Grain Barge — Restaurant in Bristol

It's a lovely space, but it's so overpriced for what it is. My partner and I recently went there for food and drink with friends and the pub quiz. The food was extraordinarily overpriced given that it tasted bland and was put together with little thought. I had a "super grain salad" which (if I remember correctly) consisted of feta, bulgar wheat, lentils, squash, pearl barley, and salad leaves. It tasted of nothing (apart from the feta, which didn't really go with the rest of it), and I was still hungry afterwards. I think that cost me £12.90. I didn't really want to give them more of my money, but due to still being hungry I had a brownie and ice cream for dessert which was better, but not amazing. My partner's dinner wasn't much better - he had the game burger which he said was gristly, and his chips looked like McDonald's fries which were underdone. That was extortionate price-wise as well. The pub quiz was pretty embarrassing - there were seven of us on our table, and we split into two teams. Even then, we were two of only three teams - the other team consisting mainly of bar staff. Throughout, the quiz-master was trying too hard to put on a comedic style, which was pretty cringey. I really wanted to like it here, but I wouldn't go back for either the pub quiz or food. Bristol is full of so many excellent bars and eateries, there's really no place for overpriced bland food....

Not exactly the date night we had in mind!! There were good and bad points here so let's start with some good stuff. There are few places you can dine that give you a more beautiful view of Bristol harbour glittering away of an evening and if you like your craft ales you're in luck. My partner had the steak and though tiny it was perfectly cooked. On the bad side we managed to upset the bartender by trying to order food. He told us they had finished despite it being on the website, on the menu and confirmed the other bar staff as we arrived that they were continuing to serve food for an hour. He eventually agreed to serve us and later on when serving us, apologised having realised his mistake (fair enough) we did unfortunately eat without much in the way of conversation as the place was so noisy, it was basically like trying to enjoy a romantic meal in a loud office party. It wasn't early on and it was mid week but this place is obviously very popular with post work drinkers and our table became surrounded by standing drinkers leaving empty glasses and perching their bums on our table... eek. However... The lady who brought us our food was lovely and the fact it was so busy must mean something good, therefore, if you're out with the work lot looking for a nice place for drinks, this might just be it but for a nice little date night...? I'll...

I booked a table at the Grain Barge days ahead as I knew the weekend was set to be sunny. I also noticed on their website that they served a sunday roast so was really excited to spend a sunday afternoon in the sunshine with some food and drink. When we arrived the bartender didn't know of the booking telling me they don't do bookings. I had done this through their own website and had an email back to confirm! I was then told they don't reserve tables on deck but I was welcome to go upstairs if there was space. Both bartenders seemed unhelpful and somewhat rude imo. My partner bought drinks and we went on deck to look through the menu. I then went to order and was told no sunday roast sorry, only what's on the menu. Again with a rude tone. I was surprised at this as I work in a customer focused industry and not once do I give this attitude. I asked for two haddock to which the bartender tells me there are no peas but curry sauce instead. At this point we decided not to order any food, finished our drinks and left. I will not be returning. Such a let down. Great spot but terrible attitude from those two lads. Also, why say on your website you do sunday roast if...