Root Bristol

Run by the ‘Eat, Drink, Bristol Fashion’ team, with go-getting Michelin-starred chef Josh Eggleton at the helm (he of the Pony & Trap at Chew Magna), Root replaces what was the upmarket KFC-style Chicken Shed among the cargo containers of Wapping Wharf. As a small-plates eatery, this place has a novel USP: it isn’t strictly vegetarian, but plant-based dishes get priority over a mere handle of meat and fish options.

Veggies will home in on combos such as ‘beetroot, hazelnuts, blueberries, seaweed’ or ‘Calcot onion, artichoke, pickled egg yolk’, while flesh fiends not-for-turning will insist on a bavette with wild garlic and celeriac or cured sea bream with blood orange and lime. Dessert might mean classic tiramisu or doughnuts with carrot jam, cream cheese and walnuts. Matching the foodie line-up is an enterprising drinks list with strong green connections – as you might expect in Bristol. 

Located within Bristol’s Wapping Wharf neighbourhood, Root is one of the standout restaurants inside the Cargo development, a collection of repurposed shipping containers that has become a hub for independent food businesses. Since opening, Root has earned a reputation for championing vegetables in a way that feels innovative, accessible and thoroughly modern, proving that produce-led cooking can be every bit as exciting as more traditional meat-focused dining.

The concept at Root turns conventional menu design on its head. Vegetables form the foundation of almost every dish, while meat and fish are used sparingly as supporting elements rather than centrepieces. The result is a menu built around seasonality, creativity and a deep respect for ingredients. The kitchen works closely with growers and producers, allowing the changing availability of produce to shape the menu throughout the year. This ingredient-led approach means dishes evolve regularly, reflecting the best of each season while encouraging diners to discover vegetables in unexpected ways.

Food is served as a collection of sharing plates, making it easy for groups to sample a variety of flavours and textures. The cooking style is contemporary but unfussy, relying on careful technique and thoughtful combinations rather than overcomplication. While the menu changes frequently, a commitment to sustainability, provenance and bold flavour remains at the heart of everything Root does.

The restaurant’s compact setting contributes significantly to its appeal. Housed within a converted shipping container, the space is intimate and relaxed, with large windows flooding the dining room with natural light. The open, informal atmosphere creates a close connection between guests and the kitchen, adding to the sense of immediacy and engagement that defines the dining experience.