Mugshot Restaurants Bristol is a 1920s-inspired steakhouse located in the heart of Bristol's Old City. Housed in a Grade II listed building adjacent to the historic St Nicholas Market, the restaurant offers an elegant setting for lunch or dinner. Guests can enjoy succulent steaks, fresh flatbreads, and exquisite cocktails, all served against a backdrop of wood paneling, parquet flooring, and plush booths. A standout feature is the hot stone dining experience, where diners cook their steak to perfection on a sizzling 350°C stone at the table. The menu features British-reared Longhorn and Angus steaks, sourced from independent farms, and a selection of cocktails inspired by 1920s New York. The restaurant accommodates parties of up to six guests on weekdays and five on weekends, with larger tables available upon request.
What each source says
- Tripadvisor 5.0 1,116
- Google Places 4.7 895
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
- Dietary Needs Accommodated The restaurant offers a full gluten-free menu. The staff are knowledgeable about allergies and dietary restrictions, making it a good choice for those with special needs.
- Excellent and Attentive Service The staff is consistently mentioned as being friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Many reviewers specifically praise individual servers for their outstanding service.
- Great Atmosphere The restaurant boasts a great ambiance, often described as cozy, inviting, and perfect for special occasions. The 1920s theme adds a unique touch.
- High-Quality Steaks The restaurant offers excellent cuts of meat, cooked to your liking on a hot stone at the table. Patrons rave about the tenderness and quality of the steaks.
- Unique and Fun Dining Experience Cooking your steak on a hot stone is an engaging and memorable activity. The butters and sauces add layers of flavor and enjoyment.
Criticised
- Can be Smokey The downstairs seating area sometimes suffers from poor ventilation, resulting in a smoky atmosphere. This can be unpleasant, especially for those with breathing difficulties.
- Hot Stone Cooking is Time Consuming While some find it fun, cooking your own steak on a hot stone can take longer than expected. This might detract from enjoying the meal and conversation.
- Sauces may be underwhelming While the butters are well received, the sauces are reported to be lacking in flavour. Some reviewers found the pepper sauce bland and the red wine sauce too sweet.
- Sides can be Inconsistent While steaks and butters receive high praise, the side dishes are sometimes underwhelming. Some reviewers found fries, mac and cheese, and vegetables to be bland or poorly executed.
- Small Portions Some diners felt the portion sizes were too small. Fries especially were cited as having a tiny portion size.
The longer read
Mugshot Restaurants Bristol offers a unique hot stone steakhouse experience, where patrons sear their steak to their liking at the table. Many reviewers highlight the high-quality cuts of meat, with the chateaubriand and porterhouse steaks frequently mentioned as standouts. The restaurant provides a selection of flavored butters and sauces to complement the steak, with the honey butter and beef dripping sauce receiving particular praise. The 'cook your own' aspect is a novelty, allowing diners to customize the level of doneness. Sides, however, receive mixed feedback. Some found the mac and cheese bland or dry, and the fries unremarkable, while others enjoyed the peas with bacon and broccoli in chili oil. Overall, while steak quality is a constant, sides appear less consistent. The restaurant's atmosphere is often described as intimate and having a 1920s theme, creating a pleasant dining environment. However, the downstairs area can become smoky due to the hot stone cooking, so those with breathing difficulties should request an upstairs table. Many reviewers single out the staff for exceptional service, noting their attentiveness, friendliness, and product knowledge. Lily, Luke, Sorcha, Tom, Ria, Lottie, Loren, and Shyam are specifically mentioned by name for providing outstanding service and recommendations. Several reviewers mentioned that the staff are very helpful and explaining the cooking process. The service quality consistently enhances the overall dining experience, so expect to be well looked after. A few reviewers mention the value for money and that the price may appear high at first, but the experience is worth the expense. Mugshot is a popular choice for special occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries. Booking well in advance is recommended. A 'secret' library bar is mentioned by some reviewers as a fun pre-dinner experience.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 29 2130 2084
- Website
- mugshotrestaurants.com
| Mon | 16:00 - 21:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 16:00 - 21:00 |
| Wed | 16:00 - 21:00 |
| Thu | 12:00 - 21:00 |
| Fri | 12:00 - 22:00 |
| Sat | 12:00 - 22:00 |
| Sun | 13:00 - 21:00 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.9 against a median of 4.5 across the 17 places to eat we hold for Stokes Croft, where the most-reviewed is Pho Bristol.
Still deciding?
- What are the signature dishes and most popular menu items at Mugshot Restaurants Bristol?
- What is the atmosphere and overall dining vibe like at Mugshot Restaurants Bristol?
- Does Mugshot Restaurants Bristol offer good options for vegetarians or those with dietary needs?
- What is the typical price range for a meal at Mugshot Restaurants Bristol?
- Is it recommended to make a reservation at Mugshot Restaurants Bristol, especially on weekends?
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.