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With some twenty five years in business, Curry House in Bristol has perfected the personable and unceremonious approach that delights visitors to this informal yet stylish Indian restaurant.

The food is mostly Indian, whilst occasional Bangladeshi influences are noticed in the assured and simple cooking at Curry House. An excellent buffet menu may by chosen over a no less attractive à la carte that includes the likes of minced lamb mixed with fresh herbs and barbecued in a clay oven and king prawns, slightly crisped, coated in breadcrumbs and fried in oil. Amongst the specialty dishes cubes of chicken or lamb tikka cooked in cream, butter beans and almonds, in the chefs own unique recipe, never fails to receive compliments from patrons.

Curry House is located right opposite the ITV television studios, so don't be surprised if you bump into a few celebrities as you step out after a hearty Indian meal.

If you are looking for a café that is different, this is the place for you. Arguably the best cuppa in town, you may have to fall over the odd recuperating student to find a seat, but for good choice, well-brewed and in reasonably quiet surroundings Boston Tea Party takes some beating. Nor is it just the drinks, the food is tasty and imaginative, along the lines of chick pea stew, butter bean stew, sarnies and panini.

A heated terrace garden makes for pleasant overflow surroundings.

Carluccio's was started by Antonio and Priscilla Carluccio as a small café and shop stocking Italian food and ingredients in 1991, and grew into a restaurant serving authentic cuisine at sensible prices in 1999. Antonio is an expert on food and has been a wine merchant, restaurant manager and owner, cookery expert on television and author of twelve cookery books. It is therefore not surprising, that today Carluccio's has over fourty-nine outlets across the UK.

Antonio believes Italian cookery involves minimum fuss and maximum flavour. This is exactly what his restaurants try to do by using fresh produce, and working largely with families who make things the traditional way - with care. Their passion also translates into special events like hands-on cookery classes and recipe sharing, Antonio and his team regularly organise for interested guests. They also offer takeaways and a catering service.

The breakfast menu offers croissants and breads served with butter and preserves or honey and free range eggs, either scrambled or fried and served with pancetta or ciabatta. They also have long cured Parma ham and healthier options like muesli and fruits. These are best had with coffee, tea or freshly squeezed juice. Carluccio's offers an impressive list of white, red, rosé and sparkling wines which complement your meal.

The restaurants offer a range of soup and salads which give your meal a nutritious start before moving on to the mains. If you like pasta, enjoy the small filled parcels served in a ham and cream sauce, or sample the Neapolitana spaghetti with whole fresh clams, garlic, herbs and chilli. The branzino con salsa e patate, fillet of pan fried sea bass served with tomato salsa and sautéed potatoes and Somerset rib-eye steak with rosemary potatoes, called bistecca di bue con patate, are good options too. If you are looking for something lighter, you could opt for the numerous sides called contorni and panini.

In the Tuscany region of Italy, meals end simply with almond biscuits dipped in a sweet local wine, Vin Santo and eaten. You can enjoy that experience at Carluccio's, or settle for a more conventional dolci of tiramisu, warm chocolate and kahlua pudding, your choice of Italian cheeses or gelatos in different flavours.