EatDrink24/7 recommendations: Shopkeepers

Have you picked up your copy of EatDrink24/7 yet? In Bristol’s first truly independent food and drink guide, now available for free across the city, 50 panelists share their recommendations.

In the next installment of a series of daily features all this week, feast your eyes on all of the top spots as chosen by Bristol’s shopkeepers:

Abdul Ismail, Bristol Sweet Mart

Este Kitchen
7 Greenbank Road, BS5 6EZ
“A menu of South American favourites such as empanadas, which are particularly delicious.”

Maitreya Social
89 St Mark’s Road, BS5 6HY
“I go here for takeaways. I love their wraps and veggie sausages. Their desserts are to die for too.”

Marmaris, Bath
4-5 Newmarket Row, BA2 4AN
“Our youngsters are always happy to eat there as the food tastes really good and it isn’t too spicy for them.”

The Mint Room
12-16 Clifton Road, BS8 1AF
“They do lots of the standard Indian restaurant dishes but they just seem to do them better than many others. For example, their chicken tikka and chatt dishes taste wonderful. Both are prepared a little differently and I love them. It’s not easy to get these dishes right, but they manage it somehow and their food is subtly different from the usual Indian sub-continent fare restaurants offer. Their pani puri are nearly as good as the ones we make at the Sweet Mart deli.”

Harry Calvert, Gingerbeard’s Preserves

Bambalan
Podium Level, Colston Tower, Colston Street, BS1 4XE
“Great middle-eastern food and rotisserie chicken! Looking forward to spending time on the roof terrace come summer…”

Brewers Droop
36 Gloucester Road, BS7 8AR
“An extensive selection of local and world beers, I am always spoilt for choice here.”

The Canteen
Hamilton House, 80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY
“Great place in Stokes Croft to chill out with a drink and listen to live music. The food’s good too!”

The Cauldron
98 Mina Road, BS2 9XW
“With a great atmosphere and open kitchen, The Cauldron boasts spectacular locally sourced and seasonal dishes, lucky to have this place almost on my doorstep!”

Chance & Counters
20 Christmas Steps, BS1 5BS
“Love this place, wicked selection of board games to play while sipping on some great local beers!”

Chomp
10 St Nicholas Street, BS1 1UQ
“Burger or steak? The choice is so hard as they are both so good…”

The Duke of York
2 Jubilee Road, BS2 9RS
“Wicked little pub with a great atmosphere serving lovely local beers!”

Elemental
123 Stokes Croft, BS1 3RZ
“The coffee is roasted on side and they have a great selection of bread and pastry, my personal favourite are the Eccles cakes!”

Este Kitchen
7 Greenbank Road, BS5 6EZ
“South American inspired street food, the empanadas are particularly good!”

The Fish Shop
Gloucester Road, North Street
“Nice selection of fresh fish and seafood.”

The Hillgrove
53 Hillgrove Street North
BS2 8LT
“Tremendous choice of beer and great kitchen pop-ups, the Sunday roasts are top notch as well!”

Lovett Pies
Unit 3, Cargo. Gaol Ferry Steps, BS1 6WD
“Incredible pastry filled with ever changing seasonal goodness. The best pies in town!”

Moor Beer Tap Room
Days Road, BS2 0QS
“Outstanding beer and regular events, very much looking forward to their tenth birthday in June!”

Otomi
Clifton Arcade, 7 Boyce’s Avenue, BS8 4AA
“If you’re looking for any Mexican ingredients this is the place to go, they have a great selection of chillies, sauces and more…”

Pasta Loco
37A Cotham Hill, BS6 6JY
“Italian with a twist, fresh pasta with bold flavours, the deep-fried goat curry ravioli is out of this world.”

The Pickled Brisket
52 Harrowdene Road, BS4 2JJ
“Makes a mean salt beef sandwich at street food markets around Bristol, soon to have a permanent home in Cargo 2.”

The Rummer
All Saints Lane, BS1 1JH
“An extensive selection of spirits and experimental cocktails. Not to mention they are now distilling gin in the basement!”

