
The Lock Up
Quick info
About The Lock Up
The Lock Up is a modern British restaurant at 182 Church Rd in Bristol, serving a Sunday roast with beef, lamb or pork options and a gluten-free Yorkshire pudding. Cauliflower cheese comes with the roast, and gluten-free choices run across the mains and desserts. Small plates sit on the menu alongside the larger dishes, and sticky toffee pudding is among the desserts. The bar mixes cocktails and offers gluten-free beer and a gluten-free, alcohol-free beer, which gives guests avoiding gluten or alcohol a drink to match the food. Music plays over speakers, and the layout has front tables and a separate back room. Reservations are required and can be made through First Table. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Family-friendly
- DietaryOrganic dishes · Vegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, gluten-free options, sticky toffee pudding and yorkshire pudding.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, gluten-free options, sticky toffee pudding and yorkshire pudding.
Customer Review Summary
Sunday roast is the draw for most reviewers, who describe beef cooked tender and not overdone, lamb as out of this world, and a huge Yorkshire pudding with lovely gravy. Close behind are the desserts, with sticky toffee pudding named repeatedly and brownies once. Several coeliac diners single out the gluten-free options, including a gluten-free Yorkshire pudding, gluten-free beer and gluten-free desserts. Cocktails earn mentions too, notably a bloody Mary with the right level of spice and a Hugo Spritz, and one reviewer praises the small plates. Staff are described as friendly and hard working. Complaints are fewer but specific. One diner met a smell of drains on arrival, a cold room and a waiter asking for their order right after sitting down, and found the cauliflower cheese dry with little cheese. Another felt the surcharge on some mains was poor value, and a third noted a wobbly table. The diner unhappy about the surcharge was still moved from the back room to a front table when they asked.
Customer Review Summary
Sunday roast is the draw for most reviewers, who describe beef cooked tender and not overdone, lamb as out of this world, and a huge Yorkshire pudding with lovely gravy. Close behind are the desserts, with sticky toffee pudding named repeatedly and brownies once. Several coeliac diners single out the gluten-free options, including a gluten-free Yorkshire pudding, gluten-free beer and gluten-free desserts. Cocktails earn mentions too, notably a bloody Mary with the right level of spice and a Hugo Spritz, and one reviewer praises the small plates. Staff are described as friendly and hard working. Complaints are fewer but specific. One diner met a smell of drains on arrival, a cold room and a waiter asking for their order right after sitting down, and found the cauliflower cheese dry with little cheese. Another felt the surcharge on some mains was poor value, and a third noted a wobbly table. The diner unhappy about the surcharge was still moved from the back room to a front table when they asked.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“One of the best I've come across in Bristol, particularly in their approach to gluten free offerings. They offer both a GF and GF/AF beer, GF Yorkshire pudding and GF dessert options (it's been ages since I could enjoy a sticky toffee pudding!). Service was excellent and atmosphere friendly. I love it when staff seem like they enjoy working together as well, lifting the atmosphere overall. Beef was not overcooked, other food very nice. If I were to offer one nugget of constructive criticism it would be that the table needed a wedge replaced underneath as it was a bit wobbly. Will definitely be back!”
- Google user
“We booked via first table but ended up only ordering food that didn’t have a surcharge as it wasn’t good value to pay £6 extra for any main over £28. The food is tasty and presented well. Even though we were originally placed in the back room our waiter moved us to a table at the front when we asked which is much nicer (especially on a sunny evening). Lovely cocktails and good wine selection.”
- Google user
“Utterly brilliant. My friend & I have been there twice & both times were excellent. The roast is one of if not the best we've ever had, likewise for the desserts. The bloody Mary was the perfect level of spice & the Hugo Spritz far surpassed any others I've had. All staff were friendly, helpful & worked their butts off. We're already looking forward to going back next year on our annual Bristol trip. Thank you so much, highly recommended 👌🏻”
- Google user
“EPIC roast! But a star lost due to the weird restaurant atmosphere and pushy waiters wanting our order as soon as we sat down 😅 When we walked in, we were hit by the smell of drains/toilets (we were one of their first bookings of the day at 12:30). It was also very cold and really lacking atmosphere. We sat down, and within 2 minutes we were asked if we were ready to order food. The food though...so worth it. The lamb was out of this world. Don't bother with the cauli cheese though. Dry and not really much cheese to be seen.”
- Google user
“Absolutely delicious food, attentive staff and great accessibility for the disabled member of our party which made the whole experience really comfortable and enjoyable. Easily the best spot in St George for food and a cool atmosphere, whether you’re going for dinner or after work drinks. Will definitely be coming back!”
Highlights
“Casual, family-owned eatery offering seasonal & local British cuisine in easygoing surrounds.”
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Free parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed outside
Show more amenities
- Dine-in
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Beer
- Offerings· 12
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Organic dishes
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Dining options· 7
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Facilities· 2
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 3
- Casual
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Family-friendly· 2
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Highlights· 6
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Parking· 1
- Free street parking
- Planning· 4
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Reservations required
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
Restaurants near The Lock Up
- The Garden of Easton4.61,3490.8 mi
indoor plant decor, japanese savoury pancake, guava chilli sour
- The Italian Kitchen4.51,0751.6 miVegan optionsVegetarian optionsGood for kids
sunday roast, crispy roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese
- Alwaha4.81151.7 mi
shawarma, grilled chicken rice box, chicken pittas/wraps
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Lock UpOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.7958 | — | sunday roast, gluten-free options, sticky toffee pudding |
| The Garden of Easton | 4.61,349 | 0.8 mi | indoor plant decor, japanese savoury pancake, guava chilli sour |
| The Italian KitchenVegan options · Vegetarian options · Good for kids | 4.51,075 | 1.6 mi | sunday roast, crispy roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese |
| Alwaha | 4.8115 | 1.7 mi | shawarma, grilled chicken rice box, chicken pittas/wraps |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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