Features / Bristol
Best of Bristol 2017: Food & Drink
BEST RESTAURANT
1. Casamia
is needed now More than ever
The menu here continues to change every season, meaning there is no time to stand still for Peter Sanchez-Iglesias and his team at Casamia, headed up by head chef Jim Day. Could 2018 be the year that a second star is bestowed on Bristol’s finest culinary ambassadors?
Casamia, The General, 8 Lower Guinea Street, Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6FU
0117 959 2884
www.casamiarestaurant.co.uk
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Read more: Bristol restaurant named second best in UK
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2. Birch
One of Bristol’s smallest and one of its best. A daily changing menu features produce from co-owners Sam and Becky’s garden that they tend in Whitchurch.
Birch, 47 Raleigh Road, Southville, Bristol, BS3 1QS
0117 902 8326
www.birchbristol.co
3. Box-E
More proof that big is not necessarily better, with only 14 diners able to eat here and enjoy Elliott Lidstone’s phenomenal cooking and Tessa Lidstone’s charming hospitality.
Boz-E, Cargo 1, Wapping Wharf, Bristol, BS1 6WP
www.boxebristol.com
4. Pasta Loco
Cousins Ben Harvey and Dom Borel do one thing very well indeed at Pasta Loco. Watch out for their new restaurant, Pasta Ripiena, opening on St Stephen’s Street in early 2018.
Pasta Loco, 37A Cotham Hill, Cotham, Bristol, BS6 6JY
0117 973 3000
www.pastaloco.co.uk
5. Bulrush
Try the tasting menu on Friday and Saturday nights for the full experience at this simply brilliant neighbourhood restaurant.
Bulrush, 21 Cotham Road South, Cotham, Bristol, BS6 5TZ
0117 329 0990
www.bulrushrestaurant.co.uk
BEST PUB
1. The Bag of Nails
‘This pub is for customers. Customers are people who purchase drinks.’ A handwritten sign in the window makes it clear that people just looking at cats don’t pay the bills. Visit this pub for an impeccably chosen selection of beer from across the world, Lego and of course cats.
The Bag of Nails, 141 St George’s Road, Hotwells, Bristol, BS1 5UW
www.facebook.com/TheBagofCats
2. The Prince of Wales
Everyone is welcome here, everyone except the big business that wants to take over the running of this place and sack the current landlady, Anna Gorman.
The Prince of Wales, 5 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8AA
0117 924 5552
www.powbristol.co.uk
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Read more: Gloucester Road landlord takes on corporate pub giants
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3. The Plough
This is an enclave of Bristol at its irreverent best. You can’t help thinking there isn’t any other place like this in the city; not since Stokes Croft was gentrified.
The Plough, 223 Easton Road, Easton, BS5 0EG
0117 955 8556
www.facebook.com/ThePloughEaston
4. The Drapers Arms
This Gloucester Road micropub won CAMRA’s best pub in Bristol this year, with co-owners Vince Crocker and Garvan Hickey commended for its ever changing beer range and a focus on conversation.
The Drapers Arms, 447 Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 8TZ
www.thedrapersarms.co.uk
5. The Jersey Lily
Another garlanded hostelry this year with the Blackboy Hill pub named best cask pub at the Star Awards.
The Jersey Lily, 193 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2SB
0117 973 8590
www.thejerseylily.co.uk
BEST BAR
1. Small Bar
At the heart of Bristol’s ‘Beermuda Triangle’, Small Bar continues to go from strength to strength and is the spiritual home of good beer in Bristol. This year, beer from across the world has been able to wash down the Mexican-influenced food of kitchen residents Plumed Serpent.
Small Bar, 31 King Street, Bristol, BS1 4DZ
www.smallbar.co.uk/bristol
2. Psychopomp
A gin microdistillery that just happens to have a bar attached. But what a mighty fine bar it is. Look out for their unique distillers table events.
Psychopomp, 145 St Michael’s Hill, Kingsdown, Bristol, BS2 8DB
07511 934675
www.microdistillery.co.uk
3. The Milk Thistle
If you’ve got visitors from outside Bristol who you want to impress, Milk Thistle remains the bar of choice.
The Milk Thistle, Quay Head House, Colston Avenue, BS1 1EB
0117 929 4429
www.milkthistlebristol.com
4. Bar Buvette
“I love the whole vibe here,” said Casamia chef-patron Peter Sanchez-Iglesias in this year’s inaugural EatDrink24/7 guide, and we couldn’t agree more.
Bar Buvette, 31 Baldwin Street, Bristol, BS1 1RG
0117 370 9667
www.barbuvette.co.uk
5. The Gallimaufry
Rawness play live at the Galli – photo by James Koch
You might never know whether to say it’s a bar or a restaurant or a music venue. It’s all those things and yet they work harmoniously together.
The Gallimaufry, 26-28 The Promenade, Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8AL
0117 942 7319
www.thegallimaufry.co.uk
BEST SHOP
1. The Bristol Cheesemonger
Rosie Morgan hasn’t been able to wipe the smile of her face since her shop The Bristol Cheesemonger was named the UK’s best speciality retailer at the Great British Cheese Awards 2017. “The huge amount of support I have received has made a huge impact and has been quite humbling,” EatDrink24/7 panellist Rosie told Bristol24/7.
Cargo 2, Museum Street, Wapping Wharf, BS1 6WE
www.bristol-cheese.co.uk
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Read more: Bristol Cheesemonger named best cheese shop in the UK
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2. Sweet Mart
This Aladdin’s Cave of wonder is the shop for virtually every item of food you could ever want.
