Gambas
Bristol
At a glance
Gambas is a vibrant tapas bar nestled in the bustling Cargo 2 area of Museum Street, Bristol. Known for its enticing selection of Spanish-inspired small dishes, Gambas offers patrons an authentic taste of Mediterranean culinary traditions right in the heart of this bustling city. The setting is contemporary yet relaxed, making it an ideal spot for leisurely dining with friends or family.
The menu at Gambas reflects a commitment to capturing the essence of traditional tapas while incorporating fresh, quality ingredients. Though seasonal dishes may vary, diners can expect a delightful array of flavors that celebrate both meat and vegetable offerings. For those with specific dietary preferences, the venue typically caters to a range of needs including vegetarian options.
With its lively ambiance, Gambas is suited for social gatherings and casual meals. The waterside location adds an extra layer of allure, providing a picturesque backdrop for enjoying a meal. The informal yet welcoming atmosphere encourages guests to relax and savor their dining experience amidst the bustling energy of Bristol's cultural scene.
Reviews
Such a fun place. Staff were very friendly and happy—quirky interior; tables outside on a balcony with lighting and sun umbrellas. I bet it is magical when it's dark outside. The place is built out of containers. View of the Riverside and pedestrian walk. We needed a little early lunchtime snack, and between two adults and one child we ordered six portions. Our favourite was the tortilla with spinach and aioli sauce. The next one was our favourite: garlic prawns. The food portions were small, as usual tapas, but it was enough for us to fill the gap. Prices were reasonable. We also ordered coffee, which was lovely, and the place gave us complimentary water. It is such a tasty and lovely place to visit.
Essentially you’re paying London prices without the London taste. I don’t think in my memory I’ve ever been served 3 pieces of asparagus for £15 in my life. That would have been fine if it was the best asparagus in my life, it committed a worse sin of being forgettable. I really had high hopes with the ratings here but honestly found it lacking in both flavour and dishes. Good for probably a quick bite and (very selected) drinks (They weren’t able to accommodate very normal off menu cocktails even with a fully stacked bar). The namesake was correct, the gambas (prawns) were good, it was the best dish while also being the easiest to make (whole shell wild prawn) essentially boiled and salted. I found the tortilla unpleasantly wet, mussels tomato sauce have the suggestion of taste (would have been nice to be made even slightly spiced) and I truly believe it was a sin to serve octopus not as tentacle but pre-cut on top of a bed of mash. Iberico pork which should again be easy win tasted more like beef and was pretty dry while looking undercooked at the same time. The best dishes for us were the small plates of dry tuna with tomato, croquettes and anchovies, which were the small plates of the tapas (so we didn’t get a large portion just a taste). They mainly have terrace seating, which is fine with heaters but vibe inside is much nicer. Overall, fine. Seafood was overall fresh which is the bare minimum for a seafood tapas, but left much to be desired. I would probably only come back for a drink and bite but my suggestion is to go to dinner somewhere else.
I held my birthday party in the private room at Gambas after having come for an amazing evening in the restuaurant with clients last year. It could not have been better. The room was beautifully set out and lit, the service perfect and the food as delicious as I'd remembered. The staff went out of their way to help me plan a menu, sort dietary requirements and chose the right wine for my budget and we all left desperate to return. Thank you for making my day! :-)
We had my birthday lunch here and it was a lovely experience. The staff were very kind and friendly, I received a birthday card and a special chocolate treat at the end of our meal. All the tapas were delicious. We especially liked the cazón en adobo, the gambas al pil pil, and the calamares a la andaluza. I also loved the crema catalana! It can be a bit pricey if you go for around six tapas plus dessert, but it’s worth it as the quality of the food is excellent.
We visited Gambas for a birthday lunch treat, and despite an accident on the M32 causing us to push our booking back not once but twice, the team couldn't have been more accommodating. We eventually arrived and sat at the counter, which is the best seat in the house to watch the chefs at work. We started with the Wine of the Month, a beautiful orange wine that was incredibly fresh—the perfect palate cleanser. The food was a hit across the board: Gambas Pil Pil: Three giant, juicy prawns in a sizzling chilli oil. Scallops: Served perfectly on the shell in a warm parsley and olive oil sauce. Mussels: Came in a wonderfully creamy onion sauce. The Classics: The Radicchio & goat cheese salad provided a great balance, and the Patatas Bravas were some of the crispiest we’ve had. We finished with the Crema Catalana (a lovely orange, creme brulee) and the rich Dark Chocolate Mousse. At £150 for the experience, it felt like great value. The service was that perfect mix of relaxed yet attentive. Gambas remains one of our favourite spots in Bristol!
