If we could only visit one restaurant for the rest of our lives, Souk Kitchen would be up there as a seriously strong contender. The Middle Eastern menu gets top marks for its locally sourced ingredients, with standouts including a falafel and beetroot salad, chilli chicken thighs and tomato-drenched keftedes. Brunch fans should save their visit for a weekend, when banging veggie fry-ups are served alongside extra-spicy bloody Marys. Insider tip: Souk Kitchen has a smaller sister restaurant in Clifton, where a dazzling deli stocks some of its own spice blends - pantry upgrade, pending.

We wouldn't be one bit surprised if Rosemarino was to provide the backdrop for the next big rom-com. Spread across two floors, the intimate, snug space transports visitors straight back to an old-school Italian ristorante - think sage-green walls framed by chalkboard menus and fairy lights, the happy sound of clinking wine glasses and heady scent of tiramisu. Start by ordering the burrata and calamari, then snag a plate of the homemade ricotta gnocchi, baked with fresh basil, grilled cheese and tomato passata - we wouldn't raise a brow if you ordered two.

Slap-bang in the middle of Bristol's most vibrant street - all gastropubs, edgy eateries and bunting-clad facades - Chido Wey has become something of a Mexican mecca for locals. From the outside, the honey-hued building appears somewhat minimal, with a handful of wooden tables on the pavement, but, inside, an explosion of colour awaits - picture beer barrels for plant pots, walls clad with enormous abstract prints and dramatic murals. The food? Tacos, burritos and quesadillas stuffed in baskets wrapped in red chequered cloths. A daily happy hour takes place from 4-6pm: be there or risk missing the sweet taste of a ginny melon cocktail - frozen gin infused with watermelon and lime.

A love letter to the flavours of founder and head chef Noda Marvani's childhood, Koocha Mezze Bar made its way onto Bristol's foodie scene in 2018, as the city's first fully vegan restaurant. Bringing a different meaning to eating green, the menu, which gives traditional Persian recipes a contemporary twist, offers the likes of veggie fritters, spiced cauliflower and sweet potato parcels. Ask any Bristolian what their order is and they will no doubt sing about the saffron and tahini kebabs - we can confirm that they're just as spectacular as they sound. Truth be told, we'd visit this place just to gawk at its dramatic facade - all whimsical animals and florals.

Alright, alright, the Ethicurean might be a 30-minute drive away from the city centre, but the scenic countryside cruise is more than worth it for the award-winning field-to-fork menu. Housed in the beautiful Barley Wood Walled Garden, the restaurant's ingredients are freshly picked from the ground. The brainchild of Matthew and Iain Pennington, this sustainable set-up is much more than a place to come and feast. Through an immersive five-course dining experience, epicures join the pair on a culinary journey through nature. Be warned: spaces are limited and book up fast. Check the website for further details.

Sustainable food warrior Ian Clark is the chef behind Poco, which has scooped up a whole bevy of awards including Best Sustainable Restaurant. Slotted on a buzzing street corner in Bristol's art-splashed Stokes Croft district, this gritty nook serves up colourful, eclectic small plates using hyperlocal ingredients and creating as little waste as possible. Despite its name, there is no Spanish influence here. Instead, seasonal dishes draw on British classics. Serving the likes of rainbow trout and soft herbs with white wine and clams, this is a fantastic spot for a midweek feast.

Bristol Harbour has become a breeding ground for experimental restaurants, with some of the city's most talented chefs setting up shop on the riverside. Wapping Wharf is home to CARGO, Bristol's first retail yard made up of converted shipping containers, and Root is housed in one of them. The vegetable-focused fine-dining restaurant was brought to life by the team behind Eat Drink Bristol Fashion festival. Expect beautifully presented small plates featuring locally sourced produce. Choose one of the kitchen-facing seats to watch head chef Rob Howell work his magic or, if the weather's good, grab a table on the wraparound terrace overlooking the water.

Jim Pizer fell head over heels for India's cuisine when travelling across the country's colourful landscape. On his return to the UK, he launched Thali Easton as a street-food truck at Glastonbury Festival. Today, the Bristol outpost is a space that truly embodies the spirit of India. Hot-pink walls, sepia-toned family portraits and hand-painted wooden signs make for an utterly charming atmosphere, while a menu that showcases a rainbow of dishes will transport you from the beach shacks of Goa to Bomaby's legendary street markets.

Bulrush is one of Bristol's best restaurants - a neighbourhood fine-dining spot that has had critics drooling over its seasonal tasting menus ever since it opened in 2015. Head chef George Livesey creates modern British dishes, using local produce and foraged ingredients from the surrounding area. Expect artfully plated local meats, West Country cheeses and organic veg alongside biodynamic wine and seasonal cocktails served in a serene room of grey wooden floors, bare bricks and copper accents.