Although primarily a microbrewery, Zerodegrees offers a good selection of quality food. It has a modern feeling and is well suited to young couples and groups of friends for both mid week and special occasion dining.

The Venue
Situated at the top of Colston Street, just past the Bristol Royal Infirmary and Bristol Children’s Hospital (on the opposite side of the road), Zerodegrees is within easy walking distance of the Hippodrome or Colston Hall, so it's a great place to stop off for dinner after or before a performance.

The restaurant is a fair size, spread over two levels. An attractive seating area is situated in a patio outside at the restaurant entrance, perfect for al fresco dining in the summer, and there are three patio areas on three different levels.

As you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by front of house staff who take you to the groundfloor to be seated. The restaurant is an unusual shape due to its location directly alongside the famous Bristol Christmas Steps.

Large metal drums and other brewing machinery are on display and these are used to make the home brews which set Zerodegrees apart from other restaurants.

The Atmosphere
It has a relaxed, yet modern atmosphere. It feels a little bit trendy, but not uncomfortably so. The restaurant area can have a wonderful buzz even when only half full. There is nothing better than the background noise of people talking and enjoying themselves.

The dining areas are minimalist, lots of metal and chrome are the fashion in here. It gives the whole place a futuristic feeling.

The Food
The menu is an interesting mixture of cuisines, although there is a definite Italian flavour to large sections of it. There is a range of about half dozen appetizers available including tomato topped bruschetta, beef carpaccio, fried calamari or grilled halloumi cheese with parma ham. Appetisers are delicious, plentiful portions but not over the top and cost in the region of £5 per dish.

The choice of main dishes on the menu in Zero Degrees is quite staggering considering the focus of the establishment primarily is the home brewed booze.

One of the highlights of the menu is the mussels. Order a kilo pot (they come in a selection of flavours) with chips and cost £12.50. Options include traditional marinere (onion, garlic, wine and cream), Thai green curry (lemon grass, coconut milk and chilli) and spicy creole. The mussels are really tasty and served in a stylish metal pan. Order some bread on the side to help mop up the cooking juices for a really tasty treat.

The Italian-influenced options include six pasta dishes. Each is unusual and created especially for Zerodegrees. Examples are penne pasta with rocket, asparagus, pine nuts and sun dried tomatoes or spaghetti with king prawns and chilli, garlic and cream. Pasta is served in large portions and is well cooked (just al dente) and is great value as each dish is around the £9 mark.

It’s also impossible not to mention the pizzas which are made and baked on site. These are great value – expect to pay between £8 and £9 each. As well as old favourites like mushroom and pepperoni, there are unusual choices like Peking duck topping or pear and gorgonzola. Again, these are freshly cooked with light and crisp bases and taste very good.

As if this wasn’t enough to choose from, there is also sausages and mash on the menu and a range of five or six salads (caeser, barbecue chicken, and nicoise, etc).

The Drink
Zerodegrees is rightly proud of its home brewed beers and lagers. Attractively priced at £2.70 a pint, there is also a wealth of choice including home brewed pilsner larger, pale ale, dark black lager, wheat lager or a range of seasonal fruit beers. With no artificial colours, preservatives or sweeteners they're well worth a try.

If you're not a beer or lager connoisseur talk to the staff who are happy to help you decide which of the brews is best suited to your taste buds.

A selection of commercial bottled lagers is also available, as is a range of red, white and rose wine by the bottle or glass. Wine is reasonably priced, about £4 for a large glass, and a bottle of house wine is around the £12 mark. Soft drinks, bottled water and fruit juices cost around £1.50 to £1.75 each.

The Last Word
This is the place to come if you like your beer – the onsite microbrewery makes it unusual in this respect. However, don’t overlook the restaurant as it's well worth a visit. The food is good, reasonably priced and tasty. Plus, the microbrewery surroundings make for an interesting and unusual backdrop.

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