What to order at Sonny Stores

Must order
The day's pasta, then poached cod acqua pazza if it is on.
Signature dishes
Acqua pazza, Fresh pasta
Editor tip
Jay Rayner's Observer review filled the books for months; the weekday set lunch is the easiest table to land.
CuisineItalian
Price££
NeighborhoodSouthville
HoursTue-Wed 17:00-23:00; Thu-Sat 12:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-17:00
Last verified

Signature dishes: Acqua pazza, Fresh pasta

Must order: The day's pasta, then poached cod acqua pazza if it is on.

Tip: Jay Rayner's Observer review filled the books for months; the weekday set lunch is the easiest table to land.

Location

Address: 47 Raleigh Road, Southville, Bristol BS3 1QS

Also in Southville

Souk Kitchen ★ 4.2

Middle Eastern££SouthvilleMon-Sat 17:00-21:30; Wed-Sat also 12:00-14:30

Souk Kitchen cooks Middle Eastern and North African plates on North Street in Southville, Bristol, a Time Out pick for excellent-value small plates.

Signature: Mezze plates

Order: A spread of mezze and the daily flatbread, with pomegranate over everything.

Tip: Much of the menu can be made gluten-free; the deli counter sells spice blends to take the cooking home.

Full Southville food guide →

More casual dining in Bristol

Bravas ★ 4.4

Spanish tapas££CothamMon-Sat 11:30-23:00

Bravas has run its candlelit Cotham Hill tapas bar since before Bristol's small-plates boom, sending staff on yearly trips to Spain to research suppliers.

Signature: Tortilla, Patatas bravas

Order: Tortilla, boquerones and the croquette of the day, with a glass of fino.

Tip: Window seats and the bar are held for walk-ins, so turn up early rather than despairing at the online book.

Souk Kitchen ★ 4.2

Middle Eastern££SouthvilleMon-Sat 17:00-21:30; Wed-Sat also 12:00-14:30

Souk Kitchen cooks Middle Eastern and North African plates on North Street in Southville, Bristol, a Time Out pick for excellent-value small plates.

Signature: Mezze plates

Order: A spread of mezze and the daily flatbread, with pomegranate over everything.

Tip: Much of the menu can be made gluten-free; the deli counter sells spice blends to take the cooking home.

The Saigon Kitchen ★ 4.3

Vietnamese££RedlandTue-Wed 18:00-23:00; Thu-Sat 12:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-15:00

The Saigon Kitchen brings chef-owner Trung's home-style Vietnamese cooking to Zetland Road in Bristol, from Hanoi beef pho to steamed Devon mussels.

Signature: Hanoi-style beef pho, Bun bo nam bo

Order: Hanoi-style beef pho, then bun bo nam bo if you are two.

Tip: The kitchen closes at 21:30 even when the room runs later; Sunday is a short 12:00 to 15:00 lunch service.

Cotto ★ 4.2

Italian££Old CityMon-Wed 17:00-23:00; Thu 12:00-16:00, 17:00-23:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-23:00

Cotto is the Bianchis team's Old City wine bar and kitchen on St Stephen's Street in Bristol, pairing fresh pasta with an all-Italian wine list.

Signature: Fresh pasta, Italian wine by the glass

Order: Pasta at the counter with whatever the staff are pouring that week.

Tip: The kitchen closes around 21:00 while the wine bar runs to 23:00, so eat first and linger afterwards.

Clouds ★ 4.3

Cantonese££St WerburghsTue-Thu 17:00-22:30; Fri 12:00-16:00, 17:00-23:00; Sat 09:00-16:00, 17:00-23:00; Sun 10:00-21:00

Clouds folds handmade dim sum in a St Werburghs corner room in Bristol, pairing dumplings and homestyle Cantonese plates with a serious wine list.

Signature: Handmade dim sum

Order: A round of dumplings each, then whatever homestyle special is chalked up.

Tip: Open since November 2024 and already a hard weekend book; parties over six need to email ahead.

Gambas ★ 4.3

Spanish tapas££Wapping WharfMon-Sat 12:00-22:00; Sun 12:00-16:30

Gambas cooks seafood-first Spanish tapas above the harbour at Wapping Wharf in Bristol, a Valencia-inspired sister venue to Cotham Hill's Bravas.

Signature: Monkfish and sobrasada Valencian rice, Gambas pil pil

Order: The signature monkfish and sobrasada Valencian rice, with gambas pil pil to start.

Tip: Run by the same husband-and-wife team as Bravas; the upper-deck terrace looks straight down the Floating Harbour.

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