Riverstation

Pub · Old City

Riverstation

Pub · Old City
The Grove, Bristol BS1 4RB, United Kingdom

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Riverstation by null
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Highlights

Nestled in a repurposed police station, this riverside gem serves up stunning views and even more impressive Modern European dishes that leave guests raving.  

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The Grove, Bristol BS1 4RB, United Kingdom Get directions

riverstation.co.uk
@riverstation.bristol

$$ · Menu

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The Grove, Bristol BS1 4RB, United Kingdom Get directions

+44 117 914 4434
riverstation.co.uk
@riverstation.bristol
𝕏
@riverstation_

$$ · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 14, 2025

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Kate Matthews

Google
Riverstation is located in a wonderful little spot on the harbourside, which made for a beautiful view on a sunny afternoon. The staff were incredibly friendly, especially our server Leo. He was very helpful with our order and made us feel welcome as soon as we sat down. The food was fantastic, flavourful meat and vegetables for a perfect Sunday roast. It arrived piping hot with a side of delicious gravy. There was a variety of options for our lunch but we went for the chicken as well as the beef, which were both incredible. Excellent service and delicious food 😋

Josh H.M.

Google
We had the most amazing dinner! Compliments to the chef and the rest of the lovely staff. You’ve all made our stay in Bristol a lot more memorable. Many thanks!

Maryna Chernyshova

Google
Had a truly lovely experience at Riverstation. The atmosphere on the riverside terrace, especially in the sunshine, is absolutely charming — a perfect spot to relax and take in the view. The food was beautifully prepared and full of flavour, with thoughtful presentation and a well-balanced menu. What stood out just as much was the service: attentive, polite, and genuinely welcoming. There’s a clear sense of pride and professionalism among the team, which made the whole visit feel even more special. A wonderful place to return to, whether for a leisurely lunch or an evening out.

Sami Alam

Google
The Riverstation is a lovely little venue situated right along the harbour at the heart of Bristol. The moment I stepped foot in this place, the atmosphere hit me. It felt so warm, cozy, and rustic but in a welcoming way. The European man behind the bar was incredibly friendly, and his service was top-notch. Would you like to know what else was top-notch? The coffee. Exactly what I was looking for. A lovely, smooth brew that felt like a warm hug in a mug. I sat in the outdoor area right next to the water. You feel almost like you're floating above it! As I sipped my delicious brew, I felt a moment of calm as I watched the waves subtly ebb and flow. It was beautiful. Absolutely delightful. I know where I'm grabbing my first Joe next time I'm in Bristol!

Christine Ilesley

Google
Had the most lovely lunch with a friend. Food was fine service great and thank you for taking pics for us. A great location with friendly welcoming staff. Loved it x

Shaun Smith

Google
As usual, the food was insanely good. It would have been nice if we'd been told when ordering that the cote du boeuf would take an hour to prepare. It was delicious though. Not cheap but still good value

Christian Dadswell

Google
Had a wonderful dinner here on a beautiful Sunday afternoon whilst meeting some old friends. The menu had some great dishes and I had the chicken supreme and some greens which were so tasty! The Afrogato for dessert was something else! The chocolate mousse with cherries and hazelnuts was incredible. Great atmosphere and with a view of the water and boats from where we sat at the back. Attentive and friendly staff. Recommend booking in advance.

Charit Mathur

Google
Exceptional menu and the food was spot on. Great day to have a lunch out in the deck. Their cheese board and charcuterie is amazing.
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Robert H.

Yelp
This place is amazing! Whether it's a romantic three-course meal, a business meal with clients or a relaxing pint or glass of wine in the summer sun - this place delivers with style, quality and an ever changing menu made with local produce. The food is always top-notch and the waiting staff know they're stuff. The set-price menu is always good value and offers a more limited choice which should suit most tastes. The service is quick, friendly and welcoming putting you at ease from the moment you walk in the door. The selection of local ales is top notch and the wine menu offers something for everyone. The restaurant is on the top floor and has really nice views of the river (and all of the activities that go along with that) and is a perfect backdrop as the sun sets over Bristol. Once the sun has gone down the ambiance and atmosphere here really shines and the (usually full) tables provide a charming and warm hum with everyone chatting, laughing and having a good time. I really cannot recommend this place enough, especially if you're looking for something a little more special than the ordinary.
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David J.

