People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Darren Tooley
Darren Tooley is the founder and owner of Food Shop on Overton Road in St Andrew’s, just off Gloucester Road.
The small store is focused on supporting independent food makers from Bristol, the South West and beyond, with Daren stocking everyday food products “that are well made, have good provenance and are of the best quality”.
Before moving to Bristol, Darren worked in restaurants in Australia and London.
is needed now More than ever
These are Darren’s top-five Bristol favourites:
32 Upper York Street
It’s impossible to miss the HQ of Lost Horizon and Basement Beer opposite Lakota
“32 Upper York Street in St Paul’s is the home of one of my favourite coffee roasters – Lost Horizon – and also Basement Beer. The taproom is nice and cosy with a really chilled and easy-going vibe. The beers are always fresh and delicious, and the chap who runs it is lovely!”
Licata
Licata has been a Bristol institution since 1959
“Licata is a classic old-school Italian deli on Picton Street in Montpelier. It is just really charming and the people who own it are lovely. It stocks all the the Italian essentials and is the only place I know to get freshly cut guanciale in Bristol. The deli counter also has excellent arancini and tiramisu.”
The Orchard Inn
The Orchard Inn is a traditional corner pub which has been running for more than 180 years
“Steph and Sam and their team really take care of their beers, ciders and customers in the Orchard. There are excellent pub snacks during the day and changing residencies of kitchen pop-ups too. It has a great mix of people and is just enough off the beaten track in Spike Island to stay quiet and local.”
Queen Square
When riots broke out in Bristol on October 30 1831 following the House of Lords blocking an electoral reform bill, nearly 100 of the buildings in and around Queen Square including the Mansion House, Bishop’s Palace and Custom House were burned to the ground and their cellars looted
“This is where I walk the dog and is one of the very few places in the city centre where you can get away from the sound of cars. You are surrounded by trees and there is a big expanse of grass. It feels very Georgian and there is something quite special about taking a contemplative walk around its gravelled perimeter. It gets the late sun in summer and is great for to sit on the grass and watch people go by.”
Gloucester Road
Istanbul Mini Market is one of Darren’s favourite shops on Gloucester Road
“Gloucester Road has been such a welcoming community of shopkeepers, residents and shoppers since I opened Food Shop. I love that I can buy just about everything I need on the street. I think the most underrated shop is Istanbul Mini Market that seems to have absolutely everything you could ever need!”
All photos: Martin Booth
Read next:
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- Seven pubs in Bristol are new entries in the Good Beer Guide 2023
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