Oak smoked, organic chorizo, Scicillian style aubergines, pine nuts & raisins and all enjoyed beside one of the most beguiling views in Bristol.

If you’re a seasoned Bristol foodie, you’ll know Bristol Lido well and your path to its unassuming door will be well trodden. But if you’re wandering around one of my favourite cities as a newbie, it’d be easy to miss. And that certainly would be a shame.

The team behind this beautiful bolthole is back after coronavirus shut its doors for almost four months. Now the food and joyous sense of freedom of eating out while overlooking the glittering lido is more precious than ever.

We arrived to a sparkling clean bar area and a table by the door with jars of pens and paper grids to jot down who we were and our contact details. Super friendly staff wear masks and are more attentive than ever - we were seated beside the pool, with a chilled glass of fizz and zingy pineapple cooler within minutes.

And, gazing out onto the rippling water and over to the colourful striped changing cubicles, the only sense that lido life has changed since the virus is the quiet orderliness of it. The bubbling hot tub is closed and so’s the steam room, sensibly.

But it’s the revised swimming regime that’s most noticeable. While everything’s being cleaned, the water laps lazily over the vibrant blue tiles of pool and a stillness settles. Then, 20 minutes later, in six swimmers troop, full of smiles as they take their allotted cubicle and then jump right in.

And that wonderful sound of swimmers splashing up and down the pool was the perfect backdrop to lunch as my friend Josie and I picked through the poolside bar menu while nibbling on flavoursome glossy marinated Gordal olives (£3.50).

We plumped for seriously juicy Vesuvio tomato, sprinkled with sea salt and olive oil with flecks of fragrant basil leaves (£5.50). The three, thickly sliced tomatoes went beautifully with our spicy chunks of oak smoked organic chorizo and cornichons (£5).

Creamy hummus, topped with wonderfully crunchy fried chickpeas and hot smoked paprika (£3.50) was perfect to dip our torn up stone-baked sourdough flatbread (£2.50) into.

My favourite dish of sweet caramelised peppers, tangy goat’s cheese and sweet herbs (£4) was so good I wished it was bigger.

We’d also recommend the Sicillian style aubergines, pine nuts and raisins (£5.50) - the velvety smoothness of the lightly charred veg was delightful.

For a taste of the Mediterranean, tucked away in the chic streets of Clifton, you can do no better than Bristol Lido. Just remember to book. Especially on sunny days when it can get pretty busy.

For more information visit www.lidobristol.com