Spitfire

Walking across Bristol’s harbour side brings you to spitfire — an American BBQ shack where you can let out your true carnivore. Spitfire has a vibrant décor and friendly feel all with views along the water. The website is particularly useful with photos of the food so you know what to expect before it arrives. Service was also very efficient. All in all, if you’re looking for a no nonsense approach to food with big portions and great views, this is the place to be.

Great food and fantastic service. Took a little longer than expected for food to arrive but that was because its all cooked fresh!

I always knew Spitfire was on the waterfront but just assumed it was a coffee shop open in the summer for the harbourfest etc. But I was proved wrong! An American style bbq joint with modern exterior and chunky wooden interior — it’s don’t out well.
Friendly staff, quick service and suitable music it’s a pretty good place.
Toilets were a big let down but let’s not be too picky. I had calamari to start which was amazing, a simple butter, lemon and pepper sauce complimented the fresh squid so well on a bed of baby spinach.
For main I had a double bacon cheeseburger and chips, a bit dry. Tasted like the 30p cheeseburgers we used to throw on the bbq’s. Done to death, had to smother in bbq sauce which subsequently burnt my mouth. A simple burger bun, could almost be described as stale after being used to the moist brioche buns of Chomp & GBK.
My friend had the St. Louis ribs which were insane!!! Three little bones in a massive piece of meat, decent ratios. Good chips and fresh slaw was a perfect match but we had to share the ribs because there was so so much! I’d recommend a salad too because all of that meat can become a bit much and needed a bit more sauce.
I’d rate my food, toilets and service ²⁄₃ stars. But the ribs took it up to a solid ¾. But I can’t give a full 4, not yet — maybe next time.

This is a nice place to go and the décor is very cool but I think I’ve grown too accustomed to the fresh, local, independent vibe in Bristol and I would say this feels a bit ‘chainy’. Like Frankie and Benny’s cooler brother!
I had a halloumi and balsamic glaze beef burger and it was nice. The chips were lovely! My friend had the ribs though and I was super duper jealous. The half rack was massive and there was lots of meat rather than just the bone!
The music was country and western and even though that goes with the American bbq vibe I think the music could do with being a bit more modern and cool to go with the décor.
The service was good and there were quite a few people in there for late afternoon.
They have a lovely spot on the harbourside and I would recommend a visit and a nice walk afterwards.

It’s disappointing when you come to write a review for a new restaurant having not eaten the food, but our first experience of Spitfire was so poor, I just had to get it off my chest!
We arrived at 6.25pm and were told that there was no seating outside and that we’d have to sit in, which we were happy with. It was so hot outside, it was actually a relief to sit in the shade. It was about 10 minutes before someone came over with menus and we were left to browse through a decent selection of food and drinks (though perhaps a little on the pricey side). When Steve, our waiter, came back, my first choice of a bottle of Peroni wasn’t available, so I went for wine. My first choice of food also wasn’t available, so I was left to make a second choice.
Another few minutes passed and we finally put in our food order. Steve came with the drinks and we settled down for a chat and a spot of people-​watching (by now, it’s about 6.45pm). Perhaps we were so consumed with our conversation, we didn’t notice how much time had passed until my partner noticed the people behind us being served (they came in after us). We gave them the benefit of the doubt, casting an eye to the kitchen (which was within touching distance) and hoped for the best. We let five minutes pass before we decided to call it a night, finding Steve and letting him know that we’d just be paying for our drinks. It was 7.30pm when we left.
It’s a shame to get a poor experience on a first visit to a new place, but Steve was apologetic, saying our drinks were on the house. He also looked disappointed, so credit to him. He obviously cares, but whoever’s ordering the food and whoever’s making it need to get their act together, or else this will be another closed Harbourside restaurant within a year.