Small Bar
31 King Street, BS1 4DZ
“The beer selection is outstanding. There is an extensive and ever-changing selection of beers from some of the best small breweries in the world including, of course, many of our local gems like Left Handed Giant, Moor, Arbor, Wiper & True to name but a few. I would describe the food as American-style BBQ pub food. The meat is smoked on site which is a bonus. It is very well executed and right up my street. There are also some tasty vegetarian options available! Small Bar is a great place to have a chilled out beer on sunny afternoon, meet for an after work drink, grab some scran or have a good night out! They also offer regular meet the brewer events which are not to be missed if you’re into your beers!”

Source
1-3 Exchange Avenue, St Nicholas Market, BS1 1JW
“It’s a great place to find game, and… they make their own haggis for Burns Night.”

Sweet Mart
71-82, 84 St Mark’s Road, BS5 6JH
“Sweet Mart is great, the best place in Bristol to buy spices and exotic ingredients.”

Viva La Mexicana
149 East Street, BS3 4EJ
“If you’re looking for proper authentic Mexican food in Bristol this is the place to go!”

Joe Wheatcroft, Source

Birch
47 Raleigh Road, BS3 1QS
“Sam and Becky love what they do and it really shows in their restaurant. Their garden is full of a wide range of produce which is not often found on menus and each one carries a story. Every aspect of each dish on the menu deserves its’ place and the wine list is given the same level of care and attention. Passion and fun speak very loudly at Birch, as well as seasonality and sustainability.”

Harvey Nichols Second Floor
Quakers Friars, BS1 3BZ
“Always fantastic, well thought-out dishes at a great price. Service is always great and they have been consistent for ages, often overlooked but always brilliant.”

Licata’s
36 Picton Street, BS6 5QA
“A wide range of produce reminding me of how we don’t always need fancy branding to have a great meal. Service can be a little rough around the edges but hey, that can be quite refreshing.”

No Man’s Grace
6 Chandos Road, BS6 6PE
“Always worth the money, some fantastic flavours and techniques coming out of their little kitchen and John is very passionate about his menu. The dishes look amazing as well as pushing what you might think of as normal flavour pairings.”

Laura Hart, Hart’s Bakery

Buzz Lockleaze
6 Gainsborough Square, BS7 9XA
“Recently discovered after dog walks at Purdown, this community-run enterprise is bright and welcoming. With a simple food offering and a carefully chosen selection of organic vegetables and wholefoods, it has become a regular stop.”

Pasta Loco
37A Cotham Hill, BS6 6JY
“A true family-run restaurant with a generosity that runs through every dish and the sort of service that makes you feel like a long lost friend. The lunch deal is the best value around.”

Souk Kitchen
277 North Street, BS3 1JP
“I love it here – the Middle Eastern inspired menu is exciting, tasty and great value. Family friendly and with lovely service its one of the places I go to most these days. Still trying to persuade them to give me the recipe for the dukkah on their mushroom and poached egg brunch dish. Excellent cake too.”

Sweet Mart
71-82, 84 St Mark’s Road, BS5 6JH
“A Bristol institution – great for stocking up, discovering new ingredients and it’s almost impossible to leave without a few delicious fried bits from their deli counter.”

Pat Powell, Swoon

Lido
Oakfield Place, BS8 2BJ
“Always a favourite for friends visiting Bristol. Great venue, love early evening with a great glass of wine and tapas.”

Pasta Loco
37A Cotham Hill, BS6 6JY
“Fabulous homemade pasta, just like Nonna’s. Too yummy!”

Spoke & Stringer
The Boat House, Unit 1 Gasworks Ln, BS1 5AD
“For a fabulous brunch, especially on a sunny day, Spoke & Stringer, love their crushed avocado with poached egg on sourdough.”

Rosie Morgan, The Bristol Cheesemonger

Bell’s
1-3 York Road, BS6 5QB
“A Bristol, institution and for good reason, Bell’s is faultless.”

Bertha’s Pizza
The Old Gaol Stables, Cumberland Road, BS1 6UX
“Graham, Kate and the team at Bertha’s have a wonderful approach to food and service. Their restaurant is well thought out and relaxed. I love the low fuss approach without any compromise on food or service. The quality of the pizzas and service are impeccable, and the atmosphere when dinning is wonderful.”

