Lona Restaurant Grill and Juice in Bristol, City of

Great quality food set in the lovely area of Clifton in Bristol .

Authentic middle eastern food, probably the best in Bristol. The quality is consistent and the food is delicious. My only issue with their new system is that now you have to pay straight after ordering even if you are dining in, which is not something that I would expect from a restaurant befitting their standards, however they might have started this after being faced multiple times with people who dine and dash. The vibe is normally pretty nice, my only complaint about that part is the constant repetition of the birthday songs which can play up to 4/5 times by the time you finish your meal.

This is such a delayed review for one of the best grills I have tasted so far!! Was visiting Bristol and Bath and was crazing some mouth-watering grills and Lona WAS THE BEST DECISION!! ✨✨✨

First time to Lona Grill, yes was a little wait for table but that is to be expected as very popular. Food and atmosphere amazing. Will be returning

The food was lovely, had a new treat I don't usually see on platters in other restaurants alike and it was delicious. Service was really good, we needed an ice pack and they were kind enough to create a make shift one for us in the absence of an actual ice pack.

Had a family dinner last weekend, the food was delicious and the ambience is quite good. had to wait in the queue for a good half an hour ans it was weekend. Would definitely visit again for sure. I ordered a fresh fruit juice which was way too bitter to drink. the drink was called "pink love" to be specific. overall we had a good family time there.

The service was so bad, the staff was very rude. Even though I mentioned the service wasn’t great her reply was “ well you’ve to pay service charge” I think the behaviour was very rude towards customers. Not recommending to visit here again.

Visited on a Tuesday evening what I thought would be a low-key teenager birthday celebration. It seems everyone else had the same idea. As the place was busy, although we didn't have to wait long to be seated. Customer service was a bit slow. Food is very tasty and plentiful.

best grilled lamp.. service quick despite long queue

We were there based on a recommendation. I couldn't understand whether I ate meat or garlic. I really didn't like the taste of the food at all. Our order wasn't taken for 20 minutes and I couldn't understand that fuss, which was birthday nonsense. It was the first time in my life that I saw such a disgraceful place. I have never seen a place where the employees are so humiliated and everyone is keeping time at the same time until the song ends. It's a very despicable situation on behalf of the employees, it's a completely insincere place. Not to mention prepayment, I definitely don't prefer it..!

One of the best Bristol restaurants I have visited and worth the effort His grills are very delicious and taste the same as the meat Our choice was for two people The amount of food is the same and the taste I will not tell you I wished there was an option to cancel the rice or have the rice be one type, because there was one of the 3 types of rice in it, and it does not have to taste like it. I respect a restaurant that offers appetizers, even if they are simple, I feel it is a beautiful gesture The atmosphere of the restaurant is very pleasant

An amazing Lebanese restaurant with lots of dish options. The staff are very attentive and courteous and the food is exceptional. One of the best lebanese restaurants in Bristol. Highly recommended!

The interior was amazing, the food was great. From the service to the food was fantastic. The food did take a little longer than usual but it was a busy Saturday evening, nonetheless it was great.

Nice food and nice place very expensive £3.50 for 2 glass tea . the juice wasn't the best .

A lovely place to dine in & delicious food. I highly recommend this place.

Had a great time food was amazing and staff were really friendly

Always a good time at Lona. We typically do celebrations here. Their steak is juicy and their platter have good portion. I’ve had the fillet steak, sirloin steak and the Lona Round 4 among other things in the past. You’ll never leave this place hungry. Good place to celebrate birthdays as well with their special song.

This place was buzzing when we went on a Tuesday evening to celebrate a friend's birthday. Excellent value & great quality food. Definitely a night to remember!

We’re regulars here, happy to see it reopen after the fire. If you’re a large group, book ahead. Never disappointed here.

