Bristol’s best new food & drink openings of 2022

Despite the difficulties, 2022 in Bristol has seen a plethora of new food and drink openings across the city – as well as a number of sad closures.

From new restaurants that have already received national attention to the reopening and renaming of some historic pubs, these last 12 months have been as busy as ever.

These are the best new food and drink openings in Bristol in 2022:

Best new restaurant: COR

Cannellini beans have already become a firm favourite in COR – photo: Martin Booth

There is something about husband and wife teams in Bristol who have the knack of opening some of the best food and drink businesses in the city. Think Bertha’s Pizza, Bravas and Hart’s Bakery. Add to that list COR on North Street, opened in October by Karen and Mark Chapman serving sensational small plates inspired by the Mediterranean, and already in the upper echelons of Bristol restaurants.

Honourable mentions: Cotto, Casa

Best new pub: The King’s Head

Inside the King’s Head on its official opening night – photo: Martin Booth

We’re cheating slightly with this one as the King’s Head isn’t strictly a new pub. But we make the rules here and this historic pub on Victoria Street reopened under new owners Good Chemistry in November so is most definitely worthy of its entry on our list. The only Bristol pub of National Importance in CAMRA’s Heritage Listed Interiors is now in very safe hands.

Honourable mention: The Open Arms

Best new bar: Artist Residence

Artist Residence’s bar is named after the boot factory that was once on this corner of Portland Square – photo: Martin Booth

If anything has been worth the wait this year, it has been Artist Residence finally opening all of the spaces within their boutique hotel in St Paul’s. This corner of Portland Square that used to be a boot factory has been transformed into a supremely stylish all-day hangout, with croissants in the morning being replaced by cocktails in the evening.

Honourable mentions: Wiper & True, Native Vine

Best new cafe: Little Bagel Co.

New York-inspired bagels are on the menu at Little Bagel Co. – photo: Martin Booth

There aren’t many busier places in Bristol than the Clifton Triangle. But high footfall alone doesn’t guarantee a successful food and drink business. What does seemingly guarantee success is New York-style bagels and coffee. Little Bagel Co. on Queen’s Road has been opened by Wes Thompson and is inspired by Wes’ trips to the Big Apple, making fresh, hand rolled bagels every day with a variety of fillings.

Honourable mentions: 3ft 6, Radical Roasters

Best new food & drink shop: North St Cheese Co.

North Street Cheese Co. supplies COR just up the road – photo: Martin Booth

Colston is well and truly welcome in the new North Street Cheese Company. That’s as long as it’s Colston Bassett stilton made in Nottinghamshire from unpasteurised cow’s milk, just one of the cheeses piled high on the counter here. Walking into this new shop – which opened on North Street in Bedminster in August – is like walking into a fridge, with all the cheeses kept in perfect condition.

Honourable mentions: Dings Deli, Panunzio’s Kitchen

Best new street food: Mr Noodle

Street food connoisseurs already hunt down Mr Noodle’s ramen – photo: Mr Noodle

This year, Mr Noodle has branched out from a pop-up on Chandos Road in Redland to appearing at locations including the Harbourside Market, the Lost & Grounded taproom, and festivals across Bristol, the South West and Wales. The mysterious Mr Noodle and his team serve dishes including Korean fried chicken ramen, pulled pork yaki soba noodles and Sichuan pork tonkotsu.

Honourable mention: The Cheese Guys

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Read more: Bristol brewery named best in the UK

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Farewells

Among the new openings this year, there have been a number of goodbyes including some very sad closures.

So thanks for all the memories to:

• Al’s Tikka Grill, Ashton Gate
• Bakers & Co, Gloucester Road & Wapping Wharf
• Bomboloni, Gloucester Road
• Casamia, The General
• Chai Shai, St George’s Road
• Falafel King, Cotham Hill
• Fish, Welsh Back
• Friska, various locations
• Hoba, St Augustine’s Parade (closing on December 23)
• Jamaica Street Stores, Jamaica Street
• Lockside, Cumberland Basin
• Seitan’s Corner, Zetland Road
• Shake, Wrap & Roll, Cheltenham Road
• Spicer & Cole, Gloucester Road
• Vincenzo’s, Park Street (closing on December 24)
• Woky Ko, Wapping Wharf & Queen’s Road

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read next:

• Ethicurean crowdfunds ‘to stand chance of being here next summer’
• New sandwich shop opens on North Street
• Rooftop terrace could open above car park

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