Catering for Omnivores and Carnivores

A brand new, interactive and family-friendly restaurant has opened at Bristol Zoo Gardens.

The Hide welcomed its first guests on Monday (24 April), offering breakfasts and lunches, through to afternoon tea and evening functions.

Featuring white-glazed brick and copper theming on the exterior wall, and offering relaxed dining and table service inside, the build has been delivered by Levy Restaurants UK - Bristol Zoo's official catering partner.

It is a significant upgrade to the 180-year-old attraction's former restaurant, Coral Café, which first started welcoming diners in the 1930s.

The Hide can accommodate around 300 diners, offering dishes cooked to order, including bubble and squeak and pancakes for breakfast, through to sharing platters, gourmet burgers, fresh pizzas, healthy salads and a carefully selected children's menu throughout the day. All food is made using local, sustainable and seasonal ingredients where possible and cooked fresh daily by the restaurant's chefs.

Local suppliers include Hobbs House Bakery, Pullins Bakers, Bath Ales, cider from Thatchers, Marshfield Farm Ice Cream and John Sheppard Butchers.

The restaurant uses seasonal fruit and vegetables from the UK when available. All meat and milk is 100% British, and MSC fish or British farmed salmon is used. All eggs are 100% free range and all sugar, bananas and coffee are Fairtrade.

Ben George, general manager of Levy Restaurants UK at Bristol Zoo Gardens, said: "It is fantastic to see The Hide being enjoyed by guests to the Zoo. The feedback so far has been great. Our food is made using local, sustainable ingredients cooked fresh daily by our chefs.

"We can now offer a truly unique and stress-free dining experience with the added luxury of table service.

"We also look forward to our guests enjoying brand-new interactive elements, such as augmented reality screens, binoculars and nature sounds to create the feeling of being amongst animals."

Interior designers took inspiration from the ecosystem and installed five themed zones, based on a range of animal habitats.

"It's in-keeping with our former 1930s Art Deco restaurant but with a modern twist", explained Ben. "We've preserved the Wisteria Tree and old clock tower, which were both prominent and much-loved features of the former restaurant."

Wendy Walton, director of commercial operations at Bristol Zoo, said: "We are thrilled to finally be able to welcome guests to the best Zoo restaurant in the UK as well as to add to Bristol's thriving food and drink portfolio. It's a very exciting time and a welcomed addition to the Zoo. We hope everyone enjoys it."

About Bristol Zoo Gardens

Bristol Zoo Gardens is a conservation and education charity and relies on the generous support of the public not only to fund its important work in the zoo, but also its vital conservation and research projects spanning five continents.

For more information about visiting Bristol Zoo Gardens, visit the website at www.bristolzoo.org.uk or phone +44 (0)117 974 7300.