I have been to Lonas many times with kids and with my partner, it is appropriate for all ages. There are a variety of dishes suitable for adults and young children, the staff are very attentive and they also are friendly with the children. They thoroughly enjoy going here as do i, especially on Birthdays as the staff bring out the cake while clapping. It creates a brilliant atmosphere for all. My favourite go to dishes are the steaks, the hummous starter and borek. Although pretty much everything i have tried so far has been great too! I opt for the smoothies with my meal which are very fresh and refreshing.

Always a pleasure to eat at Lona! Atmosphere is always buzzing and food is always fresh and on point. Customer service is great and staff available all the time for any need or requirement. Highly recommend, NEVER disappointed

Very busy place, plenty of staff to look after you, the food was very good and very tasty

I absolutely love this place! Best food ever!! My only negative is the forced 10% service charge. I'm a strong believer that it should be a customer's choice to pay a tip. Not have it forced upon you. But the staff are all very good and the food is unbelievable! Lovely atmosphere and the birthday music is unforgettable! I love it here!

Great place never fails to provide great food and great service 👍🏿

Love this place, I think the food is even better now that the kitchen has been rebuilt. Great value, always delicious with a warm welcome

Mandatory service charge and they make you pay upfront!

An insulting experience No respect, I have been to much fancier restaurants and I have never been charged upfront for my meal with a mandatory 10% service charge. Not worth the insulting service, the arrogance to charge a mandatory 10% to your bill that is not removable when asked. Save your time and money and go somewhere where your patronage is not insulted with the assumption that you will dine and dash your meal and not tip.

The service staff demonstrated a lack of professionalism, and the food was served at an unacceptably low temperature. Consequently, I will not be returning to this Restaurant.

Really nice atmosphere for dine in. Delicious 😋 food.. Definitely back soon..

Not like it used to be quality of food has gone down. Prices to high especially juices and I don't think they are authentic .

I love this place. Probably one of my favourites. Very good price and tasty food. I can see some people hating the birthday song that plays sometimes but we loved it.

I visited Lona Grill House recently and was quite disappointed with the experience. One of the workers who served us was clearly very ill, likely with the flu. It was concerning to see someone in such a condition handling food and interacting with customers. My daughter has a very low immune system, so this made the situation even more alarming. I would expect better health and safety standards from a restaurant, especially in regard to sick employees. It also raises concerns about whether staff are supported to take time off when unwell. I hope the management takes this seriously for the well-being of both customers and employees.

My favourite halal restaurant in Bristol. Quality food and fast service. Love that there is no alcohol served and the juice bar selection is great. Would recommend the 'Third Pounder' or any of the Grills (Chicken Shish, Lamb Shish etc). Only thing to keep in mind is on busy days there are a LOT of birthdays, which means constant birthday music and clapping every 5-10 mins.

Neve ever recommended place , they charge up front pay for before meal very rude system !

Absolutely to die for ! Everything I tasted was packed full of flavour. Kind and attentive, I can't recommend enough. Look forward to popping in next time I'm in Bristol.

Have been here 3/ 4 times. Food is good. i've noticed service wasn't great last time. Although the restaurant was busy , staff seem to be hanging around when not serving . Almost like lots of untrained students meandering around. We had to ask for a starter twice and had to keep grabbing their attention in order to be seen to. Considering we spent in the couple hundreds for our meal ( and was asked to pay for it there n then before our meal arrived ( which I thought was extremely rude ). Lonas you were a 'lonas let down'.

Top-notch Bristol institution. The food is fantastic, massive portions & an amazing buzz about the place. So glad to see it back open!

Great bonkers place in the best way! Quick, high turnover, big restaurant with rich decor and generous great food. Great for families and celebrations. Large menu of fresh juices instead of alcohol. All this makes a great atmosphere, which I didn't think would be my thing but the ease, speed, value for money, tastiness and general warm vibes converted me. Definitely worth a try! Note! You pay on order at the table and the tip has already been added to the bill! That's the only niggle, but it did make everything run smoothly.

