Grain Barge in Bristol, City of

Great beer selection, and the best views on Bristol's harbourside.

I didn't eat but the menu was brilliant and I saw other peoples plates and the food looked amazing . I will find photos

Went for Sunday Roast as we loved that there were multiple veggie and vegan options. Unfortunately my meal had a hair baked into the Yorkshire pudding, the waiter bought out a non-vegan meal for my friend after they had specifically requested twice that it was vegan with the waiter, and my partner's pie was not the flavour of the day that the waiter had said it would be and was quite dry. The staff did offer to take it off the bill which was kind. It was quite busy so hopefully just a once off, as the location is lovely and the roasts were generally nice.

good beer, friendly staff, sitting on the deck in the sun was great, will definitely go again xx

Interesting bar, good range of beers and food

Genial waiting staff but REALLY slow service. Just felt no one cared . It is good they have veggie selections but the food was not good. Pie was dry and the pastry rock hard and the Gnocchi was dry too. It’s a great setting but probably better for a drink than a meal tbh. I noticed they were busier for drinks that food so maybe everyone else knew!

A rare treat: good food on a boat with a view of the SS Great Britain. The Irish stout sticky toffee pud is a must.

The Grain Barge hosted our wedding celebration in late September 2024. They did an excellent job. James (manager) went out of his way to help get the event setup and then worked tirelessly through the afternoon and evening to ensure everything ran smoothly. The wider team were also very good being polite, friendly and helpful throughout, even when it was extremely busy. We had a great time, as did our 75 guests. This is is largely due to the hard work and energy of James and the team. I used to work in hospitality, including doing mystery shopping, and was left very impressed. We'd have no hesitation in recommending the Grain Barge to others.

Had a lovely meal here. Really nice atmosphere and very good service levels. Will be back

Great place to eat & drink beer!🍺

Worst Sunday roast I’ve ever had

Chaotic service and mediocre food. Could be a great venue. We were five for an early evening dinner. Waiting staff were rushed and not sure which meals were on the menu. Two main meals arrived well ahead of all the others and were finished before the rest of us received our food. Padron peppers were uncooked so we sent them back. They were brought back out unchanged and we were told they were cooked. Cheese board included a shaving of Parmesan (?) alongside 3 more typical bedfellows. We managed to laugh at the comedy of errors but it was a shame to take friends who were visiting Bristol.

Everything about this place was above and beyond!

Just had the tastiest lunch! Had the Gambas Prawns special and omg you need to try this. Such a good sunny spot to eat on the top deck. 10/10 recommend

Even after moving away from the area, this remains my favourite boozer in Bristol. Great views, great beer and good food if you fancy it. And I can paddle up on my kayak and get a beer.

Great selection of ales, very friendly staff, all with great views of the dock / harbour.

Only went in for drinks but was realy great....

Really nice bar, good selection of drinks and the food menu is lovely. Great views of the harbour and the boats, friendly staff

Great to be on a boat in this location. Nice beer.

Great atmosphere good service will go again

Stopped on a Saturday afternoon just before it was starting to get busy, ideal for a beer and a quick snack, starters were good value if a bit on the small side, good range of beers, great views across the harbour

Good veggie and pesctarian food, lovely location, friendly staff, great views.

Hate to leave a bad review but unfortunately staff were a bit maxed out with a half empty venue, and food was pretty average. Had the Halloumi burger which was fairly sad, a few slim bits of fried halloumi and a bit of garnish salad leaves. Beer was good though.

Really enjoyed the Friday evening oysters, very fresh, presentation was gorgeous and the views are definitely worth a visit.

Best whitebait I've ever had and I've had a lot, cooked perfectly, coated perfectly and the sauce to go with compliments it extremely well

Been here a few times and it is a great location. Sadly, the Sunday experience was not brilliant - slow service and our order got lost so it took a few queries and an hour and a half to get our food. The bill was reduced and no service was charged. Good location and we hit a bad time - apparently four new chefs - but not great experience that time.

