The Cottage Inn, Bristol

You'll find this genuinely pleasant riverside spot tucked along Cumberland Road, where the outdoor terrace actually delivers on its harbour views promise. The Cottage Inn sits right on Baltic Wharf, and while the name might sound quaint, it's more about the location than any chocolate-box charm – though the waterside setting does plenty of heavy lifting. Inside, it's standard Butcombe fare – well-kept ales, reliable pub classics, and staff who know what they're doing. But you're really here for that terrace, especially on a decent day when you can watch the boats and pretend Bristol's a proper seaside town. The food won't blow your mind, but the fish and chips are solid and the Sunday roasts do the job. It's one of those places that works because it doesn't try too hard.