Owner claims it's mandatory and law to pay a service charge. Last time I checked this is England and it is not LAW. It is a customer's choice if you feel you had an excellent service. Also you have to pay up front before you eat!! Far more better places in Bristol, sorry.

Excellent meal with friends, shared a platter and it was great value for money. Lovely food and a very good atmosphere will come again.

The atmosphere at Lona Restaurant is definitely appealing and beautiful, and I can see why it's popular for special occasions. While dining, we noticed more than five tables celebrating as the music will come up to sound for this. The music and clapping that accompanied these celebrations created a lively and festive vibe. However, the food was a bit disappointing. I had the chicken kofte and chicken wings, but unfortunately, the lemon flavor was overpowering, and the chicken wasn't as juicy as I expected. My husband ordered the Mixed Grill Three – he loved the lamb cutlets, but found the other items (lamb areyes, spicy lamb kofte, and wings) underwhelming. It was also surprising that payment was required immediately after ordering. On a brighter note, my sons enjoyed their kofte kebabs, and the drinks were refreshing. I had the "Clear Skin," a mix of watermelon, pineapple, and mango, which was quite nice. The kids had orange and strawberry drinks, which they enjoyed as well. Overall, while the ambiance was fun and vibrant, the food didn't quite live up to expectations. If you're looking for a place with a lively atmosphere for celebrations, Lona Grill House fits the bill, but the food may not impress everyone.

Fresh tasty food, right amount portion, fast service, friendly staff . They always happy to help

This place is special to me. It is the first Jeet restaurant in Bristol. Honestly, it is wonderful by all standards. There is a special place for prayer. It is a special Lebanese restaurant in Bristol.

Best libanese restaurant in town by far. Is our favourite venue for a Sunday lunch. Highly recommended

Great food, freshly made and great portions, can't fault it on that aspect the only thing that was a let down was the staff once giving the food didn't come back to us once, having to wait for someone to walk pass me or having to go find someone to order a drink or if we needed more naan. Apart from that I still recommend it for their amazing food and freshly made juices/shakes!

Best Shish Taouk in Bristol!!!!! And their garlic sauce is to die for.

The food today was not so good. We have been coming here regularly for years and always been satisfied. This is the first time we came back since it closed due to fire incident. My son ordered medium rare steak but it came medium well. It was also not seasoned at all. He only orders steak everytime we come here so he was quite disappointed. The chicken thighs were overcooked and dry. Like it was re-heated?! Chicken thighs usually doesn't get dry easily so not sure what they did in the kitchen. The vegetables in the platter was either undercooked or dry as well. The only food we enjoyed was our starter which was the mixed mezze & flat bread. What happened Lona?! Have you got a new chef or just having a bad day? We will probably give it another try one day and see. If food is the same as today, then it's a shame coz we really love coming here.

Amazing food and service 100% recommend

Tasty and amazing food ! I totally recommend the restaurant!

Beautiful food and a large choice of fresh juices smoothies and milkshakes no alcohol

It was excellent. The only thing they need to work on is service. It took longer than usual to get my food.

Luna used to be a great place to dine, staff are very friendly and food always arrived promptly, on top of that prices are very reasonable and food is delicious. The reason I am giving it 4 stars is because they can never get my steak right, its always well done no matter how you want it. Update Sep 24 I have had to downgrade this to 2 stars, since my last review I went to luna 2 times ordering the same thing, T bone steak, and I still have the same issue, you ask for medium you get wll done, what's annoying is that the chef is quite arrogant as he tells the waiters that this is how medium steak should be, today he actually said that the "thinner part" which I assumed he means the fillet, will always be well done because its thinner, speaks volumes about what type of chef cooking the steak. When the steak was replaced it was missing almost half of the fillet side and it was close to rare than medium, honestly those people haven't got the slightest clue what a T bone is or how steak is cooked. Hugely disappointed, because I used to absolutely adore this place.

