Bristol's Paco Tapas announces extension

Six years since launching, Paco Tapas – a Bristol-based tapas bar from Michelin-starred chef-owner Peter Sanchez-Iglesias – has announced its expansion into the restaurant's neighbouring site. The space was temporarily occupied by Pi Shop during the pandemic. 

Alongside the extension, Paco Tapas will launch a new waterside dining terrace.

The family-run venue, which the chef-owner developed in partnership with his brother Jonray Sanchez-Iglasias, opened in 2016, sitting beside acclaimed sister restaurant Casamia in Bristol's former general hospital. Named after the family patriarch, Paco Sanches-Iglesias, Paco Tapas remains true to its roots, combining comforting Andalusian flavours with a flair that earned its chefs a Michelin star within its first year of opening, which has been retained ever since. 

In 2019, chef-patron Peter stepped away from cooking to oversee the wider business, handing the reins over to current head chef Joel Breakwell. The restaurant will now take the next step in its journey, extending the space housed between Paco Tapas and Casamia to welcome 20 additional covers to its 40-cover restaurant. 

The extension comes alongside the launch of the 55-cover terrace, where guests can enjoy the ever-changing daily menu from a waterside location. Menus are hand-written on brown paper and consist of signature tapas dishes such as Octopus a la Gallega, Tortilla Española abd Gambas Al Ajillo, as well as seasonal daily specials. 

The announcement follows the news that its sister restaurant, Casamia, will close its doors on 20 August. The team have plans for the site to become something new later this year, with more details to be announced in due course.

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