Best for British: The Runcible Spoon

The Runcible Spoon, named after a line in the Owl and the Pussycat, is typical of the quirky and independently minded Stokes Croft area (local protests over the opening of a Tesco Express and a raid on a squat opposite led to violence in April this year). The aim of the workers' co-op, which opened earlier this year, is to offer "affordable, high-quality modern seasonal British food", sourced from local, small-scale growers, with the menu changing on a daily basis. On the three-course £16 dinner menu this week is a starter of smoked ham hock and gribiche; followed by sage, barley and chestnut roast, pumpkin purée, curly kale, beetroot crisp; and orange pannacotta and gingerbread with red wine poached pear for dessert.
• 3 Nine Tree Hill, Kingsdown, 0117 329 7645, the-runcible-spoon.com

Best for Italian: A Cappella

The best pizzas in Bristol can be found at A Cappella in Knowle – the mozzarella comes from Naples and all pizzas are made to order then stonebaked. Prices range from £7.45 for a 12-inch margherita to £14.45 for a special of artichokes, black olives, and cold toppings of Parma ham, buffalo mozzarella, rocket leaves and olive oil.
• 184c Wells Road, Knowle, 0117 971 3377, acappellas.co.uk

Best for Mexican: My Burrito

The current craze for Mexican street food hit Bristol this year, with a pair of burrito restaurants opening a few hundred metres apart. My Burrito, in a former barber's shop in the city centre, is my pick of the two. I usually have the barbacoa – smoked beef braised with Mexican herbs and spices. You could also have carnitas (smoky pork), chicken or veggie. Burritos are either small (£5.25) or regular (£6.35). For breakfast or as a desert, Spanish churros come served with thick chocolate sauce (£2.25). Drinks include a selection of Mexican bottled beers (£3.20-£3.50).
• 7 Broad Quay, 0117 9297 239, myburrito.co.uk

Best for Polish: A Taste of Poland

Hidden away on a small strip of shops near the Bristol Rovers' Memorial Stadium, A Taste of Poland is next door to a Polish deli and is owned by the same family, who source every ingredient from Poland. Try the zraz wolowy, beef roll stuffed with gherkin, peppers, ham and onion (£4.50) served with mashed potatoes (£1.20) and beetroot with horseradish (£1.20). It's decidedly unappetising in appearance but meaty and wholesome in taste. And like every other dish on the menu, it is absolutely fantastic value. This is proper Polish food, hearty rather than healthy, with big portions for big eaters.
• 229 Filton Avenue, Horfield, 0117 969 5069

Best for Spanish: El Puerto

Nothing can recreate the authentic Spanish tapas bar experience, but El Puerto ("The Port", a nod to Bristol's nautical heritage), comes close. The tapas here are served in generous portions – and so they should be for the price. Each dish verges towards the £6 mark, making it an expensive night if you feel like experimenting with lots of different food. Fortunately, the tortilla and patatas bravas (both £2.95 each) are just as good. On Sundays from 7.30pm, there is live flamenco music.
• 57 Prince Street, 0117 925 6014, el-puerto.co.uk

Martin Booth is the editor of Bristol Culture, which looks at the city's music, theatre, film, art and food scene (bristolculture.wordpress.com)