Number 38 Clifton

There's an appealingly relaxed, cosy feel to this neighbourhood restaurant, where the downstairs room benefits from the atmosphere of an on-view kitchen. An imaginative streak runs through dishes based around top-notch seasonal ingredients that are either foraged or organic, while preserving and pickling also play a key role on the well-balanced and deftly prepared tasting menu. Highlights could include the likes of Wagyu beef with black bean ketchup and a terrific Bordelaise sauce. The astutely chosen wine flight creates the perfect partnership.

Bristol's pasta-lovers are really being spoilt with this rustic bistro run by a charming and knowledgeable team. The pasta itself is freshly made each morning beside the window, catching the eyes of passers-by before being fashioned into bright, flavour-packed dishes. The options are often vegetable-centric, such as agnolotti with a delicious mix of cherry tomatoes, garlic, mascarpone, fior di latte and parmesan. For dessert, you can end on a high with Italian classics including a generously portioned tiramisu. The set lunch menu is quite the bargain.

The former Guardian Assurance Building makes a charming spot for a restaurant, thanks to its characterful interiors with high ceilings, parquet flooring and panelled walls. The rustic look is a perfect fit for this osteria-cum-wine-bar, where the concise menu of classic Italian dishes adheres to the old adage that 'less is more' – straightforward options like tagliolini with Devon crab, tomato and almond deliver on flavour with just a few ingredients. If you needed more reasons to visit, the service is confident and personable, and it all comes with an appealing price tag.

This busy, welcoming little restaurant occupies five first-floor shipping containers on Wapping Wharf, a thriving neighbourhood with an array of top eateries. Vegetables lead the way here, with the majority of dishes being vegetarian and utilising the best produce from small local suppliers in simple yet flavour-packed sharing plates. Ingredients from carrots to hispi cabbage are elevated with well-balanced and wholly satisfying flavour combinations. There’s a terrific buzz and the service team run their deservedly popular restaurant admirably smoothly.

Like most of the restaurants occupying the reclaimed shipping containers in Wapping Wharf, this authentic Italian eatery is cool, compact and totally irresistible. Coming from the same team as nearby COR, what it lacks in size it makes up for in flavour, with each simply prepared dish utilising the well-sourced seasonal ingredients to maximum effect. The menu’s designed for sharing and the prices are generous, so order in abundance and revel in everything from the moreish garlic and rosemary focaccia to the fish and meat cooked over fire. Finish with their creative take on tiramisu.

Located inside a converted shipping container in Bristol's hipster-foodie haven of Wapping Wharf, this compact restaurant comes clad in chipboard and plywood – and with a terrace that almost triples its size. The husband-and-wife team offer a warm welcome and will ensure you're well looked after, with Tessa providing engaging service and knowledgeable wine recommendations, while Elliot crafts generous, boldly flavoured dishes. Soy-glazed onglet is a fine example of what this kitchen is about, as is the excellent panna cotta to finish.

Bristol’s lovers of Korean food have found their haven in this charmingly run restaurant in the trendy Redland neighbourhood. The authentic cooking can be sampled as either a set menu or an à la carte of sharing plates, where each dish is cooked with care and precision using high-quality produce. The dishes from the charcoal grill – such as samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) – are particularly enjoyable, thanks to the superb accompanying condiments that are expertly spiced and fermented to bring extra layers of flavour to the central ingredients.