News / Bristol
Europa to close after 27 years
One of Bristol’s oldest restaurants has announced imminent plans to close.
Europa, on the corner of Baldwin Street and St Stephen’s Street, will shut its doors for the last time after 27 years on Wednesday following owner Pietro Tallo’s decision to retire.
“I’m going to rest for a bit,” said the chef, who has more than 35 years’ experience under his apron, surveying his restaurant during one of his final lunchtime services. “I’ve enjoyed it and I will miss it.”
He described the decision to retire as an easy one, stating that it has become more difficult to run a restaurant in Bristol: “There are many more things to do, and it used to be easier and not take so much time.”
However, Pietro is positive about the food scene in Bristol, which has grown exponentially in recent years.
“Bristol is up-and-coming now, and there’s a lot better food here than there used to be,” he told Bristol24/7. “There are plenty of opportunities to have good food in Bristol.”
The restaurant premises are due to be turned into a bar, tipped to be opening at the end of August. It will be in good company, with Bar Buvette as a next-door-neighbour.
Europa has seen many other restaurants come and go in Bristol, though two others have stood the test of time – Cyprus Kebab House on St Michael’s Hill and Don Giovanni’s opposite Temple Meads have both been continuously open for more than 30 years.
Read Bristol’s first truly independent food and drink guide, EatDrink24/7, online here
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