Grain Barge Reviews Summary

Atmosphere & Setting

Pros:

• "It’s a floating pub that sits permanently on the quay side. It has the most amazing insides with views all overlooking the Floating Harbour, you will not be without a good view."
• "A brilliant place to go, especially in summer when you can sit out in the open on the top deck."
• "Bright cheerful Riverside bar and restaurant barge moored in Bristol's waterside."
• "Unique and beautiful setting on the river. Super relaxing watching boats of all shapes and sizes gliding past."
• "A great meal with a great view. It was very pleasant to eat and drink while watching boats and kayaks through the Avon and people walking on the other side of the river."
• "Gorgeous setting, a boat on the river!"
• "Stunning location with beautiful views across the harbour."

Cons:

• "On recent trips there's been a somewhat unpleasant smell coming from one end of the boat - hopefully that gets sorted soon!"
• "One end of the boat smelled like a toilet."
• "Sadly the smell in the main bar has a musty smell to it, couldn't have stayed in there if outside wasn't an option."
• "Don’t be fooled by the waterside ambience (which earned this restaurant a star), the menu leaves you trying to work out the least worst option."

Food & Drink

Pros:

• "The food is good but not excellent and slightly more expensive than one may expect."
• "Can get busy at lunch time (When we went) but that is because the food is delicious."
• "Terrific roast lunch here, the pies with gravy, roast potatoes and veg are absolutely fantastic."
• "Food is high quality and creative (would recommend the oyster mushroom scallops), and not overpriced."
• "The food was amazing all of our guests commented on how great it was."
• "Local, delicious and always such good value."
• "The food and drinks were excellent."

Cons:

• "Veggie mezze was very disappointing. Forgot our falafels at first that were cold in the middle by the time we got them."
• "The food was extraordinarily overpriced given that it tasted bland and was put together with little thought."
• "The focaccia better resembled burnt breadsticks and the accompanying hummus must have been a tablespoon at best."
• "Food was a mixed bag, the burgers looked good and the truffle fries were to die for, but what little red mullet there was on the plate was chewy."
• "The squid starter was tasty but had hardly any squid on the plate."
• "The food was good, except there was limited options for children and no children's menu."
• "The food was excellent 'tis true but the prices were pretty astonishing (as in high) for the portions given."

Service

Pros:

• "The were all very friendly and efficient."
• "The staff in general are some of the nicest personable team I've met."
• "Service was absolutely excellent."
• "Really good food and the service from our waitress was lovely."
• "The staff were absolutely wonderful. They all deserve a pay rise!"
• "Staff are friendly, knowledgeable about their (Bristol beer factory) drinks."
• "Staff are so friendly and attentive!"

Cons:

• "We felt like unwelcome guests as our 30 money spending guest interrupted their quiz night."
• "The service was pretty bad, it took ages for the drinks to arrive and when the food came we had to go and find someone to bring us plates and cutlery."
• "We managed to upset the bartender by trying to order food."
• "Appalling service this afternoon. All hand sanitisers were empty at the entrance."
• "Service is just really really slow. Waiters are not attentive enough."
• "Really disappointing, booked in advance for a birthday meal, when we arrived staff seemed bored and uninterested."
• "Never came back with menus or drinks so we went to the bar, same rude attitude so we left."

Value

Pros:

• "It is brilliant. Quirky (it's a boat!), lively & with a great range of drinks."
• "Friendly service and an interesting, albeit not huge, tap selection (with both kegs and casks)."
• "Great food and service in a fantastic venue with stunning views of the Bristol harbour."
• "Good tunes, lovely view over the water."
• "Cracking location with great vibes and good drinks. Literally a pub on a boat on the river."
• "Good selection of drinks and fast service."
• "Great food, great service at very fair prices."

Cons:

• "That was extortionate price-wise as well."
• "I was disappointed that they don't do takeout beer now lockdown is over - said a member of staff."
• "The service was pretty bad, it took ages for the drinks to arrive and when the food came we had to go and find someone to bring us plates and cutlery."
• "It's a lovely space, but it's so overpriced for what it is."
• "Sadly it's a cashless venue at the moment so I probably won't be going again until this is rectified."
• "Only one star because we asked to eat something, first the guy gave us the menu to order French fries, then he decided that the kitchen was too busy."
• "Pretty limited choice of beers, staff were distant and not very helpful, felt a bit like I'd walked into a snobby coffee bar."