Yelp
I ate here recently with a group of 9 colleagues, and had a very good meal. The restaurant has a nice harbourside location, close to the equally well-known Severn Shed and to the impressive set-piece architecture of Queen's Square, 5 minutes' walk from the main harbourside area and 10 minutes from Temple Meads station. We chose from the set evening menu in the upstairs restaurant, at £18 for 2 courses and £21.50 for three. They will swop vegetarian items for the meat or fish set items on request. The menu is modern European, and features items such as ham hock and roast rabbit, all decorously served. Puddings include items such as lavender panna cotta - simply to die for. Service was excellent and the general consensus was that we would happily come back here: most of us had two courses, which, with house wine (a bottle between two on average), water and service came to £28 a head.
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Rebecca B.

Yelp
The elegant Riverstation has a clean, contemporary design that takes full advantage of its waterside location. Huge, glass windows light up the space and offer great views out over the water, and it feels like you're on a boat. It's a fairly sophisticated restaurant that's perfect for celebrating a special occasion, but with more space than some of its rivals such as the Glass Boat it's a little less formal, and more suited to groups. The modern European menu is made up of beautifully presented dishes using quality ingredients, including some lovely fish dishes such as the sea bass fillet which make you feel like you might be on holiday. You can also enjoy some interesting cocktails here, or choose from their wide variety of wines. I've only dined here in the evening, but at lunchtimes there are cheaper set menus available if you want to try the food without spending too much. On warm summer evenings, the outdoor deck areas are popular so you may need to book ahead and ask for a table out there if your heart's set on sitting outside.
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Liam R.

Yelp
Riverstation has served me two great meals at reasonable prices. They offer a 3 course dinner for £18 and also have a wide selection of reasonable wines beers spirits etc. The first time I ordered a vegetable appetizer, a whitefish and sticky toffee pudding. They brought the wrong starter so they threw on an extra for free. Both were great. The white fish was melt in your mouth. Yo can never go wrong with sticky toffee pudding. The second time I got a pork dish for the main. It had great flavor but was a little overlooked. Both times I had good wine and a Cointreau with dessert. This was a nice place to come after work and read while I ate. No one ever rushed me. If I end up working out of town in Bristol I will come back here.
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Lucy G.

Yelp
I went here for Tea and cake with some girlfriends and it was lovely. We sat next to a HUGE window over looking the river, delish food and coffee's which went down a treat. Price wise its reasonable with the decor being clean and modern. Havent yet been for dinner here but its somewhere i'd love to go....i'll be returning :)
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Lauren B.

Yelp
I am a big fan of the Riverstation and have been 4 or 5 times in the last few years. It is great for family roast on a Sunday or a romantic dinner (if you get a window seat!). The menu always has some great choices and the desserts stand out. I had a morello cherry chocolate torte a couple of years ago and it was legendary! The food is rich and delicious, not the cheapest but worth it for an occasion. The reason I haven't given 5 stars is because the last time I went they rushed our mains out after a speedy starter and we were all finished (4 of us) in an hour and a half. This was a shame as it is usually quite a relaxed dining experience. I will go back but not for a while, so many new places in Bristol to try!
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Laurie K.

Yelp
The food is good. Very good. But the music was so loud that it gave us a headache and it was v difficult to hear anyone . Music like that is fine at the bar but not at the restaurant. Also, the toilets stink and have smelt bad for years. We have enjoyed this food for years but just feel v disappointed by how today's dinner was.

Mark M.

Yelp
The Riverstation restaurant is perfect for a special occasion meal, particularly one during the summer months as it's location overlooking the harbour side can be quite idyllic when the sun is out. The food on offer is quite varied and is more in keeping with a traditional British restaurant than a specific world cuisine. This is by no means a negative point, as what they do is take your typical English dishes and use the best locally sourced, seasonal produce available and deliver consistently high standards with a touch of sophistication. The outside decks can be very popular during the summer so getting a table can be a bit tricky. Definitely worth it's high reputation and maybe even it's slightly higher than average prices.
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Kathryn C.

Yelp
I'm a big fan of the Riverstation. The food here really is simply beautiful, in both its presentation and quality. Food is fresh and locally sourced where possible. Its a little bit expensive, but it does lunchtime and 2 and 3 course meal set-menu's so you can come here without worrying about the bill at the end. Its bright and airy but yet has a far more welcoming and cosy ambience than its neighbour The Severnshed. If you are looking for a special meal by the river, definitely worth booking a table for yourself here.
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Briony S.

