139 North St, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 1EZ

About This Pub

You know, chatting about The Spotted Cow feels like sharing tips with mates over a pint; it's one of those pubs that just draws you in with its rich history and community spirit, having been around for over 200 years in the heart of Southville and Bedminster. The food's a standout – think mouthwatering Sunday roasts with divine gravy and fresh ingredients straight from their garden, or even solid vegetarian options like risotto and stuffed peppers that have impressed more than a few. Pair that with the friendly service that makes you feel like a regular from the get-go, and you've got a spot that's perfect for everything from a quick drink to family outings or fun events like disco bingo. On the downside, it's not flawless; some folks have mentioned portions feeling a tad small for the price, and there are times when the sides don't quite hit the mark, like those Yorkshire puddings that were a bit overcooked or potatoes that didn't wow. Plus, it can get rammed on busier days, so planning ahead is key if you don't want to miss out. All in all, with its solid reputation and that lovely walled garden as a sunny retreat, it's well worth a visit for anyone in Bristol – just go in with realistic expectations for a balanced experience.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • The food is absolutely delicious, especially their Sunday roasts – that gravy is to die for, and they've got fresh, locally sourced ingredients that make every bite feel special.
  • The staff are super friendly and welcoming, always going the extra mile to make you feel right at home, which really adds to the cosy community vibe.
  • Their beer garden is a proper suntrap and a brilliant spot to relax on a warm day – it's spacious, grassy, and feels like a little escape from the city hustle.
  • It's got a great atmosphere for all sorts, whether you're popping in for a pint, enjoying events like pub quizzes, or bringing the family for a meal.
Cons
  • Some dishes can have smaller portions than you'd expect, like that caramelised onion and goats cheese bake that left one person wanting more.
  • There might be the odd inconsistency with the food, such as overdone Yorkshire puddings or meh potatoes, which can take the edge off an otherwise lovely meal.
  • It gets pretty busy at times, especially on weekends, so you might have to wait or book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Contact Information

139 North St, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 1EZ
+441179634433
Pub
Opens at 17:00

Opening Hours

Monday (Today)17:00 - 23:00
Tuesday12:00 - 00:00
Wednesday12:00 - 00:00
Thursday12:00 - 00:00
Friday12:00 - 01:00
Saturday12:00 - 01:00
Sunday12:00 - 23:00

Location

Recent Reviews

Came for Sunday roast for the first time in 5 years (often in for a pint though). Staff were super helpful and managed to squeeze us (2xadults 2x kids) in despite not technically taking walk ins, food was delicious (we all had the beef - the gravy was divine), everything came out quickly and service was faultless. Children’s portion v v generous. A shame the yorkies were slightly overdone and the cauli cheese overpriced for what it was. Still, by miles one of the best roasts I’ve had in Bristol! Was too excited to get an aesthetic pic.
KJ
Katherine Johnson
Came here one weekend! Busy! Nice atmosphere. Large outside beer garden. The food was good. Recommend the pork belly with noodles.
NM
Natalie Mckean
Pretty good roast but I don’t recommend ordering the caramelised onion & goats cheese bake - although it’s really tasty, it’s really small. (You can see me lifting it with my fork in the photo.) The potatoes in the roast are pretty meh, the Yorkshire puddings were overdone and the cauliflower cheese was tasteless with undercooked cauliflower. That said, the veg and gravy were really lovely, atmosphere was great and customer service was excellent.
S
Stunfisk
We came here for the pub quiz and disco bingo but once we stepped inside, we really liked the ambiance and the set up outside. We weren't originally planning to get food but something enticed us to....We ordered the calamari and hummus small plates but they came out massive and we were impressed by both the size and taste....We really enjoyed the service, the food and of course the quiz and bingo! We said we will be coming back to try out some more food!
AA
Aleina Allen
Fantastic roast, great local pub with a lot of open space and somehow feels cosy! Really good food, the beef roast was excellent! Really nice vibe in The Spotted Cow. perfect for people of all ages. A fantastic garden put the back which is bound to become a regular spot for us in the warmer months!
BG
Ben Gardiner

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