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About
The Spiny Lobster is an award winning seafood restaurant. We've been on Whiteladies Road for 15 years with a restaurant and fishmonger and a great loyal following locally and from visitors to Bristol and to Clifton. The Spiny Lobster offers a wide ranging menu designed for lovers of the best seafood and shellfish. We specialise in cooking over the open fire of our Josper grill, adding a distinct flavour to our food inspired by our staff's travels. Have a look at the menu, come to the restaurant and fishmongers and see for yourselves this gem in Bristol. We look forward to welcoming you.
Special Diets
Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
CUISINES
Seafood, British
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Reviews (490)
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484 results
Traveller rating
266
109
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15
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Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
266
109
61
33
15
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All reviews spiny lobster monkfish oysters fresh fish shellfish crab lemon sole sea bass potatoes bread pudding filet chilli fish restaurant john dory excellent seafood main course
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Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile

We managed to get a last-minute table on a Saturday night, and it was busy and lively. The food was all excellent.. well presented and cooked perfectly. We had the oysters, scallops, lobster, and a homemade freshly made in-house éclair. With wine, the bill was...approximately £150. We would recommend this lovely restaurant and thank you to our lovely server for the great service.More

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed 11 October 2023 via mobile

Amazing every time! I’ve been here twice now and it just keeps getting better. Fantastic sea food, lovely atmosphere and friendly staff! Just Devine.

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed 3 September 2023

Wow, what a stunning night, celebrating my 60th served by Lauren. As we were seated several glasses if Prosecco arrived as a birthday gift which started the evening well. Our group had Scallops, Lobster risotto and Oysters to start( all just stunning) 2 xSkate Wings...x 2 and Lobster; both absolutely gorgeous and cooked to perfection. Never eaten Skate wings before, I found them to be very delicate, with a very subtle flavour; the fish just melted in your mouth. The Lobster was small for the price, but very tasty. Thanks to Lauren, who served us with excellence. I would highly recommend this restaurant. . To allMore

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 15 August 2023 via mobile

Oh my god! Put this on your list to visit, we had the best family meal! Service was excellent, food is incredible! Fresh, tasty and perfect portion sizes! I had the lobster - it was the best lobster I have ever eaten! Highly recommend this...place!More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 6 August 2023

Completely forgot I had a TripAdvisor hence why this review is late. But I have been here on two occasions and both have been amazing. Served funnily enough by the same woman, she has reddish brown hair from what I can remember and the service...both times has been incredible from her. I have had Halibut and Crab Cakes on one occasion and Lobster on another - both times the food has been delicious. I can't wait to come back here in the future!More

Date of visit: May 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 3 August 2023 via mobile

We enjoyed our dinner here. Excellent menu and wine list. Scallops and Mussels in cider were excellent as were the Skate and Grey Mackerel and Grilled whole lobster. We would have appreciated some amuse bouche and bread, I understand this is usually offered here. It...was a very busy night and so can be forgiven for skipping a step. Overall a very good experience and a varied menu with plenty of fresh fish would definitely warrant a return visit.More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 13 July 2023 via mobile

I feel quite sad writing this review! I have loved the Spiny Lobster over the years. It has been one of my favourite restaurants! Recently it has just felt slightly ‘off’ for some reason. Food standards have slipped and isn’t as magnificent as it was....The fish just isn’t beautifully cooked anymore, it’s nice but not amazing! The service has also declined. The staff are nice and friendly but just incredibly slow. I will return in the hope that last week was an ‘off’ night but if I have the same experience I sadly won’t return again.More

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed 7 July 2023 via mobile

What a gem tucked away half way up the hill. Food was some of the best seafood we have had in a long time and beautiful presentation. Portions are very generous. Service is top draw even though they are busy. Good fairly priced wines ....I suggest you book and if you are in Bristol don’t miss this one outMore

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed 29 June 2023

The reviews are most good however we found our visit average and a little over priced , they do have a local following because the staff appeared to be over friendly and familiar with some of the customers , we would not rush back and...found Aqua Grand Cafe just down the road far betterMore

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed 27 June 2023

Lovely meal and service for our anniversary lunch. Unpretentious no gimic restaurant. Excellently prepared food . Delicious oysters and mussels and fresh fish.

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed 17 June 2023 via mobile

Booked for lunch and had a perfect experience: friendly, courteous staff and great surroundings. An excellent range of choice on the menu, we went for the delicious Jersey Oysters followed by the Monkfish main which was generous and beautifully cooked (we chose jersey potato and...courgette as sides). Very impressed - we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. We also took the opportunity to visit their well-stocked fishmonger next door for more treats to take home with us 10/10More

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed 28 May 2023

The experience here is very simply summarised: Very high quality seafood cooked impeccably. In the UK, hard to find better in its genre. For starters, we both had their classic, fabulous wild Atlantic prawns, a mega-portion of four. with the addictive chili jam to go...with them. For mains, a large super-fresh see bream on the bone, with seaweed butter, was cooked perfectly over the fire, as was the other main of monkfish . Desserts (trifle and financiere) were OK, though the main point here is definitely the seafood. Service is friendly and smiling. And, for this quality and quality, so are the prices.More

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 23 May 2023 via mobile

Lovely and smiley service! Incredible food and a good laugh :) xx Monkfish was perfect and chips were too good💅 Ordering dessert as we speak… Thank you!! Will be back again ;)

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 15 May 2023 via mobile

Beautiful food and amazing service! We come back often. We are excited to visit this restaurant again this week with my slightly miserable partner! We have visited numerous times - I like a moan (see me other reviews) and this place is faultless ! Food...is amazing, often call in advance to ensure the fish we want is available! Had a crab dressed at short notice !! Waitress is a dream! Literally can’t fault theses guys xMore

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 12 May 2023

Would like to say our experience tonight was just perfect, a complementary bubbles to start with the warm and friendly waitress with knowledge of the food they serve. Lovely and cosy not rushed truly a experience we will be coming back. Thank you.

Date of visit: May 2023
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Questions & Answers
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AlbertShelley
31 October 2023|
Answer
Response from jazmineleight | Reviewed this property |
No, it’s not dog friendly
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Ranjit S
27 October 2020|
AnswerShow all 3 answers
Response from Albia-Newton | Reviewed this property |
Casual. It’s a very relaxed place
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THE SPINY LOBSTER, Bristol - Updated 2023 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about The Spiny Lobster

The Spiny Lobster is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 3.5
  • Atmosphere: 4