Bristol Best of 2016: new food & drink openings

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

1. Adelina Yard

Chefs Jamie Randall and Olivia Barry have brought to Bristol ambitious modern European food which they tested out at pop-ups in Bedminster and Totterdown. If the 10-course tasting menu is not for you, try the ridiculously good value lunch at £15 for three courses.
Welsh Back, BS1 4SL
www.adelinayard.com

2. Wilson’s

The newest arrival on food and drink hotspot Chandos Road in Redland is the definition of a neighbourhood bistro.
24 Chandos Road, BS6 6PF 
www.wilsonsrestaurant.co.uk

3. Box-E

The sort of food remembered long after the final bite in a restaurant proving once and for all that size doesn’t matter.
Cargo 1, Wapping Wharf, BS1 6WP
www.boxebristol.com

4. Bertha’s Pizza

Pizza was big news in Bristol in 2016, with Pi Shop tantalisingly close to appearing on this list. Among the new openings, however, Bertha’s are the best of the bunch.
The Old Gaol Stables, Cumberland Road, BS1 6WW
www.berthas.co.uk

5. Shop 3 Bistro

Having only opened a few days before Christmas, Shop 3 Bistro left it very late to be included among this year’s best new restaurants. But the best has almost been saved until last with their tagline of “local, rustic and foraged” informing what appears on the menu.
3A Regent Street, BS8 4HW
@Shop3Bistro

BEST NEW PUB

1. Chums

Named after jovial landlord Mark Farrell’s walking group, Chums is part of a new breed of no-thrills micropubs taking things back to basics which resolutely forbids any form of electronic entertainment. So no flatscreen TVs, no jukebox, no music, just contented chatter and the clink of glasses. Pull up a chair and join in the conversation.
22 Chandos Road, BS6 6PF
www.chumsmicropub.co.uk

2. The Westbury Park

The newest member of the Zazu’s Kitchen family; and a cousin to the Greenbank, Grace and Knowle. A far cry from the Kebab & Calculator which this circular pub became in The Young Ones.
Northumbria Drive, BS9 4HP
www.westburyparkpub.co.uk

3. The Dark Horse

The icing on the cake for a revitalised corner of town.
172-174 Church Road, BS5 9HX
www.thedarkhorse-bristol.co.uk

4. The Duck & Willow

The Duck & Willow in Downend is the sister pub of Horfield’s Gloucester Old Spot and has proved very popular since opening earlier this month.
64 Downend Road, BS16 5UE
www.theduckandwillowbristol.co.uk

5. Gloucester Road Ale House

The Foresters was one of the last spit and sawdust pubs on Gloucester Road, which has changed beyond all recognition as the Gloucester Road Ale House.
99 Gloucester Road, BS7 8AT
www.wickwarbrewing.com/locations/gloucester-road-ale-house

BEST NEW BAR

1. Psychopomp

Officially a working gin microdistillery with a mighty fine bar attached. Let owner Danny guide your way through creations made in front of your eyes. Look out for their other bar within The Old Bookshop.
145 St Michael’s Hill, BS2 8DB
www.microdistillery.co.uk

2. Wild Beer

A bar in Wapping Wharf that beery dreams are made of.
Units 6-8 Gaol Ferry Steps, BS1 5WE
www.wildbeerco.com

3. Zitto & Bevi

Zitto & Bevi (roughly translated as “shut up and drink”) effortlessly replicates the osteria-style backstreet eateries of Italy, and just like those is filled with wine and simple tasty food.
3 Nine Tree Hill, BS1 3SB
www.facebook.com/ZittoandBevi/

4. Paco Tapas

This is a tapas bar you could happily spend all evening in, especially if tucking into the selection of sherries starting at £3.50 a glass.
3a The General, Lower Guinea Street, BS1 6SY
www.pacotapas.co.uk

