La Panza in Bristol, City of - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Food was nice enough (mainly the tiramisu) but the service was painfully slow and inattentive, despite there being two staff covering at max 4 tables. Somehow took 2.5 hours to have 3 courses as a table of 4. My friend had booked an indoor table given the weather (it was raining) but we were told it had to be outside because they wouldn't be able to check on us inside given that the one other party there was outside... Took a long time for them to take our orders, and then for drinks/food to arrive. Our food arrived before the cutlery so the pasta was lukewarm by the time they had brought out all our dishes (this took an oddly long time between each person's dish) plus the cutlery. We could see inside and could see the two waiters just hanging out, not doing anything. It was such a strange experience.

Appealing menu composed mainly of small plates and pasta dishes (served as a main). They use good quality ingredients and the cooking was sound, except for one dish. I especially liked a porchetta, coming with roasted fennel, and a pasta described as Amatriciana (not quite the textbook version perhaps, but still it was good!). Rice arancini, hispy cabbage with Pecorino and roasted and marinated peppers were also excellent. In a "bucatini" with crab the sauce/condiment was excellent but unfortunately the fresh pasta was badly overcooked. Service is very friendly, but the organization is, as one can also tell from other reviews, a little haphazard. There may be long waits (in over one and a half hours we managed to obtain just a set of starters and a pasta dish each and we struggled to get the bill). At some point they told us they had finished the bucatini and they would use paccheri instead. Then it turned out the bucatini were in fact available. But when the dish finally came it was not neither bucatini nor paccheri but some gloopy long pasta without the "buco". In sum, my suggestion is to go when you are relaxed, flexible and ready to wait a bit - and you'll be happy. The outside al fresco area is extremely pleasant in the good season. Prices are reasonable for the quality.

Great teatime find as we were heading back to the station after a day in Bristol with about 90 mins to go before the train. The outside seating is mostly pundercover which was good as a cool and breezy day in Bristol. Nice laid back easy vibe to the place. Service was friendly and quick. Menu had lots of interesting, authentic and affordable options including for vegetarians. Good beer, wine and drink selection. I had Cornish crab pasta. My daughter had pomodoro and straciatella bucatini. Both perfectly al dente and full of flavour. Portions looked small when they arrived but were actually just right. If we hadn't had a train to catch would have been very tempted by the pistachio tiramisu. We're unlikely to be back in Bristol in the near future but would highly recommend this place to both locals and anyone passing through your lovely city.

What a wonderful find! Despite the rain outside and the busy streets, within your garden area with the awning and melodies, it felt like we were in Italy! The dishes were superb (Cornish crab, Amatriciana, and Pomodoro…), the sparkling wine was fantastic, and the service was impeccable. Will highly recommend and eagerly anticipate returning.

Thank you for such a lovely lunch today! What a hidden gem! Outside the rain fell, the traffic went past, but inside your courtyard with the canopy and the music we could have been in Italy! Food was excellent (Cornish crab, Amatriciana and Pomodoro….), your Prosecco was great, service was perfect. Will definitely recommend and will certainly return.

Everyone is so friendly! Nicely designed and simple menu and such a unique dining concept in a small house. Amazing little place.

Had an evening meal here, rather than lunch, which seems to be popular for being affordable. I wouldn’t say the same for the evening menu. Some of the portions were very small considering the price and it just wasn’t that tasty. It was fine, but in Bristol there are far better restaurants for the prices charged here. I’d maybe try the lunch deal here, but wouldn’t go back for an evening meal.

We were recommended this restaurant and it did not disappoint. Slightly underwhelming from the outside, the greeting was warm and the food excellent. We had different types of arancini, salt cod ravioli, duck ragu gnocchi and the best tiramisu ever. The wine was also very good and the whole meal was very reasonably priced. Thanks very much.

Excellent spot for lunch . Near the remarkable St Mary’s Redcliffe Cathedral. Food was delicious. Different small plates to share with lovely well dressed salads. Wine good too. First visit but will be back . Staff friendly and helpful. Service speed no issues at all.

Amazing meal, they know what they are doing. The dishes are all made fresh and from scratch. Each dish was absolutely delicious including the fresh pasta and gnocchi. Worth the walk or the taxi ride. A must visit if you live real food.

Probably the best coffee in Redcliffe, Charming, welcoming, accommodating staff. needs to be better known

It took an hour to be served. We had ordered the simplest thing on the menu... Pasta pomodoro and a green salad. Plus olives to start. We were given Greek olives! The pasta was basic and they didn't have any parmesan! The salad was rocket with pickled onions! Honestly, one of the worst and yet expensive meals we've had. Would never return and advise anyone considering to think again. The positive reviews must be by their friends.

We have been to this restaurant 3 times this year and every meal has been excellent. We go to Italy at least once a year and obviously love Italian food, the problem is that whilst there are many Italian restaurants in Bristol the vast majority are average at best, some are downright awful. In my opinion La Lanza serve the most authentic Italian food in Bristol at decent prices as well.

Amazing food and the Tiramisu was out of this world as a dessert. Do go and enjoy Italian cuisine at its best.

The music was relaxing and the restaurant is very well taken care off. Although the pasta was okay, it was too aldente for me. In my opinion, the gnocchi were very tasty but the amount you get is less compared to the rest of the pasta we ordered. Desserts were also quite good. The service was very good also. They were very patient with us asking what each food is and which one is the best. Overall, it was a nice experience but please ask people if they want their pasta aldente or not. Thank you! 👍

The best restaurant in Bristol, hands down. bringing the Italian summer vibes every time ! Come rain or shine it feels like you're on holiday in the beautiful courtyard. The live music they have there is always incredible. Riccardo and the staff are absolute legends.

Our first visit to La Panza but definitely won’t be the last! We’re a couple of vegetarians so there was one option for main off the menu (we appreciated that there was a second veg option as a special) but we were aware of this as the menu online is up to date. Lucky for us the one on the menu is both of our favourites - a simple but very well executed pasta with tomato sauce. The pasta was cooked very al dente which was perfect for us. We had Focaccia and Burrata to start which was delicious and I really loved the small amount of pesto and sundried tomatoes that came with it. After trying to order a glass of wine which had sold out I opted for the Pecorino that wasn’t on the menu - it should be as it was delicious! We followed up with the pistachio tiramisu and Affogato - both were so good! Service was good and the waitress polite and friendly. If I had to be really critical I didn’t love the table we were sat at! It had a great view (which is why I presume we were sat there and not at the other empty table for two) but it was cramped and the type of table not great for the space as the legs were in the way of where are legs needed to be! Not worth knocking a star off though, we soon forgot all about it as we ate!

Small but welcoming Italian restaurant. Excellent imaginative food. Good value. Enthusiastic staff who clearly love their restaurant and enjoy pleasing diners.

The restaurant is located in Bristol City in England, Italian cuisine mainly pasta, what makes it so special is the atmosphere and the warmth. It deserves a try

Nothing at all to complain about the food, which was very tasty. Starters were good value for money. For mains, £14 seems pricey for a bowl of pasta but plenty of places are charging the same or more. The downside was the venue, which needs a makeover, and a bit more than a coat of paint. To me it seemed run down, and not inviting. And when it is cold weather some indoor heating would be appreciated, as when I went it was extremely cold and I came away shivering.