Yelp
This place was converted from an old police station hence the 'station' part of the name, which to start with is pretty cool and unusual! Being located on the waterfront is one of the bonuses of Riverstation, especially in the summer when the views across the river are beautiful and very 'holidaylike'. The place is both a restaurant and bar with a relaxing and modern interior, however their indoor seating is nothing special and I would definitely recommend coming down in the summer months when you can enjoy the outdoor seating! As for the food, on the occasion I visited here I really enjoyed my meal, as did my friend, however I wouldn't say it was anything overly special. I had their a la carte menu and tried their vegetarian risotto, which was pleasant but not amazing - however, I had a bloody mary to start with which was pretty cool, what better than a cocktail as a starter when you love your cocktails? Price wise its slightly on the higher end, but not too much and its still affordable for an evening out. Also, if you love wine, then they occasionally have wine tasting evenings and events so check this out before heading down!
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Catarina F.

Yelp
River station has an amazing location. Having a prime location in the cities harbour makes it a very attractive restaurant. However, the service and the food are average.
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Abdullah B.

Yelp
Had the falafel for starters, was a big portion most definitely enough for two however it was a little bland and underwhelming. The Luscombe's Sicilian lemonade however was perfectly refreshing. The sea bream as the main course was solid, accompanied by courgettes and sautéed potatoes on a bed of romesco puree which gave the necessary kick to the dish. Didn't try dessert but some decent options seemed available. Service was pleasant and unobtrusive and was given a table of my choice. The bill came to £16.20 for me, so not too shabby all in all.
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Kathleen R.

Yelp
Such a lovely experience. Due to the lovely early March weather I sat upstairs on the terrace overcoming the harbor. A delicious choice of breads were offered. I had the three course fixed price lunch (£16.95). Salad with crispy bacon, local sausage on lentils and passion fruit cheese cake. All well-presented and delicious. Would love to return!
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Qype User (OldHob…)

Yelp
Our review is about a single diner on a business trip. Dinner 2 course offer at £14.75 and £3.75 for an additional course. The meal : Rosemary bread (gratis) from the basket. Chicken Terrine Hake Tiramisu Glass of Sauv Blanc at £3.50. Friendly, efficient service and, despite arriving at busy time, given a decent spot with lovely river view. Lots of Uni students/parents at this clearly popular venue. You can also enjoy excellent a la carte food, but a wonderful, highly recommended place for the business visitor or those who want to entertain. Outside dining terrace, too. Bar downstairs has a separate menu. It is great value. Menu prix fixe. Yes, it can cater to the extravagant, too, in this setting. Can't help wondering if policemen in their Docks/Harbour division ate sandwiches with the view of steamships below.
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Qype User (Flashr…)

Yelp
Location is superb, atmosphere is lively and perfect for a night out. Food was good quality, but expensive. You do get what you pay for though. The service was good as well. Wine selection fantastic! A lovely evening.
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Pete C.

Yelp
Awesome. Ate upstairs, couldn't fault the service. Less informal eating situated downstairs. Starter: Had the wild rabbit ravioli (£8), my partner the baked crotin goats cheese (£7.50) Mains: pan fried halibut (£19), my partner the risotto with pumpkin (£14.50) Had a couple of glasses of the house red. So full we could only share the artisan cheeses between us (£6.50) Great food and great locale. Perfect.
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Qype User (igran…)

Yelp
I took my father here last Saturday, seated at a table by the window with great views over the dock. Inventive menu, first ever go at smoked eel...very tasty!!! Staff were great, left us long enough between courses to chat but not so long we felt ignored. It can be a little pricey but you get what you pay for, lovely food, great view and excellent service.
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Frederic L.

Yelp
Very nice restaurant, very good food. Service is very good and almost perfect. I warmly recommend this restaurant.
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Greg D.

Yelp
WORKS FOR ME! Great food and although it's not cheap you don't mind paying as the quality is there. It's nice when the staff are educated enough on the products to give you advice aswell. I believe that all businesses should encourage and train staff as it has a direct impact on the overall experience and I will go back based on the key elements of good food, knowledgeable staff and atmospheric feeling.
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Hootie J.