The location promised big things but was sadly let down by the most disappointing night. Food was delayed three times by announcing the kitchen had run out of yet another item on our order. The food took over 2 hours to arrive and was bland when it finally came. I have never experienced such disorganization from a kitchen in my life. It let down an otherwise perfect trip to Bristol

Marked it down because of the seagulls and pigeons that rule the outside tables. If the staff cleared empty plates they wouldn’t have this problem. Aggy seagulls are not nice company. I’d say up the standards instead of trying to be over trendy. London prices at the bar, no main brands on offer. I think the place has lots of potential to be a lot nicer.

Great food in a lovely setting. Perfect for alfresco dining on the upper deck overlooking the harbour. The staff were super friendly and accommodating.

Lovely sunny views of the docks. Tasty food and happy atmosphere

Great beautiful scene at the River

50 minutes wait for 5 plates of food. Not busy either. At that point quality of food is irrelevant. Won't be eating here again

Love this bar, I’m local so very handy for me. Been coming here a few years. Love the food, I’m a coeliac so great to have GF options. Popped in the other night, had the worst fries I’ve ever had. How is it possible to not cook fries properly. Atrocious. I noticed the kitchen was closed for 45 minutes to cope with a large group. I’ve worked in kitchens in the past, 10 people is not a large group. Absolutely no excuse for the quality of my food. The bar staff were fantastic, very helpful in dealing with my concerns. Many thanks to them

Love this place.We've been here a few times for drinks on our weekend visits to Bristol. Staff are always friendly & super efficient service. We've not eaten, but the food always looks good, we'll definitely return, just wish we lived closer!

Lovely atmosphere and friendly staff

My pie of the day was nuclear hot and although very tasty, the wholemeal pastry was extremely tough! The prices were very good for a city located venue. Service friendly but rather haphazard. Waiter forgot to offer dessert menu for a table of 12, when we asked… the kitchen had closed!!!

They were great especially James . Good place to have a beer in the sun with good views. They treated us great and the food was very good.

Top spot when the sun is out! Good Bristol beer selection also.

Great, apart from a huge thumping party happening below what I thought was supposed to be a fancy restaurant?

Visited the Grin Barge last night. Had the good fortune to be served by a young man called Alfie. He was most helpful with a generous personality. Evenings are made by such People. Thank you, Grain Barge

High standard locally sourced food and drink. Great service and atmosphere.

Came here on Sunday for the roast. Service was not the best, several drinks not available, someone took our order for a table of 4 without a notepad, then forgot the order and had to come back again to write it down, the food came after a really long wait (we came early and nobody else was waiting before us), then a cauliflower cheese was missing and took another 10 mins to arrive. Food was quite bland, mustard mash didn’t taste of mustard, roast potatoes were extremely pale, the fish was delicious and cooked well so that’s the only dish I would recommend.

Relaxing environment with great food and drinks. Wonderful views of the river and live music on occasion.

Good beer choices in a great location on the harbourside.

Lovely, super friendly vibes. Food was tasty (vegetarian only). Three floors to choose from us a real bonus. Top Deck in the sun, Main Bar to keep warm or the Hull Bar for Live Music and Events. 😊😊

Good selection of beers and cider, lovely views across the river and a great atmosphere.

Visiting family in the UK and almost despairing of finding a decent restaurant for vegetarian food, we were fortunate to find this one open when most places close on Mondays. It was a little too breezy to sit on the top deck, but the interior was pleasant and tables were reasonably spaced. There were several vegetarian/vegan options and those we chose were beautifully cooked and attractively presented....with a little innovative twist on some of them. Congratulations to the young lady chef who managed to substitute one of the ingredients which wasn't available, as per the menu, but we were offered a second glass of wine, on the house, for the 'inconvenience'. My brother-in-law forgot to mention that when paying the bill, but the gesture was appreciated, nevertheless. Credit to the rest of the staff for their attention, friendliness and efficiency....they undoubtedly created a very memorable atmosphere.

Didn't eat here. Pints were decent and views were good 👍

Nice spot, staff friendly and efficient. Didn't eat the food.

Great atmosphere. Especially during sunset. You can stay there for hours. Beers are good, too.

