We tried lunch at the tucked away Bristol cafe/bar that just won a Tripadvisor award

A contemporary dining venue tucked away on Shirehampton Road, The Hideaway recently won the prestigious Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice 2023 award, ranking them in the top 10% of restaurants globally, according to the website.

The award is given to businesses with a ‘high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions’ from the community over 12 months.

Comments from customers praised the service and food, the Sunday roasts and described the venue as the ‘perfect place’ for celebrations.

The Hideaway also organises various events in the restaurant including workshops, masterclasses and a Halloween costume party.

On their website, The Hideaway explains their vision. They say: “For us, the best occasions in life almost always involve our loved ones coupled with great food and drink in a stress free, laid back environment. Nothing too fancy, just comfortable all round with some indulgent little twists.

“This is why our restaurant fits effortlessly into our community, with fresh food done well, an informal yet attentive service with a genuine warmth that will make you want to come back, over and over again.”

The Hideaway’s brunch menu is served daily until noon and includes English breakfasts, egg-based dishes, pancakes and waffles.

The Hideaway also has a Sunday menu and a two-for-one steak night on Saturdays from 6pm, with prior booking essential.

Their menu also includes a take on tapas (such as pork belly bites and honey rum glazed chicken wings), sandwiches, sharer plates, starters and small plates like crispy calamari or beetroot tartar, and mains like rigatoni pasta or Brixham crab risotto. They also have a selection of gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian dishes available.

We decided to pay The Hideaway a visit on a Wednesday lunchtime and it was relatively quiet. Inside, the venue was cosy and well-spaced with high tables and chairs, coffee tables and seating and medium tables and chairs.

The venue had an open kitchen and the bar and till were in the middle of the room. The service was quite fast and I was able to order a drink a few minutes after taking a seat.

I decided to try the Apple Barrel Mocktail which contains apple juice, passion fruit syrup, lemon juice and ginger ale for £5.50. It was a refreshing, fizzy drink with a sour hint.

A few minutes after getting my drink, I ordered wild garlic mushrooms on a freshly baked sourdough for £7, falafel balls with mango, lime, sweet chilli salsa and hummus for £7.50 from the starters section, and chicken and prosciutto saltimbocca served with new potatoes, charred artichoke heart, green beans and a sage butter sauce as my main for £17.

The starters arrived within five minutes of ordering them, and the saltimbocca around 20 minutes after ordering.

The sourdough toast was crispy and flavourful and had absorbed some of the juices from the slightly chewy, soft and herby mushrooms.

The falafel balls had a thin crispy layer that contrasted with the soft interior. The hummus was light and creamy, and the sauce was sweet with a spicy hint.As for the saltimbocca, the chicken was slightly chewy but paired well with the prosciutto. The potatoes were tender and herby, and the greens were bursting with freshness.

Overall, it was a very filling meal and I had to take around half of the main dish as leftovers for dinner, such was the generosity of the portions.

The Hideaway is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 9pm and Sunday from 9am to 7pm.

The Hideaway, 63 Shirehampton Road, Bristol, BS9 2DW.