Proportions quality and value for money 6 out of 10, and my Lebanese wife would agree. However nice atmosphere, and quick service.

This is an amazing place to have dinner. We ordered the family platter and got a little of everything. It included chicken, shish kebabs, beef, kebabs, grilled chicken, chicken, wings, rice, bulgur wheat. The platter feeds 4 people but they have only two pita breads and wanted us to order more. The kinafa was frozen from another commercial vendor and just heated prior to serving. It is not made in house 🏠. There were a lot of birthday celebrations and there was a joy to watch. Our weight staff was quite attentive. The restrooms are clean. It is very kid friendly. Extra plate was given for sharing the food.

One of the most tasty and fun meals. The grilled meat is cooked to perfection and flavoured very nicely. The portion sizes are generous. The juice menu is extensive and all freshly made. We were a walk in so had to wait in a queue outside on a Saturday night but actually the queue moved quickly and within 10 minutes we were seated. The waiters aren’t overly friendly but they are many of them and so everything runs efficiently. There are plenty of chefs and it definitely looks like they have a system locked down for preparing and cooking all the food as we didn’t have to wait long after placing our order. The decor and ambience is really nice inside. Very warm and vibrant. The restaurant is very family friendly too. We had a booth which was comfortable and spacious, and we were 5 people. They have an in-house party song that they play every time the waiter’s take a cake to a table for someone’s birthday. It was really lively and got everyone at our table dancing, and almost everyone in the restaurant would stop to clap and have a bit of a jig. I definitely recommend this restaurant if you’re looking for a lively vibe, and delicious food and juice. The desserts looked tasty too but none of us had one.

There is no good behavior in the reception

The food , service and atmosphere, every thing is really amazing.

Expensive and rude staff avoide

Food is decent! Could do with a bit more spice, but nicely cooked! Prices are a bit steep for food and the drinks. And it’s a bit cheeky that service charge is automatically added on to the bill.

I love the grill and fresh chicken and meat it’s so delicious 😋

Great food service and atmosphere.

The food was amazing Good service Lots of birthday people Lucky today had quick seats last time wait for seats for over half an hour I will recommend !

I greatly appreciated the service and food quality of this establishment! special thanks to our server Josiah A!

Food very good, we really enjoy, unfortunately very laud that's why we don't stay long, prices quite high, not very friendly environment for people with disabilities

Electra the waitress made sure we enjoyed our dining experience! 100% would go again for the top level service provided by her.

We come here all the time and it’s always absolutely amazing! Highly recommend the hummus to start and the shared round one that feeds 2. Quality of meat is perfect and service is quick.

Mostly of the waiters, they are really rude especially specially Syrian guy

It's too crowded, the waiters don't understand your order. Since someone else comes to the table each time, you have to explain what you want over and over again. There are too many waiters wandering around. There is no alternative drink option. I don't know if I will go again

The food is really nice! We really like it! Thanks for your service! All the staffs are friendly and dedicated! Highly recommend coming here!

Excellent service and food, they were busy but attention was paid to our needs and the delicious, hot flat bread kept coming as long as we were eating the mezze platter, perfect My wife had the prawns which were plentiful and delicious, I had the fatoush and a couple of sides as I’d stuffed myself with the mezze The juice was a great accompaniment to the meal

Great food, atmosphere and service. Food is great and reasonably priced.

Halal. Good atmosphere and even better service. Ordered the mix grill. Excellent portion sizes and great tasting. The adana kebab was a little gamey though. All meals come with a complementary salad which is average.

I have been here a few times and it is always welcoming there are plenty of options on there menu

Tried to book for a table of 8 and asked for a table outside. Was told no bookings. Explained to the lady on the phone that on their website it says to book. I explained that we needed an outdoor booking as that is what would best support my autistic child. She then said, "we can't change the volume of music". I then explained that I never mentioned music and that I just asked to book outside. Her response was "we can't suit Autism". So Lona refused a booking of 8 because they 'don't suit Autism'.

