We try lunch at the iconic Bristol café celebrating its 30th birthday this year

Bristol’s iconic Mud Dock Café is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year - a remarkable achievement for any independent business, especially one in the notoriously turbulent hospitality industry.

Located at The Grove, Mud Dock Café is a bike shop and cafe with stunning views. It is set over two floors of an old harbourside building which they refurbished in the 1990s and added a bespoke workshop and large outdoor terrace in 2006.

Cycling memorabilia decorates the walls and bikes hang from the rafters at the cafe on the first floor of the building, continuing the cycling theme.

Breakfast, lunch and supper are served daily with brunches available all day at weekends. The menu includes nibbles and sides like focaccia and balsamic olive oil; home-cut chips and homemade beer-battered onion rings.

Mains include soup of the day, chicken shawarma with slaw, yoghurt and flatbread, and butternut squash and sage risotto with toasted almonds.

There are also burgers, daily specials and desserts as well as wines, soft drinks, coffees and much more.

We decided to pay Mud Dock Café a visit on a Friday lunchtime and it was bustling. Lots of sunlight streamed through the windows which had stunning views of the harbourside. 

The daily specials were written on chalkboards, and orders were taken from the table. I decided to order a Mockito (Virgin mojito) for £5.50 and a chargrilled pork chop, spring onion mash, spiced red cabbage, apple chutney and red wine jus from the specials menu for £19.

The Mockito arrived within a few minutes. It was refreshing, very minty with a slightly dry aftertaste.

The pork chop was piping hot and the meat was bursting with flavour and left a smoky lingering flavour, although it was a little chewy. The mash was creamy and the apple chutney was sweet and soft. As for the cabbage, it was soft and left a sweet taste. Overall, it was a very balanced dish and very filling.

I couldn’t resist a slice of vegan chocolate banana cake which was displayed on the bar’s counter for £4.70. It was crumbly and soft with a Panettone-like texture and a strong chocolate kick.

Overall, it was a delicious and filling meal in a relaxing environment and the staff were fast and friendly. 

OK, it may have been on pricier side for lunch but it made a very good treat to end the week with.

Mud Dock Café, 40 The Grove, Bristol, BS1 4RB.