Alembic – A New Restaurant Adding to Bristol Airport’s Food Scene

Bristol Airport has been undergoing an expansion in the hope that it will attract further travellers to fly from it. This expansion includes a bridge from the terminal to its multi-storey car park, a transport interchange, and a new restaurant replacing a former airport lounge.

This restaurant, known as Alembic, has added to the arsenal of food and drink outlets at the airport, providing a Mediterranean experience before passengers depart. It specialises in tapas dishes originating from all countries in, or around, the Mediterranean, while providing beverages on a locally-sourced basis. Having opened its doors at the beginning of July 2025, I decided to head there myself, the day after its opening, and confirm how well it has started serving Bristol Airport’s travellers.

The exterior of Alembic at Bristol Airport

Having checked myself into my flight from Bristol to Istanbul, and security has cleared me to proceed through the duty-free area, I head to Alembic’s location in the airport. A short escalator ride takes me to the floor on which it is based, and I immediately turn to see Alembic’s logo, which appears well-lit. Their lunch service has just begun, and I am intrigued to try some of the tapas dishes they offer to Bristol Airport’s passengers.

A waiter greets me and guides me to my table, where I am then presented with the tapas and drinks menu. I feel lucky to have skipped their breakfast options, as at first glance their ‘Small Plates of the World’ section sounds very appealing. I therefore place an order of the Magners Dark Fruit cider to sip on while I decide what to order, and to get into the Istanbul holiday mood.

The Magners Dark Fruit I sampled

I then notice on this section of the menu that there is a deal, either for two small dishes for £15 or three dishes for £22. Being a man of good food, I was sure bound to go for the three for £22 option. I then eventually decide what three dishes to sample, and I relay this to my waiter. I place an order for the ‘Gambas al Ajillo’ and ‘Spiced Onion Hummus & Flatbread’ small plates, both of which come with warm flatbread, along with the ‘Duck Gyozas’ small plate.

With the order placed in, I soon afterwards receive three small plates consisting of the items I ordered initially. I attempt to open the shell of my first king prawn; however, its current heat forbids me to do this. I therefore start simple and tuck into my spiced onion hummus and flatbread. A bowl of this hummus lies on top of several pieces of the warm flatbread. The topping of dukkah and red pepper oil adds to the appeal of this dish, and the aroma of the freshly baked flatbread provides further satisfaction.

The Spiced Onion Hummus and Flatbread at Alembic

I then begin consuming the hummus, and immediately my palate detects the spiced onion located within it. The warm flatbread adds to the smooth texture already given by the hummus itself, albeit providing heaviness as soon as I consume all the pieces given to me. Even after consuming this flatbread, I could do with some further pieces, given that I have half a bowl of hummus left. I therefore use the flatbread which came with the ‘Gambas al Ajillo’ dish to accompany the remaining hummus.

With the remaining hummus wiped up from the bowl, I move back to the king prawns, which have cooled down to some degree. My prior experience of taking the king prawns out of their shells serves me well as I perform this flawlessly, removing as much of the prawn meat as possible. I then use the available lemon wedge to squeeze it over the prawns for added flavour. Once I begin my way through the king prawns, my palate is treated to the garlic and chilli flavours provided. The king prawns themselves are cooked just right, and the white wine and parsley act as the appropriate flavour enhancements.

The Gambas al Ajillo at Alembic

The final dish, the Duck Gyozas, has a more elegant appearance and is heavily garnished with parsley leaves and sliced spring onion. The gyozas themselves are laid out on a bed of quinoa salad and have a drizzling of gochujang sauce. I waste no time in diving right in to sample these gyozas, falling positively foul over how attractive the whole plate looks. The dumpling pastry itself adds to the list of soft textures encountered over the three dishes, and I eventually arrive at the centre of my first gyoza to locate the duck filling.

The flavours of the duck and vegetables from both the gyozas and the quinoa salad transport my mind to a street food setting in Japan. Sampling gyozas for the first time, it is as if I am in Japan, getting away from its hustle and bustle to a lesser-known restaurant to try these in a peaceful environment. The gochujang sauce provides the heat, which I would expect given its reputation for being a fiery sauce. It is also clear to me here that Alembic also provides a hint of Japanese cuisine very well, along with the Mediterranean flavours already offered.

The Duck Gyozas at Alembic

With the dining experience of Alembic slowly drawing to a close, and the time of my Istanbul flight beckoning, I proceed with settling my bill. The satisfaction of paying £22 for three small plates, along with my Magners Dark Fruit cider, grows in me. I am also satisfied knowing that, given the high standards of the dishes served before me, Alembic is sure to prosper and serve Bristol Airport’s passengers well for the foreseeable future.

Alembic, Bristol Airport, Bristol BS48 3DY

Food Prices

• Breakfast - £8.00-£14.00 (Served until 11:30)

• Bar Nibbles - £2.50-£4.00

• Small Plates of the World - £8.00-£15.00 (2 for £15.00, 3 for £22.00)

• Share Bites - £16.00-£24.00

• Desserts - £8.00 each

Drink Prices

• Cocktails - £9.95-£12.95

• Wine Menu - £9.00-£86.00

• Barrel & Bottle - £4.65-£9.00

• Drinks - £2.70-£5.45 (Extras include extra coffee shot at £1.50 per shot, and £0.60 per milk alternative)