Clearly overpriced specially when you consider the 10% mandatory service charge, quantity has gone down but the quality is ok.

Always our family favourite. Even after moving to Stroud we travel all the way to Bristol to have a fantastic meal . Never disappointed. Thank you to the whole team.

Great food, amazing milkshakes Great for families

It was sooooo good and if you're craving for lebanese foods or greasy kebabs, chicken with shawarma or anything middle east, you name it and this restaurant will deliver it to you. Oh and the juices are ridiculously amazing. Definitely recommended for others who want a lively place to eat (plus the place is beautifully decorated too 😁)

I think, today, I had the best chicken wings that I have ever had in my life.

Awesome restaurant, waitresses were very polite and working well cleaning tables thoroughly after a customer had left. Food was amazing, seemed to be cooked with care 🙌👌. And the decor and atmosphere was very nice. Will definitely come again

Amazing food, good prices and service is great

Love! Loveee love! Felt strongly connected to my levantine roots after devouring their delicious food!! But.. would not recommend eating their meat, theres this kind of aftertaste that I found it weird, other than that .. perfect!

Very good food, staff is well trained and cooperative. Atmosphere was awesome and on the top of everything their customers are very nice and accommodating All deserve a word Awesome

Absolutely shocked that you have to pay upfront for something you have not had yet,When the food eventually came it was dry and tasteless the meat was cheap! Also there was no seasoning on the food.Friends and family were looking to go there but I have now warned them not to. DO NOT COME HERE not worth £5 let alone the £70 I had to pre pay for this diabolical meal, very disappointed...!🤢🤮

Absolutely the best platter I have had in Bristol hands down

Birthday song is a must try experience

I can say that it was the most tasteless and worst meal I have ever eaten. We went to this place as a family and ordered a large mixed meat plate. The meat was not cooked and there was a terrible smell. The chicken had a disturbing sourness. We paid 70 pounds and did not enjoy anything. We left very upset. The rice ordered with the meat was very dry and tasteless. The meat was not cooked. The chickens were minus the mincemeat pie and there was a disturbing smell. I will never visit again.

My wife and I visited for a weekend date, and the experience exceeded our expectations. The food was incredibly flavorful with generous portions that delighted our taste buds in new and exciting ways. I highly recommend starting with the spicy Batata Harra; it was exceptional. The restaurant also offers a great selection of fresh juices. Our dessert was equally impressive, paired perfectly with traditional tea. Notably, the restaurant celebrates birthdays with enthusiasm. During our hour and a half there, we witnessed at least ten birthday celebrations, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. If you enjoy a vibrant, celebratory dining environment, this is the place to be.

It was my first time and I really enjoyed it 😍

Average quality food with good sitting arrangements. Way overpriced for quality offered . Mixed feelings would not go again but not something to avoid as it’s an average experience. Certainly very expensive for quality and quantity served .

Me and my friend went there in the afternoon for a quick bit, we got seated as it was very quiet in the afternoon. When the waiter came and he took our order I was very shocked & disappointed when he Said you have to pay first, I was really taken back and asked him why he said oh that is our new policy now. After some discussion we decided to pay. But then I asked him are you charging us the service charge, and he said yes. And I said well I don't want to pay because we haven't even received our food to see what the service is like. So he went to speak to the manager came back and said yes you have to pay the service charge and for the food up front. As we were both hungry and we travelled from outer town, my friend caved in so he didn't leave me much choice, so we had to pay for the food and service first, they saw that we weren't happy and after we finish the food there were the little bit left over so we said can you pack the food to take away and I said can I have one chili sauce tub please, after asking three different staff members one staff member finally said oh you have to pay £1 for the chilli sauce. I can't believe how tight this restaurant is absolutely appalling service I would never go there again.

Phenomenal food, delicious and prompt service. It's quite a lovely selection and thx while chicken is delightful.

