The Coconut Tree Bristol, Gloucester Road — Restaurant in Bristol

Have been to the one on park Street and had zero issues. Been to this one twice. First time the restaurant was pretty much empty so we had no issues and would be questionable if we did.

This leads me to my second visit..... A group of us ate here. We were told our table needed to be back by 9pm. However, you'd think with that the service would be good and fast. We were all seated by 7.15pm. we werent ever asked if we'd like more drinks or if our food was okay, after working in hospitality this is just standard?! A couple of dishes got bought out after we'd pretty much finished. I get they come out as and when but when one lot of chickpeas was bought out at the beginning and the second lot not till the end is a bit weird. as we were all chatting we didn't really keep an eye on the time but by the time we came to desserts it was 8.50pm. we asked if we could have desserts we were told yes. We waited for 15 minutes and the waitress didnt come back. Then we flagged down who I suspect was the manager?! We asked him if we could order our desserts and to our sheer shock he said "no" we were a bit taken aback, thinking he was joking we asked again. He then again repeated no and said "we need the table back we've got another booking" we said well we asked over 15 mins ago so. Then he begrudgingly took our order but told us to be quick which was just the icing on the cake! We obviously then refused to pay the service charge. Which we were surprisingly questioned about. After the manager had asked why and then we explained, he took it off. The waitress then came with the card machine so we could pay the remaining balance and thrust it in our face then walked off after it was paid. How she acted was so unprofessional. I'd understand if we treated the staff bad or were rude but we weren't. So because of the reactions and actions we shall not be returning and I'll be telling other people not to bother either if they want a frosty service if they so much as question something. Oh and my friend looked as we walked out. There wasn't a booking at 9pm and this was made apparent because no group walked in between 9 and 9.30 and even when we were stood outside talking for 15 mins no one still turned up. So all of that could of been avoided, not sure why the managed needed to lie?!

Edit: have replied to the response from owner and am yet to...

It’s not often that things surprise me, but after going here last night all I can say is you’d be cocoNUTS not to try it!! It’s Sri Lankan cuisine & the aim of The CT is to “deliver the best Sri Lankan street food, sweet & fiery Cocotails served with warm hospitality” & my god, have they NAILED IT.

The atmosphere of the GR restaurant is relaxed, happy, joyful & somehow also electric .. full of life that it instantly puts a smile on your face. The decor is stripped back street food style & reminded me of being in a beach shack with a really down to earth vibe. I loved that nothing was fussy or fancy .. just simple, functional & perfectly matched to the cuisine. Whilst the decor might be stripped back NOTHING else was! The staff were wonderful, especially T who from the moment I called earlier in the day went way above, ABOVE & BEYOND he also went BELOW & SIDE to SIDE to accommodate our dietary & disability needs. He was without a doubt a SHINING STAR 🌟 & hands down it was the most phenomenal customer service I’ve ever experienced. Despite the food being magnificent, T made our night! His warmth, joy, passion, caring & attention to detail was like a ray of sunshine ☀️ he deserves so much more than just my praise.

The food was exquisite .. each dish had its own unique flavour & we enjoyed everything, especially the SRI-TATO, VEGGIE & CHEESE KOTTHU, TUNA CUTLETS & PARIPPU DAHL. We also had the POLENTA MUSHROOMS & these were good but slightly sweet for me. Whatever was on the potato’s was some of the nicest, most beautiful spicing I’ve ever experienced & had me tipping the residue all over my rice.

I can’t praise this place enough, they are exactly what they aim to be & so so much more. We left full of not only excellent Sri Lankan food but with a little bit of Sri Lankan sunshine in our souls. The only other thing I can say is “I PITY THE FOOL” who doesn’t get to meet Mr T .. his Sri LanCAN attitude is a rarity & he’s the jewel...

Inedibly hot! Ordered on Uber Eats and we made sure to pick the items in the menu that made no mention of chilli, even going as far as to pick the ‘creamiest’ item on the menu (cashew curry). We got a couple of Kotthu and a goat curry (im used to spice, so I want worried for a little there). I had to make our own rice as they cancelled that part of our order as they ran out of rice at 8pm (what curry restaurant runs out of rice?!).

What we received was like someone had upended pure chilli essence into the dishes! The Kotthu we got to share was nuclear, and the creamiest curry? Blow your face off hot. Why!? My wife can enjoy a little apiece but this was ridiculous. I on the other hand have done chilli eating competitions and this was not pleasant even by my tastebuds. I cannot believe there was no warning on these items.

Uber Eats told me there nothing they would do, so now I’ve got a churning stomach from the extreme spice and couple dishes in the bin.

What an absolute joke. Coconut tree: please put warnings on these dishes, and cater more to people who can’t take absurd spice. We thought better of you and now have a ruined evening and £20 odd quid...