Bristol Sweet Mart, St Mark’s Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6JH
0117 951 2257
www.sweetmart.co.uk
3. Source
A Bristol institution for good food, which this year hosted its eighth annual oyster festival. Buy the freshest produce from the shop and eat at the cafe from a seasonally changing menu.
Source, 1-3 Exchange Avenue, St Nick’s Market, BS1 1JW
0117 927 2998
www.source-food.co.uk
4. Viandas
Three friends from Spain have brought a taste of their home country to Bristol. Viandas is a Spanish deli with the shelves packed full of items all imported from across the Iberian peninsula.
Viandas, 12 Park Row, Bristol, BS1 5LJ
0117 925 7417
www.viandas.co.uk
5. Zara’s Chocolates
Zara Narracott has always had a passion for chocolate and now makes her living from making it. She even helped us make Bristol24/7 magazine’s April cover.
Zara’s Chocolates, 228 North Street, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 1JD
0117 953 3892
www.zaraschocolates.com
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Read more: Behind the scenes: the creation of Bristol24/7’s chocolate cover
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BEST EVENT
1. Bristol in the Sky
The likes of Rosemarino, Swoon and Her Majesty’s Secret Service Cocktail Club all took to the skies for the best and certainly the most unique pop-up of 2017, Bristol In The Sky, as 22 diners were strapped in tightly to their chairs and the served their food and drink on a table dangling 100 feet in the air.
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Read more: Dining at dizzy new heights
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2. Bristol24/7 Autumn Feast
Okay, we’re slightly biased here but also incredibly proud of the 12 young people from across Bristol who cooked a meal to remember in the Paintworks Event Space with the help of some of Bristol’s best chefs and our friends at Square Food Foundation, and who we now hope will be able to go on to make a career in the food industry.
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Read more: An inspirational evening at the Bristol24/7 Autumn Feast
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3. East Bristol Brewery Trail
Arbor, Dawkins, Good Chemistry, Left Handed Giant and Moor once again joined forces for the annual trail – an excuse if any were needed to celebrate Bristol’s brilliant beer scene by hopping from brewery to brewery.
4. Eat Your Words
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUNDAy5Dvht
Eat Your Words celebrates the cookbook and the act of eating together, with guests discussing classic cookbooks while sat at the table of some of Bristol’s finest restaurants (which this year have included Bar Buvette, Bertha’s Pizza and Birch) dipping into dishes from the very pages being discussed.
5. Bristol Pudding Society
https://www.instagram.com/p/BUJU4jKD7j7
Bristol Pudding Society guests tuck into a five-course menu made up of entirely of puddings, with each dessert paired with a cocktail made by Bristol Spirit Bar.
BEST CAFE
1. Little Victories
Whether it’s a coffee by day or an espresso martini by night, Little Victories has swiftly become a firm favourite. From Chris Chubb and John Drysdale, who opened Small Street Espresso back in the mists of 2012, it’s the go-to cafe within the new go-to part of town.
Little Victories, 7 Gaol Ferry Steps, Wapping Wharf, Bristol, BS1 6WE
www.littlevics.co.uk
2. Full Court Press
If you want the best speciality coffee in Bristol served by the most knowledgeable baristas, this is the place to go.
Full Court Press, 59 Broad Street, Bristol, BS1 2EJ
www.fcp.coffee
3. Ceres
After living in Melbourne for a number of years, Dan Ingram has brought a part of the city’s cafe culture to Bristol. Pop-up restaurant nights in Ceres have been one of 2017’s best-kept secrets.
Ceres, 32 Stokes Croft, BS1 3PR
www.facebook.com/cerescoffee.co
4. No. 25a Old Market
Get your pastries from Farro’s, your coffee from Extract, beer from Good Chemistry and the warmest of welcomes from owner Chris Williams.
No. 25A Old Market, 25A Old Market Street, Bristol, BS2 0HB
www.instagram.com/25a_oldmarket
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Read more: Starter for 10: Chris Williams
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5. Este Kitchen
‘Made with love’ is the tagline of Este Kitchen. This small cafe is certainly lovely, occupying a corner site flooded with natural light.
Este Kitchen, 7 Greenbank Road, Easton, Bristol, BS5 6EZ
0117 378 9744
www.estekitchen.com
BEST STREET FOOD
1. Alp Mac
Alp-Mac is the result of numerous winters working in the Alps and eating copious amounts of cheese, using local produce to bring the taste of the mountains to Bristol. Enjoy dishes such as fondue mac and cheese as well as specials inspired by foods including tartiflette and poutine.
2. Los Hermanos
https://www.facebook.com/AKON/videos/10159490605880024/
Two brothers and a love of cooking, with big flavours whether it be pork, beef, poultry, vegetarian or vegan. Even global hip-hop superstar Akon is a fan.
3. The Little Taquero
Authentic Mexican street food. Think top-notch tacos and tortillas, from a business who in 2018 will start making tortillas on an industrial scale on a machine imported from Mexico.
www.thelittletortilleria.co.uk
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Read more: Get ready for fresh tortillas made in Bristol
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4. For Mice & Men
Grilled cheese. Need we say more?
5. Vee Double Moo
Photo by Jess Siggers
It’s easy to forget about the summer in these winter months, but when you’re sweltering in the sun there is nothing much better than an ice cream from Bridget at Vee Double Moo.
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