We used to go to Lona as the food was perfect.Last visit i got food poisioning symptomps.The noise level, crowding,and long waiting outside is unbelievable. I stopped going there with my family because of the noise and overall experience. To add up i learnt they don't pay the waiters minimum wage and everbody in bristol know they pay 6/7 pounds per hour cash in hand.I won't support such buisness and they charge 10% service which definetly goes to the owner who is not even paying the waiters minimum wage and no no pension or national insurance.Such greedy people.We should boycott. Edited:Your rude reply confirms my review.Who told you i can't afford you restaurant lol that's hilarious you are a buisness replying to a bad review like a kid😂😂.I didn't complain about prices and even if someone did this should not be a reply to a review by a customer.You need to learn how to react to a review.More quiet resturants doesn't mean they have bad quality. You are losing any logical argument here 😃.It is a remark that really puts me off coming to yours.I see others complaining of noise too. And yes you pay your stuff cash in hand. Say what you want this is the truth.And i am customer that used to come regularly but not anymore the best thing i did with such a rude attitude.

**REVIEW OF SERVICE** I have been going to Lona's for almost 7 years and each time both the food and service has been fantastic. However going this evening with my boyfriend was a poor experience. Although the food is still delicious, there appears to be a new way of service, whereby you are expected to pay immediately after ordering. I have not had to do this before and I was surprised, as this is a nice place I expect to sit down to relax and enjoy my meal. This is not a cheap takeaway where you are expected to pay upfront. There is a 10% service charge here and I spoke with the waitress to enquire as to this 10% service charge on further orders of food, drinks, and desserts. I was told each order requires a payment including the 10% service charge and if I was not happy I could speak with the manager. I explained that I was simply asking and did not want to cause any trouble, but I was planning to order another smoothie part-way through my meal and would not expect to have to pay the 10% service charge again. The waitress said they do not charge 10% additionally for takeaway orders. My smoothie was served not in a glass like it usually is but instead in a plastic takeaway cup. I presumed from the way it was explained to me that the smoothie I had ordered was somehow a takeaway. When I ordered my second smoothie, the waitress said she would not charge me the 10% service charge as a courtesy from our earlier conversation. The waitress I spoke with agreed this is a silly thing they are doing and said maybe the manager would change this ridiculous rule in the future but I do not believe anything will be done unless people voice their concerns over this. In addition to this evening, there was a table sat close to me who stormed off to speak with the manager after I believe they were charged a second payment, including the 10% service charge. I am more than happy to leave a tip for the service I receive but I do not like being obliged to do so with the included service charge, as I'm sure the majority of people would agree, and I certainly do not appreciate being expected to pay a required service charge each time I place additional orders in one visit.

Delicious and nice food, they always serve a lot of food.

Very nice food and a good atmosphere. Very friendly staff.

Wonderful food, friendly staff.

I recently visited Lona Grill and was thoroughly disappointed. The most egregious issue was the unexpected service charge added to my bill without any prior notification, with no option to refuse it. Worse, I learned from a staff member that this charge doesn't go to them but directly into the owner's pocket. This lack of transparency felt like a blatant rip-off. The dining experience didn't make up for this. The music was obnoxiously loud, making conversation difficult, and the food tasted like low-quality, reheated leftovers rather than fresh, flavorful dishes. Overall, Lona Grill was a major letdown. The surprise service charge felt deceitful, especially knowing it doesn't benefit the staff, and both the ambiance and food were subpar. I won't be returning and can't recommend this place to anyone seeking a pleasant dining experience.

My favourite restaurant to go to. Always a lovely atmosphere with very helpful staff, and exquisite meals. Smoothies to die for! Would recommend 10/10

Been there many times. This is one of the favourites Lebanese spot to dine. Delicious and unbeatable tasty ribs and chops are served here but now they have started taking payments while you are eating which is ridiculous. So we had to leave the food,go to sink, wash hands and pay the bill and restart with your meal is a nightmare.