People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: James Smith
James Smith is the owner of Soft Buoys, which sells cheese toasties and ice cream from a small kiosk on Welsh Back.
Soft Buoys serves coffee, cheese toasties and soft serve ice cream – photo: Martin Booth
He was most recently restaurant manager of Bokman on Nine Tree Hill and still works there part-time, having previously worked at Muiño on Cotham Hill.
These are James’ top-five Bristol favourites:
Bokman
Bokman employs modern Korean cooking with an emphasis on quality ingredients and traditional techniques.- photo: Martin Booth
“Bokman is definitely my favourite restaurant in Bristol, probably even the country, nay the world. So when the opportunity came up a couple of years ago to be restaurant manager there, I absolutely jumped at the opportunity, even though I was quite happy and settled in my old job. Bokman has always been my go-to restaurant. Their commitment to quality and dedication to everything they do is just incredible and it’s now amazing to get an insight on that.”
The Bank Tavern
The Bank Tavern on John Street in the Old City is famous for its Sunday roasts – photo: Martin Booth
“When I first moved to Bristol about 12 years ago, I lived in a flat that was directly opposite the Bank Tavern. Everyone now knows about the super high quality and wallet-friendly Sunday roast but I have just always liked the atmosphere in a pub that is about the size of a postage stamp.”
The Mayflower
The Mayflower reopened on the Horsefair in early 2025 – photo: Martin Booth
“The Mayflower is just the best for group dining in Bristol. I absolutely love it there. The service is very brash and in your face, but it’s just great for a really good group to go with. I’ve had many birthdays and Christmas celebrations there. Their original site near the Bearpit does hold a special place in my heart because it’s right near where I live so was very handy, but I actually think the new site in Broadmead is better.”
Portland Square
St Paul’s on Portland Square, now the home of Circomedia, gives the area its name – photo: Martin Booth
“I love the old Georgian townhouses around Portland Square but it’s also slap in the middle of Farro and Greytone, the best baked goods and coffee combination in the city. There’s also Cosies there as well which is a Bristol
institution.”
El Colmado
El Colmado on Gloucester Road sells a huge range of Spanish products – photo: Martin Booth
“El Colmado owner David is one of Bristol’s most beautiful people inside and out. He’s just incredible and his shop is an absolute must-visit. I’m addicted to guindillas, little pickled chilies. I had it on a special at Soft Buoys recently but had to take it off because I kept on eating the chilies!”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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