My Bristol favourites.
Here is a selection of my personal food and drink favourites in the lovely city of Bristol. This is limited to my own experiences of living there for five years, and I’m sure there are many more great spots which I have yet to try, but here is the list I have compiled from my time there.
Quick & affordable meals
Eatchu, various
Japanese gyoza and excellent affordable rice bowls.
Chilli Daddy, various
Szechuan food, addictive spicy noodle soups and mouth-watering dishes. Good vegan options.
Pieminister, various
Comforting and high-quality British pies, with great vegan and gluten-free options.
Wah Yan Hong, Centre
May seem to just be a shop from the outside, but it also houses a small seating area with a select menu of delicious Chinese dishes.
Bristol Loaf, various
Great local bakery with seasonal lunch options.
Food by Sophie, Centre
Delicious and hearty Caribbean food stall every Tuesday and Friday on Wine Street, good vegan options.
Sit-down lunch & dinner spots
Bokman, Stokes Croft
A local and personal favourite. Authentic homely Korean food served in a cosy restaurant. Their speciality is a whole roasted chicken stuffed with glutinous rice. Good vegan options available.
Marmo, Centre
Beautiful restaurant with small and seasonal European & Italian inspired menu and carefully selected wine list.
Soukitchen, Southville
Delicious Middle Eastern food with stunning mezze options, plenty of vegetarian options available.
Sonny Stores, Southville
Local independent restaurant with regularly changing menu using high-quality seasonal ingredients to make delicious and simple Italian food.
Wilsons, Redland
For a more special occasion. Beautiful small restaurant offering a stunning tasting menu using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.
Pasture, Redcliffe
Arguably one of the best steak restaurants in the UK, carefully sourced and excellently executed. Simple but carefully crafted menu, good service, and a strong selection of sustainably sourced beef.
Your kitchen 渝湘, Clifton
Chinese restaurant specialising in authentic Hunan and Szechuan dishes.
Nice Spice 百味小廚, Centre
Small restaurant serving Hong Kong style roast meats. You may have to queue if you’re going at midday or dinner time.
Cafe Cuba, Stokes Croft
Local favourite serving homely Cuban dishes.
Authentic Hot Pot & Handpulled Noodles, Redcliffe
Also available for takeaway, with mouthwatering dishes and perfectly made handpulled noodles.
Msala Library, Easton
My personal favourite in Bristol for a great selection of a variety of Indian dishes.
Pizza Bianchi, Clifton
Great pizza also offering individual slices to go, run by the local restaurant group Bianchis. Vegan and gluten-free menus available.
Bakery & Desserts
Farro, Centre
Best bread and pastries in Bristol. Prepare to queue on weekends. They sell their already iconic soft-serve ice cream in the warmer months.
Hart’s Bakery, Temple Meads
Excellently crafted breads, pastries, as well as delicious daily lunch options.
Sotiris Greek Bakery, Centre
Small shop offering a great variety of Greek bakes, pies, and pastries.
Ahh Toots, Centre
Beautifully made cakes and sweet bakes for all occasions.
Pubs & Bars
Clockwork Rose, Centre
Best cocktails in Bristol. Steampunk bar with stunning interiors and expertly crafted cocktails.
Strawberry Thief, Centre
Stunning pub offering an extensive list of Belgian and European beers.
Small Bar, Centre
Cosy pub on King Street offering locally brewed beers.
Beer Emporium, Centre
Underground pub on King Street with a great selection of local and international beers and ciders.
Old Market Assembly, Old Market
Stunning pub and arts venue with a vibey outdoor terrace selling independent beers and ciders, as well as a great Sunday roast.
Lefthanded Giant, Centre
Local favourite, offering a variety of their excellently brewed beers. Great spot to sit outside in the summer.
Wiper & True, Old Market
Large and lofty taproom selling Wiper & True’s brilliant beers. Extra bonus is the delicious food provided by Eatchu.
Christmas Steps, Centre
Beautiful old pub by the picturesque Christmas Steps. Dickensian vibes in the best way.
The Canteen, Stokes Croft
Buzzing pub, bar, and arts space hosting live music events. They also serve food, offering an all vegetarian menu.
The Gallimaufry, Gloucester Road
A vibrant pub, bar and music venue, with stunning artwork and great atmosphere.
Hillgrove Porter Stores, Kingsdown
A cosy local favourite, offering a strong selection of local beers and ciders. Their in-house kitchen also serves excellent Japanese food, including okonomiyaki (look up Kansai Kitchen Bristol for the full menu).
The Green Man, Kingsdown
Small and simple pub serving great beers in Kingsdown.
The Robin Hood, St Michael’s Hill
Lovely and cosy pub near the university campus serving all locally brewed beers.
The Good Measure, Redland
Beautiful little pub by Good Chemistry Brewing serving their own beers. Monthly “She Drinks Beer” events, providing a welcoming pub experience for women.
Coffee & Hot Drinks
Small Street Espresso, Centre
Small and cosy cafe in the centre with carefully and expertly made coffee.
25a Old Market, Old Market
Pretty little cafe on two floors, also offering chosen deli items.
Ruby Hue Chocolate, Centre
On top of their coffee, this place makes their own chocolate from bean to bar and creates the most expertly crafted hot (and cold) chocolate.
Workspace Cafes
Bristol Old Vic, Centre
Absolutely stunning building and a lofty, beautiful interior, this is one of the oldest still running theatres in the UK which also hosts a lovely cafe-bar space. Very spacious and open all day, this is a personal favourite, be it to do concentrated work, work meetings, or have a coffee or pint with a friend. They now also serve Pieminister pies from midday onwards.
Watershed, Centre
Beautiful independent cafe, restaurant, art space, and cinema right by the harbourside.
Tobacco Factory, Southville
The historic building houses a beautiful cafe & bar space with big windows displaying local artists and offering an all veggie menu, an independent theatre, and a small shop selling fresh bakes and regional and independently sourced goods and ingredients.
Personal Highlights
Favourite cafe: Bristol Old Vic
Favourite restaurant: Bokman
Favourite bar: Clockwork Rose
Favourite pub: The Good Measure
Favourite bakery: Farro