The Hideaway - a charming, unique retreat in Long Ashton, Bristol

If you were to ask Chef Zak Hitchman what kind of food he cooks, you may not get a clear answer, such is the variety of influences that he skilfully adopts. That’s borne out here in a playful, constantly changing menu served inside this small, modish bistro with bright orange walls. If there’s anything on the menu involving the hot and sour crab sauce, don’t hesitate in ordering it, as it’s the perfect encapsulation of the kitchen’s understanding of flavour. Everything, including the wines, comes with an appealing price tag and the friendly service is the icing on the cake.

In the old part of the city close to the famous docks you’ll find this intimate, personally run, 2-room restaurant, with a small front terrace, a warm service team and a buzzing atmosphere. The two menus – most diners plump for the tasting menu – offer original, modern and sometimes intricate dishes, which are aesthetically striking and full of flavour.

Deep within the Georgian lanes of Clifton, lies this neighbourhood bistro with an uncluttered feel. Sit on the ground floor to make the most of the natural light flooding in the large windows, or head down the spiral staircase for a more intimate setting. The date-stamped menu takes a pan-European approach, be it ricotta gnudi from Italy, squid ink bomba rice from Spain or veal schnitzel from Austria. The relaxed service is delivered with a smile and sharing dishes like whole roast chicken add to the conviviality.