A Bristol pub has been recognised as one of the most exclusive dining establishments globally, securing sixth place in a list of the world's hardest reservations. The Bank Tavern, located on John Street, was the only UK venue among the top ten, with London's Nina restaurant ranking 17th.
The list, compiled by restaurant booking platform Dojo, analysed reservation waiting times, demand, and social media following to identify the world's most sought-after eateries. The Bank Tavern has a waiting time of 365 days for its renowned Sunday roasts, with bookings typically opening at the start of each year and selling out within minutes.
This year, the pub opened its diary for 2025 bookings at 10am on January 2, and all slots were filled in just 13 minutes. The team posted on Instagram: '2025 Sunday lunch is fully booked. You crashed our website and everything went in 13 minutes.'
The Lost Kitchen in Maine, USA, topped the list, requiring diners to send a postcard for a chance to secure a reservation. Rao's in New York, a members-only establishment, came second. Other restaurants in the top five include Disfrutar in Barcelona, House of Prime Rib in San Francisco, and El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, Spain.
The Bank Tavern's popularity was further highlighted by a visit from US rugby star Ilona Maher, who enjoyed the highly sought-after roast dinner after signing with Bristol Bears Women. A Bristol Live reporter who managed to secure a table in 2024 described the food as 'simply incredible' and 'time stopping'.
