First look at the iconic Bristol music venue that’s reopened as a new restaurant

A legendary Bristol music venue has reopened as a new all day restaurant - and the owner already plans to launch a music bar in the basement.

The Granary, which opened its doors today, is the latest venture for Sumit Chadha, who also owns Harbour House restaurant and bar nearby.

An iconic Bristol Byzantine building on Welsh Back, The Granary dates from 1839 when it was a grain store but from late 1960s to the late 1980s, it was one of the UK’s most famous rock venues.

In the intervening years, the ground floor was turned into a restaurant, firstly Belgo and then Loch Fyne, but it has been empty since before the pandemic.

The launch of The Granary restaurant is especially poignant for Bristol chef Charlie James because his parents met at the original Granary in the 1980s when his dad was a door man and his mum was one of the DJs.

Charlie previously ran Jamaica Street Stores and was also head chef at River Cottage Canteen on Whiteladies Road.

He is joined in The Granary kitchen by head chef Cai Shearman, who previously worked at The Christmas Steps pub.

Dishes on the menu include lamb kofta, mint and coriander chutney, and dayboat fish grilled in kale leaves, coconut adobo, habanero sambal and sweet pickles. There are also different cuts of lamb and chicken.

Open all day, The Granary serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with many dishes cooked over fire.

The kitchen uses predominantly local producers and there’s Bristol-made Branch cider and beers from Lost and Grounded brewery.

Owner Sumit Chadha told Bristol World he plans to open the downstairs bar into The Granary Club ‘within weeks’, with food and live music.

The basement bar was made famous when it appeared in a classic scene from TV sitcom Only Fools and Horses when character Del Boy fell through the bar.

Here are 12 photos of The Granary: