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Located on the vibrant Denmark Street, just next to Chill Tea is Nice Spice, a Chinese restaurant offering Cantonese favourites. It has built a devoted following for its authentic Cantonese roast meat, generous portions, and excellent value. Despite its modest size and no-frills setup, this tiny eatery is one of Bristol’s most sought-after Chinese dining spots.
The restaurant has been through several renovations and while still tight, it has comfy seats and sufficient room for diners to enjoy their meal.
Entering the Roast Meat Haven
The restaurant is compact, with roughly half its width taken up by a bustling kitchen, so seating is limited and queues form quickly—especially at peak hours. But the aromas of roasting meat and the promise of satisfying dishes keep customers loyal.
True to Chinese Cantonese eateries, the roast meat are hung up front as window display to attract would be diners. A hallmark of restaurants serving tender, juice and cooked to perfection meat.
It is also cash-only although from our last visit, for a takeout, card was accepted. While it is mainly counter-service, you order at the front and wait patiently—possibly outside—by design. Those seated can also get their meals ordered by waiting staff. Locals say this is a sign you’re dining at a place that values quality over polish.
What We Ordered: Three Roast Meat to Share
We settled on the Three Roast Meat Combo—a fan-favourite and perfect for sharing. It included:
Char Siu (BBQ Pork): Glossy, deep-red slices with a caramelised edge and juicy sweetness.
Roast Peking Duck: Crispy skin and succulent meat, adding that smoky richness to every bite.
Crispy Pork Belly: Incredibly tender meat with crackling skin that sings with texture.
All served over steamed rice with lightly cooked greens, making this a hearty yet balanced meal. Every meat tasted expertly prepared, with enough fat to keep it juicy but none of it heavy or greasy. The portions were very generous, ideal for two or three people to share comfortably if you are leaving room for sides like the wanton or pork dumpling soup.
Other Roast Meats
Popular Extras & Ordering Tips
Nice Spice also serves roast chicken, soy sauce chicken, dumpling soups, and noodle dishes. You can tailor your order, choosing double portions of duck or chicken, or building your own combo of three or four meats.
Our local insider tip: if the place is full, order takeaway and head next door to Chill Tea. You can enjoy your Cantonese rice meal alongside bubble tea or a Bingsu dessert in a more spacious setting. Since both businesses share management, it’s a seamless—and delicious—pairing idea.
Service & Environment
The service at Nice Spice is simple and friendly. Staff will answer menu questions and explain spice levels or recommend the chilli sauce that’s a local highlight. You do get the occassional minor issues with salty soup or limited vegetables, but most we really applaud the flavour-led cooking.
True to its Cantonese BBQ roots, Nice Spice often attracts Chinese students and Bristol locals looking for familiar flavours and a no-nonsense experience. This is “Hong Kong-style roast meats” with authenticity, just like dining in a Chinatown eatery, without the frills.
What We Like
Nice Spice turns simplicity into strength. Despite the limited space and basic decor, the food speaks volumes. If you’re after well-seasoned char siu, crackling pork belly and aromatic roast duck—without overpaying—this is one of the best places in Bristol to go.
Our two cents: Go early or plan to text ahead. If it’s full, take your order next door and savour it with a bubble tea or dessert at Chill Tea. Great food, great value, and a perfect combo of savoury and sweet.
If you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll know that one of our all-time favourite comfort meals is Hong Kong-style roast meat with rice. Be it’s roast duck, crispy BBQ pork belly, char siu pork, or succulent roast chicken, we rarely pass up the chance to enjoy this classic Cantonese dish. Every time we come across a restaurant serving it—be it in London’s Chinatown, in the heart of Soho or at local favourites like Sai Kung Café in Bristol, we make it a point to order our go-to roast meat rice. It’s a staple we keep coming back to, and for good reason: it’s hearty, flavourful, and always satisfying.