Birch
47 Raleigh Road, BS3 1QS
“Delicious seasonal modern British food with an impeccable drinks list. Sam and Becky have an amazing, admirable and refreshing approach to food and drink and this is highly evident through their restaurant. The menu is diverse and ever changing. I am in awe of their in depth understanding of seasonality and its importance, as well as a huge amount of knowledge on farming practises and pasture management which ultimately effects the flavour of the food we eat. All of this is taken into consideration when planning the menu, choosing the drinks list and building a close relationship with their suppliers. This takes a huge amount of time and effort, something which they are more than willing to do to ensure that the food they serve at their restaurant is always at its best. If I could, I’d eat at Birch every week of the year!”

East Bristol Bakery
112 St Mark’s Road, BS5 6JD
“I have a huge amount of respect for the teams here and at Hart’s. Running a bakery, supplying such high quality baked goods is hard work, and yet these two supply the good people of Bristol on a daily basis with some of the best baked goods on offer in the country, with no compromise in quality or service. Even at the busiest moments, with queues out the door, both establishments are working tirelessly to provide you with wonderful products and service. I’m always in awe.”

Full Court Press
59 Broad Street, BS1 2EJ
“My daily haunt for the perfect cup of coffee. I visit FCP at least 5 times a week and every time have the most delicious coffee. The staff abilities and knowledge are unparalleled and the variety of coffee on offer is ever changing. Working directly with renowned UK and international roasteries the quality of coffee on offer is of a high standard and ever changing. The staff take their time to talk through the the options with the customer, ensuring the customer has a drink that is right for them, never compromising on taste. Shots are weighed and specific recipes are set for each different coffee, as the staff understand the many variables that effect the brewing process. It’s where I go for the perfect cup of coffee.”

Little Victories
Wapping Wharf, 7 Gaol Ferry Steps, BS1 6WE
“Great coffee. Great atmosphere. Great gin. I love that Little Victories caters for every hour of the day. I can pop in for a morning coffee or and lunch time snack, as well as heading after work for a drink and some nibbles. Perfect.”

Pasta Loco
37A Cotham Hill, BS6 6JY
“The best Italian food I have ever had. The food was impeccable. The service was faultless and I had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.”

Small Bar
31 King Street, BS1 4DZ
“Small Bar always has such a wonderful and varied selection of beers I always come away knowing something different and trying something new.”

Zara Narracott, Zara’s Chocolates

Bristol Cheesemonger
Unit 8 CARGO 2, Museum Street, BS1 6ZA
“With such a great array of cheese, from traditional cows dairy, to sheep, goats and buffalo milk, and some unusual choices you don’t find in the supermarkets, it’s a cheesy dream!”

Gaines The Grocer
172 Wells Road, BS4 2AL
“A cornucopia of interesting and enticing ingredients including their own preserved lemons and marinated olives. Every visit reveals new treasures!”

Katie and Kim’s Kitchen
41 Picton Street, BS6 5PZ
“Imagine your best mate is an amazing cook and invites all your friends for brunch, where you all sit around their awesome wooden kitchen table swapping stories of the night before. It’s like that.”

The Lion Cliftonwood
19 Church Lane, BS8 4TX
“Dauphinoise AND roast potatoes on their awesome Sunday roasts. Need I say more?”

Little Victories
Wapping Wharf, 7 Gaol Ferry Steps, BS1 6WE
“Small Street Espresso’s newer sister, serving up awesome coffees (and coffee cocktails for the evening), in a relaxed and calming environment near the water.”

Mark’s Bread
291 North Street, BS3 1JU
“I was recently told that Mark’s Bread do the best bacon sandwiches, so had to try this out for myself. With their own homemade tomato relish, fresh sourdough bread, and delicious crispy bacon – it’s definitely one to beat, and that’s just their bacon sandwich.”

The North Street Standard
11-13 North Street, BS3 1EN
“My go-to brunch spot on a Sunday morning, with a laid-back environment, delicious menu, and no skimping on the maple syrup!”

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