Plans have been revealed for a new zoo restaurant at Bristol Zoo.
Levy Restaurants UK, the zoo’s catering partner for the last ten years, is currently building the new restaurant on the site of the former Coral Café. It will be twice as big as the previous restaurant and sited next to the Zoo’s main lawn.
The new zoo restaurant, named “The Hide” will be a themed environment offering a fun and immersive dining experience. The design is inspred by natural habitats from across the world. It will include undergrowth, marine, horizon and canopy-themed areas.
Opening this spring, The Hide will seat up to 300 guests.
The construction work has involved the removal of the café’s old external canopy. Furthermore, a single storey has been added to increase guest capacity.
The Best Zoo Restaurant in the UK
Wendy Walton is director of commercial operations at Bristol Zoo. She said: “Together with Levy Restaurants UK we are developing the best Zoo restaurant in the UK. It will be a fantastic, stress-free dining experience in the heart of the Zoo. Guests will have a choice of themed dining zones based on a range of animal habitats in a totally unique, relaxed atmosphere. It’s a very exciting time and we are very much looking forward to revealing the new restaurant to our guests later this year.”
Ben George is general manager of Levy Restaurants UK at Bristol Zoo. He said: “The Hide will deliver a strong emphasis on fun combined with great food and drink. New menus will include a range of home-made dishes and snacks to suit all tastes, with the focus on nutritious and fun meals for kids and the entire family, using the best local, seasonal, ethical and sustainable ingredients. Our menus will offer all day service, from hot breakfast and lunch through to afternoon tea.
“It will offer the same casual and fun dining experience that you might find on the high street, with all the extra fun and theming you would expect at Bristol Zoo.”
The concept comes from UK planning and design consultancy Barton Willmore Architects. The frm worked with London based interior designers Wildfire to create an engaging and immersive visitor experience. In addition to being a dining venue, the building will also double as a corporate events space in the evening.
During development of the The Hide, a temporary café is in place. This in a large marquee on the Zoo’s main lawn.
Images: Barton Willmore Architects.
