The Spotted Cow has been one such haunt of mine, and it has been for most of the seven years I’ve lived in Bristol. It’s remained a constant on ever-evolving North Street, seeing neighbouring businesses come and go, and the food and drink offering flourish. It’s actually been there, in the same guise and ownership, for over a decade. Come the summer, the large garden will come into its own, too – locals flock here at the first sign of sun to work on those vitamin D levels. A proper crowd-pleaser.

Great grassy beer garden here which is good for a sunny afternoon. Pub is nice and the staff are always friendly. The food is incredible, have eaten (vegetarian) here twice and both times have been incredibly impressed with the food (risotto and stuffed peppers). Their desserts are also great. Can get busy on a weekend evening so best to go early or book in advance for dinner.

The menu makes for interesting reading, not least because the Cow have extended their 'local, sustainable, ethical' food-sourcing policy to include 'grown on the premises', with a roof garden providing many of the vegetables and herbs used in the kitchen.

Some gastropubs are, truth to tell, wannabe restaurants that feel fairly uncomfortable places to pop in to for a pint. Other places are cheerfully unpromising pubs that provide amazing food.

Booked for a Saturday place was very busy but service was quick & efficient. The food was local and homemade we were very impressed with the kitchen making a lot of the starters from scratch (Scotch eggs etc). The service at the table was excellent and we were able to order bar drinks at the table. it gets a little noisy but there is certainly a great hubbub. I understand Sunday lunch is very popular

This spacious downtown gastropub oozes unpretentious sophistication, from the candle-lit minimalism of the decor to the chilled Sunday jazz DJ sets. Food is also a big deal here. You'll find classic pub grub brilliantly reinvented with locally sourced and organic ingredients whenever possible.