The Avon Gorge Hotel

The Avon Gorge Hotel's Bridge Café has the best views in town from its all-weather semi-circular terrace: Brunel's magnificent suspension bridge arcs gracefully across the gorge, an iconic symbol of the city, and a testament to Victorian ambition. Some places might sit back and let the location bring in the custom, but this affable venue has no intention of letting its food take a back seat to a load of old iron. On the menu is a wide-ranging cast of contemporary ideas with imaginative flavour combinations conjured from high-quality produce. Pan-seared wood pigeon with apple wood-smoked bacon and wild mushrooms is a typical starter, followed by slow-cooked featherblade of Devon beef with horseradish mash and roasted onion jus, or there might be confit belly of Gloucestershire Old Spot pork teamed with fondant potato and Somerset brandy sauce.