so plumped for a side of buttermilk onion rings, which were beautifully crisp. To finish, scoops of refreshing blood orange sorbet proved the ideal end to a wonderful meal.
Not wanting it to end, we made our way through the gin selection while playing board games. The Punchbowl has a truly warm community feel, making it the perfect home-from-home dining destination.
British
0.5 miles
