Small but perfectly formed, The Rice Box on the Christmas Steps is without doubt one of Bristol’s best budget eateries. For £3.10, you can get a generous special which changes every day, piled high on your plate if you choose to eat in, or spilling out of the box if you are taking away.
There really is no need to order anything other than the special, but if you so choose there is a typically large menu of Chinese fare, from bamboo shoots to roast duck.
Steve and Lin moved The Rice Box to Bristol from Weston-Super-Mare. Previously, they traded as Ming’s in both Banwell and Cleeve.
But back to those specials, which you can discover online, or find a photograph of the day’s choice on an A-board outside the restaurant towards the bottom of the Christmas Steps between Fotohaus (with these historic stone carved figures) and Harry Blades.
When I visited for a late lunch on Wednesday, there were only two seats remaining inside. My sweet and sour chicken and fried rice was served on a plate in barely the time it took me to say that day’s special.
The chicken was the size of golf balls, with surprisingly succulent meat in a gloopy sauce. It was just what I needed after foolishly skimping on breakfast that day.
Many places in Bristol describe themselves as “hidden gems” but The Rice Box truly is one. This is no-thrills Chinese food done with some style.
The Rice Box, 4 Christmas Steps, Bristol. 0117 927 3388.
I cannot wait to try this place, you make it sound so good! I’ve been trying to find more “hidden-gem” type places recently, thanks for tipping me off to this one
I didn’t know this place, thank you for the tip! ;o)