Bristol Best of 2016: food & drink

BEST RESTAURANT

1. Casamia

The heart and soul of their original Westbury-on-Trym home remains; it was just transplanted to different surroundings at the start of this year. Casamia changes its menu four times a year with the seasons, and if this year has seen the restaurant retaining its Michelin star, next year could see them getting a second. Bristol has never seen food this good.
The General, Lower Guinea Street, BS1 6SY
www.casamiarestaurant.co.uk

2. Bulrush

Head chef George Livesey makes use of an in-house forager and fermentation room for his exceptional food.
21 Cotham Road South, BS6 5TZ
www.bulrushrestaurant.co.uk

3. Birch

One of Bristol’s smallest and one of its best. A daily changing menu features produce from their own garden.
47 Raleigh Road, BS3 1QS
www.birchbristol.co

4. Bell’s Diner & Bar Rooms

Bell’s celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. As other restaurants fall by the wayside, it continues to excel.
1-3 York Road, BS6 5QB
www.bellsdiner.com

5. Wilks

One of Bristol’s two Michelin starred restaurants and well-deserving of the accolade.
1 Chandos Road, BS6 6PG
www.wilksrestaurant.co.uk

BEST PUB

1. Bag of Nails

Not many pubs in Bristol can say that they have gone viral. But then not many pubs in Bristol are like the Bag of Nails, with a furry collection of locals of the feline variety usually found propping up the bar.
141 St George’s Road, BS1 5UW
www.facebook.com/Bag-of-Nails-Bristol-180172875383888/

2. Volunteer Tavern

Sun shining ready for records spinning. Early Doors Garden Party from 2. https://t.co/89wYg2yeG3 

(pic last night) pic.twitter.com/UfDf4pkQTm

— Volunteer Tavern (@VolunteerTavern) 6 August 2016

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle a stone’s throw away from Cabot Circus.
9 New Street, BS2 9DX
www.volunteertavern.co.uk 

3. The Farm

Everything that is great about St Werburgh’s within one pub.
Hopetoun Road, BS2 9YL
www.thefarmpub.co.uk

4. The Spotted Cow

North Street’s finest that can stake a strong claim to leading the resurgence of this once down-at-heel road.
139 North Street, BS3 1EZ
www.thespottedcowbristol.com

5. The Plough

This is an enclave of Bristol at its irreverent best. There really is no other place like it.
223 Easton Road, BS5 0EG
www.facebook.com/ThePloughEaston

BEST BAR

1. Spoke & Stringer

For years a desolate ghost town in the winter, when the sun shines this area of Bristol now absolutely buzzes. Spoke & Stringer has hosted a variety of special events this year from film screenings to talks and even produces its own in-house magazine.
Lime Kiln Road, BS1 5AD 
www.spokeandstringer.com

2. Moor Beer brewery tap

Drink some of Bristol’s best beer in the place that it’s made. The original Bristol brewery tap, with more due to open next year.
Days Road, BS2 0QS
www.moorbeer.co.uk

3. Small Bar

Continuing to lead Bristol’s real ale revolution in the city’s ‘Beermuda Triangle’.
31 King Street, BS1 4DZ
www.smallbar.co.uk

4. Bar Buvette

The wine gods were smiling on Bristol when this pop-up became permanent.  
31 Baldwin Street, BS1 1RG
@BuvetteBristol 

5. Red Light

Find the red light, pick up the pay phone and prepare for a special experience with some creative cocktails.
1 Unity Street, BS1 5HH
www.redlightbristol.xxx

BEST CAFE 

1. Full Court Press

Be prepared for a masterclass in coffee from Mat North and his knowledgeable team. If the talk’s not about coffee here; it’s about bicycles. 
59 Broad Street, BS1 2EJ
www.fcpcoffee.com

2. Tradewind Espresso

A cafe born out of coffee roasters Roasted Rituals and a former converted van. Try the Biggie Smalls – an espresso followed by a flat white.
118 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2RP
www.tradewindespresso.com

3. Small Street Espresso

Be guaranteed a warm welcome and a cracking coffee, in a cafe whose little sister Little Victories opened earlier this year.
23 Small Street, BS1 1DW
www.smallstreetespresso.co.uk

4. Bakers & Co

San Francisco-inspired cafe with a brilliant brunch menu, that this year began evening dinner service.
193 Gloucester Road, BS7 8BG 
www.bakersbristol.co.uk

5. Katie & Kim’s Kitchen

 

A photo posted by A M E L I A P E M B E R T O N (@ameliapemberton) on Nov 20, 2016 at 4:00am PST

What began as two friends serving food from a converted horse truck is now firmly established as one of the best and quirkiest cafes in town.
39 Picton Street, BS6 5PZ
www.katieandkimskitchen.com

BEST STREET FOOD

1. The Little Taquero

An authentic taste of Mexican street food with not a wall in sight. Find them at markets and special events, and keep a look-out for their pop-up Cervezeria bar.
@littletaquero

2. Vee Double Moo

For those still pining for their old spot on Brandon Hill, Vee’s new summer home on College Green was a relief.
College Green, BS1 5UY
www.veedoublemoo.co.uk 

3. Agnes Spencers

Not only Bristol’s first poet laureate, Miles Chambers also serves some of the best jerk chicken in the city using a recipe from his grandmother.
@agnesspencers

4. 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

5. The Pickled Brisket

Today’s your last chance for a salt beef sandwich @TempleQMarket until 2017. Go on, you know you want to pic.twitter.com/RjzImrT4W0

— The Pickled Brisket (@pickledbrisket) December 22, 2016

Also soon to be moving into Cargo 2, The Pickled Brisket’s splendid salt beef sandwiches were this year found at the Temple Quay Market, Harbour Market and many more.
www.thepickledbrisket.co.uk

BEST POP-UP

1. Chocolate Bear Kitchen at Strawberry Thief

Serving up local, seasonal, gluten free dishes, of which at least half are vegan.
www.thechocolatebearkitchen.com/new-menu-at-the-strawberry-thief

2. The Nave Dinner at Bristol Cathedral

A unique pop-up with choral music accompanying the fine dining.
www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk/whats-on/the-nave-dinner 

3. Kaedama at Mockingbird

A month of ramen at the Clifton cafe from a pop-up who will hopefully be back for more.
www.facebook.com/kaedamabristol/

4. The Plumed Serpent Cantina

Modern Mexican-inspired food that has appeared this year at Mathilda’s Chilli, the Hillgrove and The Old Bookshop.
@ThePSCantina

5. Yonder

Now with a regular home in the Paintworks, Yonder aims to inspire and build a community of Bristol artisans, with food from Chris Griffett.
www.yondercollective.com

BEST SHOP

1. Better Food

The third incarnation of this much-loved Bristol shop opened this year in Wapping Wharf.
1-5 Gaol Ferry Steps, BS1 6WE
www.betterfood.co.uk

2. Source

The freshest ingredients, with many locally sourced and sustainably grown.
1-3 Exchange Avenue, BS1 1JW
www.source-food.co.uk/

3. Sweet Mart

This family run business stocks some 8,000 products, around half of which are unavailable in regular supermarkets. 
St Mark’s Rd, BS5 6JH
www.sweetmart.co.uk 

4. Bristol Cider Shop

A move this year from the Christmas Steps to Wapping Wharf enables the shop to host more events.
www.bristolcidershop.co.uk

5. Viandas

A Spanish deli with the shelves packed full of items all imported from across the Iberian peninsula.
12 Park Row, BS1 5LJ
@viandas_uk

Read more: Bristol Best of 2016: new food and drink openings