5. To The Moon

A bar selling a range of drinks including cocktails and local beers as well as a fashion boutique selling sustainable products from predominantly Bristol based designers.
27-29 Midland Road, BS2 0JT
www.tothemoon.cc

BEST NEW CAFE

1. Little Victories

Sister establishment to Small Street Espresso, this new cafe serves only the best coffee and food, and stays open later for a wonderfully curated selection of beers, ciders, wine and gin.
7 Gaol Ferry Steps, Wapping Wharf, BS1 6WE
@LittleVicsBris 

2. No. 25a Old Market

Cool-as-you-like cafe-cum-deli with quirky features and a welcoming atmosphere.
25a Old Market Street, Bristol, BS2 0HB
www.instagram.com/25a_oldmarket/

3. Neck of the Woods

Think low airmiles, tasty food and a relaxed vibe; the perfect community project.
St Werburgh’s Community Centre, Horley Road, BS2 9TJ
www.neckofthewoodscafe.co.uk

4. Swoon

Swoon’s chill has been Bristol’s thrill this year. No other new opening has caught the imagination quite like it. 
31A College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TB
www.swoononaspoon.co.uk

5. Door & Rivet

An alleyway and courtyard gives a tantalising glimpse of the delights within this Tardis of a location, a narrow room hemmed in by thick stone walls, a fireplace at one end and the kitchen at the other. 
The old crypt, City Road Baptist Church, Upper York Street, BS2 8TP
www.facebook.com/doorandrivet

BEST NEW STREET FOOD

1. Zapiekanki

Now moved to Fishponds Road, Zapiekanki made their name serving Polish sandwiches the size of a small canoe from a small hatch on the corner of Stokes Croft and Nine Tree Hill.
668 Fishponds Road, BS16 3HJ
www.facebook.com/zapiekankizapsy

2. Eatchu

Gyoza is the game here; part steamed and part fried Japanese dumplings, served alone, with sauce, or on a bed of rice.
Exchange Avenue, BS1 1JQ
www.eatchu.co.uk

3. Pizzarova

The original business in a shipping container long before Cargo 1 arrived into Wapping Wharf will move into Cargo 2 in the new year.
www.pizzarova.com/street

4. Momo

Ugyen Choephell brings Tibetan cuisine from the high Himalayas to the streets of Bristol, featuring traditional dumplings with a range of fillings.
www.momo-bar.co.uk

5. Buckland Burgers

Serving some of Bristol’s finest gourmet burgers at the Harbourside Market.
www.facebook.com/buckburgs

BEST NEW SHOP

1. Bristol Cheesemonger

Rosie Morgan started selling cheese from a small table in the corner of Hart’s Bakery on Saturday mornings. Then she traded at local markets, and after a pop-up last year opened her first permanent shop, which also sells among other things Bishopston Supper Club’s wonderful preserves.
43 St Stephen’s Street, BS1 1LA
www.bristol-cheese.co.uk

2. Bluebird Tea

Tea connoisseurs rejoice – Bristol now has a shop that takes care of your every need from tea to honey.
73 Park Street, BS1 5PG
www.bluebirdteaco.com/uk_en/our-stores

3. Bristol Beer Shop

An indie stockist of local and international craft beer, cider and beery gifts, in a former pub.
627 Fishponds Road, BS16 3BA
www.bristolbeershop.co.uk

4. Corks at Cargo

Corks became the first business to open in the shipping containers that make up Cargo at Wapping Wharf. It is the independent wine and spirits merchants’ third shop after Cotham Hill and North Street, but despite being their smallest so far it’s their first to have its own bar.
Unit 6, Cargo, Wapping Wharf, BS1 6WP
www.corksofbristol.com/cargo

5. Lovett Pies

All the pies here cost £4.50 to take away or eat in, from a company founded in 2011 by two friends who met while working at the Chequers pub in Bath.
Unit 3, Cargo, Wapping Wharf, BS1 6WD
www.lovettpies.com

Read more: Bristol Best of 2016: food and drink