Yelp
Located on the Harbour (River) this is a nice place to eat, Had breakfasy both times and they do a meen French Toast (with Canadian Bacon & Maple syrop), Easy parking close by and within Walking of the downtown/waterfront
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Pollita M.

Yelp
I've never had a bad experience at this wonderfully situated place. It's perfect for pretending you are on holiday abroad on a warm summer's evening as you can sit out on a gorgeous little terrace looking out over the harbour and watch all the boat-owners go about their business. The meal we had here with friends was beautifully presented- I had a perfectly cooked steak and some crunchy asparagus. The cocktail menu is also really varied with some lovely fruity blends- passion fruit martinis to knock your socks off- an amazing Riverstation Bramble, which involved passionfruit vodka, Chambord and lemon juice, and amazing honey berry sours. It manages to be somewhere to celebrate a special occasion without being too formal as it feels romantic and a million miles away from Bristol. I've also been here for brunch with my parents and everybody was really impressed. I had eggs benedict (of course) and it was served beautifully.
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Qype User (lostho…)

Yelp
Located next to The Thekla Club, The Riverstation is one of Bristol's most glamourous and expensive restaurants. It offers dishes like pigeon and will set you back £100's for just a table of 4! There is a bar downstairs and most of the tables are upstairs. Very good quality food though with views of the docks.
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Qype User (mellym…)

Yelp
This has got to be my all time favourite eating place in Bristol. I have never felt brave enough to dine in the more formal restaurant upstairs but will come up with any excuse to dine downstairs in the deli/cafe, although neither of those words sums up what's on offer. The offerings are reduced down to a one page menu that simply offers the best appetizers, mains, sides and desserts without any distractions or bum notes. It's the perfect place to mix and match sides and share a main, particularly their mezze plates which can contain meat, fish or be purely vegetarian. I highly recommend a side of chips and mayo. Sounds plain but I think they're the best in the city. No matter how stuffed you may be a dessert is a must. I have only once been disappointed and I think I had become way too much of a River Station junkie and was comparing the dessert against some of their other gorgeous sweets. The moral of the story is don't go their too often because you'll spoil yourself and won't be able to eat anywhere else. The location is also noteworthy with one of the best views onto the waterside. No matter sitting inside or out it's deeply enjoyable to watch swans, rowers and boat parties glide by while eating such heavenly creations. My only complaint is the reduction in hours over the weekends when food is available. Also about three times in a row when I tried to eat there it was closed for a private party.
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Qype User (loum…)

Yelp
Known as one of Bristol's best restaurants, the riverstation certainly won't disappoint for a really special meal. Fantastic waterfront building, the restaurant has the slightly rarefied atmosphere of haute-cuisine, without being overly stuffy, while there is a cafe/bar area downstairs. The food is British/European classics done with style, with a regularly changing menu, a sign that seasonality is a big concern here.

Qype User (urbane…)

Yelp
This is an old river police building, right in the heart of Bristol's dockside. It is practically two restaurants in one. In the lower level you can get a quick fill in their deli style diner, whereas upstairs you can have the full dining experience in their a la carte restaurant. Both floors have extremely popular outside decks where you can relax and admire glorious views. It delivers high standards both in cooking and service. Food is fabulous. Well-prepared and simple at the same time-it's definitely worthy of its excellent reputation.
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Chrissy E.

Yelp
Since moving to Bristol I had wanted to try Riverstation. So when my parents visited I thought it was the opportune moment. The whole experience, service wise, was excellent. They were really accommodating when I asked for a nice table for the occasion, and we got a great one with river views. They honoured this even when I moved the booking forward by half an hour. The staff there were really attentive and helpful. My starter was divine, I had the quail, really well cooked and flavoursome, but it did make me glad I moved the table forward. Starters did take a little time to arrive, then there was a real delay for the mains, nearly an hour. When my main of cuttlefish did arrive, you could tell the kitchen had been over stretched. It was a touch over done and the accompanying beans were a little under. It was a shame as you could tell the execution just slipped due to time pressures. Don't get me wrong it was tasty, I just expected a little more and I doubt the chefs would have been completely pleased with. Possibly they attempted too many covers at once. It looked like people were still ordering starters when we left at 11! Everything else about the experience was lovely and we all really enjoyed it. We will all go back in summer to try the more informal dining area and enjoy it's amazing setting.