Mollie’s Diner, Bristol: A Fresh Take on Classic American Comfort Food & Diner Experience

There’s something irresistibly nostalgic about American diners—the soft leather booths, the clink of cutlery, the comforting smell of fried chicken and syrupy desserts. And yet, Mollie’s Diner in Bristol manages to bottle that retro charm while serving up something utterly modern, polished, and genuinely worth the hype.

Mollies Chicken n Waffle - Crispy Fried Chicken Tender and Bacon on Waffle — Mollies Chicken n Waffle – Crispy Fried Chicken Tender and Bacon on Waffle

After a long, full-on day of shopping at Cribbs Causeway, our family was in serious need of good food, a place to sit back and recharge, and ideally, a spot with enough character to keep the kid cheerful and the grown-ups sane. Mollie’s Diner, just a short drive away, was exactly what we needed—and honestly, it turned out to be one of the highlights of our day.

This wasn’t our first visit to Mollie’s, but each time we come, it feels like a little event in itself. There’s something about the mix of retro American diner vibes and polished modern design that just works. And on this particular evening, it gave us the warm welcome and relaxed comfort we were after.

The Modern Take on an American Diner

The interior at Mollie’s is a perfect blend of retro-inspired charm and modern cool. It manages to feel both fresh and familiar, with high ceilings and an open-plan layout that creates a bright, spacious atmosphere. Subtle vintage touches—leather booths, checkered floor tiles, and glowing signage—give a nod to classic American diners without tipping into theme park territory.

The space is cleverly divided to suit different needs and group sizes. There’s a comfortable seating area near the entrance for waiting guests, a long central bar with high stools overlooking the open kitchen, booth seating that offers a bit more privacy, and round tables positioned along the outer edge by full-height glass windows. These windows flood the diner with natural light during the day and provide cosy views of the outside world in the evening. Whether you’re dropping in for a weekend brunch, planning a relaxed dinner date, or grabbing a midweek bite with the family, Mollie’s offers a welcoming space that suits the mood.

The Food: Comfort on a Plate

By the time we sat down, we were all starving. Luckily, Mollie’s menu doesn’t mess about—it’s packed with crowd-pleasers, and everything sounds good. Here’s what we ordered:

Honey-Glazed Tenders

Crispy buttermilk fried chicken with a generous honey glaze and crunchy and tangy pickles on the side. We went with blue cheese sauce— creamy, rich, and the perfect contrast to the sweet glaze. The texture and flavour were spot-on. The combo of crunchy batter, tender meat and that creamy, flavourful blue cheese dip was nothing short of addictive.

Mollies Honey Glazed Chicken Tenders with Blue Cheese

Chicken ’n’ Waffle

This was a hit with the kid (and, if we’re honest, the adults too). Golden waffles with what my better half calls sharp and crispy edges topped with that same buttermilk chicken and crispy bacon, with maple syrup on the side. The juicy buttermilk fried chicken was stacked over warm waffle pieces topped with crispy bacon. The maple syrup when poured over the stack offers that perfect salty-sweet balance. It was indulgent in all the best ways—fluffy, crispy, sticky, and satisfying. It’s the kind of dish you think might be over the top—until you take your first bite and realise it’s everything your comfort food cravings needed.

Mollies Chicken n Waffle Stack with Maple Syrup

Mollie’s Cheese Dog

We also tried Mollie’s Cheese Dog—a plump sausage tucked into a soft roll and drenched in American cheese sauce, finished with tomato, mustard, pickles, chives, and Mollie’s signature sauce. It’s messy in the best way, bursting with flavour, and honestly just fun to eat. Classic diner food done with finesse. The real flavour bomb was served with a good portion of fries.

IMG_4100 Mollies Cheesy Dog — Mollie’s Cheesy Dog

Desserts Worth Saving Room For

If you’re the type to skip dessert—don’t. At Mollie’s, the sweet treats are absolutely worth sticking around for. The Chocolate Chip Cookie is a warm, comforting classic—baked cookie dough served in a skillet, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s soft and gooey in the middle, with crispy edges and that irresistible contrast of hot and cold in every bite. Then there’s Mollie’s Knickerbocker Glory, a towering retro delight layered with strawberries, jelly, creamy vanilla soft serve, custard, whipped cream, and sprinkles. It’s indulgent, nostalgic, and unapologetically over-the-top—in all the best ways. These are the two desserts we ordered but there are others also equally tempting.

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Baked cookie dough served warm in a stainless steel baltic dish, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Soft in the middle, crispy at the edges, and that beautiful contrast of hot and cold in every bite.

Mollie’s Knickerbocker Glory

A towering delight of strawberries, jelly, creamy vanilla soft serve, custard, whipped cream and sprinkles. A full-on retro dessert experience, and exactly what it should be: over-the-top and delicious.

Service: Friendly Faces & Great Energy

Despite it being a busy evening, we were greeted quickly and shown to our table without any wait. The team were on point—friendly, attentive and full of energy without being overbearing. Our server checked in often enough without rushing us, and the food came out quickly once we placed our order.

You can tell the staff genuinely care—from the warm welcome at the desk to the thoughtful attention throughout the meal. There’s a cheerful atmosphere that seems to come as much from the team as it does from the playlist or decor.

On every visit, we’ve found the staff to be warm, efficient, and always happy to offer recommendations. Our server was prompt without rushing us and made sure everything was spot-on throughout the meal. That balance of attentiveness without hovering is rare and appreciated.

Value for Money: A Welcome Surprise

At a time when eating out can feel like a luxury, Mollie’s offers genuine value. Most mains are between £10–£14, and the desserts come in at around £6.50–£7.50. For the quality, portion sizes, and experience, it’s a fantastic deal—and a welcome break from the inflated prices we’ve been seeing elsewhere.

Worth the Detour

Whether you’re celebrating, road-tripping, or simply unwinding after a day of shopping, Mollie’s Diner at Cribbs Causeway delivers where it counts. It’s upbeat, stylish, and delicious without trying too hard. You walk in hungry and leave happy—and full.

We’ll definitely be back. And next time? We’ve got our eyes on that Pork Belly with Texan rub, the Deli Meat Sub, and one of Mollie’s famed milkshakes—maybe chocolate and Oreo or a classic Dr Pepper float.

We’ve got our eyes on a few dishes for our next visit:

Pork Belly – with Texan rub, BBQ sauce, slaw, house beans, and fries
Double Cheeseburger – aged patties, American cheese, house relish, pickles
Deli Meat Sub – packed with salami, pepperoni, chorizo, and mozzarella
One of Mollie’s legendary milkshakes or floats – especially the chocolate & Oreo or a classic Dr Pepper float

Mollie’s Diner in Bristol is proof that eating out can still be affordable, fun, and delicious. Whether you’re in for brunch, lunch, or dinner—or just a sundae and a shake—it delivers comfort food classics with style and substance.

It’s modern Americana done right, and it’s no wonder we keep coming back for more.

If you are thinking of popping around at Mollie’s Diner, remember to book ahead to avoid disappointment. During peak times, this popular spot can get really busy for good reasons. Here is another look at the towering Knickerbocker Glory in all its GLORY 🙂