Matina — Restaurant in Bristol

“To reach something good it is very useful to have gone astray, and thus acquire experience” this philosiphical quote by Saint Teresa of Avila is a bon mot of wisdom that has never been used as a commentary of finding the perfect kebab. Until now. Years of being drunkenly slumped gazing at the slowly spinning stick, encased in what looks like a dark beige plaster of paris, renders a man sensesless, brow beaten by the dry leathery meat, sloppily dressed with limp leaves and eye watering chilli sauce. All encased in a hardback book of miserable pitta. You have “gone astray” in the words of Saint Terry. So, the “reaching something good” will happen. For me and my twelve friends this moment arrived yesterday at Matina in St Nicholas food market in Bristol. I can’t be certain, but I believe that St Nicholas and St Teresa were Saint buddies. Matina serves kebabs. Not just any old Kebabs. Matina’s are chock full of chargrilled benevolent, chicken or lamb, succulent and tasty. Teamed with beautiful, fresh red cabbage, heavenly homemade hummus and three day cooked sweet chilli sauce. They are delivered to your hungry mitts in a naan bread freshly cooked before your tear filled with gratitude eyes. Pillowy soft and beautiful. If you are ever in Bristol you must go there. In fact, make a special pilgrimage to eat at this gourmet booth of joy. My friend Carl is a very grumpy man. Difficult to please in all honesty. He cried salt tears of joy upon taking his first bit of a chicken and lamb mixed kebab. High...

I have a habit of being put off by big queues as a side effect from living in London for too long, but I've got to say that with Matina, I must have queued for a grand total of just five minutes, despite first appearances and even though I was served that quickly I would have queued for ten because they served the best lunch I've eaten in recent memory. I do not say that lightly. As a side note, they accept card too, which is very convenient.

To put it all into context, they have a charcoal grill packed with halloumi, chicken and lamb that is probably the first thing you smell as you approach St Nicks. Inside the stand you can see naan bread being kneaded, stretched out and placed in a big clay oven. The salad was being topped up as I arrived. Normally, kebab stand salad never gets a mention anywhere (mostly deservedly) but the salad was crisp and contributed to the taste. The lamb and chicken is tender, well cooked and the naans are just something else - the best naan I've ever eaten, the best wrap I've ever eaten. This is an institution that totally lives up to the hype....

Just came here after a long walk around Bristol and it was just superb.

I knew it was a good choice from the moment I picked this place to go for lunch but it was way better than I expected. The ingredients and flavours were excellent and not even in London they are as authentic as Matina.

Their staff was one of the most helpful and super nice people I have ever met in the hospitality industry, they also gave me a bag and a box to take the extra that we couldn't eat.

Portions are excellent for the price and you won't be dissapointed at all with any of the items on their menu. I personally suggest the Mixed one as it gives you the best of both worlds (Chicken and Lamb) and the salad they use is fresh.

Almost forgot to mention but I believe their sauces give their food an amazing unique touch as ai have not had the same sauce in other middle eatern restaurants/shops. It had the perfect mix betwen...