Al Bab Mansour

What I love about Moroccan food is that it brings together different flavors and textures — sweet carrots, savory chicken, soft onions, delicious curry — without being too heavy handed on the spices. Great meal — my only complaint is that I would’ve preferred a larger chicken to couscous ratio.

My partner and I came across this restaurant whilst shopping in St Nicholas market. Located to the rear of the market. The restaurant itself is very cosy with a cute Moroccan vibe. My only criticism is that it could be a little larger, as we had to wait to get a seat (due its popularity). But it was well worth the 5 minute wait. This also gave us time to study the menu and oggle what the other diners where having. I had the Moroccan lamb £6.50. The lamb had been slow cooked to melt in your mouth texture and was delicious served with couscous, lentils and saffron enthused potatoes its was gert lush ! My partner had the falafel £4.50 which was also very nice and possibly the best falafel ive had.
We look forward to returning and making our way through some of the other choices. I can also recomend the mint tea very authentic.

A real treasure in the middle of St Nicholas Markets, this small, cosy, decadent Moroccan café is a brilliant place to have lunch. With wholesome Moroccan classics such as tagines, meatballs, lemony and herby rice and cous cous, and a great atmosphere, it’s little surprise this place gets utterly packed at lunch time. Come early to secure one of the coveted low tables and comfy chairs inside under the canopy.
Al Bab Mansour is about as close to a real Moroccan dining experience as it’s possible to get. Spending time here, perhaps sipping a Berber tea, you almost forget you’re in the centre of Bristol, sitting just along from the thoroughly West Country delights of the Bristol Sausage Shop.

Of all the places to eat down in St Nicks Al Bab’s looks the best, really A+ for effort, it literally feels like the Prince of Persia (geography?) is going to deliver your meal to you (you wish ladies).
It is beautifully authentic, from the cushions to the fabric used to cover the walls, you feel like you have stepped out of Bristol and into much warmer climates; you just wish you could light up a shisha, if only we were still allowed.
The food is amazing too and not to be overlooked. It’s hard to recommend one dish specifically, I am a huge fan of the Moroccan Chicken and the Lamb Meatballs, but the feta and couscous salad is great and much lighter. This really is authentic, delicious food, cooked with all the herbs, spices and ingredients you would struggle to find anywhere else, except Morocco.
It is very relaxing here as well, so grab yourself a seat on the sofa and prepare not to move for a while.

Stroll through the corridors from the indoors St Nicks market, and in front of you is Al Bab Mansour /​The Moorish Café. The smells of their food stewing immediately draws you in, but that might also be the colourful décor of various throws, brass table tops and glowly lamps.
Their Morrocan menu uses Halal meat, and consists of lamb stews, chicken stews, meatballs, vegetable stews served with rice or cous cous. There are also soups, salads and daily specials; all written out on their hanging blackboards in front of the café. This place is run by partners Abdelouahid and Ahmed, who’s passion for their food clearly shows when you step into this place. The mint tea is something to be tried — it is warm, soothing and refreshing and you get it served in a great looking Morrocan teapot.
The vibe here is relaxed and comfortable, even if it is chilly outside you feel sheltered and snug among all the throws and cushion seatings. However if it fills up inside, there are outside tables where you can enjoy your food too!
This place is a rare little hideaway that’s super for bringing your friends and family to hang out and that makes you feel like you’re on holiday somewhere far, far away…

I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of Moroccan Food but after 10 days in Morocco I thought my stomach would run away from me out of sheer boredom at the thoughts of yet another meal consisting of either Tagine or Cous Cous. The food at Al Bab Mansour is very good though. One thing I never got bored of in Morocco was mint tea and this is a fantastic place to come for a pot of tea. The other thing I never bored of was moroccan décor. Its very atmospheric, they’ve brought a little slice of Morocco to the south west and it is a delight. The staff here are also absolutely lovely. Its a great place to come and meet a mate for lunch.

This is another of the fantastic St Nick’s Market eateries. A little authentic place serving tagine and other mouth-​watering Moroccan delicacies. And the beauty of it? You can eat inside the brightly draped cavern sitting on little ottomans and it feels just like you are in a souk in the heart of Marrakech or in a tent in the desert. Once upon a time you were able to smoke sheesha pipes here, which made it very popular with students, but since the smoking ban that has been outlawed. They do wonderful dishes, with specials changing every day and a great meat and vegetarian menu. Dishes include lamb which falls off the bone served with rice and prunes, chickpea dishes, incredible falafel and meatballs all bursting with authentic flavour. They also do incredible mint teas, the sort where the glass or tea-​pot is brimful with actual mint leaves. And it’s got a great relaxed atmosphere with really funny and exuberant staff. A great spot for lunch or just some time-​out.

Tucked away along one of the alleyways of St Nicholas Market in Bristol, this boudoir-​style Moroccan café is always a hive of activity, with plenty of competition for seats.
Open only at lunchtimes, it’s always heaving with customers who either dine al fresco in the alleyway, or squeeze into the cosy covered area on brightly-​embroidered Moroccan cushions. Not only is this place great value, serving up delicious Moroccan cuisine at very reasonable prices, but it’s also friendly and atmospheric — almost like Bristol’s own little corner of Marrakech!
They serve up heavenly meatballs, lemon chicken (a personal favourite), lamb dishes, and plenty of vegetarian options such as cous cous with feta and lentil soup — all washed down with a glass of traditional mint tea.
St Nicholas Market itself is right in the heart of Bristol, and in the food area you can take your pick of all sorts of international cuisine, from spicy Caribbean to hearty Portuguese — but Bab Mansour is my clear favourite! It’s just a shame it’s not open in the evenings — and you’ll probably find yourself waiting a while for a seat most lunchtimes.