Bombil Bristol where Bombay’s vibrant flavours come to life

Though only a newcomer to Bristol’s food scene, Bombil is already making waves. It’s on East Street, part of a revival that’s seen the area come back to life as a hub for dining out. Bombil’s popularity was apparent from the moment we arrived on a stormy Tuesday night and saw just how busy the restaurant was, with a bustling bar area and packed tables. The buzzy atmosphere and chic decor – with low-hanging globe lighting and attractive greenery – create the perfect setting for a meal out, whether you’re dining à deux or with a large group.

The menu showcases Bombay cuisine, with various street food and traditional delicacies on offer. We sipped pints of Bristol Beer Factory’s Infinity lager – chilled to perfection – while we deliberated what to order. We eventually decided to share a few small plates, plumping for the Bombay fish fry, honey- and chilli-rubbed sticky pork ribs, and a delicious portion of bhel puri. From the first bite of each dish, we understood Bombil’s popularity – food this good demands return visits.

From the curry selection, we chose paneer makkhanwala, a sumptuous dish flavoured with creamy tomatoes, butter, and fenugreek, accompanied by chapati and rice. There are meat and vegetarian options, with the veggie choices available in half portions – when we visit with friends, we’ll order a few to share. We also vowed to try the Konkani prawn and tamarind curry next time, as well as the Bombay chicken biryani.

We rounded off our meal by sharing traditional Indian pistachio kulfi and a portion of refreshing mango and lemon sorbet. It was the ideal way to end a mouth-watering feast. The ingredients used at Bombil are clearly of the best quality. Every dish we tried was full of flavour, perfectly cooked, and beautifully presented. The service was excellent, too. We can’t wait to return to Bombil to try more of the menu – there’s still so much more to discover.

31 East Street, BS3 4HH