People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Asmaa Jama
Bristol-based Somali artist Asmaa Jama has been selected to represent Somalia at the 2026 Venice Biennale.
Asmaa’s multidisciplinary practice spans poetry, film and visual art, and they were shortlisted in the Performing Arts category of the first Bristol Legends awards.
These are Asmaa’s top-five Bristol favourites:
No. 1 Harbourside
No. 1 Harbourside is the sister business of the Canteen and the Old Market Assembly – photo: Martin Booth
“No. 1 Harbourside makes the best hot chocolate in Bristol! And they are open late for the European terrace vibe.”
Cube
The Cube in Kingsdown is run entirely by volunteers – photo: Martin Booth
“Always great programming at the Cube and a wonderful idea. Feels tucked away.”
Cafe Kino
Cafe Kino on Stokes Croft is a workers’ co-op, vegan cafe and DIY venue – photo: Martin Booth
“I’ve been going to Cafe Kino for more than ten years and I love the community spirit.”
Watershed
Watershed was recently named by Time Out as one of the 100 greatest cinemas in the world – photo: Martin Booth
“Like Cafe Kino, I have also been going to Watershed for a long time and I’m a resident at the Pervasive Media Studio. If there’s an indie film you love, they will be showing it.”
Stapleton Road
Asmaa loves the “hustle and bustle” of Stapleton Road – photo: Martin Booth
“Hands down my favourite road in Bristol and among my top favourite roads generally. I love Stapleton Road’s hustle and bustle. Please don’t go and gentrify it all at once.”
Main photo: Tom Whitson
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