Great selection of drinks, lovely staff and stunning views

An incredible location on the harbour. Wonderful views of the water activities up and down the river. A very popular spot on a warm summer’s evening, drinking their great selection of Bristol Beer Factory beer.

Great location if the weather is good. Good beer if you like the Bristol Beer Factory

A nice boat where you can have a cider with an excellent view

Great ad!!!! The sticky toffee pudding and tart were amazing!! Thank you ☺️

Had Coffee on the top deck, nice in the sun.

Used to love this place but last couple of visits have noticed the grime, lack of interest from bar staff and how few cask beers are on. Will give it a few years before returning.

Great floating pub! Lovely gigs in the hold bar - especially when Shallow Roots play there!

A nice boat pub on the harbour. Seating inside for the restaurant. Outdoor seating! Lovely for the summer time. X

I love this pub, especially when it is sunny the view is great. great service too!

Absolutely delighted with our experience at the Grain Barge for our wedding reception! From the moment we started planning with James, the staff went above and beyond to ensure every detail was just perfect! The Hold Bar provided the ideal intimate setting for our celebration, and our guests loved the venue. The food was a real highlight, with the chefs catering to dietary needs with care and attention. Our wedding day was truly unforgettable, thanks to the incredible team at the Grain Barge!

Great place if you want to drink good beer and cider on a boat. Plenty of outdoor seating and there was a good choice of local beers. Staff were friendly and there was a really nice vibe. Food meny was pescatarian and looked great although we didn't eat.

Great service and great drink choices, clean tables and amazing view

Just went for a drink, therefore no food rating. It's a lovely setting and there is a good selection of beers. Perfect place for a few pints, overlooking the harbour.

Another venue that has bought into the concerning trend of refusing to accept physical money. Until they update their service to accept both cash and card they have lost a customer. #BoycottCashless

Popped in for dinner on Monday. Great beer and cider selection, and the food was delicious and not too pricey (by Bristol standards). Vegan dirty fries and fish tacos were especially tasty. Will definitely be back again for pub quiz or music.

Super place in Bristol on the river. Fresh cooked food lots of veggie and vegan options. Sunday roast great and pies with amazing tasty fillings. Great service and beer too. Don’t forget the sticky toffee pudding one of the best I’ve ever tasted. Can also go on top deck to take in stunning views.

Popped in for afternoon coffee and cake after a harbourside walk. Service was very friendly and enjoyed my coffee sat at a table on the top deck however the cake was a bit dry and uninspiring.

Fantastic location right on the water. Great atmosphere. Friendly service. Food good/average. Couldnt believe it when we were told there was an extra charge for more mayo after the first tiny pot though. Wouldn't have minded so much but food was already paid for when ordering at the bar so how does that work?? Just mean!!

Love the Grainbarge. One of our favourite spots in town for drinks and food. Always a good, chilled atmosphere, friendly staff and good selection of drinks. The food is gooooood! Easily our top destination for a veggie roast - the porcini mushroom “pulled pork”even converted me as a die-hard mushroom hater! The nut roast, maple roast veggie sausages and cauli cheese are all amazing. On non-Sundays the disco fries and tacos are a great snack to break up a harbour walk. One of Bristols gems!

I found the breaded code good. Grilled almost caramelized broccoli: good and original. Good-natured atmosphere. Friendly and pleasant.

A great place to grab a cuppa - the coffee was good. It is also a bar. Good, friendly service and a great position - floating almost opposite SS Great Britain.

Popped in for a pint and was served a borderline pint of Fortitude. Cloudy and close to flat. Unfortunately , the bar tender didn't agree - he looked at it, sniffed it, tasted it and said it looked and tasted OK to him. Grudgingly replaced for another pint and told me to ask for a taste next time, while congratulating me on my membership of CAMRA, and had a final taste of the beer just to make his point. Customer Service Training Day 1 - question your customers, argue and use sarcasm wherever possible, and ensure that they know at all times that you are right and they are wrong. Nil points.

Great food, lovely staff. It all came together slightly slowly, but that didn't really matter as everything was so nice. Will absolutely go back.

Staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating to us with push chairs and a large group. 1 thing which would make me give 5 stars would be slightly larger portions of food.

Our original venue had sold out of food at 4.30pm on a Sunday so we ended up here an hour before last orders as they could accommodate a dog and had gluten free options. We hadn’t appreciated it offered veg focused and seafood menu, so my husband was a little disappointed there was no meat!! We had three macaroni cheese (two with veggie pulled pork) and seabass. Followed by salted caramel and sour cherry sorbet. None of us could fault the food in any way. Despite not serving meat we would return. Staff and service all very good too.

We purchased tickets online for a local band who were playing on this boat. Entry into the deck where the band was playing was over a gang plank and down a narrow staircase. The band was very good there was a bar which had a good selection of drinks. The bar staff were polite, prompt and well presented. There are toilets, but they do need a good clean.

Nice place, beer good, staff lovely. 👍

Great location for a beer. Lots of choice. Lovely views of the river and surrounding area.

After passing the soulless tourist trap haunts with their formulaic menus nearer the centre, it was refreshing to find the barge for a delicious lunch on the deck in the winter sunshine. We will be back.

A terrific place to relax on the water in the shadow of SS Great Britain

Lush pub, not crowded on a Sunday ay all. Lovely staff. Great hot chocolate- so good I had 2! The mac and cheese topped with pulled pork half portion was delicious. Me and my friends stayed here all afternoon and played card games.

Fish and veggie - amazing quality food at a good price point. Nice warm interior even in this cold wind. Dogs welcome. Hang onto your chef - she is awesome 🤩

Very accommodating for fussy kids

A great pub on the water, but definitely not a tourist trap. The bar is warm & welcoming in the winter & it’s great to sit out on deck in the warmer months. Staff are friendly, knowledgeable about their (Bristol beer factory) drinks & there is a nice atmosphere, to go along with the great views across the harbour.

What a fantastic asset to Bristol Grain Barge! I have been many times and had drinks and food over the years and winter or summer the grain barge is such well run bar and food always outstanding. Thank you for a perfect evening.

Quiet and gentle atmosphere. Hot chocolate was gorgeous. Great having nearby parking.

Great food, great staff and just a great place to be. Added bonus dogs welcome. Really look forward to a return visit.

We just had a couple of early evening drinks and liked the atmosphere.

Seulement le paiement pas carte est accepté. Nous avons pu déguster une bière face au canal le temps de nous sécher un peu après une bonne pluie

You know when you go to a bar and get the perfect experience, that's what I had tonight. Matt M the bartender was heaven sent, lovely, informative and knowledgeable. Will be going back ASAP.

Always great service and friendly staff

We chose the Grain Barge due to it's pescartarian menu. So nice to have the choice of the majority of the menu, rather than a vegetarian option as a perfunctory inclusion, which is often the case. The food was lovely and service great, with the super view as an extra bonus.

Had a meal there on a week day, the food and service were average. Nice atmosphere though as it was on an open mic night.

Very good for veggie dishes. I can recommend the cauliflower burger. Homemade potato soup was also very good.

Lovely place to stop for a drink on walk round the harbour

We love this place. Great in the summer sitting on deck but also good (as yesterday) when the weather is a bit murky just to sit inside.

Great place for a drink on the water with a fantastic atmosphere

We privately hired the Hold Bar at Grain Barge for my girlfriend’s 21st. We had an absolutely amazing time. The manager James was really helpful before hand, always willing to take a call and answer any questions we had. The price was very reasonable price when comparing with other venues in Bristol that charged ridiculous minimum spends. The space comfortably accommodated ~50 people we had invited and had room for more. On the day the team were really helpful with setting up the room with the decorations we brought and were similarly attentive to help with clean up afterwards. The riverside location with the lights at night was stunning and was convenient for guests we had visiting from further afield with hotels nearby. I would recommend the Grain Barge to anyone looking for a space to host an event in Bristol. Thanks again to James and the team!

Good spot to get a beer and sit above deck (when the sun is shining) and below deck (when it is not). Was busy with a good atmosphere when we visited on a Saturday afternoon.