Koocha Mezze Bar, established in 2018, is Bristol's first fully vegan restaurant, offering a plant-based menu inspired by Persian and Middle Eastern flavors. The restaurant is known for its vibrant, industrial-chic ambiance and a diverse selection of vegan kebabs, stews, and mezze plates. Signature dishes include saffron and tahini kebabs, veggie fritters, spiced cauliflower, and sweet potato parcels. The establishment also offers a range of cocktails and mocktails inspired by Middle Eastern flavors. Koocha Mezze Bar is committed to sustainability, sourcing ingredients locally and making everything from scratch. The restaurant is located just a 4-minute walk from Montpelier train station and offers a cashless payment system.
What each source says
- Google Places 4.8 1,396
- Open Table 4.8 1,166
- Tripadvisor 4.5 313
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-25.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Creative and flavorful dishes The restaurant is known for its innovative use of Persian and Middle Eastern flavors, offering a unique dining experience with well-seasoned and fresh ingredients.
- Extensive and delicious vegan menu Koocha offers a wide variety of flavorful vegan options, including mezze dishes, that appeal to both vegans and non-vegans, making it an excellent choice for diverse groups.
- Friendly and attentive staff Many reviewers praise the staff's warm, helpful, and efficient service, enhancing the overall dining experience and creating a welcoming atmosphere.
- Good value for the quality Diners appreciate the generous portion sizes and reasonable prices, especially considering the high quality and unique flavors of the vegan cuisine.
- Great atmosphere and decor The restaurant boasts a lovely and vibrant atmosphere, making it a great spot for a fun night out.
Criticised
- Can be noisy The restaurant can get quite noisy, especially on Thursday and weekend evenings, which may not be ideal for those seeking a quiet and intimate setting.
- Cash payment limitations The restaurant has a policy discouraging cash payments which can be inconvenient.
- Inconsistent food quality While many rave about the food, some reviewers have noted that certain dishes can be hit or miss, with occasional issues like reheated or bland items.
- Slow service Several reviewers mention experiencing long wait times for food, especially during busy periods, which can detract from the dining experience.
- Small space and booking is essential Koocha is a small restaurant, making booking essential and potentially leading to a cramped dining experience.
The longer read
Koocha Mezze Bar is a well-regarded vegan restaurant in Bristol, known for its flavorful Persian and Middle Eastern-inspired mezze dishes, friendly service, and lively atmosphere. Many reviewers, including non-vegans, rave about the food's quality, taste, and presentation, with several calling it the best vegan food they've ever had. The extensive menu offers a wide variety of options, ensuring there's something for everyone, and the mezze style encourages sharing and trying different dishes. Popular dishes include the 'lamb' kofta, oyster mushrooms, pistachio cheesecake, whipped feta and cucumber, and the kookoo (spinach, leek, walnut, and cranberry balls). The restaurant also offers a good selection of cocktails and mocktails, with the cinnamon espresso martini being a standout. Staff members are frequently described as friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall dining experience. The restaurant's decor and atmosphere are also praised, with many finding it to be a great spot for celebrations or a night out with friends. Several reviewers specifically mentioned staff members by name (Miley, Cordelia, Trinity, Donnie, Otto, Rosie, Jaz, Alex, Saoirse, Meg, Fran, Celia, Freya, Jazz and Isa), highlighting their exceptional service. The restaurant is located on a quirky street outside of Bristol city center. It can get busy, especially on Thursday and Friday evenings, so booking is recommended. While most reviewers had positive experiences, some noted that the food can take a while to arrive, particularly when the restaurant is busy. A few reviewers also mentioned that the noise level can be high. A small number of reviewers had issues with slow service, missing ingredients, or reheated food, but these experiences appear to be the exception rather than the norm. The restaurant is able to accommodate gluten-free diets and other allergies. Multiple reviewers mentioned the excellent value for money considering the quality of the food. Some reviewers found the restaurant to be a bit noisy or dark. One reviewer noted they were unable to pay with cash.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- 0117 924 1301
- Website
- koochamezzebar.com
| Mon | 12:00 - 21:30 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 12:00 - 21:30 |
| Wed | 12:00 - 21:30 |
| Thu | 12:00 - 21:30 |
| Fri | 12:00 - 22:30 |
| Sat | 12:00 - 22:30 |
| Sun | 12:00 - 21:00 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.8 against a median of 4.8 across the 3 places to eat we hold for Cotham, and the most-reviewed of them.
Booking
Still deciding?
- What are the must-try dishes or mezze plates at Koocha Mezze Bar?
- Does Koocha Mezze Bar cater well to vegans, vegetarians, or those with allergies?
- What is the atmosphere like at Koocha Mezze Bar, and is it suitable for groups or special occasions?
- Is it necessary to book a table in advance at Koocha Mezze Bar, especially on weekends?
- How easy is it to find Koocha Mezze Bar in Bristol, and is it accessible by public transport?
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.